Thanks for hangin' in here the whole time, Marija. We went to San Sebastian on an earlier trip but hope to return in a few years. We tried to do a bit of Basque country on this trip, but weather was uncooperative and we backed off.

Quotation from Sarah Wildman (author of the NYT Costa Brava travel story), regarding the Barcelona bistronomique, "Gresca":

"dishes like carpaccio of octopus, Catalán blood sausage and potato blend Spanish creativity with French voluptuousness".
And this makes it of the most coveted reservations in town.
Closed Sat. lunch and all day Sun.

Have fun choosing!

Oooh, Maribel, I didn't realize that you'd posted assignments. My post responding to Marija must have crossed yours in cyber space. So I only now read your suggestions for new places to try in Barcelona and I'm so excited. I'll be reading everything I can find on these places and working as many as I can into our itinerary--tough to do with so many from our last trips to repeat, like Windsor and Paco Meralgo, but "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." We're up for this.

We won't be going to Costa Brava this time since I assume it's probably a bit quiet--and spending this much time in one place will give us the opportunity to do an apartment, one of my goals. I also think there will be plenty in and within a day trip of Barcelona to keep us busy given that our son has never been to this wonderful city.

So many of the places you've "assigned" sound terrific, especially the super wine library place. I can hardly wait. Thanks for all the tips. Happy to repay by giving you our candid opinions. Off to do some research. Thanks.

Yep, Julie, our posts did cross in ciber space. Ah, WINDSOR! My very, very favorite "classic" in this dining-rich city.

I envy you a full week to savor post Xmas, and it's a swell time for a rental, which we've yet to do in Barcelona. Our post New Year's trip we remember as one of our best ever visits to the city. And more than enough to see, do, taste for 7 days with a day trip or two thrown in, such as Sant Sadurní d'Anoia cava cellars.

So with the addition of a kitchen, you'll be able to sit back and relax in your pied-à-terre and sample some of the city's great "take away" treats from La Boquería market to Jamonísimo to Turris (new designer boulangerie on Aribau 148) to all the wonderful chocolate boutiques, including the new Demasié on Petritxol 15 in the Old City.
www.demasie.es

Now that will be even more fun!
Happy planning!

Yes, I'm looking forward to wonderful deli-style, non-breakfasty breakfasts in the apartment. I figure that if we ever find outselves without fois gras or those wonderful little silver anchovies in sour we can just jaunt across a couple of streets and grab it from the Santa Caterina market though we'll undoubtedly do some shopping at Boqueria whenever we can. The chocolate shop sounds very worthy of another stop on the shopping route.

I'm kind of torn about continuing this conversation. Any of your recommendations to me will undoubtedly be of great interest to others, but my replies less so. So if you have additional suggestions (and we're always open) we may either want to open a separate post entitled something like new spots to try in Barcelona or you are certainly welcome to send me direct "assignments" at my e-mail which is valdisvikmanis at comcast.net
At least then people here won't have to continually skip over this giganticly long post as they look for more current reports and queries.

Again, thanks so much for the recommendations. I'm anxious to check them out. Julie

ttt

Spain topping.

This email is for anyone who has visited Spain (especially the Galicia region recently. We will be docking in A Coruna on a cruise on a Sunday and I am worried that most things will be closed. We would like to visit Santiago de Compostela and or Betanzos, but would hate to waste our time if most places are shut, not to mention the afternoon siesta. Anyone have any input or advice for us? Please email me direct: [email protected]. C.W.P.

Sorry, I goofed up my email address: [email protected]

Chaslin
I have answered your question here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...on-ofspain.cfm

Northern Spain is really a very good place to spend some time with your husband. It has really very good hotels and resorts and also some awesome beaches where you can enjoy....!

Boy is this one fabulous report! Bringing it up to study since I am headed for Asturias next month.


Based on the sage advice of both Maribel and Julie, I've booked Casa Marcial in Arriondas, as well as a few other spots.




Julie, where are you headed next?

ekscrunchy, glad my old report is still helpful to you. You're gonna love Asturias and the rest of the North. I was just looking at some pictures of Casa Marcial and drooling over the food.

We are just back from a trip to Italy(stayed in Varenna on Lake Como again), Camogli and Genoa). Don't go again until early December when we take the Rhine Getaway cruise on Viking for relaxation and Christmas markets.

Enjoy Northern Spain.

Bringing up this fantastic report from Julie. I do not think we have heard from her here in a while and hope she is doing okay and that she will return here to say "Hola!" to her many fans!!

I am planning a trip to northern Spain for next February/March, to be followed by about 2 weeks in Cadiz province. Will begin my own thread soon but wanted to top this as it is such a wonderful summary of what sounds like a most memorable trip--with great eating!