Hello We are starting to plan our September trip to northern Spain, and I need help. We have already been to Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona and the eastern part of the Pyrenees. This time we want to go to the Basque country. As we'll probably fly to madrid we also think of visiting Segovia, Burgos and if we have time - a day or 2 in Madrid. We like art ,history and nature but we are not fit for long walks. We are thinking of 12 -13 days and we are going to rent a car. Most guide book suggest routes that involve changing hotels almost every night. We don't like it - we would rather stay a few days in one hotel then move to the next region. We figured out that we can stay near or in San Sebastian and explore the area between the French Basques and Bilbao. Does it make sense?
We then want to go to Picos de Europa but have no idea where we should stay (I mean region, not a specific hotel)and for how many days. Should we stop overnight somewhere between S. Sebastian and our Picos de Europa? IS the Picos de europa worth the trip or maybe we should go to Ordesa park instead (remember - just short walks for me)?
What would be a nice route to go to Burgos? How many days should we stay there?
As you can see i have a lot of questions and will appreciate your help with planning the itinerary. thanks MB
Posts: 21 | Location: Israel | Registered: 24 December 2005
This is a suggestion based on what I would do. Drive from SS to the Picos it is an easy drive along the costal road, which these days is an Autovia, some of which is a toll road. The Picos is signed posted and you head for Canags de Onis. There are obviously not so many roads through the central mountainous region. So choose somewhere along the road between Cangas and Panes for a few nights and then move to the southern area along the roads between Potes and Ribota. That way to get to know both sides of the mountains, which are very different. To the North of the Picos is a funicular railway and to the south is a cable car to help you get up into the mountains. There are a lot of places around Burgos to explore so maybe a few days extra would not go a miss. My two favourite cities in Spain are Lugo and Burgos.
I hope this first reply helps in someway.
PS check with the hire company if your car can be taken into France. I have heard of a few companies not allowing this due to insurance costs.
Thank you for your reply. Of course, I have more questions now: Where are the cable car and funicular you've mentioned?
I only have 3 (maybe 4) nights in Picos de Europa. Does it still make sense to stay in 2 places? (We cannot take long walks)
Can you be more specific about the places to stay (I mean village not a specific hotel)?
And about Burgos - is it worth spending 2 nights there or should we just stop for 1 night and continue to Madrid? What are your favorite places in/near Burgos?
thanks again
MB
Posts: 21 | Location: Israel | Registered: 24 December 2005
I lived in Bilbao for about 6 months in 2004 and absolutely loved the region, culture, and people. Since it's been a while, forgive me if I mix up some names of the smaller towns.
Art, History and Nature - Pais Vasco has it all. I am a little concerned that you mentioned long walks may be inhibiting. Bilbao has fantastic public transportation, but parking may be difficult in some of the smaller towns and exploring the towns, parks, cliffs is all about long walks. You can still catch much of the culture/ambiance, but there may be more strategy involved in talking to locals and spending more time at the cafe's with cafe con leche (oh how I miss this!)
From East to west here are a few towns I would check into (forgive my spelling of the french towns): Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Azpeitia, San Sebastian, Mundaka & Burmeo, Gernika, Plentzia, Getxo (Algorta to Soppelana), Bilbao
Here's what to visit in each: Biarritz - Farmer's Market, Beach, Chocolate Shops Saint Jean de Luz - Beach Azpeitia - Home of Saint Ignacious, founder of the Jesuits; beautiful church/museum San Sebastian - old town, parks, beach, tapas...too much to list Mundaka and Burmeo - I should not be promoting these towns online. Google pictures of the biosphere reserve located here. Gernika - Visit the "Peace Museum" in the center of town to gather understanding of the history of the town. Also check out City Hall etc. Plentzia - beautiful small beach town, go here for a nice dinner on the water Gexto - Suburb of Bilbao, visit Puerto Viejo for an unforgettable dinner, take the elevator to the top of the suspension bridge, have a cafe con leche at the beach bars near soppelanna. Bilbao - The guggenheim of course, casco viejo, ride the finucular for views over town, etc. etc.
How you break up your time between the various towns is up to personal taste. You could realistically base yourself out of Biarritz, San Sebastian, and Bilbao with day trips to the small towns.
I would start in Bilbao and stay for 5 days, then hit SS for 3, Biarritz for 3 and add days along the way for whatever interests you. A few days in Logrono in La Riojo at a vineyard wouldn't be bad either. Santander west of Bilbao is also a nice beach destination.
Travel Safe!
Posts: 30 | Location: Washington DC | Registered: 22 February 2007
Ref villages; all I can suggest is avoid Potes. I found overloaded with tourist shops and tour guides or sporting adventure companies. I am prepared to guide you to help make up your own mind as to what you what from your vacation. The Funicular de Bulnes runs from Poncebos, which is located near the Cangas to Panes road. The cable car base station is located in Fuente Dé. I cannot recommend time of stay in any situation, I found Burgos (and area) so interesting that I stayed a number of days. I often go back as a stopover when on my way back to The Netherlands. But maybe our interests are worlds apart. What would I recommend? That is hard just look at this link as see the 100s of places you can visit. http://www.burgos.es/provincia/zonas-turisticas places like Bozoo, Colegiata Santa María la Real de Sasamón, Ermita de San Bernabé, Parque Natural de Montes I could go on and on.
Yes, September is here, I also would love to hear about what is happening here...
Casa - I really liked Potes. We were there on market day and that was kind of cool... all the locals seemed to be there and we bought some really delicious grapes.
After Shannon’s comments about how nice Potes was I thought I would refresh my memory and looked things up on the net. It seems I am wrong about Potes. I am now wondering if it was another place on the N621 road with which I am getting confused. Potes looks really nice.
Only 36 hours before we leave !!! Our final itinerary is as follows: Fly to Madrid , rent a car and drive to Burgos . On the next day - continue to San Sebastian (some sightseeing on the way, maybe the museum in Bilbao). We'll stay 4 nights in an agriturismo near San Sebastian, and exploore the Basque coutry (including the french part). Then - 4 nights near Potes, for exploring the Picos de Europa including a daytrip to the Asturia side. We booked 3 nights in a rural apartment and one night at the Fuente De parador A long drive to Segovia (overnight) ,2 days in Madrid and back home.
i still have so much to do. Promise to write a report when I am back
Posts: 21 | Location: Israel | Registered: 24 December 2005
