Basque and Catalonia Road Trip
Mar 25th, 2016, 08:11 AM
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Basque and Catalonia Road Trip
Hello!
My husband and I will be going on a 19 day trip to Spain in September. We are flying into Madrid because we got a great flight deal, but do not want to spend a large amount of time there. We are most interested in the Basque region and Catalonia and want to spend a good amount of time in and around Barcelona (at least 5-6 days). We are wanting to rent a car and leave from Madrid to go north with Bilbao as our first destination, then onto San Sebastian. We would also stop in Pamplona and then onto Barcelona with a side trip to Cadaques and Figueres. We will probably return the rental car once we reach Barcelona and fly one way back to Madrid before our flight home, unless it makes a lot more sense for cost reasons to drive back to Madrid to return the car, but I have heard that Barcelona will be difficult with a rental car.
A little about us... we are foodies and we love any art and cultural events. We also both are amateur photographers but love inspiration from our travels so we would love to know about scenic locations that can't be missed.
Our questions:
1) What can we not miss in between all of these major stops?
2) Should we go into French Basque Country from San Sebastian? (is this allowed with a rental car?)3) How much time would you allocate for each area?
4) Should we dedicate 1-2 days for Madrid or will this make our timeline too tight?
Thank you in advance!
My husband and I will be going on a 19 day trip to Spain in September. We are flying into Madrid because we got a great flight deal, but do not want to spend a large amount of time there. We are most interested in the Basque region and Catalonia and want to spend a good amount of time in and around Barcelona (at least 5-6 days). We are wanting to rent a car and leave from Madrid to go north with Bilbao as our first destination, then onto San Sebastian. We would also stop in Pamplona and then onto Barcelona with a side trip to Cadaques and Figueres. We will probably return the rental car once we reach Barcelona and fly one way back to Madrid before our flight home, unless it makes a lot more sense for cost reasons to drive back to Madrid to return the car, but I have heard that Barcelona will be difficult with a rental car.
A little about us... we are foodies and we love any art and cultural events. We also both are amateur photographers but love inspiration from our travels so we would love to know about scenic locations that can't be missed.
Our questions:
1) What can we not miss in between all of these major stops?
2) Should we go into French Basque Country from San Sebastian? (is this allowed with a rental car?)3) How much time would you allocate for each area?
4) Should we dedicate 1-2 days for Madrid or will this make our timeline too tight?
Thank you in advance!
Mar 25th, 2016, 09:42 AM
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I agree about including Zaragoza, try and go to Burgos too en route to Bilbao. You need a car to get to Cadaqués so it might make more sense to visit Cadaqués and the Costa Brava coast before you leave the car in Barcelona. Besalú, inland in northern Catalonia is beautiful as is the volcanic Garrotxa area which is nearby.
Near San Sebastian be sure to go to Hondarribia. The fishing villages along the coast between Bilbao and San Sebastian are very pretty too
Near San Sebastian be sure to go to Hondarribia. The fishing villages along the coast between Bilbao and San Sebastian are very pretty too
Mar 25th, 2016, 10:39 AM
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When flying into Madrid and heading north, we normally stop at the Parador in Lerma, an easy 2-hour drive from the airport after a long overnight international flight.
Burgos is a few minutes further up the road if you are interested in visiting its beautiful French Gothic Cathedral before heading to San Sebastrián-Donostia. The Hotel AC Burgos and Hotel NH Collection Palacio de Burgos are both good options for spending the night in Burgos.
You don't mention when you will be arriving, but the 64th San Sebastián International Film Festival is taking place from the 16th to the 24th. What hotels there are in Donostia are already being booked, so you need to check on avilability.
It's also harvest time in the Rioja, with the festival of San Mateo, the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival, taking place in Logroño during the third week of September.
As far as visiting the Pays Basque from San Sebastián, it's not a problem. And no problem taking your rental car into France. You might be interested in downloading Maribel's Guides to the Pais Vasco, San Sebastián and the Urdaibi 2016 (http://www.maribelsguides.com/maribe...-and-regional/) to help with your planning.
Since you'll be driving, you should but the Michelin Regional Map #573, which covers the Basque Country, Navarra and the Rioja, and #574, which covers Aragon and Catalonia. And yes, Pamplona is worth a visit, if not an overnight stay.
Also, don't forget to pick up your IDP (International Driving Permit) from AAA. You may be asked for it when you go to pick up your rental car.
Burgos is a few minutes further up the road if you are interested in visiting its beautiful French Gothic Cathedral before heading to San Sebastrián-Donostia. The Hotel AC Burgos and Hotel NH Collection Palacio de Burgos are both good options for spending the night in Burgos.
You don't mention when you will be arriving, but the 64th San Sebastián International Film Festival is taking place from the 16th to the 24th. What hotels there are in Donostia are already being booked, so you need to check on avilability.
It's also harvest time in the Rioja, with the festival of San Mateo, the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival, taking place in Logroño during the third week of September.
As far as visiting the Pays Basque from San Sebastián, it's not a problem. And no problem taking your rental car into France. You might be interested in downloading Maribel's Guides to the Pais Vasco, San Sebastián and the Urdaibi 2016 (http://www.maribelsguides.com/maribe...-and-regional/) to help with your planning.
Since you'll be driving, you should but the Michelin Regional Map #573, which covers the Basque Country, Navarra and the Rioja, and #574, which covers Aragon and Catalonia. And yes, Pamplona is worth a visit, if not an overnight stay.
Also, don't forget to pick up your IDP (International Driving Permit) from AAA. You may be asked for it when you go to pick up your rental car.
Mar 25th, 2016, 05:23 PM
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You might check my trip report for some ideas. That, and most importantly, the Michelin Green Guide.
If you are flying into Madrid and there is ANY chance that you will have jet lag, then by ALL means, give Madrid at least one day: Many people do not realize that driving with jet lag is at least as dangerous -- to yourselves and others -- as driving drunk. Or take a bus straight from Madrid's airport to your first destination and rent a car when you are ready to leave there.
If you are flying into Madrid and there is ANY chance that you will have jet lag, then by ALL means, give Madrid at least one day: Many people do not realize that driving with jet lag is at least as dangerous -- to yourselves and others -- as driving drunk. Or take a bus straight from Madrid's airport to your first destination and rent a car when you are ready to leave there.
Mar 26th, 2016, 12:29 AM
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I did exactly what joannyc suggested. I'm not sure I understand why one would need a great selection if one makes advance arrangements with a reliable rental agency. While I admit that I did not like the car I ended up renting (an Opel Corsa), it was the size I had requested, and I didn't recognize its limitations until I was in the mountains.
Mar 26th, 2016, 04:39 AM
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maybe more of a problem if you need an automatic?
We have stayed at the Mesón del Cid in Burgos, with a room with a small balcony that looked out over the cathedral square.
In San Sebastian we stayed at 3-star Sercotel Codina which is a bit out of the centre (but walkable). we were there in August when prices are also high and got a much better deal than staying right in the centre. Sercotel is a Spanish chain, we have stayed in several hotels of theirs (incl also Sercotel Oriente in Zaragoza) and always been very satisfied
We have stayed at the Mesón del Cid in Burgos, with a room with a small balcony that looked out over the cathedral square.
In San Sebastian we stayed at 3-star Sercotel Codina which is a bit out of the centre (but walkable). we were there in August when prices are also high and got a much better deal than staying right in the centre. Sercotel is a Spanish chain, we have stayed in several hotels of theirs (incl also Sercotel Oriente in Zaragoza) and always been very satisfied
Mar 27th, 2016, 12:57 AM
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Of course plenty of great hotel options right in the heart of San Sebastian. If yo want to stay as central as it gets without breaking the bank, basic hotel standard Alemana (full bathroom, minibar, AC etc) is an excellent option, very close to the famous Hotel Londres and 50 meters from the beautiful La Concha beach promenade.
http://hostalalemana.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/host...ana.en-gb.html
And here are two highest quality but a bit off the beaten track lunch options in fabulous food cities San Sebastian and Bacelona.
Ibai: http://www.andyhayler.com/restaurant/ibai
Somodó: http://www.somodo.es/english/
http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.co...s-somod%C3%B3/
http://hostalalemana.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/host...ana.en-gb.html
And here are two highest quality but a bit off the beaten track lunch options in fabulous food cities San Sebastian and Bacelona.
Ibai: http://www.andyhayler.com/restaurant/ibai
Somodó: http://www.somodo.es/english/
http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.co...s-somod%C3%B3/
Mar 27th, 2016, 01:14 AM
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... and when looking for "scenic locations", you shouln't miss San Juan de Gaztelugatxe on the Basque coast. http://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/top10/...aa30-12376/en/
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...-gaztelugatxe/
Most of the Basque coastline is spectacular.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...-gaztelugatxe/
Most of the Basque coastline is spectacular.
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