Direct bus from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian in 70 mins. Leaves a quarter to every hour and costs 16€. Operated by excellent PESA bus company: http://www.pesa.net/pesa/en/horarios

<a scenic stop on the drive from St. Jean de Pied Port (we won't stay there but probably cut across the border there) to Barcelona,>

Torla: http://hitchhikershandbook.com/2012/08/03/torla-spain/

For drive times try viamichelin.

i'm working backwards on this trip….just booked a night in Ainsa at Los Siete Reyes to break up the drive to Barcelona from St. Etienne de Baigorry, where I think we'll be spending our last nights.

-just booked a night in Ainsa-

Go for tapas and wine at La Carrasca in Plaza Mayor.. SO GOOD.

Hi barefoot beach - Check out Sercotel Codina in SS. We found it on booking.com and loved it. Ask for a room with a view. It's clean and modern and has a small fridge. It's about one mile from the centre but we enjoyed the walk along the beach and there is a bus right in front of the hotel. We also really liked Hondaribbia. We stayed right in the square where the Parador is for 1/3 the price with the same view. San Nicolas hotel but you might find it too basic.

Thanks rialto girl for the Ainsa rec….but I just got a note from the hotel warning me that there are big town parties in the square that night and the band may keep us up all night…although our room is on opposite side. Now I need to reconsider and find a different stop…sure it would be fun but may be too crowded.

Micheline…I will cheek out that hotel too. Thanks! What do you think about using Hondarribia as a base to visit SS? The town and accommodations sound more charming, but will we feel left out of the larger scope of SS activities?

In Ainsa, you could get a room down in the newer part of town, then just go up for tapas and the party. There are several hotels down by the river.

<What do you think about using Hondarribia as a base to visit SS?>

Would be a real downer to have to take the relatively early last direct bus from Donostia/San Sebastian to Hondarribia/Fuenterrabia. If you go after 9.30pm (most restaurants open at 8pm, people start turning up about 9pm) you'll have to take a taxi some 20 mins and 40€.

The Codina hotel is 50 meters from charming Chomin where we have stayed many times in a typical Basque country house: http://turismo.euskadi.eus/es/alojam...aa30-12375/es/

As said, a scenic 20-25 min walk into the center of town/Parte vieja (Old town), 5€ taxi and buses run all the time. Both hotels are close to the Miramar Palace, the royal summer residence from the late 19th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miramar_Palace

Chomin and Codina are also close to the very local atmosphere Antiguo district with several fine bars and restaurants in and around Calle Matia.

thanks rialto girl….we've decided to stay where planned and just bring earplugs…sounds like it will be fun.

kimhe, I agree and we've decided to stay at the Codina (thanks Micheline!) as it does look great and we'll enjoy the walk along the Promenade and not being in the middle of all the old town chaos.

I don't think you would regret and wish you a great trip!

Hope you like the Codina. There is a little cafe just off the lobby where we sometimes had breakfast instead of the pricey buffet in the basement. As much as we loved Hondaribbia I agree with staying in SS. Have a wonderful time!

I have read bad comments about the breakfast…but it's so easy to grab something along the promenade while walking to Old Town! Asking for a top floor room with terrace…so we can enjoy the view!

Just walk one block over from the Codina. There are a couple of good pastry shops where you can have a simple breakfast.