Ideas needed ASAP Last minute trip to or from NW Spain
 

Hi All,

I recently found out that I get to go to San Sebastian, Spain for a last minute work related trip. I only need to be in San Sebastian the first weekend of May, but I can extend my trip for 1-2 weeks either before or after for vacation. Anyone have any suggestions for me? Other places to visit? Activities? Travel tips for this area? etc.

About me:
I'm a 30-year-old single male, and I will be traveling alone. I enjoy "things to do" (e.g. camping, nightlife stuff, etc.) more than "things to see" (e.g. museums, churches, etc.). I'm fine with hostels and sleeping on trains. The last time I spoke Spanish was in high school (yikes!), but I can at least speak and read it with the aid of an English-Spanish dictionary. I've been to Europe once before, and visited Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich (for Oktoberfest which is amazing), and Madrid. I'm a researcher at a university, which you should read as, "I'm paid horribly, and I'm on a tight budget."

Here are three ideas I'm considering:
1) Surfing trip - Basically stay on the western coast of Europe visiting and surfing at as many locations as possible either starting in France or Portugal. I could either bring my board or rent one at various locations. I could camp or stay in hostels.

2) From San Sebastian, head towards Italy or Switzerland stopping in Barcelona for a bit along the way. As for what to do/see along the way, I'm open to suggestions.

3) Starting or ending in Amsterdam for tulip season and/or Liberation Day, while stopping at various places in France along the way. Again, I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for any help and suggestions you can give me!

San Seb. has a very good surfing beach away from the "non-surf" people. There is also another region on south of Setubal in Portugal, a protected NP sort of area, awesome...Several surfing schools there so rentals?? Probably. I'm sure that rentals are readily available as surf boards don't qualiry as "carry-ons"!! Many places along this Western coast but you are so-o-o lucky to have a "business trip" that you can morph into a "monkey business trip". Envy doesn't describe it, believe me.. Don't know about hostels but there have to be many with the surfing crowd. english is very common and the crowd will be international therefore English will probably be dominant. If not, don't worry. You'll do just fine.If you plan on tulip time there won't be much surfing on the Atlantic. Each plan has merit..Look @ You Tube for videos of various places along the West coast..Food is reasonable and hostels are plentiful but do take care of your stuff..Lock it up tight and be very cautious of, IPad and/or lap top, credit cards and Passport!!

"I'm paid horribly, and I'm on a tight budget."
Then do not plan on travelling too far.
Trips to France or Portugal or even up to The Netherlands cost Euros.

Lots and lots of hostels in San Sebastian as it is popular with inter-raliers and backpackers. Surfing at Zurriola beach is great and there are at least two surf hire shops within 50 metres of the beach. To the west there are some famous surf breaks too such as; Mundaka and Zarautz.
More than enough to keep you busy in San Sebastian, especially the nightlife.

If you travel onwards towards France then you also have other famous surf spots; Biarritz and Hossegor to name but a few.

See some shots of the surf in both places from last summer here: http://biarritzairporttransfers.com/...rf-report.html

San Sebastián is fabulous in itself, but there would also be plenty of other great places in the area, several nice towns along the coastline and vibrant big ciy Bilbao is one hour away by bus.

About San Sebasián in New York Times: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/08/07...pain.html?_r=0

About the region, he wonderful Basque Country: http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/

Great surfing in Zurriola beach in the center of San Sebasián, but you could also go to top surf village Zarautz just west of town. http://www.goodpeoplesurf.com/surf-camp-zarautz/

Great nightlife in both San Sebastián and Bilbao: http://www.spain.info/en/ven/grandes...es/bilbao.html

Plenty of affordable pensiones/hostales in San Sebastián. Most will be basic hotel standard, private bathroom etc. Here are a couple I have used and can recommend:
Bellas Artes: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Country.html
Pension Urkia, 35-40€/night: http://www.pensionurkia.com/

You should also take a look at Camping Igueldo 5 km outside San Sebastián. Up at the Igueldo mounain just west of town, tranquile, fabulous views, bar/restaurant and bus to the centre in a few minutes. http://www.campingigueldo.com/

You could also visit Hondarribia just east of San Sebastián, almost on the border to France: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/tr...pagewanted=all

In general, this is the n. 1 food region in Spain.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2

The fantastic flamenco dancer Rocio Molina performs in San Sebastián Saturday May 4th at 8pm. Saw the premiere of this in Barcelona in October and will never forget:
http://www.rociomolina.net/?lang=en