People from San Sebastian have always been called "Donostiarras"...it may not be that new.

Lincasanova: I share your love for Alcalá de Henares but you didn't mention its Juderia, the Universidad Complutense, or the Storks.

mom23rugrats: Thanks for mentioning Santander, site of the first daily fee golf course in Spain. When I was studying there in the 1960's (at Universidad Internaciónal de Santander, now Universidad Internaciónal de Menendez Pelayo UIMP), it was also the only such course in Spain.

Our most recent trip, we stayed at Hostal de Paris, behind the Casino and the Gran Hotel Sardinero.

In Potes, we stayed at Hostal Picos de Europa, a bit more rustic than Hotel del Oso, but quite adequate.

Nedisreland.. sometimes I just haven't got the time or inclination to write it all out.. and hope the OP will do a little research.. finding the reports here about it. (translation: Lazy). And so often, I shouldn't even still be on Fodors.. so I do tend to make quick, perhaps incomplete posts.

I am surpised more don't A.H. as a first nighter after Barajas. It is so easy, even if it is a short distance ( but by super highway)in the "wrong" direction for some destinations.

Perhaps with the new Parador it will become more popular.

So, after hours of reading both your helpful advice and forum treads, I have made a few different decisions...

After arriving early to Madrid from California, we will pick up our rental car and head up to Pedraza! We have garden view reservations at Hospederia de Santo Domingo for our first night. I plan on eating at El Yantar for lunch (after much salivating from reading detailed experiences).

The next morning we will head towards Oviedo. No confirmed reservations, but tentatively plan on staying at the Reconquista for 2 nights. We plan on stopping in Leon for lunch on the way, and struggle with not making 1 of the Oviedo nights in Leon at the parador.... but switching 3x in 3 days?!?!

We still plan on traveling along the coast to San Sebastian, stopping in all the suggested villages along the way.

Still no decisions on hotels in San Sebastian, Rioja (holding out for a possible cancelation at Marques de Riscal Hotel), or Madrid. Thoughts?

Thanks lincasanova- your suggestion got me to head straight out of Madrid the first night!

Thanks cruiseluv - You confirmed my stay at Reconquista and I have taken more thought into my Madrid choice with your location suggestion.

Thanks bilboburgler and egbert and alexislovesspain - I am definitely renting a car. Good day trip suggestions!

Bookmarking for further trips, great advice here.

If you havae not already thought of it, search the Spanish "Parador" sites, and then plan according to what you can comfortably cover between one and the next chosen one. They are State run, usually an old historic castle, and offer great lodging and local food, very predictable..Parador in Madrid, as I recall, was very nice, great location, etc.

There are no paradores in Madrid and Barcelona and many larger cities. They were originally intended to encourage tourism in the smaller towns and regions.

Also note that the government has added modern facilities over the years and while they may be comodious, they are not castles or convents.

Many of the top paradors are castles and converted convents or important palatial homes.

Do you suffer from jet lag? I hope not as you have not given yourself time to get over this at all. I have done a return trip back to Europe and it was lucky I had a ride back, as me and my pals all felt sleepy or were a sleep.

Nedsireland, I'm glad to find a fellow fan! I went to the University of Santander in 1986... just a few years after you.

Looks like the OP will skip Santander this time, but hopefully, some others will heed our advice.

Also, thank you for mentioning that the Hotel del Oso is in Potes... I left that out!

I have enjoyed all the information! Where are some good lodging choices for San Sabastian for around 100 euro a night?

lincasanova

I love paradores. We have stayed at Reyes Catalicos in Santiago, the oldest hotel in Europe, the one in Avlia where we walked out of our room and onto the walls of the city and the one in the Granada, the hardest parador to book. When we opened our window we saw the mountains and the gardens of the Alhambra.

I was just saying that some modern paradores may not be castles or convents.

Yes, I was surprised at that comment. I read your comment way too quickly and didn't pay heed to the "has ADDED" part. I see your point.

Sorry for the confusion!

No problem.

lincasanova :

Do you live in Spain .. if so what area?

I know I have asked a lot of questions on these Fodor threads, but I have also done quite a bit of research off of Fodors as well ..... We have many, many, travel books on Spain and have reviewed many websites ... but the areas we are traveling are not always highlighted very well.

So .. I am on here looking for more detailed information. I appreaciate your personal insight. If you don't mind .. based on your location, if in Spain, could I ask you some detailed questions.

Thank you .. alexis

Yes, i do. feel free. Not sure I can answer EVERYthing, but I will try my best!

Valencia, but have been here muchos años so I have been around.

thank you

I don't expect EVERY answer but appreciate the opportunity to ask someone that might have more inside. I will formulate a few questions and send them at once, as not to waist any of your time.

Unfortunately, Valencia just didn't make it into the "sweep" acoss the country this year. Next time for sure.

I look forward to corresponding with you.

.. alexis

Valencia doesn't make it onto many people's itineraries but if they plan well most are very surprised and impressed with what a pleasant historical as well as modern city it is.

There is plenty to do an see here, from museums to architecture, old and new, as well as a few local dishes that must be tried.