New Itinerary/26 May-22 June
Dec 1st, 2010, 02:06 PM
#81
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Finished and thank you all very much! Please add your thoughts which will improve upon the journey. We are tickled to be flying (a la miles) 1st class each leg of the trip and we even get to stop off in Atlanta to be with family too. What an anniversary present; we are grateful.
SPAIN ANNIVERSARY TRIP 2011
Los Angeles - Delta Flight 1554 Tuesday May 24 2:25 PM - 9:51 PM Atlanta
Visit for a day with family
Atlanta - Delta Flight 108 Wednesday May 25 6:55 PM - 9:35 AM Madrid
Madrid - RoomMate Laura 5 nights May 26-31
Tirgo - Hotel Solar de Febrer 3 nights May 31 June 3 (6 miles from Haro La Rioja
Bilbao - Hotel Miro 2 nights June 3-5
Lekeitio - Hotel Metrokua 3 nights June 5-8
San Sebastian - Hotel Niza 4 nights June 8-12
Saint-Pierre-des-Champs - Le Roc sur l'Orbieu 1 night June 12-13
Roses - Hotel Canyelles 4 nights June 13-18
Barcelona - Hotel Banys Oriental 4 nights June 18-22 with a balcony
Barcelona - Air France Flight 1149 Wednesday June 22 10:25 AM - 12:20 PM Paris
Paris - Air France Flight 72 Wednesday June 22 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Los Angeles
SPAIN ANNIVERSARY TRIP 2011
Los Angeles - Delta Flight 1554 Tuesday May 24 2:25 PM - 9:51 PM Atlanta
Visit for a day with family
Atlanta - Delta Flight 108 Wednesday May 25 6:55 PM - 9:35 AM Madrid
Madrid - RoomMate Laura 5 nights May 26-31
Tirgo - Hotel Solar de Febrer 3 nights May 31 June 3 (6 miles from Haro La Rioja
Bilbao - Hotel Miro 2 nights June 3-5
Lekeitio - Hotel Metrokua 3 nights June 5-8
San Sebastian - Hotel Niza 4 nights June 8-12
Saint-Pierre-des-Champs - Le Roc sur l'Orbieu 1 night June 12-13
Roses - Hotel Canyelles 4 nights June 13-18
Barcelona - Hotel Banys Oriental 4 nights June 18-22 with a balcony
Barcelona - Air France Flight 1149 Wednesday June 22 10:25 AM - 12:20 PM Paris
Paris - Air France Flight 72 Wednesday June 22 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Los Angeles
Dec 1st, 2010, 03:40 PM
#83
Sounds like a great trip! We did a similar one this past May and it was really nice. I agree with Michael re Lekeitio. While a cute little town, not much there. U could do some side trips from there although it would not be where I'd based myself to do other trips. OTOH, u could kick back and just relax. Our apt in Barcelona was right across from Banys Oriental and we enjoyed the restaurant next to it, Senyor Parella It was convenient and quite good. With a balcony over the Carrer Argentina u should have some great people watching -- we did from the apt. Did u book a suite at Hotel Miro?
Dec 1st, 2010, 04:12 PM
#84
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Hi Michael, Yestravel, and all, we thought about the extra days in Lekeitio and to date we probably will want to "drift" about the towns with no particular "cultural" events other than simple stuff and sea food. Tonight I shall bring up the idea of fewer nights; where would you add another night or would it be another town?
Yestravel, I thought we booked a suite and I just saw it is the City Deluxe with the big windows facing the Museum. I shall check on that too. Thanks
Yestravel, I thought we booked a suite and I just saw it is the City Deluxe with the big windows facing the Museum. I shall check on that too. Thanks
Dec 1st, 2010, 04:42 PM
#85
The suite is very nice -- alll one large room but with a huge number of windows. Our original room was not a suite and it was pretty small -- not sure if it was a city deluxe or what.
I mentioned b4 going into the hills which we really enjoyed. Totally different than the coast. I gather u weren't into doing that? U could go from Bilbao to Leikeito for 2 nights and then drive into the hills, spend the night and then onto SS. Or u could do that from Leikeito and not switch hotels. I'm not one who minds moving around as we travel very lightly and its easy and quick to do.
I mentioned b4 going into the hills which we really enjoyed. Totally different than the coast. I gather u weren't into doing that? U could go from Bilbao to Leikeito for 2 nights and then drive into the hills, spend the night and then onto SS. Or u could do that from Leikeito and not switch hotels. I'm not one who minds moving around as we travel very lightly and its easy and quick to do.
Dec 1st, 2010, 05:25 PM
#86
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Hi Yestravel, the City Deluxe is a large room with large windows out to the Guggenheim Museum yet I will revisit our confirmation and look at the picture of the room..good idea.
As for roaming the hills, we LOVE itdoing that and wish we felt about Spain as we do for France..we've spent weeks in ancient woods being enchanted by every tree and tiny sunflower field. We cannot see how (yet) to fall in love with Spain. Ultimately we would have liked to spend most of the visit in the countryside..my readings did not invite that picture. We thought we would be doing something like that in Lekeitio..only seaside meandering. Yes we too travel light..and are ready to be spontaneous in this journey. More conversation and research is in the making over the dinner table. I appreciate your input.
As for roaming the hills, we LOVE itdoing that and wish we felt about Spain as we do for France..we've spent weeks in ancient woods being enchanted by every tree and tiny sunflower field. We cannot see how (yet) to fall in love with Spain. Ultimately we would have liked to spend most of the visit in the countryside..my readings did not invite that picture. We thought we would be doing something like that in Lekeitio..only seaside meandering. Yes we too travel light..and are ready to be spontaneous in this journey. More conversation and research is in the making over the dinner table. I appreciate your input.
Dec 1st, 2010, 08:07 PM
#88
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www.pbase.com/cyracuse/lekeitio
look at the 4 pages of this site, it seems we might be available to float into beauty of the land.
look at the 4 pages of this site, it seems we might be available to float into beauty of the land.
Dec 3rd, 2010, 04:09 PM
#89
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Horray..Restaurant El Bulli finally answered my e-mail..they are still "here."
They wrote:
I won't start to fix reservations from April till July until after mid January. I keep your e-mail and will contact you as soon as I find a solution.
Thank you vey much for all your interest.
Sincerely
Luis Garcia
I am still very hopeful we shall get a booking ther,.we have 4 nights as an option.
They wrote:
I won't start to fix reservations from April till July until after mid January. I keep your e-mail and will contact you as soon as I find a solution.
Thank you vey much for all your interest.
Sincerely
Luis Garcia
I am still very hopeful we shall get a booking ther,.we have 4 nights as an option.
Dec 4th, 2010, 09:50 PM
#91
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Annhig, we too hope to be of the chosen!
Interesting what is going on at the airports in Spain. I hope no one's plans are affected!
I am not certain if the sickout is still on for tomorrow..
Interesting what is going on at the airports in Spain. I hope no one's plans are affected!
I am not certain if the sickout is still on for tomorrow..
Dec 7th, 2010, 09:59 AM
#93
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Demon22, I am believe the communication I received from the restaurant (mentioned above) is accurate and so is the e-mail from the hotel manager who also spoke with the Mr. Garcia that bookings will be taken starting in mid January. I am still hopeful for that unique opportunity.
Please show the site where you noted the "EVER" since I did not read it on their site today.
I just read the menu for Can Fabes in Barcelona and was drawn in. Who has eaten there recently and how did it met your expectations?
The only confirmation thus far is Luncheon June 3 at Etxebarri
I think only two more set dines (El Bulli and maybe Can Fabes) and discoveries all the rest of the trip...yet..if you have a MUST GO TO restaurant..we are up for them. Thank you all.
Please show the site where you noted the "EVER" since I did not read it on their site today.
I just read the menu for Can Fabes in Barcelona and was drawn in. Who has eaten there recently and how did it met your expectations?
The only confirmation thus far is Luncheon June 3 at Etxebarri
I think only two more set dines (El Bulli and maybe Can Fabes) and discoveries all the rest of the trip...yet..if you have a MUST GO TO restaurant..we are up for them. Thank you all.
Dec 7th, 2010, 12:55 PM
#94
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From the El Bulli reservation page:
On July 30th 2011 El Bulli will have completed its journey as a restaurant. We will transform into a creativity center, opening in 2014. Its main objective is to be a think-tank for creative cuisine and gastronomy and will be manage by a private foundation.
We regret not being able to fulfill any more reservation requests. Demand has immediately exceeded our scarce availability. This has been the case over the last few years and is certainly the most bitter note. It makes us very sad.
The format and structure will be completely different from the current model and, therefore, we regret to announce reservations are now closed.
...
Due to the demand received and this being the last year for reservations, we must inform you that this message is our last and request no further applications.
On July 30th 2011 El Bulli will have completed its journey as a restaurant. We will transform into a creativity center, opening in 2014. Its main objective is to be a think-tank for creative cuisine and gastronomy and will be manage by a private foundation.
We regret not being able to fulfill any more reservation requests. Demand has immediately exceeded our scarce availability. This has been the case over the last few years and is certainly the most bitter note. It makes us very sad.
The format and structure will be completely different from the current model and, therefore, we regret to announce reservations are now closed.
...
Due to the demand received and this being the last year for reservations, we must inform you that this message is our last and request no further applications.
Dec 7th, 2010, 08:32 PM
#95
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I am aware of the choice he made to strike further out into Science to create unique "creatures" for our palate to savour yet my puzzlement is how come the personal e-mail?
In the word of a weird TV claymation personality..."OH..NO MISTER.. Luis Garcia," I have been duped.. pooh.
I do not understand the message I got directly from the restaurant and a message the hotel manager received from the restaurant saying "I won't start to fix reservations from April till July until after mid January. I keep your e-mail and will contact you as soon as I find a solution.
Thank you vey much for all your interest.
Sincerely
Luis Garcia"
Okay, I will wait and still hold anticipatory hope my husband and I shall win the coveted booking.
In the word of a weird TV claymation personality..."OH..NO MISTER.. Luis Garcia," I have been duped.. pooh.
I do not understand the message I got directly from the restaurant and a message the hotel manager received from the restaurant saying "I won't start to fix reservations from April till July until after mid January. I keep your e-mail and will contact you as soon as I find a solution.
Thank you vey much for all your interest.
Sincerely
Luis Garcia"
Okay, I will wait and still hold anticipatory hope my husband and I shall win the coveted booking.
Dec 10th, 2010, 09:19 AM
#96
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I keep reading about the proliferation of pick pockets in Barcelona. Neither my husband or I leave any possession on the ground, floor of restaurant, table, nor bathroom door, I wear my purse across my chest, we keep our passports in my purse in an inside zipped pocket, and no flashy attire. What more needs to be known to avert the attention of the light fingers.
Beings a New York City person for the first 30 years of my life, riding the subways, buses, and walking every inch of Manhattan..I am very familiar with the nudgings and pushings of light fingers yet now in Southern California where the car is your feet..Humm what is the difference?
We were told to be cautious in Toulouse, parts of Paris, Florence, Rome, and Venice and none of those warnings rang out as does BARCELONA cautions. Will someone add a current voice to this subject? Thank you.
Beings a New York City person for the first 30 years of my life, riding the subways, buses, and walking every inch of Manhattan..I am very familiar with the nudgings and pushings of light fingers yet now in Southern California where the car is your feet..Humm what is the difference?
We were told to be cautious in Toulouse, parts of Paris, Florence, Rome, and Venice and none of those warnings rang out as does BARCELONA cautions. Will someone add a current voice to this subject? Thank you.
Dec 10th, 2010, 04:04 PM
#97
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I just found this and explored its many articles within. I thoroughly felt we made good choices.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/spain/
http://telegraph.planeteditions.co.uk/costabrava/
I hope you find it interesting.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/spain/
http://telegraph.planeteditions.co.uk/costabrava/
I hope you find it interesting.
Dec 26th, 2010, 12:25 PM
#98
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We are staying in Tirgo - Hotel Solar de Febrer 3 nights May 31 - June 3 (6 miles from Haro, La Rioja) My husband and I are narrowing our La Rioja vineyard tours.
Which ones are your most memorable and did you do them on your own?
The two day guided Maribel tour is 460 euro per person..entirely too much money even though it includes one gourmet meal and one local fare meal.
Suggestions please...thanks
Which ones are your most memorable and did you do them on your own?
The two day guided Maribel tour is 460 euro per person..entirely too much money even though it includes one gourmet meal and one local fare meal.
Suggestions please...thanks
Jan 4th, 2011, 09:44 AM
#100
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I have read some of the other threads regarding wine tours..I think I shall study those and plan from them, thank you.
Has anyone taken their iPad to Spain? What were your experiences. Mid last year I was told some people had difficulty or told not to use it because it was too "powerful" for the European systems..the airport wifi is not only a receiver it sends information and at best if seemed to interfere with transmissions in European cities. Who knows more about that and please share you facts. We plan on taking ours since it is lighter, compact, and functions as EVERYTHING!
Has anyone taken their iPad to Spain? What were your experiences. Mid last year I was told some people had difficulty or told not to use it because it was too "powerful" for the European systems..the airport wifi is not only a receiver it sends information and at best if seemed to interfere with transmissions in European cities. Who knows more about that and please share you facts. We plan on taking ours since it is lighter, compact, and functions as EVERYTHING!
