Suggestions for visit to Basque area of N. Spain

Of course Rick Steves' videos are great, but on You Tube are several various outstanding videos by two American brothers, Vagabrothers. They lived in that area for several years and watching their in depth videos have greatly peaked my interest in that area. I live in Florida and American Airlines has great nonstop flights to Madrid and Paris. Either city would be a great starting point to get to the Basque region.

Are you interested specifically in the 'Spanish' Basque region, or have you considered the 'French' Basque region, too? If your interests are to conclude your trip in the Bordeaux region of France, you could fly into Paris, they fly to Bilbao, Spain and head north east through the region. Or, in reverse, you could fly into Paris, take the TGV train from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne, and visit the Basque regions (both French and Spanish) from east to west. You could also fly into Madrid and take the AVE train to Bilbao (or fly from Madrid to Bilbao).
The RS Spain guidebook has an entire section on the Basque region and there is a RS 'Snapshot' guidebook specifically on the Basque regions (French and Spanish). Also, check the itinerary of the RS "Best of Basque Country" - there are some helpful suggestions, there.

Easiest is to hit the coastal areas, Bilbao, San Sebastian, cross the border into France and explore Saint Jean de Luz and finish in Bayonne, where you'll get the fishing/coastal side of Basque Country. Inland hot spots like Pamplona and Vitoria can provide the mountain perspective and the shepparding/woodsman aspect to the culture.

Bilbao is much less touristy than San Sebastian and has a larger historic district as well as the Guggenheim and a couple of other museums. For me, it deserves more time, but I am not a great fan of tapas bars--especially on the Spanish eating schedule. I liked Vitoria-Gasteiz better than Pamplona. Coastal towns I enjoyed for short visits were Hondarribia, Bermeo and Zarautz/Getaria/Zumaia.

I haven't yet been to the French Basque Country. I assume you are aware that, at least on the Spanish side, the weather tends to be Normandy-like (coolish, overcast, potentially damp).

A highlight for me was San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which is a 10th century Hermitage set atop a craggy islet, they actually filmed some important scenes from Game of Thrones here. It can be done as a stop between San Sebastian and Bilbao.

For transportation, Bilbao has largest airport in the region. Others are Biarritz, Pamplona, and San Sebastian (in order of decreasing size and flight options). Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris are the closest airports that get nonstop flights from the US; none are particularly close to the Basque country. If you're starting in Bordeaux (which has a large airport with flights from various European cities), it's only about 2 hours on the train to Bayonne or Biarritz, or it should be an easy drive (no direct knowledge of this). You could then see French Basque country, take a bus or train to Spanish Basque country, and fly out of Bilbao (or take a bus or train to Madrid or Barcelona and fly home from there).

A car is very helpful since there are lots of small towns and pretty countryside. Of course, you have to figure in drop fees if you pick up in France and return in Spain; again, you could take a bus or train between the countries and use two separate car rentals.

As for what to see, I'm the wrong person to ask, as it wasn't my favorite region. I'll simply say that the attraction of the region (mostly) is small towns, fancy meals, beaches, and shops (linens, chocolates, etc). If that's what you're looking for, you can have a great trip (a friend of mine loved it). It wasn't what I was looking for, or what I thought I'd find, so I didn't have a great time, except in Bilbao. I agree with Acraven that Bilbao has a lot more to offer than just the Guggenheim. However, since you are cool to Liverpool and Manchester, you may not be taken with Bilbao either. Like them, it's a former industrial city that now has only traces of its industrial past, and has several interesting museums (no Beatles connections, though).

Do look at weather for when you are thinking of going. The region is famous for its rain, clouds, and did I mention rain? Much like Ireland, there's a reason the landscape is so green. I was there in the second half of May and had great weather almost every day, but the locals made clear this was not the norm (June 1 is the start of "the season"; some places don't go on full hours until then).

Last summer we made a loop via car from Barcelona to San Sebastián, crossed into France, stoped to hike at Cirque du Gavernie, France, continued to Andorra and back to Barcelona. About 5 years ago we visited Bilbao via Madrid. Bilbao had a lot to see, great food, seaside life with dramatic cliffs and surfing. We were fortunate to have a local guide, our nephew was studying in Bilbao. The old city is quaint and not as touristy as San Sebastián. IMHO San Sebastián takes it up a notch on food and atmosphere! It’s a great place to stroll, ear and drink. I’ve heard great things about Hondarribia as well. We have come to love villages over cities. Basque Country gives you a very local feel, regardless of the population. Last summer’s trip through Basque region and southern France & Pyrenees was very worthwhile and memorable!

Hola form Wisconsin,

Everyone has their own ideas of what makes a great trip. Cave Pindal along the north coast between Cave Altamira and cave Bustillo is worth a visit. It is the real cave not a replica like the other two. Its location is nice too. Really undeveloped cave. Cave is locked except when tours are entering.

Oviedo is a funky place with a Woody Allen statue along one of its main streets.

Make sure you drink some cider while in Austerias. Some bottles have carbonation in the bottle, some don't. For home consumption get the carbonated. Drink the uncarbonated and do it especially in a bar where the publican (British talk) will pour the cider. A small bit at a time. The pouring creates the only carbonation type sparkling in the liquid. So they pour a little bit and then come back later and pour more. They do hold the bottle above their head and your glass below their belt and pour without looking. Good fun. So it goes until the bottle is empty. And they will probably be pushing free tapas in front of you while you drinking the 2 euro bottle.

Watch for berets and wooden shoes in the back water villages. They are there.

wayne iNWI