Is a group tour the best solution in this situation?
Apr 29th, 2014, 05:44 AM
#21
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A little more on San Sebastián.
Some of the finest city beaches in Europe, excellent surfing and nightlife, great walks both along the peaceful La Concha beach promenade, in the different city parks, and both ways along the rugged coastline. San Sebastián is small, very laid-back and very walkable. Has been a favourite for Spanish and French summer visitors for more than 150 years because of the mild summer climate and the outstanding city beaches. http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/beaches/
The 49th edition of the San Sebastián jazz festival takes place July 23-27: http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/
All about going for the famous pintxos in food crazy San Sebastián, with suggested bar routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en
San Sebastián is also home to one of the finest city choirs in Europe, Orfeón Donostiarra (Donostia is the Basque name of San Sebastián). Every now and then, the Orfeón sings during service in the Santa María del Coro church in the Old town. Have had some magical Orfoén moments here. Here they are in the Royal Chapel in Madrid with the king and queen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTFijBdBd3M
70 mins by bus to big and vibrant Bilbao with the spectacular Guggenheim museum and one of the absolute best Fine Arts museums in the country. http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao
Several small fishing villages along the coast between San Sebastián and Bilbao. Getaria is one of them, just west of San Sebastián: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...taria-tourism/
And all is in the fascinating Basque region with a very distinct and proud history and culture. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/cultu...ain-12204.html
The newly renovated San Telmo museum in San Sebastián is all about "Basque Society and Citizenship": http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en
Some of the finest city beaches in Europe, excellent surfing and nightlife, great walks both along the peaceful La Concha beach promenade, in the different city parks, and both ways along the rugged coastline. San Sebastián is small, very laid-back and very walkable. Has been a favourite for Spanish and French summer visitors for more than 150 years because of the mild summer climate and the outstanding city beaches. http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/beaches/
The 49th edition of the San Sebastián jazz festival takes place July 23-27: http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/
All about going for the famous pintxos in food crazy San Sebastián, with suggested bar routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en
San Sebastián is also home to one of the finest city choirs in Europe, Orfeón Donostiarra (Donostia is the Basque name of San Sebastián). Every now and then, the Orfeón sings during service in the Santa María del Coro church in the Old town. Have had some magical Orfoén moments here. Here they are in the Royal Chapel in Madrid with the king and queen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTFijBdBd3M
70 mins by bus to big and vibrant Bilbao with the spectacular Guggenheim museum and one of the absolute best Fine Arts museums in the country. http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao
Several small fishing villages along the coast between San Sebastián and Bilbao. Getaria is one of them, just west of San Sebastián: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...taria-tourism/
And all is in the fascinating Basque region with a very distinct and proud history and culture. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/cultu...ain-12204.html
The newly renovated San Telmo museum in San Sebastián is all about "Basque Society and Citizenship": http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en
Apr 29th, 2014, 07:39 AM
#22
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Why don't you just take them all to the Dordogne for the full two weeks and rent two or three cars? There is everything imaginable to do there: museums, castles, caves and other prehistoric sites, bicycling, rope walking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, beautiful villages, evening entertainment (films, plays, sound and light shows), antique shows, art fairs, markets....
Apr 30th, 2014, 05:42 AM
#24
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Alright. I stayed up half the night surfing fodors and the other links sent. Rushing off to work so sorry if this is incomplete. Dordogne seems amazing! St. Cirq I blame your trip reports for a nearly sleepless night and a strange desire for cheese and sliced radishes 
There is only one driver (that is, one person we all feel comfortable being a driver) in the group. However, I'm going to propose it for our (hopefully) Fall 2015 newly empty-nesters trip with friends.
Imdonehere was right, things seem to be going fast in San Sebastian and I just need to make a decision.
Richard, the age range has worked in the past and while it has challenges I hope the benefit outweighs them. Fingers crossed.
JanisJ and Adrienne we'll minimize our stays in the hottest places. As far as I can tell, only Lisbon will be in the 80's. San Sebastian should be mid-70's
kimhe -- your words and links have really fueled our enthusiasm for San Sebastian. Even my husband who was luke warm at the idea of the trip, perked up when I told hime about San Sebastian,
In was In exploring the links for San Sebastian apartments I realize that we'll have to spend at least 5 nights there.
So, what about this:
Two nights in Lisbon (including day trip to Sintra)-- HAL hotel
Two nights in a village setting in Portugal (the Evora area might be too warm) will need to figure that out. It seems like we could make day trips from Lisbon, but I like the idea of experiencing a a city, a village or two and the seaside. Wish Tedgale's report was done.
Five nights in San Sebastian including a day trip to Bilboa, the fishing village Kimhe mentioned and others. So, for example while we hang on a beach and take a pinxtos tour the elders could take a day trip to Toledo (?) , maybe could work in a day trip to France. Seems like we might need to rend two, two-bedroom flats to get a central location at a decent price.
Obvioulsy, there's still a lot to be done, but what do you think? I was feeling a bit guilty about not planing something with more of the typical "sights" for the elders (Barcelona, Madrid) who would probably choose other countries to visit in the future (may they have many healthy traveling years ahead) and are not the kind of people to sit on a beach. However, I think that with the heat, day trips for San Sebastian might be the best way for them to get a feel for Spain.
Would appreciate any thoughts you might have.
Thanks,
Sonia
There is only one driver (that is, one person we all feel comfortable being a driver) in the group. However, I'm going to propose it for our (hopefully) Fall 2015 newly empty-nesters trip with friends.Imdonehere was right, things seem to be going fast in San Sebastian and I just need to make a decision.
Richard, the age range has worked in the past and while it has challenges I hope the benefit outweighs them. Fingers crossed.
JanisJ and Adrienne we'll minimize our stays in the hottest places. As far as I can tell, only Lisbon will be in the 80's. San Sebastian should be mid-70's
kimhe -- your words and links have really fueled our enthusiasm for San Sebastian. Even my husband who was luke warm at the idea of the trip, perked up when I told hime about San Sebastian,
In was In exploring the links for San Sebastian apartments I realize that we'll have to spend at least 5 nights there.
So, what about this:
Two nights in Lisbon (including day trip to Sintra)-- HAL hotel
Two nights in a village setting in Portugal (the Evora area might be too warm) will need to figure that out. It seems like we could make day trips from Lisbon, but I like the idea of experiencing a a city, a village or two and the seaside. Wish Tedgale's report was done.
Five nights in San Sebastian including a day trip to Bilboa, the fishing village Kimhe mentioned and others. So, for example while we hang on a beach and take a pinxtos tour the elders could take a day trip to Toledo (?) , maybe could work in a day trip to France. Seems like we might need to rend two, two-bedroom flats to get a central location at a decent price.
Obvioulsy, there's still a lot to be done, but what do you think? I was feeling a bit guilty about not planing something with more of the typical "sights" for the elders (Barcelona, Madrid) who would probably choose other countries to visit in the future (may they have many healthy traveling years ahead) and are not the kind of people to sit on a beach. However, I think that with the heat, day trips for San Sebastian might be the best way for them to get a feel for Spain.
Would appreciate any thoughts you might have.
Thanks,
Sonia
Apr 30th, 2014, 06:00 AM
#25
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I couldn't see everything in Sintra in one day. If you only have a day, be sure to see the Pena Palace. This takes a long time since you need to take a bus from town (no parking at the palace) and once you get to the ticket area you either walk uphill to the palace or take a shuttle. The buses leave from the TI in town (perhaps from other places as well). Get to the TI early as the buses were packed. They are regular buses, not shuttles to the palace.
If coming from Lisbon you could visit the Pena Palace and National Palace in a day if you set out early. The National Palace is in town, a short walk from the TI. You'd need to find out what buses run from the train station to the TI in the main part of town.
Sintra is a small town so no need to go as far as Evora. There's also more to do in Sintra than in Evora. Evora was not any warmer than any place else I visited in Portugal and it was cooler than Lisbon.
You can get to the beach from Lisbon.
Two nights is one day and you won't be able to see things in Lisbon, Sintra, and go to the beach in one day (or in a day and a half).
I don't think you'd want to stay in a village in Portugal as what would you do there and you'd need a car to get to and from the village. A small town is a better choice.
I chose to go to Portugal at the end of September because the average temperatures were supposed to be mid 70s F. Almost every day was 80 to 85 degrees except the couple of days when it was humid but it felt hotter than 85 degrees.
If coming from Lisbon you could visit the Pena Palace and National Palace in a day if you set out early. The National Palace is in town, a short walk from the TI. You'd need to find out what buses run from the train station to the TI in the main part of town.
Sintra is a small town so no need to go as far as Evora. There's also more to do in Sintra than in Evora. Evora was not any warmer than any place else I visited in Portugal and it was cooler than Lisbon.
You can get to the beach from Lisbon.
Two nights is one day and you won't be able to see things in Lisbon, Sintra, and go to the beach in one day (or in a day and a half).
I don't think you'd want to stay in a village in Portugal as what would you do there and you'd need a car to get to and from the village. A small town is a better choice.
I chose to go to Portugal at the end of September because the average temperatures were supposed to be mid 70s F. Almost every day was 80 to 85 degrees except the couple of days when it was humid but it felt hotter than 85 degrees.
Apr 30th, 2014, 06:06 AM
#26
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Misha we have traveled through spain as a group of 7 (ages 4-66) and were able to enjoy. You may want to read through my journey (and accompanying tips for multi age travel) on my site
http://celebratetheweekend.com/spain...accross-spain/
http://celebratetheweekend.com/spain...accross-spain/
Apr 30th, 2014, 06:36 AM
#27
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No day-trip from San Sebastián to Toledo, would take some 5-6 hours drive each way.
But San Sebastián is an excellent base for getting a feel for this very important and distinct part of Spain, the Basque Country itself.
The Basque Country is traditionally the industrial (together with Catalunya) and financial (together with Madrid) center in Spain, and it's still the richest region in the country measured in GDP/capita (way above European average). The Basque country hold both a strong coastal/naval and inland history and culture. Most of the sailors on Columbus' and later expeditions to America were Basque, and Juan Sebastián Elcano from Getaria just west of San Sebastián, completed the first circumnavigation of the world in 1522.
Still today very strong links between the Basque Country and America, especially many Basques fled overseas during the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_diaspora
The Old town of San Sebastián is in itself a living museum of the later parts of the Napoleon and Peninsular Wars (1808-1813) and a result of the siege and eventual burning of the city in 1813.
Go just south of San Sebastián to experience the inland culture in Oñati with the university from 1540 and the Arantzazu sanctuary. A great day-trip: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...vel-guide.html
Vibrant big city Bilbao: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...ilbao-tourism/
Pamplona (the Roman Pompaelo), famous in US through Hemingway for the San Fermin festival and running with the bulls every year July 6-14, is just about an hour inland by bus: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...vel-guide.html
could go on and on...
But San Sebastián is an excellent base for getting a feel for this very important and distinct part of Spain, the Basque Country itself.
The Basque Country is traditionally the industrial (together with Catalunya) and financial (together with Madrid) center in Spain, and it's still the richest region in the country measured in GDP/capita (way above European average). The Basque country hold both a strong coastal/naval and inland history and culture. Most of the sailors on Columbus' and later expeditions to America were Basque, and Juan Sebastián Elcano from Getaria just west of San Sebastián, completed the first circumnavigation of the world in 1522.
Still today very strong links between the Basque Country and America, especially many Basques fled overseas during the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_diaspora
The Old town of San Sebastián is in itself a living museum of the later parts of the Napoleon and Peninsular Wars (1808-1813) and a result of the siege and eventual burning of the city in 1813.
Go just south of San Sebastián to experience the inland culture in Oñati with the university from 1540 and the Arantzazu sanctuary. A great day-trip: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...vel-guide.html
Vibrant big city Bilbao: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...ilbao-tourism/
Pamplona (the Roman Pompaelo), famous in US through Hemingway for the San Fermin festival and running with the bulls every year July 6-14, is just about an hour inland by bus: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...vel-guide.html
could go on and on...
Apr 30th, 2014, 03:44 PM
#28
Original Poster
Weekend celebrations, thanks for the link!
Adrienne, oh no, that hot? If we do it, are you suggesting we spend all four nights in Lisbon or spend a night in Sintra?
Kimhe, seems like we will have plentiful options for San Sebastian. I really want to rush to figure out the lodging,it is tight, but can't finalize the dates until I decide on the first four days of the tour.
Does anyone have suggestions on a guide/driver out of Lisbon and San Sebastian. We could book day trips and take public transportation. But, some of our most meaningful travel experiences have been based on guides we've learned about on fodors. Michael Osoman (Paris) and Delvin (Cape Town) and someone whose name I don't remember in Costa Rica.
Adrienne, oh no, that hot? If we do it, are you suggesting we spend all four nights in Lisbon or spend a night in Sintra?
Kimhe, seems like we will have plentiful options for San Sebastian. I really want to rush to figure out the lodging,it is tight, but can't finalize the dates until I decide on the first four days of the tour.
Does anyone have suggestions on a guide/driver out of Lisbon and San Sebastian. We could book day trips and take public transportation. But, some of our most meaningful travel experiences have been based on guides we've learned about on fodors. Michael Osoman (Paris) and Delvin (Cape Town) and someone whose name I don't remember in Costa Rica.
May 1st, 2014, 02:35 AM
#29
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Try to get in contact with mikelg on this forum. He lives in Bilbao, loves the region and knows everything about every corner of the Basque country, its history and culture. If you are looking for a guide out of San Sebastián, it must be him (or someone he can recommend).
This is how mikelg presents his interests and hobbies on the fodor's profile:
Local tour guide based on off-the-beaten-path routes, for those seeking a real experience in those places locals really like...
https://www.facebook.com/toursbybasques
http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetourism
http://mugalari.wordpress.com
This is how mikelg presents his interests and hobbies on the fodor's profile:
Local tour guide based on off-the-beaten-path routes, for those seeking a real experience in those places locals really like...
https://www.facebook.com/toursbybasques
http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetourism
http://mugalari.wordpress.com
May 1st, 2014, 02:57 PM
#31
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mikelg, I'll give you a call next time we go, could be great fun to meet! Even though I've studied in San Sebastián and been there so much, I will of course always have an outsiders view on the Basque Country. My Norwegian grandfather - whom I never met - was sales director of Mustad's Cía Tolosa from the start in 1907 up until the coming of 1936 and part of the Ski Club Tolosano in its early days. Could be much to talk about and for me to learn.
May 1st, 2014, 09:02 PM
#32
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Wow, that´s so interesting! A Ski club in Tolosa sounds so strange (it does not snow that much over here...and as you know there aren´t any ski resorts). Yes, of course it´ll be a pleasure to meet you, keep in touch!
May 1st, 2014, 11:51 PM
#33
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All about the ski club here: Cuando el esquí comienza. (Crónica del Ski Club Tolosano), Francisco Tuduri. Tolosa 1993
http://cvcfondo.blogspot.no/2009/12/...francisco.html
The Aralar mountains was the place. Here they built the Refugio de Amigos de Aralar up at Errenaga: http://www.aralar-natura.org/publi/16/16111131.pdf
Therefore, I have a soft spot for Bar Aralar in San Sebastián ;-) They used to have some plain merluza rebozada-pintxos here. With a sprinkle of lemon, divine! http://elpais.com/diario/1998/06/07/...12_850215.html
http://cvcfondo.blogspot.no/2009/12/...francisco.html
The Aralar mountains was the place. Here they built the Refugio de Amigos de Aralar up at Errenaga: http://www.aralar-natura.org/publi/16/16111131.pdf
Therefore, I have a soft spot for Bar Aralar in San Sebastián ;-) They used to have some plain merluza rebozada-pintxos here. With a sprinkle of lemon, divine! http://elpais.com/diario/1998/06/07/...12_850215.html
May 11th, 2014, 03:19 PM
#37
Original Poster
Thanks to all of you for your tremendous help. We missed the boat this summer and the airline tickets alone have convinced us to get a head start for next summer's planning. Thanks goodness for all of the wonderful resources here. In the meantime, we'll search for a good vacation closer to home. Maybe some of you will be on the Canada forum.
Apr 6th, 2015, 04:56 AM
#38
Original Poster
Our Spain/Portugal trip is on for this June!!! It's so much fun to read back on all the helpful posts here from last year. My cluelessness if also a little embarrassing, but I'm sure I'll prove to be clueless again.
We'll spend four nights in Lisbon, four nights in San Sebastan (though I tempted to increase that after reading Kimhe's posts again), and three nights in Barcelona. We have a party of ten now, but I think I can make this work with all of your guidance.
Will post more questions elsewhere.
We'll spend four nights in Lisbon, four nights in San Sebastan (though I tempted to increase that after reading Kimhe's posts again), and three nights in Barcelona. We have a party of ten now, but I think I can make this work with all of your guidance.
Will post more questions elsewhere.
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