I am planning a trip with my husband for the last two weeks of September to visit Northern Spain. I want to do Rioja, Basque Country, Barcelona, Bilbao and Toledo (Toledo is not really "northern" but I want to take him there if I can fit it in. Does anyone have recommendations on how I should split this up into two weeks? Any recommendations on towns to "set up camp" in while I am in particular areas? I am an architect and a foodie. Love the wine too. This will be my husband's first time and I really want to make this special for him. Any recommendations you have will be very helpful. I know I am rather vague at this point, but I just started planning. I am going through the posts.

http://maribelsguides.com/

In the summer of 2005 we spent 2 weeks in Spain although we split it between 1 week in the north and 1 in the south. We started in Barcelona for 3 nights, then rented a car and drove up north. Checked out the Guggenheim in Bilbao and then settled for a few nights at a small b&B outside of Santander. Did some day tripping along the coast to beaches and Comillas. Then travled through the Picos de Europa which was wonderful. Finally arrived for a few nights in Segovia. We loved it there. Some superb restaurants. From there we traveled to Madrid for a few nights and then spent a lovely evening in Toledo before heading south where we rented a home outside of Casares. In Segovia we stayed at Los Linajes which was lovely. In Toledo Hotel Cardenal was lovely too. Everything was within walking distance from both hotels. Hope this helps.

Dear natcam:

We were in N. Spain last June, mostly to visit family, but did tourist stuff also. Here is the thread to our report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34828166

Warning: the report is very long and boring, but perhaps you will gleen some useful info. We had a fantastic time!!

Good luck on your planning.

MY

Based on what you have presented, you should plan on arriving in Barcelona, spending at least 3, in not 4 nights to check out the city fabulous architecture and great restaurants, then head for the Rioja (4 nights), then up to the Basque country, departing for home from Bilbao.

Thank you everyone. (Please keep posting if you have more suggestions, though.) MicheleY, I saw your thread and have not yet read it thoroughly, I am sure it will be very helpful. I LOVE the trip reports! It seems like maribelsguides is the way to go considering it has come up a LOT. I have the website marked as a favorit now, I am sure I will visit it frequently from here on out. Thank you for your suggestions and trip summaries robert and winnie!