twoflower

Driving down from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, the first Spanish town of any size that we strike is Pamplona. We know it only for the festival of running with the bulls. Does it have lots of other attractions? Is it a town worth spending a night or two in outside festival time?

We will have come only 75k from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, so if Pamplona is not a must-stay there would be time to continue on to overnight in Santo Domingo de la Cadalza instead. Just wondering which people think would be most enjoyable?

Robert2533

Since Pamplona is our home away from home, yes, it's worth at least a couple of days just to do pintxos and have a lunch or two at one of it's outstanding restaurants, offering some of the best cuisine in the region.

You can check out the following web site for more information on one of Spain's most progressive cities: www.pamplona.net/verPagina.asp?idPag=1&idioma=5

You can also check out the official Navarra website: www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/home/

twoflower

Thanks Robert. I'm convinced. Pamplona looks good for several nights. I especially like the walk around the parapets.

Does anyone know Santo Domingo de la Calzada? Is it worth an overnight or a few hours en route? I saw it recently on a Rick Stein TV program and it looked nice with interesting regional dishes, but can find little on Google to help me.

We're heading to Segovia from Pamplona. There is a fast way (m/way) passing by Vitoria-Gausteiz & Burgos, or a slower way (by 40 minutes) via Logrono, Santo Domingo & Burgos. Trying to decide if Santo Domingo is worth taking the slower route for.

Robert2533

The Parador, now only a 3-star, is nice, but you might be disappointed with the immediate area.

In driving to Segovia, I would follow the A-12 from Pamplona to Logroño, and then the N-111 south to Soria, picking up the N-122 to San Estaban de Gormaz, before picking up the N-110 again to Segovia. This is a little longer than following the main highways, but a lot more interesting.

It's about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Pamplona to Soria, so you can stop at the Parador in Soria for lunch before heading on to Segovia.

twoflower

Thanks for that tip Robert. It sounds good. Is the route tortuously hilly with vertiginous drops etc on either side of Soria, or is it quite easy driving?

Robert2533

It's an easy drive. We do it at least a couple of times each way every year. Most of the route has been improved, but there are still a few sections of the older highway.

Finding street up to the Parador in Soria can be a challenge, so you may want to print a Google map of the directions.