nd help orgnzin trip to Spain

[staedtler]

by the end of October, its a quick weekend or so, the wife is there (Barcelona) for work, the plan
is to join her after her work is done and spend a couple of days. the idea is to go check out the
Guggenheim in Bilbao, i guess we need to get back to Barcelona and fly back together.
We were thinking of using the train, or renting a car, in the case of renting i might as well look into
renting a bike. I've never been, i know if we travel by bike which backroads make for a good route?
we might superslab our way back. i don't know of a good reputable place to contact for rentals...
i found this... http://www.imtbike.com/location.asp i don't know if they're good or not.
Thanks to the STN community in advance

[Orson]

Pyrennes

But if time is short, take the train

[OrangeOkie]

My first choice would be bike or rental car to experience the scenery.  Bring your GPS for navigation.  If you decide on the train, you will need to get your tickets in advance.  They sell out in advance on the "fast train."  Whatever you do, don't take a "milk run" train.  They stop at every "Petticoat junction" along the route.

[miles]

Bilbao isn't close to Barcelona.  That's a bit like saying "Well, we'll be in New York, so we'll stop and see the Sears Tower."

Seriously- it'll take most of a day's drive to get there from Barca.  It's six hours in the car.  Skip it, or get cheap flights.

[Orson]

This has the spousal unit's fingerprints all over it.

A real Guzzisti would never consent to seeing some girly museum.

[miles]

This has the spousal unit's fingerprints all over it.

A real Guzzisti would never consent to seeing some girly museum.

It's not girly.  It's made of titanium, and has a freaking huge spider out front.

[Orson]

I was speaking from a Guzzisti mindset : D

[staedtler]

is not that far, is just like going to pecos  


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View Larger Map


no, seriously,...it's the same mileage...

[miles]

is not that far, is just like going to pecos  

If you want to spend the batter part of two days in the car driving there and back, knock yourself out.  There are better ways to spend your time.

[Gaw]

Hi,

For a couple of days I would recommend you to stay in Barcelona and enjoy it.

I think that t isn't worth it to go to Bilbao.

If at the end you go to Bilbao don't forget that this area is rainy

[miles]

is not that far, is just like going to pecos  


no, seriously,...it's the same mileage...

Spain ain't Texas.

[throttlemeister]

by the end of October, its a quick weekend or so, the wife is there (Barcelona) for work, the plan
is to join her after her work is done and spend a couple of days. the idea is to go check out the
Guggenheim in Bilbao, i guess we need to get back to Barcelona and fly back together.
We were thinking of using the train, or renting a car, in the case of renting i might as well look into
renting a bike. I've never been, i know if we travel by bike which backroads make for a good route?
we might superslab our way back. i don't know of a good reputable place to contact for rentals...
i found this... http://www.imtbike.com/location.asp i don't know if they're good or not.
Thanks to the STN community in advance

A friend of mine rented from here:

Moto Espana
Barcelona
C/Notari 3 bjs, Vilassar de Dalt, 08339 Barcelona
Call:+ 34 618 783 431
enquiry@motoespana.com

Was run by an Englishman called Mike (at the time, 2006), and my friend had a great experience with him.

That said, if you're only there for a (extended) weekend, I'd stay in Barça. Plenty to see and do there and really not enough time to go back and forth between there and Bilboa to do interesting stuff.

[BBB]

I'm not sure if a round trip of 800 miles given the time constraints that you have would be worth it.

[Mr.Black]

Hi,

For a couple of days I would recommend you to stay in Barcelona and enjoy it.

I think that t isn't worth it to go to Bilbao.

If at the end you go to Bilbao don't forget that this area is rainy

Personally I would be listening to the guy FROM SPAIN.

[notarian]

There's plenty of great riding in the mountains and along the coast (see Lloret de Mar to Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu - seems like 1000 turns are crammed in that 'as the crow flies' 20 km) nearer Barcelona rather than flog yourselves to death doing Bilboa.

But then again, Barcelona is a great city to hang about, see the sights, enjoy a flamenco, eat tapas, drink vino, cervesa and spanish brandy...

If so, wallet goes in the front pocket and safety pinned = lots of pickpocketers.

[Orson]

I've been wanting to go to this shop in Barcelona ever since I read about it.

They only do desserts  

Espai Sucre

[Ralf]

Spain ain't Texas.

But they both speak predominantly Spanish  

[staedtler]

ok,...update

im xtndng my stay so it'll be more like 5 days... we're renting a car (we have lots of shoes, no room on saddle bags for    )... we are going to Bilbao and checking out the Gughenheim fer sure...
question,...is there a..you know, romantic place to stop for the night in the way from
Barcelona to Bilbao....wink, wink   i dont have a route, i'm giving myself a day  to get there...

[Orson]

Five days would be perfect for exploring Barcelona and the twisty roads in its environs, but this whole Bilbao thang is really putting a kink in my plans  

 

[Aero]

question,...is there a..you know, romantic place to stop for the night in the way from
Barcelona to Bilbao....wink, wink   i dont have a route, i'm giving myself a day  to get there...

Take a look at the Paradores website, lots of gorgeous places to stay. Not just another hotel chain, they are mainly converted castles, palaces, fortresses and monasteries, state-owned and run as a way of preserving historic buildings.

         http://paradores-spain.com/