Yes absolutely a mistake to spend the 5 days in Getaria and not San Sebastian. Go to Getaria for lunch one day for the world's best grilled fish. Then on your next trip to the Basque country you can stay in Getaria or Lekeitio. If your SO likes to chill in the hotel try to get one with a view of the water, the view of the bay and the city is stunning.

Okay!!!!! All booked. Just need one more hotel. In Madrid - something near the Prado since we only have one day there.
Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, thanks, thanks!!!

Hi Goldie,

there is some Fodorite ( cruiseluv ) who has stayed at the Hotel Prado and likes it.
http://www.pradohotel.com/

It is well located, on a street running down from Plaza Santa Ana, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby to go out and eat. From there you can walk to the Prado and the Thyssen.

I would also recommend you the exhibition at the Fundacion Mapfre about the romanic in Catalunya. They are doing renovations at the MNAC, and their best paintings and sculptures are travelling to Madrid :
http://www.exposicionesmapfrearte.com/romanico/

Bye, Cova

The programs at Casa Patas and Cardamomo for April are not set yet. Both are so called tablaos/flamenco restaurants, although Cardamomo is more of a bar/club turning into a tablao during the past couple of years. In both places only great artists would be invited to perform. From what I see of the actual programming, I think I would have opted for Casa Patas. Fabulous Belén López, one of the most promising rising stars, dances here on a regular basis.

Here she is at Casa Patas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8P5uFygAC0

and at Cardamomo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJXNsxHz20

Let me know what you think of Molina in Bilbao. I can't wait to see her one week later in the Picasso museum in Málaga.

And speaking of Picasso, I would recommend to go to the Reina Sofía contemporary art museum in Madrid. Not far from El Prado. The second floor with Picasso, Dalí, lots of other painitings, posters, films, photos etc., dealing with two of the greatest civilizational breakdowns of the 20th century, The Spanish Civil War and WWII, completely blew my mind off two years ago.

Have breakfast or lunch at Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes in down town Calle Alcalá, 42. One of the city's most emblematic cafés, and not far from the museums. Grab a window table and watch Madrid life on bustling Calle Alcalá. You should take the lift up to the roof topp terrace (the azotea) for the most spectacular views of the city. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarApl...ntificador=179

If you stay at Hotel Prado, you would be close to both lively Plaza Santa Ana and one of the best tapas/restaurant districts in town, in and around Calle Cava Baja in La Latina

Txirimiri in Calle del Humilladero, 6 gives you an idea of why the Basque kitchen is considered among the best in the world. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html

I never leave Madrid without having had the squid in its own ink and the famous cod at Casa Revuelta, also in the same district.
http://11870.com/pro/casa-revuelta

Kimhe _ I am beyond belief excited to have finally bought the tickets to see Molina. Have been on line for a couple of hours this week trying to figure it out and when I thought I had them , seemed like my card was rejected...I wasn't sure if I bought them or not. Soooooo frustrating sitting here like an idiot not knowing the language! Not wanting to push the pecher button again and have 4 tickets.

Eureka - I bought a phone card, luckily found someone there who spoke English and I am in!!!!! YAY!!!!! Also, I can pick up the tickets in Bilbao when I am there a couple of days before. A shame I have to make the trip from SS just for the dance but am sure it will be worth it.

Thanks for the Madrid advise. You are so informed - how marvelous! Will note everything you mention and do it. We arrive Madrid 20:00 April 11. Our flight out is 4:39PM on the 13th so we don't have a lot of time but am sure we will pack in as much as possible.

Thanks.

Enjoy the performance in Malaga. Sounds like you will go far and wide to see her. I don't blame you - how marvelous to have that opportunity.

>I agree. Have posted questions before but have never had so much important advice.<

So do I.

ttt

Just checked in to see if any new stuff posted. Sorry to have to ask this but what is ttt?
May plans are pretty much all set with room to flex.
Now I can have fun reading trip reports.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROUS AND INFORMED INPUT!

Goldie

ttt means "To the top". It is a way to bring a post to the top of the queue, either because you need more answers or because someone wants to keep it up there.

Glad to see everything is working fine.

Bye, Cova

Thanks Cova.
By the way, have been reading the Basque blog.
Has anyone been to the cider houses? Which one near/in San Sebastian do you recommend the most. They all look good and I have no idea which one to home in on.

Astigarraga is especially known for great sidrerías with lots of history and tradition. Here are links to 22 establishments:
http://www.enterat.com/ocio/sidreria...a-gipuzkoa.php

Astigarraga is only 4-5 miles outside San Sebastián. Taxi would be 10 mins and some 10€.

Several sidrerías in San Sebastián as well, but I think you will like the Astigarraga experience. Guide of sidrerías in the Basque Country: http://www.paisvasco.com/sidrerias/

A great prep for any trip to the Basque country is a book "A Basque History of the World" by Kurlansky. Available in paperback it would really add to your understanding of the people. It is a truly unique people and place.

Weber: Thanks. Seems to me I saw this title somewhere on another thread, meant to note it and never did. Just ordered it from Amazon and will make it my reading there. Can't wait for that.

Kimhe: Are you saying all of those places are in one town!? That's amazing. Do you have a favorite on that list. The food looks pretty terrific too but which one. I suppose I will look at trip advisor and see what is most recommended.

I was looking at the restaurants with Michellin stars in the area. WOW - talk about expensive. If I were a serious foodie I might consider it but...would rather take another trip with that money. Besides, sounds to me like this will be an explosion for the taste buds and so many places in Basque Country.

Am starting to feel like you are all buddies. Thanks again and again. Nice to have this communication.

Petritegi, for example, is considered a classic sidrería, but any will do for a nice experience. All the cider you can drink, straight from the barrel to the glass, and a fixed menu. In the entry in my blog about sidrerías you have some links to useful pages on these places we like so much. Regarding food, be prepared for a lifetime experience. It´s our religion over here.

San Sebastián is absolutely food heaven! And you don't have to go to the Michelin restaurants to have world class gourmet experiences. The world's most famous chef, Ferran Adrìa of El Bulli, says San Sebastián is the best place to eat in the world in "terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2

Go for the world famous pintxos. Fabulous "tapas" for 2-3€. Any place that serves less than excellent food is out of business in a week. And remember to ask for the freshly prepeared warm house specialities! Here you'll find suggested bar routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

My favourite in town since the late 80's is Restaurante Urola. 5 course menu with wine for some 45-50€. http://www.restauranteurola.com/english/index.html

I usually don't go to the Michelin restaurants, but my two visits at Arzak I will remember to the day I die. Among the ten best restaurants in the world for more than twenty years. http://www.arzak.info/ing/home.asp

Thanks Kimhe. I actually wrote to them a few days ago to ask about the prices. I know it's not cool to do that but...hey, it's my hard earned money. Looked sensational but at E170 plus tax and no wine, I will take a pass on it.

Bookmarked the pintxos routes you sent and thank you for those.
Am debating if I should go out to one of the Cider houses for dinner one night. Since the food in SS is supposed to be so terrific, don't know if I should sacrifice a dinner there. The one called Petritegi looked particularly good. It would be fun to do something regional and specific to that time of year. Besides - who doesn't love cider?

Bookmarking

I would have gone to a Sidrería in Astigarraga, would most likely be great fun.

Be sure to do a couple of pintxos tours in San Sebastián. Go from bar to bar and have a bite and a drink at each place. Can't do much wrong in the Parte vieja/Old town, but there are some very good suggested routes on the todopintxos site.

For a sit down meal at reasonably priced restaurants, I can also recommend Beti-Jai, close to Urola. http://www.restaurantebetijai.com/
Had a fabulous meal a couple of years ago at La Muralla:
http://www.restaurantelamuralla.com/

And you can have great value three course lunch menus with drinks included at most restaurants for some 10-25€. Even some of the most luxcurious restaurants have great lunch offerings.

I have a very soft spot for traditional La Cepa. Lunch menu 15€ Mon-Fri and 25€ in the week-end. Also great pintxos and the absolutely best ham in the world (Jamón de Jabugo).
http://www.barlacepa.com/en/index.html

Goldiept, we are talking absolutely natural cider, obtained from fermented apples and nothing more, with 6º alcohol content. It´s not fizzy, it´s not sweet...it goes smooth into your mouth and it´s good for your health.

Will take another look at Sideria. I am not tied to any - just going by the photos on their web sites.

Also noting the restaurants you are telling me about, Kimhe.

Should lose some weight before I go to make room for the food there. Ahhhh...doubt I will do that - just wishful thinking.

I was in Paris last year and was so happy just walking around that I never got around to eating much - lost 5 lbs. walking all day but missed out on the food. The meals I did have were fairly unexciting anyway. Not a single place I would recommend. Feels like the food is going to be a huge, yummy priority on this trip.

Seems you just HAVE to drink the whole bottle - sounds good to me.