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Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Does this sound a rubbish idea for Northern Spain?
MrsBede · 17/08/2021 19:30
I have bitten the bullet and booked the ferry to Bilbao for next summer. I then made some bookings for accommodation that I'm beginning to doubt. It's free cancellation so any advice would be much appreciated.
I've booked 4 nights in Bilbao (the ferry arrives in the afternoon of day one, so we should have that evening), 3 nights in Barcelona and then one night in Santander before sailing back. I knew that Barcelona was a 6 hour drive away when I booked but now I'm thinking that really is too far and I should go somewhere nearer to Bilbao. I don't know - I've been desperate to take the dc to Barcelona for a few years and this seemed like the perfect chance. They really want to go on the ferry again though so flying in wasn't an option but maybe I'm wrong to try and combine the two ideas?
My other option would be sail back a few days later. I have free amendments so that could work but it makes the holiday very long when you factor in the sailings and, as well as creating extra cost, it would create a very long time without the dc seeing their dad (divorced).
What does anyone think?
Babamamananarama · 17/08/2021 19:33
6 hours both ways is a day of your holiday.
Bilbao is lovely and has a great cultural scene.
How about a few days in San Sebastián? It's got a great beach.
NantesElephant · 17/08/2021 19:34
I would head to San Sebastián or even Santander itself has a nice beach.
MrsBede · 17/08/2021 19:38
San Sebastian looks lovely - not considered that. The problem is the dc are not very beachy. They'll do a couple of half-days at a beach but that's it. But it looks like San Sebastian has a lot more than the beach anyway...Hmm - might have to leave Barcelona for another time.
PersephoneJames · 17/08/2021 19:39
I don’t know what you’ll do for 3 days in Bilbao. It’s a day trip at most - why not San sebastian an hour up the coast? It has the most beautiful beach in Europe (according to trip advisor!) and world famous gastronomy.
Bilbao has the Guggenheim and the nautical museum is quite good but nothing much else. The weather is also often miserable, this summer has been dire!
Barcelona you can fill those days up easily, and I agree with only one in Santander. Also I thought barcelona was only about 4.5 hours from San Sebastián!
I’m quite happy driving from Bilbao to Barcelona and stopping for lunch and a wander round Zaragoza which is nice. I’d say Barcelona is worth the trip!
My fantasy trip would be: San Sebastián/Bilbao to Barcelona (via Zaragoza or Pamplona) and then up to carcassone and then back along to San Sebastián (only 4 hours from carcassonne to San Sebastián)
PersephoneJames · 17/08/2021 19:41
Madrid is a 4 hour drive from San Sebastián? What sort of thing are your dc into?
Babamamananarama · 17/08/2021 19:41
Or (without knowing the ages of your kids) how about pushing inland into the forests for a day or two and going somewhere like this: cabanasenlosarboles.com/es
I always enjoy holidays where you get little blocks of time in quite different places: a few days in a city doing a bit of culture, a few days at the beach, a few days off grid in the mountains etc.
MrsBede · 17/08/2021 19:48
Oh, that's a shame about Bilbao - I did a bit of Googling (not loads to be fair...) and it seemed there'd be enough for a couple of days. I don't want a high chance of rubbish weather though...
DC like wandering, lots of cafe stops, museums (ds1 especially is a history fanatic). They're not massively outdoorsy and city breaks do suit us best, though I love the coast so insist on a bit of time there.
I'm going to look up these suggestions and then make a more considered decision 
.
Happy36 · 17/08/2021 19:49
Bilbao to Barcelona is not a difficult drive. Spanish roads are modern, well maintained and rarely busy. Make sure you have parking in BCN, and check the tolls in advance. Another poster suggested the possibility of stopping en route in Zaragoza, another beautiful city, and an opportunity to discover Aragonese culture and food.
Bilbao is a glorious city with wonderful food. You can also get to beaches and seaside at places like Getxo and Santurtxi very quickly (even by metro), and into the countryside for beautiful walks.
As others have said, Donostia is an hour's drive from Bilbo and another place worth visiting if you have time for a day trip.
Feel free to PM me if you have any queries. Enjoy your holiday!
PPCD · 17/08/2021 19:55
There is an amazing zoo about an hour west of Bilbao called Parque de la naturaleza de cabárceno. It's in a former iron mine and it is so big they have a cable car system to get across the park!
Also the Altamira caves and Las cuevas de las monedas for prehistoric cave paintings.
ruthieness · 17/08/2021 19:55
what about a farm stay? I did that with my children in that area (20 years ago!) - i think it is too far to go Barcelona - it is quicker from here!
This one sounds great but I don't have any personal knowledge of it other than the website.
www.farmstayplanet.com/farmstays/spain-1/euskadi/donostia/bed-breakfast-bb/casa-rural-agroturismo-zelai-eder/
PersephoneJames · 17/08/2021 20:00
I think they’d love Barcelona. I’m a history fanatic too! Depending on their ages there are some wonderful novels you can get them reading. Spain’s amazing - every part is different. And I totally agree with PP, the journey is easy. Unlike British roads you never get traffic or have to add hours on to journeys.
Guernica is very near Bilbao and has a great interactive museum about the bombing. If he likes WW2 history he’d probably like that a lot.
When I drove to Barcelona from San Sebastián, we stopped at Montserrat which was one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been. Another time we stopped in carcassone for DS which is like a real life Disney castle. Other nice things on route are all the Dali museums up the coast, his houses are all as weird as his paintings.
Also, Spain’s just opened a historical theme park called “Puy de Fou España” - although maybe I’m overdoing the history recommendations now! That’s in Toledo which is near Madrid. It’s supposed to be excellent. I’m going in October!!
I agree that parking in Barcelona is diabolical! Reserve in advance. If you do Madrid you can park at the university for free and get the metro in…
TheGenealogist · 17/08/2021 20:01
I know this part of Spain well. There is plenty to see along the North coast between Santander and the French border. Off the top of my head..
Laredo - half way between Santander and Bilbao, gorgeous beaches.
San Juan de Gastelugatxe - the most amazing place, Game of Thrones location. www.euskoguide.com/places-basque-country/spain/san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/
San Sebastian - gorgeous. Lovely old town, very foodie, elegant seaside resort.
Zarautz - another lovely seaside resort
All around coast between Bilbao and San Sebastian are little fishing villages which are unspoilt and great scenery.
Head west out of Santander and you're in the Picos de Europa mountains.
Unfashionable · 17/08/2021 20:05
Rather than driving across the country to Barcelona, I would recommend a trip to San Sebastián, or Donostia in Basque. It’s a beautiful, upmarket seaside city with a fabulous beach and an amazing foodie scene. Touring the bars devouring pintxos & Rioja is not to be missed.
RainbowMum11 · 17/08/2021 20:06
Bilbao is lovely, as is San Sebastián.
Look at the train from Bilbao to Barcelona instead of driving - it's really fast and a nice way to go across and visit - I did it for work a couple of times and I was a great way to travel.
QueenofLouisiana · 17/08/2021 20:10
We spent 7 days in that part of northern Spain and found lots to do. Picas de Europa is a gorgeous area- lots of wildlife, mountain villages etc. Great beaches in Mogro area, few British tourists, lots of Spanish tourists from further south.
Bonmonkhouse · 17/08/2021 20:11
It will be an amazing adventure for your kids whatever you end up doing. I like the sound of the train to Barcelona too. I want to do northern Spain sometime so loving the recommendations.
Bobbybobbins · 17/08/2021 20:17
We used the train (appreciate you'll have your car with you though) and it was very fast and easy. San Sebastián is fab - would suggest two days in Bilbao (Guggenheim, Guernica museum nearby, shopping and eating were main attractions for us!) SS fir two days and could you squeeze in Barcelona?
MrsBede · 17/08/2021 21:12
Wow - thank you for all these fab replies! So much to look up - I feel so excited now. I'm leaning towards extending by three days and fitting it San Sebastian to be honest...
myrtilles · 18/08/2021 08:51
If you are doing the ferry to Spain for the first time it is a holiday in itself. You should see dolphins in the bay of biscay. Six hours drive to Barcelona sounds fine and I suspect there is more to do there than in Bilbao or Santander. We travelled through Santander this summer and were surprised to find the weather overcast on both occasions. Therefore I think a holiday that includes a bit of time on the Mediterranean coast would be a good idea.
Bonmonkhouse · 18/08/2021 20:11
I think you should extend it by three days OP and make a proper trip out of it. I am sure the issues around doing that are resolvable and it will mean you can properly relax in between your travelling.
Marmitemarinaded · 18/08/2021 20:14
Skip bilbao
Fly to Barcalona
Have a spectacular holiday.
SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 18/08/2021 20:17
I would do 2 nights max in Bilbao; it underwhelmed me. If six hours is too much, can you plan a loop to Barcelona and back? Pick 2 nice places to stop over en route there and back. Surely there must be some charming spots to pause at?
SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 18/08/2021 20:20
I say this on the basis that Barcelona is your truly desired destination; obvs there are lots of other options on the northern side if you’re open to them. But four nights in Bilbao - hell no!
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