I always like stories of checked baggage with happy endings as a reminder that we don't all have to only do carry on! great trip report, thanks!

LCI,

I will be in Paris at least for the onth of November 2011. Probably until mid December. We will have to get together!

I will be there from mid April to mid May next year, too. I just purchased my tickets for April/May.

That was Laurent at Florimond. I have met him on the street and had the same greetings!

Thanks for your good report...

Joan

As a Bilbao local, I´d just like to thank you for your praising words on my hometown, so unknown but with so many things to offer, in a tourist-free environment. Great report, in any case!!

Lowcountry: Just curious: What island are you on? I am on Lady's.

Joan...if we do go to Paris in November 2011 we would love to get together!

Mikelg...I found Bilbao to be lovely, I would love to return one day!

weber6560...was Hilton Head but now in Bluffton.

Loved reading your latest report, LCI! I am going to print it and highlight all the food you ate to recreate (yeah, right) at home. Just amazed by the variety and combinations of food, especially in Spain...well, everything but that marinated anchovy lasagna--not feeling the love there. Fingers crossed I can use your Paris portion of the TR this fall (Ssssshhhh, don't wake Mt. Interruptus).

Hell'o Bologna

I'm glad you had a good a time on this tour as I did. I was on the next departure and it's terrific to read such a vivid account. Robert was a fantastic guide.

AnnMarie...I wasn't a big fan of the anchovy lasagne either, but mom REALLY liked it...must be an acquired taste!

Gary...yes, mom and I really enjoyed Robert and it was great for us that he didn't mind hearing about our food adventures! How as the weather when you were there?

We had a little light rain, but not enough to hinder our activity.

Here are some of my photos if you're interested:

http://www.pbase.com/garyca/spain_2010
http://www.pbase.com/garyca/france_2010

Gary...

Fantastic pictures!

Thanks!

LowCountryIslander,
I just found this and can't wait to read it all. What a major project with such great information. I'm afraid it will be a while before I can tackle my report of our time in Northern Spain but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your information before we set off. We had hake cheeks in Getaria but not at the place you recommended. It was unfortunately closed for vacation while we were there. But we had the cheeks and the neck for two at another place. It's now one of my favorite fishes. I do wish I'd heeded your concern about Getaria not holding enough interest for a 5 night stay. You were so right. The hotel (once we actually found it) was great but the town would have been better for a night or two rather than 5, especially with the parking difficulties.

We were in Ribadesella during the big floods in Asturias--had to retreat from one drive and had water leaking into our bathroom one night because the winds were driving the rain so hard. Found tapas in San Sebastian wonderful. Really loved Hondarribia and St. Jean de Luz. I better stop of I'll be doing my report right now.

Anyway,I wanted to thank you for your great info/advice and tell you that I wish I'd followed it better. Can't wait to read all of your report but I'm saving it for tomorrow when I can really attend to it. More to follow, I'm sure. Julie

Julie....

So glad to hear you enjoyed Northern Spain. Looking forward to reading your trip report!

I'm drooling over your description of chocolate mustard. I'm adding that shop to my "must see/eat" list.

Did you mean 3month old in the bassinet? I'm trying to imagine my 3 yr old on my lap for 10 hours....oh the horror.

Wonderful report, lovely photos.

~M

Mebe....

The chocolate mustard is a "must"!

I wish I meant 3 month old in the bassinet...it was a 3 year old! Not a fun flight for anyone near that row...including us!

Your trip sounds terrific. Ours was swell but yours (and my own experience there) makes me wish we'd booked at least some of our nights in San Sebastian. We'd been there for a day several years ago and I hadn't remembered it as fondly as I found I liked it this time. Next time I think I'd try to spend several days there and a couple in St. Jean de Luz, and maybe one day in Leikitio, provided the hotel furnished parking (been there twice and never found a parking spot to permit full exploration of the town).

You and your mom seem to share my (and Tony Bourdain's) passion for pork. I note its appearance at many of your meals. And Spain sure seems to afford ample opportunity to indulge in it in many forms and preparations. Also glad to find another bone marrow aficionado.

I'm just starting to use PREMS tickets. Had a good and a bad experience with them on our recent trips. Lost the complete investment in them for one trip when our travel companion experienced a 10 hour delay in her flight arrival. But for another had an experience almost identical to yours--ordered by e-mail and got response to pick up at ticket kiosk. Panicked and went to live agent who handled everything for me. Now ready for our trip from CDG to Vannes in August--provided our flight arrives on time. They certainly are a great deal when they work.

The Sophie Pasquet site is terrific and I think it would be great to do a tour with her. Thanks for that info and for the info on your cooking classes. I'm thinking maybe next time we are in Paris with our regular travel companions (Jan and Kevin whom I believe you met at the Paris GTG) Kevin and I could do the cooking class while Jan and Val do the photo tour.

Cocottes is one of my favorite places in Paris. Glad you liked it too. We have a few must dos and Cocottes and Fables de la Fontaine are two of them. Check out the latter next time you're there and order the crispy shrimp with basil, lime, mustard dipping sauce. To die for. Sounds like chocolate mustard might also be. I'll have to pick some up next time.

So, thanks for a wonderful report. it's in the save file for sure. So nice to meet you and your mom at the GTG. Julie

Julie...

Now you'll have an excuse to go back to Northern Spain...to spend a bit more time in San Sebastian!

Yes, mom and I do enjoy pork...last year in San Francisco we stopped in Bocolone at the Ferry Plaza...loved the tag line under the shop sign..."Tasty pig parts"!

I also panicked with my PREMS tickets, but then I remembered hearing (maybe it was here on Fodors) that I could go to an agent at any train station...it did eat up an hour of our time standing in line since it was a holiday and the SNCF boutique in our neigbhorhood was closed, but it worked out in the end. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again...very much worth the cost savings!

I can't recommend Sophie Pasquet enough...I really enjoyed my time with her...I found her through another post here on Fodors too! Same with Cookin' with Class....such great information here on Fodors!

We did not get to Fables de la Fontaine this time, but mom and I have been discussing a return to Paris next year, most likely in November, I know not the best time of year, but I'm working on this November's trip to Bologna/Rome and then I'll be planning a 3 week trip to South East Asia for March 2011 so Paris will have to wait until later in 2011.

It was great meeting you at the GTG and hopefully our travel paths will cross again one day!

I had the best grilled cheese of my life at the SFO Ferry Building. Cheese from the Cowgirl Creamery and sandwich by Hog Island Oyster Company.

If you enjoyed the sign for Tasty Pig Parts, you'll probably enjoy the fish truck we saw in Provence I think with the slogan "Meat without Feet"

Julie...

We had the BEST porchetta sandwich from the Roli Roti truck parked at the Ferry Building...OMG...I'm salivating just typing about it! ;-)

Love the "Meat without Feet" slogan!

LowCountry Islander and Gracejoan3,
What a lot of great ideas to add to my already overly long list for my trip in October. Got canceled out in May because of the volcanic ash and having a great time amassing about a years worth of things I want to see in a week! Do you have any idea about those flea markets - brocantes? I would looooove to hit a few of those if I can. Loving this report and will keep reading and enjoying.