Michael

I was not overwhelmed by San Sebastian, except for the food. The city is a 19th century city, as it was burned down during the Napoleonic Wars. Consider it as a side trip if ever you go to southwestern France, assuming that you will skip Spain altogether in the future.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7623190654780/ and the next half dozen pictures or so.

thursdaysd

I am another non-fan of San Sebastian, although the weather wasn't great when I was there and it was heaving with visitors. I preferred Biarritz. And Pamplona, rather to my surprise (but I wasn't there for the festival.)

StCirq

Well, I've been phenomenally underwhelmed by the Costa Brave the few times I ventured down there; turned back each time and went straight back to France. So unless my mental images and readings of what's going on in and around San Sebastian are completely off-track, I'm ready for it. I also dislike Biarritz. Give me Bayonne or St-Jean-de-Luz any day. We all have different expectations and favorite types of places. At any rate, living so close to Spain now, and carving off only a week to see a new place, how bad could it be? We just need to hop a train to get home.

StCirq

That sould be Costa Brava...

Michael

<i>So unless my mental images and readings of what's going on in and around San Sebastian are completely off-track, I'm ready for it.</i>

Include Bilbao in that trip.

StCirq

I will, Michael, for sure, and Getaria and Tolosa as well. I'm trying to approach Spain with a whole new tabula rasa this time around, as my past forays, except for Sevilla, Granada, and Cordoba, haven't been all that rewarding.

thursdaysd

I didn't expect to like Biarritz, but there were few people around and plenty of wave action. I was based in Bayonne, though, although it is sadly lacking in attractive hotels.

StCirq

<<although it is sadly lacking in attractive hotels.>>

So true. But good eats, and we could drive home to sleep.

thursdaysd

Definitely good eats! And with a dirt cheap transport pass sleeping in the Ibis Styles wasn't too bad. BTW, the Asia Museum in Biarritz is eclectic and not bad if you want something indoors.

StCirq

I'll check it out on our next pass though in September. Thanks!

kimhe

Not very many people are underwhelmed by Belle Epoque San Sebastián, on top ten of about every city ranking you'll find. http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...-in-the-top-10
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...-san-sebastian

New York Times recently put the Calle 31 de Agosto in the Parte vieja/Old town, the only street that wasn't destroyed during the 1813 French attack, on their best streets in Europe list: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...eets.html?_r=0

And I hope and think San Sebastián can take the attention in the future also, as it has done since Spanish and French elites started to flock here in the mid 19th century. Tons of local identity and culture.