Hi,

We have a round trip ticket to Barcelena from the States. Our goal is to visit the Spanish Basque country, but we'd also like to see Bordeaux, which has made this a little tricky. Right now, we are planning on arriving in Barcelona, spending 2 nights there, driving to Bilbao, spending 2 nights there, driving to San Sebastian, spending 3 nights there and then driving to Bordeaux for the final 2 nights before we have to get back to Barcelona for our flight. This is where the plan falls apart - it doesn't look like it's an easy thing to get from Bordeaux to Barcelona and I'm afraid we're spending too much time in the car. Is there a better way to do this where we spend the majority of the time in Spain yet get to see Bordeaux as well? We had talked about making this a leisurely drive where we stay in Toulouse for a night to break it up. Any suggestions on alternative itineraries would be great.

Do I understand correctly that you have 10 nights and want to visit Barcelona, the Basque country and Bordeaux?

If so, this is very ambitious. Unless you've visited Barcelona in the past, 2 nights (and your final night) really isn't enough to do this beautiful city justice. I'd skip Bordeaux and add the time in Barcelona. It's easier logistically and our trip is not so rushed. 5 nights Barcelona, 2 nights Bilbao and 3 nights San Sebastian is more reasonable. I'd probably fly from Barcelona to Bilbao, rent a car after you leave Bilbao if you want to explore the area. You may even want to get rid of the rental car sometime in San Sebastian (once you've explored the area and want to focus on San Sebastian itself) - depending on the price. It can be expensive to park in San Sebastian and you may be better off saving on the parking and rental costs and buying a train/bus/airplane ticket back to Barcelona.

To make life a little easier, you can fly to Bilbao from Barcelona and pick up the car there if you want to save a long day's drive, unless there is something you want to see in between; Catalunya, Aragon, Navarra, the Rioja (Alta and Alavesa) all come to mind.

San Sebastian-Donostia to Bordeaux is about a 2-1/2 to 3 hour drive, depending on the traffic situation at the toll station at Irun. It can be heavy during the summer.

After a visit to Bordeaux, you can head to San Sebastian and take a flight from there back to Barcelona.

This is generally what happens when you purchase your tickets before making a plan, or when not dealing with a professional trip planner.

Vueling has got cheap flights between Barcelona and Bilbao (30-50€, 65 mins, 4-5 times daily).
http://www.vueling.com/booking/booki...ciona-tu-vuelo

My suggestion would be: Fly from Barcelona to Bilbao and spend some time there. Hire a car in Bilbao and go along the beautiful coastline towards San Sebastián. Several nice villages along the way. Stay in marvellous San Sebastián for some days. Drive to Bordeaux for a couple of days. Then return to Bilbao for your flight back to Barcelona.

There is also a direct bus service between Bilbao airport and San Sebastián every hour, takes 75 mins.

Only 2 nights in BCN? that is far to little IMHO

Not a good plan. Do you mind reminding us why you want to go to Bordeaux? Is it to visit the city or the wineries outside the city? Why not substitute the Pays Basque in France for Bordeaux? The scenery is much prettier, for one thing, and it is a lot closer.

BCN?

Bordeaux city is one Europe's biggest shopping areas but I doubt if you are going for that, Half of it is Unesco. The Opera might be a draw or St Emillion or even all the wine. But as has been said

Barcelona has shopping, WIne in Barcelona, Navarra and Rioja (may of the best families in Rioja came form Bordeaux 150 years ago).

Much as I like France I'd stick to Spain this time

Why Bordeaux? I'm a big fan of that city, but I don't see that it fits with your plan. Especially if your plan is to drive - dropping off a car that you rent in Spain in Bordeaux will cost you about $500 - for what? Drop Bordeaux.

Pays Basque is a better option after San Sebastian as Ekscrunchy posted. Beautiful area.
Barcelona deserves a minimum of four days.