San Sebastián Travel Forum

My husband and I will be traveling to San Sebastian early April to meet up with our son (who is studying there). We have never been to Europe and would like to see as much as possible (without making ourselves nuts). What would be reasonable since will be there about 12 days?

Hi,
It really depends what kind of things you enjoy. That area of Spain is really scenic so i would take a drive to Bilbao whilst you are there . Do you like museums ? If so visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao. I loved it. www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/?idioma=en
From Bilbao you could fly cheaply to London on Easyjet ( www.easyjet.com ) or to other parts of Spain if you prefer.
http://www14.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagename=subHome&Language=EN_GB&c=Page&SiteName=BIO&cid=1047658432525

What types of activities you like, and what transportation (rental car or public)? Also, how far do you want to go? I can think of a few places, such as Santillana del Mar and Covadonga.

The coast of Spain is beautiful, many places to see. You could also go East to France - but I love Spain.

12 days is nice, from San Sebastian which is beautiful ,there are many things to do. You can go west to Santiago de Compostela, or east to Barcelona, go south to Logrońo in rioja wine country, and down to Madrid, or go up to Bordeaux and Toulouse. all very nice driving spots; my favorite way to travel.

I suggest to take a map, michelin and point your way on what you like to to do best,as far as time travel, then get a guide and refine your choices, you will have a good driving time in my favorites areas aside from where i live now.

Good suggestion from pedmar. One interesting thing to realize, is that you will practically be going to different countries - so SS to Bilbao are Basque, Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra, etc. are Galicia, Barcelona is Catalunya, then you have Asturias which has its own personality - and this is just scratching the surface - so you may want to take a peek at Wikipedia for some of the history of these very different regions.

Thank you for your replies......I should have made myself more clear......my son has been studing in San Sebastian since August and has traveled some in Spain......I thought we might head out to France or ??????? to see different countryside......

I think we would like to see as much countryside as possible....to get a general flavor......I know this will be fast and nothing indepth.......

thanks for any suggestions

Thank you for your replies......I should have made myself more clear......my son has been studing in San Sebastian since August and has traveled some in Spain......I thought we might head out to France or ??????? to see different countryside......

I think we would like to see as much countryside as possible....to get a general flavor......I know this will be fast and nothing indepth.......

thanks for any suggestions

If you travel eastwards and cross the border into France you will enter one of the most scenic of areas. I suggest St Jean de Luz - a delightful small town and resort on the coast; inland then to Salies de Bearn and, if time permits onward to Pau;assuming you will want to return to San Sebastian mhead south from Pau to Oloron Ste Marie. Make sure you see St Jean-Pied-de Port before crossing back into Spain again.
That should make a very interesting circular trip crossing the foothills of the Pyrenees. For accommodation I recommend
www.logis-de-france.fr
a group of independently owned, usually family run small hotels. The website has an English language option and allows to search for a place on the map.
I hope this is helpful.

Apols for the typos - getting late here! Please ask for more info if needed.

going into FRance, ranger49 gave you some good advice. I am there often, St Jean-de-Luz is a beautiful town full of history, King Louis XIV married the spanish regent Maria Teresa to seal the treaty of the Pyrenées in 1659 ,that mark the boundaries of the two nations until today. The houses where they stay are shown in my photos section for the city. Pau is great, with beautiful views of the Pyrenées from the boulevard, Henri IV lives there and love it,including many English royalties for the good air. Oloron Sainte-Marie has nearby the Jurançon wines, which are a great idea to have,not too known outside France but very well respected here in France.
The towns of Hendaye,Irun, Hondabarria are great to visit just around the circle back and forth to Spain ,take the N1 road, very scenic. I am sure your son already heard of these places in San Sebastian