Hi Everyone.

We just got our frequent flier tickets to Spain for next October. It is 10 months away and the obsession has begun. I'm waiting for my guide books to be delivered and have already printed Maribel's guides. In the meantime, could you suggest some possible itineraries for our trip to help me begin sorting things out?

We will have 14 nights. We fly into Barcelona and return from Bilbao. The primary intention is to see Basque Country in Spain and/or France. I've been to Barcelona but husband has not so we would like to spend some time there. We assume that we will be renting a car. We don't like to change hotels every night and like to travel slowly and savor what is there. We like wine but aren't particularly interested in doing a wine tour. It would be nice to be able to go to some type of local festival but I haven't found any within our time frame. I would say that culture and food will be our focus although some physical activity would be welcome (particularly by my husband). We have assumed that San Sebastian will one of the places where we will stay.

I know I haven't yet done my homework, but I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

I'm off to bed but thought I'd help get you started. Here's a great thread about Basque food from a Fodors poster.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...paris-1006.cfm

If you use the search function and just type in the word "Basque" you will probably find more than enough info to get you started on your research. Maybe even everything you need. Try this link:

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...?search=basque

I suggest you read mark Kurlansky's book The Basque History of the World.

I'd suggest these places as overnights during your trip along with my personal bare minimum # of days:

Bilbao - 2 days; many people visit Bilbao as a daytrip but I think they're shortchanging this wonderfully revitalized city. It is beautifully illuminated at night..

San Sebastian - 3 days

Lekeitio/Getaria/Hondarribia/(smaller village along coast) - 2 days

Barcelona - 4 days

This is already 11 days (it goes fast - there is so much to enjoy!). With the remaining 3 days you could add days to San Sebastian & Barcelona or add time in the French Basque area.

It sounds like you're on the right path with ordering guidebooks and also maribelsguides (I've never found a guidebook for this area as informative as her guides).

Will your trip be the beginning, middle or end or October? I usually visit this area the last 2 weeks of September. I can do some digging for you on potential festivals during the time you're visiting. I know of several in September.

Thanks everyone.

I ordered the Basque History of the World last week and it should arrive with my guidebooks.

I've looked at a number of posts on the Basque region but apparently missed the one on food so I'll check that out tonight.

CathyM: Your proposed itinerary was along the lines of what we were thinking of so it is good to good some confirmation. If we head into France, what town do you thinkwould make a good place to stay for a couple of nights? Also, our trip will be the last two weeks of October so please let me know if you learn of any festivals. I saw something online about a sheep herding festival but unfortunately it appears to be on the last Saturday of October which is the day we have an early flight out of Bilbao.

Thanks everyone.

In a different , more local vein, look at http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...reas-spain.cfm.
It is a link to the blog of a poster here who is a local and has a very different perspective from Maribel.

I definitely recommend some time in the French Basque area, including Bayonne especially and probably also St. Jean-de-Luz and the area inland. Bayonne has a terrific Basque museum.

With 14 days you should have cut out Barcelona to really explore the Basque country and the North. I would spend 3 nights in Barcelona then fly to Bilbao. If not fly then I would take the 5.5 hr. train to San Sebastian. If you really want to drive you probably will want to spend the night somewhere like Zaragoza or Logrono. I would spend 5 nights in San Sebastian because it's amazing. I like Cathy's idea of 2 nights in Bilbao, one at the least. I also like her idea of a night in Lekeitio or Getaria. This leaves not much time for Hondarribia or St. Jean de Luz but don't try to see too many sites, just enjoy the beautiful scenery and amazing food.

The Pays Basque villages should be included..Ascain, Ainhoa and Espelette and others.

Another recommendation for the Basque museum in Bayonne and for spending the balance of the day exploring the old town in Bayonne.

thank you, jubilada, that was very kind of you. Just in case, the blog is www.blogseitb.us/basquetourism, it may be helpful in designing your itinerary...there are some interesting off the beaten path places.

Our favourite small town in the Basque country was Hondarribia. We stayed in San Nicolas square in a small hotel next to the parador for a quarter of the price. The view is wonderful. The first morning we woke to tents being set up for for a wedding in the square right under our window. By late afternoon celebrations were going strong with costumed local dancers, a wonderful violinist and a band that played until midnight. The bride and groom had on Basque dress and seemed so joyous. A boat takes you to Hendaye on the French side every half hour for a few euros. The beach in Hendaye was fabulous. We only had one week in the Basque country. Two weeks would have been perfect.

Anyone going to or interested in the Basque country should read Mikel's blog!

Thank everyone. I've been doing my homework. Here is what we are thinking of:

Night 1: Arrive Barcelona at 4 pm
Nights 2-5: Barcelona (all this will equal 4 full days in Barcelona)
Day 6: Early am flight to Bilbao. Rent car and drive to Pays Basque. Maybe Biarritz.
Nights 6-8: Pays Basque.
Nights 9-12: Drive and stay in San Sebastian.
Nights 13-14: Drive to Bilbao. Return rental car. Stay in Bilbao.
Day 15 am: Early flight from Bilbao to US.

Obviously, there just isn't enough time but we need to do the best we can. I have a couple of specific questions:

1. Does it make sense to fly to Bilbao and rent a car there? (The flights seem pretty inexpensive especially compared to flights from Barcelona to Biarritz.) We could drive from Barcelona if that made more sense.

2. What do you think about driving from Bilbao to Pays Basque and then working our way back west to Bilbao? Is there a different order you would suggest instead?

3. Do you have any suggestions where we should base ourselves in Pays Basque? I realize we could probably explore Spanish and French Basque country from one location like San Sebastian but my husband would really like to spend a few nights in French Basque.

Thanks everyone.

Makes very good sense to fly to Bilbao and rent a car there. About an hour/hour and a half drive into the French Basque Country. But on your way back, go along the beautiful coast westwards from San Sebastián to Bilbao. Great little villages such as Getaria, Zumaia, Lekeitio etc. Fabulous restaurants.

Maybe stay at Saiaz in the waterfront in Getaria? http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/geta...hotela.en.html

When in food-crazy San Sebastián, make sure to go for the world famous pintxos. Here are an excellent site with suggested bar routes etc.: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

For a sit down meal, Restaurante Urola in the Parte vieja/Old town has been my favourite for more than 20 years. Traditional with an inventive touch. http://www.restauranteurola.com/english/index.html

And there are 17 Michelin stars in and around town (three 3 star restaurants (Arzak, Akelarre and Martín Berasategui) + 2 star Mugaritz who recently was voted nr. 5 in the world):
http://www.theworlds50best.com/

Yes it makes sense to fly to Bilbao, 45 min. vs. 6 boring hrs. in a car. The public transportation is so good I wouldn't rent a car. You think you have a lot of time to explore out of the way places but you won't. You're trying to see a lot of places in a small amount of time. If you do rent a car maybe drive inland through a bit of La Rioja on your way to France, then the coast drive back. I would base myself in San Sebastian but your husband has some say in this too. Public transport will take you almost everywhere, rental cars in the Basque country are very expensive and I'm not sure if there is a border crossing issue. You will not need a car in San Sebastian, it will cost about 25 euros a night to park it. that being said, if you can afford it why not rent a car. All in all it looks like a great itinerary, would be better if it were in early September but should be warm anyway, just not hot beach days for the best beaches in Spain.