NW Spain: La Coruna, Bilbao, San Sebastian??

[TLCOhio]

We are doing an 11-day sailing from Lisbon to Rouen in mid June with lots of great port stops and opportunities to explore exciting parts of Spain, Portugal, Bordeaux, Brittany, etc.

 

Our Spain port stops include: La Coruna with much history here in this major Spanish port that has cultural background going back to the Celtics, Romans, Moors, etc.; Bilbao with much here centered around Frank Gehry’s dramatic Guggenheim museum and their historic medieval streets and St Jean De Luz, for accessing San Sebastian, its top-rated food, the elegant Belle Époque architecture, its Spanish royalty setting as their seaside summer resort, etc.

 

Much research to do for these three different days in NW Spain. Our first for being in these areas of Spain!! We have previously done much and super enjoyed Barcelona, around Madrid/Toledo, Seville, etc.

 

What are your best ideas, tips, suggestions, secrets, special surprises, etc., for these three cities in NW Spain? Love wonderful sharing!! Don't be shy. Below is a visual for a few of the books that I got recently from our local library and have been checking. Lots of nice pictures, details, options, etc. Personally, it's nice to have today's books with more and better charts, graphics, visuals images, maps, building cut-aways, etc.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 220,355 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

[Kingsbridge]

From La Coruna do a tour to Santiago de Compostela. Absolutely fantastic tour, not to be missed. The town of La Coruna itself is pleasant but not nearly as interesting as Santiago de Compostela.

[Courier95]

We are doing an 11-day sailing from Lisbon to Rouen in mid June with lots of great port stops and opportunities to explore exciting parts of Spain, Portugal, Bordeaux, Brittany, etc.

 

Our Spain port stops include: La Coruna with much history here in this major Spanish port that has cultural background going back to the Celtics, Romans, Moors, etc.; Bilbao with much here centered around Frank Gehry’s dramatic Guggenheim museum and their historic medieval streets and St Jean De Luz, for accessing San Sebastian, its top-rated food, the elegant Belle Époque architecture, its Spanish royalty setting as their seaside summer resort, etc.

 

Much research to do for these three different days in NW Spain. Our first for being in these areas of Spain!! We have previously done much and super enjoyed Barcelona, around Madrid/Toledo, Seville, etc.

 

What are your best ideas, tips, suggestions, secrets, special surprises, etc., for these three cities in NW Spain? Love wonderful sharing!! Don't be shy. Below is a visual for a few of the books that I got recently from our local library and have been checking. Lots of nice pictures, details, options, etc. Personally, it's nice to have today's books with more and better charts, graphics, visuals images, maps, building cut-aways, etc.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 220,355 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/2017%20Travel/DecTravel2016A%20032_zpsjnfxm602.jpg[/img

 

 

You might like to check out the following couple of our favourite places in the area/s you mention. Of course, we don't know your time limitations and whether or not you will be driving yourself as seems to be your norm from your many other posts.

 

The first is Le train de la Rhune which starts from Sare, about 10kms from St Jean de Luz. It is a quaint little railway (similar to the one at Flam) that climbs to the top of La Rhune. There is a cafe at the top and, if the weather is good, magnificent views of the Spanish and French coasts and of the Pyrenees.

 

Secondly, the beautiful riverside town of St Jean Pied de Port a point on the route for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compestella. Many of the doors in the town bear the symbolic scallop shell. A climb to the citadel is rewarded with views of the countryside with mountains in the background.

 

If the places appeal to you then I am sure that they will be mentioned in one of your newly acquired guide books. Happy reading!

[TLCOhio]

Appreciate these great earlier posts and follow-ups. Good news? It is just one more week until we depart for Lisbon and starting on June 14 for our north-bound cruise from Portugal to Rouen/France. As mentioned earlier, lots of great ports and locations.

 

From the BBC earlier this year, they have this headline: “Bilbao effect: How 20 years of Gehry's Guggenheim transformed the city” with these story highlights: “Twenty years ago, Bilbao was scarred by acts of terrorism and failing industry. The city decided to gamble on Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum. Not only did it help to save Bilbao, it also showed the world the transformative effect of art.”

 

This profile adds: "A riot of twisted metal, more like sculpture than architecture, it’s a spectacular landmark. Giant sculptures by Louise Bourgeois, Jeff Koons and Anish Kapoor guard the entrance. Inside, it’s a futuristic maze of glass, titanium and limestone. Gehry's building cost €84 million, plus €36 million on new artworks - a lot of money at any time, especially in a recession. It was hardly surprising the concept attracted fierce local criticism, from both left and right. Yet since opening in 1997, it has attracted 19 million visitors, 70% from outside Spain. The biggest benefit has been the way it has reshaped the city. This used to be a grimy backwater, now it is a tourist hotspot. This museum isn’t just a cultural impetus, it is a financial motor too."

 

Looking forward to seeing Bilbao and this famed museum on Saturday, June 17th. Nice to know that this is their 20th anniversary year.

 

Full story at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1HL3drXNNWQVq7tpC6pMRsJ/the-bilbao-effect-how-20-years-of-gehrys-guggenheim-transformed-the-city

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 32,064 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

 

From this BBC article and the files of the Guggenheim Bilbao museum, here are a couple of visuals illustrating the special "drama" with its design.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

[TLCOhio]

After returning from our June "adventure" in parts of NW Spain and SW France, I happened across this very special and on-point Rick Steves program that he did for PBS TV about Basque County. Great video, details, background, etc., for much of what we were able to explore last month. We were able to visit and explore the key parts of four of the five town highlighted in this program. To see lots of pictures, check out my live/blog, Live, Terry/Spirit: Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany; Pix’s!, at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Will post more pictures and details from this great area in a later post on this Spain CC Board.

 

As Rick Steves noted, this "homeland of the proud and resilient Basque people is split between France and Spain." Much in this program focused on one of our top favorites . . . San Sebastián. As we were able to do, Rick Steves shows and give much more about the ancient Basque capital of Guernica, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and visiting part of France for their Basque Country in St. Jean de Luz.

 

Yes, much was featured and shown in tapa bars, plus aspects for the jai alai games that started in this region. Really enjoyed exploring and learning more about the Basque areas of both countries. This PBS program helped to add to the depth of that knowledge and experience that we enjoyed so much last month. Below are a few visual samples of Rick Steves doing this informative program. It is worth checking out and having these areas on your "to-do" priority list.

 

Video link to this Rick Steves Basque program:

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 183,274 views for this posting.

 

Here are four quick visual samples from the half-hour PBS program done by Rick Steves on Basque County. First, Rick is showing some of the great tapa bar food in San Sebastián. Second features Rick with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in the background. Yes, we were right there, too! Next is a map showing the towns featured in this area split between these two countries. Fortunately for us, we were able to visit four of these five special towns. Finally, it shows Rick with the beach/resort area of charming San Sebastián. Great memories!!:

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[Cruise Junky]

How did you enjoy the cruise Terry? We have a similar one booked on Azamara next year.

[TLCOhio]

How did you enjoy the cruise Terry? We have a similar one booked on Azamara next year.

 

YES!! Super loved this "adventure", including the wonderful stops at Bilbao, San Sebastian, etc. Much to explore and enjoy in NW Spain. Below are just a few of my many visuals taken during this port-intensive cruise.

 

Check out my full live/blog as connected below. Don't be shy!! Ask any and ALL questions on this live/blog related to what we did, how, etc. Wonderful food, history, architecture and sights. Will look forward to your comments and info needs.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

From on top of Mount Igueldo, first here is the overall view of San Sebastian, its beach, mountains nearby, etc. So spectacular from up here!! Next, you can see the stone tower that sets at this dramatic location. In the final three pictures, you can see some of our success in doing the pintxo bars. At one location, I enjoyed octopus, scallops, Sangra wine, etc.:

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At the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the art is mostly about the building. Lighting and time of day when shooting allow for much creativity as to how you can capture this structure, its outdoor art, the inside drama, etc. Below is just one of my visual highlights. Outdoor as you enter is a large animal/dog sculpture by Jeff Koon covered in colorful flowers. Not your grandfather's museum! Like?:

[Cruise Junky]

Thanks so much Terry. I found your live thread. Great pictures. Really looking forward to it.

[TLCOhio]

Thanks so much Terry. I found your live thread. Great pictures. Really looking forward to it.

 

Great that you found my live/blog thread and liked the pictures. Below are a few more visual samples. Love to hear more from others who have visited these charming and historic areas.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

Here are some added visual samples from exploring around San Sebastian, including the first picture being a view of Royal Palace for the Kings and Queens of Spain. If this town is good enough for them in the summer, then we can be satisfied, too, right? Additionally below are some beach architecture, churches, window/iron railings, food prep here in the market areas, etc.:

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Here are a couple additional views from this famed Bilbao museum.:

 

[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Independent in October 2017, they have this headline: “Bilbao City Guide” with these highlights: “With the Guggenheim in Bilbao turning 20 this October, now's the perfect time to spend 48 hours in this beautiful Basque city. Two decades ago, Bilbao was off the travel radar. The Basque port city – known as the 'Liverpool of Spain' – was in post-industrial decline, grubby and flagging. But then arrived salvation in the form of ravishing, rippling steel: Frank Gehry’s groundbreaking Guggenheim Museum opened here in October 1997 and the city was back on the map. Over the past 20 years, the halo effect of this architectural masterstroke has seen Bilbao bloom."

 

Yes, this article mentions the: "sniffing Puppy, Jeff Koons’ giant topiary dog, which sits outside the gleaming Guggenheim". Plus many other ideas and details related to this interested city that we enjoy in June.

 

Full story at:

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/bilbao-city-guide-how-to-spend-weekend-break-things-to-do-spain-guggenheim-best-restaurants-hotels-a8015111.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 36,297 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Daily Mail earlier this week, they had this headline: “Tapas in San Sebastian, Lonely Planet reveals the world's 500 best meals” with these highlights: “Pintxos (tapas) in San Sebastian have been named as the top food experiences in the world by the travel experts at Lonely Planet. They come top of a mouth-watering list of the world's best 500 culinary experiences that Lonely Planet has ranked for a new tome titled the Ultimate Eatlist - a foodie bucket-list that takes into account not just the taste, but the atmosphere that dishes are eaten in.”

 

YES!! We super loved both the setting in and around San Sebastian, plus the excellent tasty foods we enjoyed there. Below are a couple of visuals featured with this story. Brings back many great memories from visiting there last year. More on my full live/blog connected below.

 

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-6031797/The-500-food-experiences-ranked-Lonely-Planet-tapas-San-Sebastian-No1.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Finished June 2017 sailing on the Silver Spirit from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Now at 23,260 views. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

From San Sebastian, below are a couple of the visuals that Lonely Planet used to illustrate this story and show what is there to see and enjoy in this scenic NW Spain location.:

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[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Guardian last month, they had this headline: “10 of Bilbao’s best pintxos bars”  with this sub-head: "The city’s many bars are piled high with pintxos, the Basque country’s take on tapas, which are a great way of sampling regional specialities for a few euros. Or string a few together to create a brilliant bar crawl." 

 

Here are a few of their highlights: “Bilbainos consider good pintxos a fundamental joy of daily life, and bars dedicated to providing them abound; jocular crowds rather than fancy decor or high prices are the clue to the best. Many also offer a good-value menú del día. The best place to get a flavour of what’s on offer or start a pintxo crawl is Calle Ledesma, in the centre of Bilbao. It’s an eating party street lined with bars, with outdoor tables all the way down the middle. Explore pintxo styles through the ages by starting with old favourites such as Cafetería el Molinillo and Artajo and then move on to stylish additions like Bilbao Berría (now with a central London branch).”

 

Full story at:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/apr/18/10-bilbao-best-pintxo-tapas-bars-basque-country-spain

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[prish]

Terry, thanks for another wonderful pictorial résumé of your journey through NW Spain. Comes at a great time for me as we recently booked an Iberian Peninsula cruise for next May, including several of these ports, this will be southbound, ending in Barcelona. 

 

Am bookmarking this thread and will come back for ideas, thanks again 😊

[TLCOhio]

20 hours ago, prish said:

Terry, thanks for another wonderful pictorial résumé of your journey through NW Spain. Comes at a great time for me as we recently booked an Iberian Peninsula cruise for next May, including several of these ports, this will be southbound, ending in Barcelona.   Am bookmarking this thread and will come back for ideas, thanks again 😊

 

Appreciate your very nice comments and this follow-up.  Yes, keep researching and planning.  That helps.  Let me know any added questions or info needs.  Below are a few more visuals that were not posted on this thread.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 28,154 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

From Bilbao, here are a few more "eye-candy" samples that had not been posted previously on this thread reflecting the exterior and interior angles at this famed museum.:

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[parker6]

Hi, I was wondering your thoughts on La Coruna.. can't decide what to do while in that port?

[prish]

3 hours ago, parker6 said:

Hi, I was wondering your thoughts on La Coruna.. can't decide what to do while in that port?

 

We want to go to Santiago de Compostela as we’re probably unlikely to have a chance of going there anytime again. What do you suggest Terry?

 

And do you think a winery visit to the Rioja region from Bilbao makes sense? Or should we stay in town and also do a pintxos crawl?

[TLCOhio]

4 hours ago, parker6 said:

Hi, I was wondering your thoughts on La Coruna.  can't decide what to do while in that port?

 

Appreciate these two wonderful questions and follow-ups.  Agree with the comments from prish about "We want to go to Santiago de Compostela as we’re probably unlikely to have a chance of going there anytime again. What do you suggest Terry?"

 

From our research and actual experience, YES, would rate Santiago de Compostela as a top, potentially "Best of the Best" option to consider.  Why?  From traveling through La Coruna, I would rate it as "OK", but nothing that special or major to see compared to many other options in NW Spain. 

 

We had an expert local guide, Italo Péndola, italopendola.com, in traveling to Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cathedral is the final destination of the legendary pilgrimage along the "Way of Saint James", or "Camino de Santiago". It is believed that the remains of the apostle St. James were taken from Jerusalem to Spain and this is now his final resting place. This cathedral and this regional capital have spectacular and dramatic architecture. We also visited in the Hotel de los Reyes Católicos and caught some Galician Dancers. This impressive structure, a former Royal Hospital, is now operated as a Parador. Enjoy some of my pictures below as "proof" and "evidence" that these are site worth of visiting.  Need more?  Will provide additional in the next post!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 220,375 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

In walking through their narrow streets to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, here was an offering from of the St. James cake that we enjoyed. Plus more pictures of the historic architecture here, including the fourth picture showing a statue of a former Archbishop here staring at us in a courtyard of a nearby university building.:

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Here is the exterior of the former Royal Hospital that is now operated as a Parador. Like this dramatic design style?:

[TLCOhio]

Below are some additional visuals from our visit to Santiago de Compostela.  Fortunately, we had nice weather, sunny skies, etc.  More can be seen and learned starting on page two of my live/blog connected below.  

 

As added background, La Coruña is the second largest city in Spain's Galicia region.  La Coruña is among the Spain's busiest ports. This somewhat remote Galicia area is tucked into the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula. There are many green and misty countryside, much unlike many other parts of the dryer Spain. The name "Galicia" is Celtic in origin, for it was the Celts who occupied the region around the 6th-century BC and erected fortifications. La Coruña was also considered an important port under the Romans. They were followed by an invasion of Suevians, Visigoths and, much later in 730, the Moors. It was after Galicia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Asturias that the epic saga of the Pilgrimage to Santiago (St. James) began.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 28,154 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

Here are some more visual samples from in and around Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. First shown are the dancer inside the historic hotel. Fun! Our tour here also included visiting the historic and charming market in this town with our guide Italio, plus being with Sharon and Rick from Pasadena, California, in doing this private tour. This included sampling some wonderful regional cheese samples.:

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At Santiego de Compostela, here is another building with such uniquely designed architecture and details.:

 

Inside their old hospital, now called the Parador Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos, here was our guide showing Sharon some of the old religious artifacts displayed during our visit to Santiego de Compostela.:

Edited May 17, 2019 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

From Forbes magazine later last year, they had this headline: “Why The Santiago De Compostela Route Keeps Attracting Hikers”  with these highlights: “The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, or the Way of Saint James, is a pilgrimage route that crosses Spain and parts of France and terminates in the town of Santiago de Compostela.”.

 

Full story at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tmullen/2018/09/30/why-the-santiago-de-compostela-route-keeps-attracting-hikers/#371961c1675d

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 245,874 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

Here is a visual for one of the sides of this famed church from this Forbes profile.:

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[TLCOhio]

From the Sydney Morning Herald and other Fairfax newspapers in Australia last week, they had this headline: “Travel trends and destinations: The nine biggest things in travel right now”  with these highlights: “Travel is fashion. Destinations are trends. Sometimes you don't realise it, but there are certain places you'll want to travel to now because they've come into fashion.”

 

Here is what was highlighted for this scenic and historic portion of NW Spain as one of these top, most important locations to visit: "Ten years ago, there was a fair chance no one you knew had done the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrims' trail through France and northern Spain. Most had probably never even heard of it. Since then, however, the popularity of this mammoth hike has skyrocketed: in 2008, the Pilgrims Office recorded roughly 125,000 participants; last year, the number was about 327,000. That's a 161 per cent increase. The number of foreigners doing the Camino has jumped almost 300 per cent. Someone you know has now either done this, or is at least planning to."

 

Full story at:

http://www.traveller.com.au/travel-trends-and-destinations-the-nine-biggest-things-in-travel-right-now-h1eub5

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Sunday Times, they will have this headline tomorrow: “30 best cultural holidays in Europe”  with this sub-head: "From art and architecture to film festivals and classical concerts, here is the pick of Europe’s hot tickets". 

 

One of top Europe locations featured is San Sebastian.  Here is the highlight featured for this NW Spain star: “While San Sebastian is best known for its tapas, the Basque town’s annual film festival also has a global reputation. Held since 1953, it has given awards to such classics as Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. The line-up has “disquieting and innovative” pictures from all parts of the globe — English subtitles or audio are always available — vying for the Golden Shell prize (September 20-28, sansebastianfestival.com). Discuss each film while lounging on La Concha beach.
Where to stay Available hotel rooms are rare during the festival, but the Zenit San Sebastian, a stylish, modern haunt in off-central Amara, should have some. B&B doubles cost from €234 (00 34 943 325 325, sansebastian.zenithoteles.com)”.

 

Full story at:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/travel/30-best-cultural-holidays-in-europe-7tqm8vtjn

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 28,822 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

[mskaufman]

Thanks Terry for continuing to get us pumped up for our upcoming trip to Portugal and Northern Spain.  It looks like a lot of ham in the local cuisine.  How will the vegetarian in our group fare?

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, mskaufman said:

Thanks Terry for continuing to get us pumped up for our upcoming trip to Portugal and Northern Spain.  It looks like a lot of ham in the local cuisine.  How will the vegetarian in our group fare?

 

When do you depart to explore this fun and interesting area?  Understand your excitement to explore these excellent locations!!  Good luck. Not sure what to suggest for vegetarians.  They like meats in these food-focused areas. What specific ports/cities will you be experiencing?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 26,826 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[mskaufman]

Here is a link to some of our pictures from San Sebastian.

 

https://portugalandnspain.shutterfly.com/pictures/283

 

 

[TLCOhio]

On 8/11/2019 at 7:57 PM, mskaufman said:

Here is a link to some of our pictures from San Sebastian.

https://portugalandnspain.shutterfly.com/pictures/283

 

Visuals look nice.  Brings back great memories.  Appears that there is a decent amount of construction happening there.  Right?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, you can see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/