Al

We've been thinking of traveling on our own through what we understand are some of Spain's least-visited and greenest provinces. Have you been there? If so, what would you recommend that we see and do? We're aiming for next spring, but since we are retired, our time is quite flexible. We have no command of Basque, but our Spanish is quite good, incidentally.

Covadonga

Hi, Al. <BR>First of all, donīt worry about not knowing Basque. Itīs not so widely spread on the daily life as it is catalonian in Barcelona, and you wonīt get any bad looks if you talk to the people in spanish instead of in basque. In fact, many of us just know the basics, and we live in spanish. <BR>The weather can be impredictable during spring, either fine weather or cold, rainy, foggy weather (never forget your umbrella and raincoat, thereīll always be a day when you need them). <BR>Places to see. It can be a very long list, you just have to adjust it to your time... Beginning with San Sebastian (the beach, eat pintxos in the Parte Vieja), and all the small fishing villages, Getaria, the birth place of Elcano, the first person to sail around the world. Go into Vizcaya, with places like Lekeitio, Bermeo, Mundaka and Gernika. Leave the coast and go to Elorrio, full of old stone houses and churches. Arrive to Bilbao. We are not only the Guggenheim. Maybe next year our small gothic cathedral will be open after renovations. Sit in the Plaza Nueva, and have "rabas" or "tortilla". You can go to Victor Montes, but now is full with tourists... Ride the metro to the beach. Go up Artxanda, and look Bilbao from the top. <BR>Cantabria are our neighbours and cousins. Santander has the Magdalena Palace, the summer residence of the king of Spain back in the twenties, when it was chic to spend the summer in the north. Go and eat at the fishing harbour, although the quality has gone a bit down in the last years. There are many beautiful beaches and fishing villages, but the inland, places like Potes or Liebana, deserves a visit. Mountains, good cheese, magnificent landscape. Lots of cows, also. <BR>I must think a bit more, but here you have a web page that could help you: <BR>http://www.spaintour.com/verde.htm <BR>You can e-mail me directly, if you want. <BR>Regards.

Al

Thank you! Muchas gracias! As we plan ahead, we certainly will be in touch with you by e-mail.

Thomas Nastos

We took the Transcontabrico Tour train all across northern Spain. We started in San Sebastian and ended in Santiago de Compostella (we got the indulgence and a guaranteed spot in Heaven????) The trip is marvelous with lots of side tours from the train. The food is gourmet food in classy restaurants in the various cities: Santander, Ovieto, Gijon, Bilbao, among them.

Kathy

You will love the entire area, and it is so different from the rest of Spain. Some hotels where we had especially nice stays include the Hotel del Oso near Potes and the paradores in Santillana del Mar (ask for a room in the old section--it's probably best to call the Parador de Gil Blas directly) and Hondarrabia (aka Fuenterrabia). Santillana del Mar, though touristy, is a charming little village with a beautiful cloister. It's especially nice to stay there because after the tourists leave for the day, it's very peaceful. We were there in October and the weather was lovely and it wasn't too crowded driving through the Picos de Europa. Another highlight was staying in the Parador de los Reyes Catolicos in Santiago--great base from which to explore the old section of the city, and an incredibly beautiful hotel. Also made a stop in Taramundi which is quite off the beaten path. Most of the highway signs are written in Spanish as well as Basque so it's no problema! Buen viaje!