Spain
 

Having just read the last itinerary and all of the great the responses, I thought I would ask the group for help with our plan:
Day 1: arrive in San Sebastien around lunch (5 of us from Chicago after 2 days inToulouse by car).We do not have a hotel yet and are considering 1 of these 3: Husa Europa, Hotel de Londres and the 3rd in Hondarribia called Hotel Palacete. We also need a good restaurant. Can we get reservations for Oct for Arzak, Mugaritz? Are they worth the money?)
Day 2: At some point drive to Bilbao (although after reading the last Fodors blog I now want to visit Guernica). Overnight at the parador Argomaniz.
Day 3: Check in at the Gehry Hotel in the Rioja.
Day4: drive to Barcelona for a few days.( I believe this should be the next topic)

One night stands just do not work. It means drive all/most of the day and little time to relax and get the feel of the area.
Forget about driving in Barcelona.

Is this a serious inquiry? Judging by your hotel options and restaurants, it's a little questionable.

The Palacete in Hondarribia is nice, but a small 1-star property. The Europa is a decent 3-star, but neither compares to the 4-star Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra in quality or price. And the 5-star Hotel Marques de Riscal in Elciego in practically in a class by itself in the Rioja. A room there in Oct will set you back at least 300€/night.

And why would you overnight in the Parador Argomaniz if you're heading down to the Rioja?

Overall, your 3-day itinerary in the Basque country will not work.

In Barcelona, I can highly recommend Hotel Neri. Stayed here four nights a week ago, best hotel experience ever:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nerihr.en.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Catalonia.html
http://www.hotelneri.com/

20% discount if reserved and payed min 30 days in advance. Non-refundable.

It may seem like this is not a serious inquiry, but I am afraid its what we have designed.
We are in this itinerary, as you can see we need the help of people who have been there.
We have rooms in the Gerhy/starwood in Rioja and do not know what to do besides see the hotel.
From some of the responses, I am guessing the Hondarribia may not be exactly what we are looking for.
We have already booked our Barcelona hotel, so we need to go from the rioja to Barcelona.



Robert:
And why would you overnight in the Parador Argomaniz if you're heading down to the Rioja?

Overall, your 3-day itinerary in the Basque country will not work.




I guess our thinking was that its pretty close to SAn Sebastien/Bilbao and we wanted to see a parador while in Spain.

Lets talk about eating in San Sebastien. If you had a few extra bucks to spend, where would you spend it??
MIke

ribeirasacra's
My wife of 37 yrs has just posted this on the headboard of our bed:

One night stands just do not work

I am guessing that this subject has been covered before, but does anyone have suggestions for restaurants in San Sebastien?
mike

If you want the advice of people that have been to the Basque Country and La Rioja everyone who has responded has advised you that to try to do all of this in 3 nights with 3 different overnight hotels is not a good idea. Personally I think it's a waste of my vacation time and money. Stay put in San Sebastian for all 3 days and enjoy or spend 3 days touring La Rioja.

I know you came here for help but that's not a very sensible itinerary.

I dont understand why not. I am not trying to be thick, but isnt the parador close to san sebastien?bilboa and the Starwood hotel close to the parador?
what should I camcel.

Take a look at Maribel's Guides to the País Vasco and the Rioja. You should find them helpful in planning this accelerated visit.

As CathyM says, base yourself in San Sebastian-Donostia and take a day-trip to the Rioja, visit a few bodegas, have a great lunch and be back in San Sebastian for pintxos.