treble

I may not have the time or desire to visit all sights, and would very much appreciate getting back to travel discussion. Please. Since this is our first time back to Spain in like forty years should we focus on Madrid and Barcelona and not do the others? But I was surprised to find my interest in the lesser known areas piqued, especially after joannyc's lovely trip pictures!

treble

Also, it looks from the AC hotel pics that the Burgos bathrom just has a frosted door leading in, whereas the Madrid Recoletos one has the whole frosted or banded glass wall....right?

treble

http://www.vrbo.com/410045
This is where we spent a week in Nice last spring, joannyc....I think I may start looking for an apt in Madrid to spend a week. I was avoiding it because my Spanish is not very good, compared to my French.

CathyM

Kimhe - Ghosts of Spain was the book I read! It was excellent. I must say it wasn't an easy read as there was so much detailed information. But it really helped me gain a deeper understanding into the Spansih Civil war.

CathyM

Kimhe - Ghosts of Spain was the book I read! It was excellent. I must say it wasn't an easy read as there was so much detailed information. But it really helped me gain a deeper understanding into the Spansih Civil war.

joannyc

Treble,

Thanks for the link to your Nice apt, Looks very nice! How far was the walk to the center?

Yes, just the door at the AC in Burgos was frosted. I don't know if it varies from room to room as it did in Madrid. My first stay in Madrid the two walls were frosted glass but during my second stay there it was just the door. Scroll down towards the bottom of that link to see the second room in Madrid.

I like throwing in some smaller towns with the big cities so I would not just go to Madrid and Barcelona. But, everyone has their own style.

treble

joannyc, Yes, I agree about a mix of larger and smaller, and also I like a mix of city with coastal or mountains. We usually do two countries each time, and tend to spend 5-7 nights in two larger locations, then sandwich a couple other spots in between that are slower paced, usually two nights each. That's why I am struggling with an all Spain trip I think, even though it is certainly deserving of the attention. I'm not sure what to expect re Bilbao and San Sebastian...
Re apartment in Nice, it's on the promenade of course, everything looks just like the pics. We took the hop off bus one day, it's the easiest way to get up to some of the museums. But we walked everywhere else easily. Don't miss the Villa Rothschild and we also enjoyed Villa Kerylos, both the same day. (via bus)We ate lunch at the Villa Rothschild and it was beautiful. Also, the apartment owner picked us up at the train station (in the rain!).

joannyc

Treble, I was ok with one night in Bilbao. Did go to the Guggenheim although not a fan of modern art so would really have been ok with just seeing the outside. There is some very beautiful architecture in the city though, so I did appreciate that. Also enjoyed a stroll through the old town and seeing those sites. I saw just about everything on my itinerary. I wasn't thrilled with Bilbao, I found it OK.

I expect that I will spend probably 3 nights in San Sebastián when I visit northeastern Spain.

treble

Some folks have suggested just staying in S.S. and making Bilbao a day trip from there. I'm just beginning to research these places, so if anyone wishes to weigh in...By the way, we aren't big on shopping, except some light window shopping occasionally. Typically we don't return with many souvenirs, except I do have a thing for watches!
Being from Florida we wouldn't be too interested in lounging around on a beach, but a long walk on a scenic trail/promenade is desirable.

joannyc

And thanks for the tips in Nice!

kimhe

San Sebastián is just spectacular. The long and scenic La Concha beach promenade is one thing, but San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain (if not all of Europe), a local culture that people take great pride in and European Capital of Culture 2016. I lived here in 1996 and have visited almost every year since 1987, and San Sebastián is still my favourite city on the planet. Recently voted #5 destination in the world by Condé Nast Traveler: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/

NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...anted=all&_r=0

"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe?: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...rink.shopping2

All about going for the famous pintxos in San Sebastián, with suggested routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php

treble

Thank you, kimhe
Besides eating, taking the funicular, walking the beachfront, visiting san telmo museum, a boat ride (where?)Do you have any other recommendations for things to do in S.S.?
Also, I'm trying to decide whether to have a car or not...are there any worthy sights for which it would come in handy? Or for getting to the restaurants?

kimhe

Some sights in San Sebastian would be the Palacio Aiete with the huge park where Franco used to recide in the summer months and hold his cabinet meetings. Today it's a Peace and Human Rights Center in a city that has had its fair share of political violence during the past decades: https://www.donostia.org/info/juvent...0general&doc=D

The Palacio Miramar and the adjoing park, along the La Concha Beach promenade, used to be the Royal residence in San Sebastian since the late 19th Century. Today it's part of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), and the center for the huge summer course programmes from June into September. http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres...e_miramar.html

The Eduardo Chillada museum had to close down "temporarily" a couple of years ago, but there are some fine works of the great Basque sculptor to be seen in open air in San Sebastian. http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...air-sculptures

A walk up at Monte Urgull, towering over the Parte Vieja/Old town and with great views of both the city and the sea, is highly recommended. Hav had many great picnics up here: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...f-mount-urgull
Up here you also find the Casa de la Historia, open 10-17.30 Wed-Sunday: http://www.santelmomuseoa.com/exposi...cion.php?act=1

Check out the programme at Teatro Victoria Eugenia and in the Kursaal Conference center.
- Victoria Eugenia (Theater, concerts and Dance): http://www.victoriaeugenia.com/teatr....php?idioma=en
- Kursaal, classical concerts all the time: http://www.kursaal.com.es/English.asp

I use to take first time visitors to the area to lunch in close by Pasajes San Juan/Donibane a few miles east of San Sebastian. Several excellent waterfront restaurants with great value lunch deals. Ten mins driving or 30 mins with bus from Plaza de Guipúzcoa in central San Sebastian. http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...s/san-juan.htm
Restaurante Txulotxo: http://www.restaurantetxulotxo.com/index.html
Casa Camara: http://www.casacamara.com/

Had the meal of my life in small Getaria some 20 miles west of San Sebastian. Something like this. Frequent buses: http://www.thepauperedchef.com/2007/...-in-getar.html
Getaria: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...taria-tourism/

Perhaps go a bit inland to the old university town Oñati and the Arantzazu sanctuary. Inland Basque Country is a world apart from the coast: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...vel-guide.html

AND!!!
Plain fantastic cutting edge flamenco dancer and National Dance Prize winner Rocio Molina performs in San Sebastian on May 17 and in Renteria just outside San Sebastian on May 18. Together with singer and guitarist Rosario la Tremendita and double bass player Pablo Martin. I saw the premiere of this "Afectos" in Barcelona in October 2012, unforgettable. Flamenco is far from Basque culture, but this is an opportunity to see something quite out of the ordinary, also when it comes to flamenco. She danced three nights in New York (BAC) last weekend. http://www.rociomolina.net/agenda/?lang=en

- "one of the finest soloists in the world today", New York Times 2009
- "Molina has genius: irresistible, all-consuming, all-powerful", Financial Times 2011
- "as if she were sharing the stage with the ghosts of all the dancers whose art she has absorbed – and reinvented", The Telegraph 2013

kimhe

New York Times yesterday about the performance Rocio Molina brings to San Sebastian May 17 and 18: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/ar...ival.html?_r=0

And I must recommend lunch at three Michelin star Akelarre. Fabulous food and spectacular views of the coast from up here. Ten min driving from the center of San Sebastian. Book way ahead: http://www.akelarre.net/public_home/...me.php?lang=en
http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/04...san-sebastian/