iris1745

Hi AB; A little correction--our trip was in 2013.

Anyways, we flew R/T Bos to Mad. Planned the trip to leave on a Monday, as there was a non-stop, Mad to Bos on that day.

Our 17 night trip was as follows.

1. Toledo [2]
2. Segovia [2]
3. Salamanca [3]
4. Leon [2] We didn't get a feel for Leon on left after 1 night.

I had made arrangements on booking.com and it was no problem to cancel without penalty and used the booking site for a hotel in Oviedo. Very close to the old center and enjoyed that city.

5. Santillana [1]
6. Bilbao [1]
7. San Sebastion [3]
8. Burgos [2]
9. Madrid [1] This was a very good stop. We arrived late morning and then had a light lunch. Much to our surprise, from 1 to 2 there was an operatic performance.

Then on Sunday's, the Prado is free entrance late afternoon. We had been to the Prado before and we spent less that 2 hours, so that worked. Then dinner that night and home the next day.

In Bilbao, our hotel was near the Guggenheim. We had timed tickets 10-11am.

Most of our hotels were booked using the booking.com site, with free cancellation.

Two of our hotels were using Starwood points.

AirBalloon

Hi everyone,

Such great advice and your detailed itineraries are very helpful. Thank you all so much.

With so much to see in Spain, we are now thinking of skipping Sicily and travelling through Spain for the entire time.

With just over three weeks, would it be possible to see parts of the South and parts of the North? We would be arriving in Madrid and renting a car. We enjoy driving so the distances between the South and North are not a big deal to us.

Thanks again.

Andrea

kja

Of course, you CAN see parts of both the south and the north in 3 weeks. Whether that's what makes most sense for you is a different question. We've already noted how very hot southern Spain can be in August, and central Spain can also be too hot for some; consult the aforementioned wunderground website for information. There is plenty in northern Spain to keep at least some of us more than fully entertained for even longer than 3 weeks. Your call.

AirBalloon

Hi,

If we do both areas, we will be in the heat for only half the time then cool down in the north for the other half.

It will also give us a chance to see two different parts of Spain, which would be very interesting, and almost feel like two vacations in one.

Andrea

kja

Spain is a "modern" country in the context of history. Both the south and the north have areas that were, historically, part of very different "countries" and that offer dramatic contrasts to those who are willing to acknowledge or look for them. One of the things I love about exploring just ONE region of a country to explore at a time is realizing just how different adjacent areas can be. As an example, I thought the contrasts between Asturia and the Basque areas of northern Spain fascinating, not to mention the contrasts between either and the state of Castile and León just to the south of each, etc. By skipping around a country, it can (I think) be easy to misattribute the differences one sees to modern, rather than historical, geographic distinctions. Just something to consider....

IMDonehere

In three weeks you can get a grand sampling of Spain. As noted it is many different countries.

To get around Spain check out Vueling which is a cheap sister of Iberia. Also there are a number of nigh speed trains called AVE's. When in a specific area do not neglect to look at bus schedules, the buses are much more comfortable than the US buses.

Do not rent a car while in larger cities, it is a burden. But you could rent to get from small town to town.

sundriedtopepo

Hi Andrea, it would make sense to visit the north during the hottest days. Not sure what your dates are but if they include the latter part of August then I would save the south for that time.

It seems like the south is calling you, but do you have any idea yet what interests you there? If it's beaches, then go for it. I personally found Seville very hot even in late September, but I'm not a big fan of oppressive heat.

kimhe

Would definitely include parts of both the north and the south if you have three weeks. Very different and all the same, all around Spain everyone will tell you how different they are from the rest of the country, and even more so from the neighbouring town ;-).

MyriamC

If you don't want any rain, FORGET about northern Spain (the Atlantic coast)! It is a very green area ... which means that it has quite some rain. We have been there a few years ago for two weeks in the summer and we've had only a few days of beach weather. Usually the day started nice, around mid-day the clouds came in and an hour later it poured (or at least was heavily overcast). On the few sunny days the atmosphere was very damp.
Even it were for free, I will never go there again.

AirBalloon

So many great responses. Thank you all very much.

We have no problem with the heat and we enjoy everything a vacation has to offer, including historical landmarks, architecture, good food, time at the beach and nature; simply being immersed in other cultures. We also really enjoy evening walks through the medieval narrow streets of quaint, small villages and towns (who doesn't?).

As well, we have rented a car on every of our European vacations (we do not drive in the larger cities) as we find this gives us the greatest flexibility and the best way to really see places that would not be possible if we were to take a plane or train. We have many times changed our plans as we go, depending on our feelings, and having a car makes this possible.

We have also tried to incorporate different areas of one country and sometimes even different countries, when we travel for 3 to 4 weeks. While we understand that seeing one area in detail would be very interesting, we find that splitting our time into different areas makes the whole vacation seem less monotonous and more exciting. If anyone wants to know the diverse European vacations we have planned, please ask.

While we would not be thrilled to have rain every day for a week, we could maybe split our time 2 weeks in the South and a week in the North.

What do you think?

Andrea

kimhe

Two weeks in the South and one week in the North seems like a good plan. The Spanish themselves flock to the North coast during summer because of the great summer climate, fabulous beaches etc. Have lived in San Sebastian and visited some twenty times in July/August, and not being beach weather has never been an issue. Heavy showers now and then, that's right, but weather statistics says average 7 hours sun pr day and highs at 72-76F in August. That fits well with my impression after all my visits here, although quite often it is also into the 80's and 90's here in summertime.
http://www.wetteronline.de/klima-tem.../san-sebastian

San Sebastian beaches: http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/beaches/
#1 food city in Spain: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...y-for-foodies/
"A new beat in Basque country": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...asque-country/

AirBalloon

Kimhe,

The beaches in the North of Spain do look wonderful. I am wondering, however, if the sea is comfortable for swimming and what the water temperature is like as we cannot seem to get a clear answer on this (we know some people do enjoy cooler sea water). We enjoy warmer waters, as in the Greek islands or Southern Italy.


Thanks


Andrea

kimhe

Average water temerature in August is 70-71F: http://www.seatemperature.org/europe...tin-august.htm

People swimming in La Concha in the 1920's (from 1 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S17iH7S_bE0

Bedar

Kimhe is a Scandinavian and would find the water there temperate. For us the Bay of Biscay is icy as is the water all along the northern coast and Galicia. Of course, children will splash in all water. We won't. The beaches there are very pretty but the water ...

MyriamC

I agree with Bedar. If you want warmer waters, go to the Med!