Hello,
My wife and I are in the early planning stages of traveling to Spain next Sept-Oct for 3 weeks.This will be our first trip to Spain. In the past, we've usually rented a car. For this trip we would like to split our travel between rail and car. Right now my thinking is to rent a car for the San Sabastian area and or possibly for the hill towns. Any thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated. I'm working on a tenative itinerary. We also would not be adverse to flying within the country. Thanks.
Nick

3 weeks is nice. I would spend a week on the North coast, mostly in San Sebastian, a week in Andalucia with an emphasis on Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and either Ronda, Cadiz or Malaga and a week in either Madrid or Barcelona. My choice is Madrid because it's a world class city with 3 amazing art museums. If art museums aren't your thing, consider Barcelona. If you can do 4 weeks, you can do them both. Just my biased opinions!

thank you Egbert for the information.
Nick

I second Egbert's advice on how to divide your time to get a real taste of the immense variety of wonderful Spain.

I'll just add that San Sebastián - my favourite city on the planet - will be celebrating Euskal Jaiak, a week long festivities dedicated to Basque culture (local sports, song, dance, food and wine) in early September. Great fun and an excellent time to go here, but be prepared: http://www.lacunza.com/events/euskal-jaiak.php
Photos: http://www.google.no/search?q=Euskal...w=1600&bih=747

Later in the month is the annual film festival (since 1953)when prices will be higher, and if you plan on visiting at this time, you'll have to book hotel way ahead: http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/

Thanks Kimhe. Good advice on San Sebastian.
Nick

If you can manage four weeks, as Egbert mentioned, you could possibly enjoy the early September Euskal Jaiak festivities in San Sebastian AND late September La Mercè festival in Barcelona.

Any time you can be in Spain during one of their festivals makes it even more fun and memorable.