Itinerary for Spain
 

Planning one week trip to Spain. Arriving on a Saturday and leaving next Saturday, mid August. No airline reservations yet so we could fly into any major city. Want to travel by train from city to city. We like museums, small cities and very nice bed and breakfasts. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Spain really does not have a a BnB tradition, evn though it is growing.

With a week I simply choose two places. You need to either get a guidebook or go to the box above "View by Country" and click on Spain. There has been much written about it.

Spain may not have a B&B tradition, but they do have B&Bs.

Here's Venere for Barcelona, for example.

http://www.venere.com/spain/barcelon...|r6-c|all_rate

If that doesn't work, start with www.venere.com and go from there. Most every city is listed by these guys. Read the reviews, put in your dates to get an accurate cost, and always check with the place of lodging, if you can.

The nearest Spain has to the B&B principle is a Casa Rural. These are (by the use of the words) located in rural areas.
The cheapest accommodation, but in Small establishments in large cities are Hostal (note the a) Small family run hotels with usually en-suite bathrooms. A Hostel (with an e) is usually a hotel with communal bathrooms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostal

The following website is perhaps the best there is to find accommodation at the price you want to pay.
www.booking.com reviews can only be written by guests (unlike other websites)

In Spain a lot of accommodations charge extra for breakfasts as it is easy to find a bar open for your coffee and cake/roll. The Spanish tent to eat breakfast a bit later in the morning than what you are used to,

With only a week, you need to confine your visit geographically. North, south, sea, mountains.
What are your interests? You could have an open jawed flight, arriving in Madrid and departing from Barcelona ( or visa versa).
Need to do some homework, and decide what you want to see/do.

What Spain does have that is unique is the parador system. They are not available in Barcelona and Madrid, but some are in castles, monasteries, and other unusual structures.

http://www.paradorsofspain.com/

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General question:

We have not stayed at a pension in many years. Are they still popular and would be they still be for the budget traveler?

Since you're traveling in August I would advise you stay away from the south.

Morning glory there are a number of posts about Spain in August, including this one:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-406236-2.cfm

The paradors are beautiful but expensive and book up early. The ones I tried to book were already full 6 months ahead.

Distances between north and south of Spain are deceivingly long, not really practical to travel all that way in 6 days, and I think others are right that south of Spain is exceedingly hot in August.

Can't recommend anything in northern Spain yet but it's on my next trip itinerary. I'm sure others can.

Hi M,

Have you considered the Basque Country, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Biarritz?

((I))

The Basque country is an excellent idea for August! This coastline has been a favourite summer destination for Spanish roayalty and Spanish and French visitors for more than 150 years.

Fly into the big international airport in Bilbao. Spend a night or two in vibrant Bilbao with the spectacular Guggenheim museum: http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao

Take the bus along the beautiful coastline towards plain fantastic San Sebastián. Stop for a night or two in one of the small coastal villages along the line, such as Lekeitio, Mutriku, Zumaya or Getaria.

End up with a couple of days in Belle Epoque San Sebastián, the culinary capital of Spain if not all of Europe, some of the finest city beaches on the continent, beautiful landscapes etc. Visit the newly renovated San Telmo museum in the outskirts of the Parte vieja/Old town, dedicated to Basque art, history and culture. http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/index.php?lang=en

The whole region is fantastic food and a great local culture that people take great pride in. About San Sebastián:
New York Times: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/08/07...tin-spain.html
Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...ity-guide.html
Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2
Photos: http://www.google.no/search?q=San+Se...w=1600&bih=805

Direct bus from San Sebastián to Bilbao airport in 70 mins (15€) every hour on the hour. http://www.pesa.net/pesa/horariosBD/ctrl_horarios.php

You might like Chomín in San Sebastián. Clean and fine, basic and great value. Have stayed here several times. A typical Basque house in the tranquile and upscale Ondarreta area, just 50 meters from the Ondarreta beach. 25 mins walk along the beautiful La Concha beach promenade into the city center and the Parte vieja/Old town. Buses all the time and a taxi would be some 4-5€. But the walk is wonderful and a perfect start of the evening! http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/chom...-blockdisplay1

Traditional Basque restaurant with lots of history on the ground floor, and very close to the local feel and vibrant Antiguo area with lots of bars, restaurants and shops.

Kimhe thanks for that, going to bookmark for my trip in 2013

I agree with the posters above. I travelled in spain in July a few years ago and it is HOT.

One of our favourite places EVER is San Sebastian. I would rank that a must see. You could then fly to Barcelona for a few days and fly home from there. IMHO there is much more to see and do (and amazing energy) as opposed to Bilbao which I wasn't impressed with. I'm sure others will disagree, but those are my thoughts.

Spend a week in San Sebastian if you can find a hotel.

Well for G-d's sake, what attracted you to Spain? Answer that question and you'll get better answers than just Basque country or stay out of the South (meaning primarily Andalucia, which does approach the southwest US in climate terms in August).

Spain is large - it would be the third largest state in the US - so seeing all of the country in one week is impossible. Give greater parameters of your interests beyond B&Bs and small towns and you will get better feedback.

"Spain is large - it would be the third largest state in the US". I agree, but with the added value of interest and variety ;-)