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Winter trip--itinerary help

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DH and I are excited for our upcoming trip to Spain, from February 23-March 9. We've been several times before and want to explore some new places as well as return to some much-loved areas. Plus, there are festivities to enjoy! A few things about us: we are fit and in our late 60s. Love to hike, eat, drink wine, go to museums. We live in Arizona so aren't desperate for warm weather. A little snow is fine, cold is okay, but not thrilled by constant heavy rain (but can deal with mists and sprinkles). Here are some thoughts and I welcome feedback.

We will be using trains and buses. Not renting a car. I'd love to have flexibility because of weather (and knowing that it shouldn't be too hard to find accommodations that time of year) but I think buying train tickets only a day or two in advance would be very expensive. Not adverse to buses except for 5+ hours trips.

Sun, Feb 23--Fly from London to Bilbao. We'll have spent a few days in London so should be over jet lag. Arrive Bilbao late afternoon.
Mon, Feb 24--Sleep in Bilbao. Museums are closed. Thoughts on what we should do? Go to San Sebastian for the day (depending on weather)?
Tue, Feb 25--Sleep in Bilbao. Guggenheim in morning. Explore city.
Wed, Feb 26--If weather is decent, interested in taking a day tour to wine country or perhaps other place?
If it's really rainy, would want to leave...but where? Spend night in Bilbao or another place?
Thu, Feb 27-28--?
Sat, March 1-3--Interested in the carnival festivities in Cadiz. Parade is on March 2nd. But hotel prices are very high and wondering if it's so crowded as to be claustrophobic? Bite the bullet and pay for Cadiz hotel? Or stay in Jerez de la Frontera or Seville and train or bus down to Cadiz? Or skip it completely because we're also going to see festivities in Madrid a few days later?
March 3--?
March 4-5--Madrid! Want to experience the parade and Burial of the Sardine event in Madrid. Have been several times to Madrid and enjoy it, but don't need a lot more time for sightseeing.
March 6-8--? Maybe spend last night in Spain in Toledo? We don't leave MAD until 4:20 PM the next day.
March 9--fly to Paris from Madrid in the afternoon for onward flight the next day home.

We want to spend a few nights in Seville (been there already but it's wonderful so glad to return) and I thought about flying from Bilbao to Seville (not excited about very long bus or train trip, having to change in Madrid--would take up practically an entire day) on Feb 26th but that takes away flexibility. We're really interested in Basque Country and if the weather is decent we would want to spend at least that extra night there.

Other places of interest: Caceres, Toledo, Cuenca. Haven't been to any of those. I'd stopped in Valencia on a cruise and liked it and would like to spend more time. Have been to Barcelona (don't love it--sorry), Girona, Cadaques, Ronda, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba.

Thanks for your feedback.

Posted by
5022 posts

I see you have a strong interest in that event in Cadiz, but I would not traverse the whole country for it--just too much travel time. I like the idea to play it by ear and stay in Basque country longer if the weather is fine. If you end up wanting to leave, then I would consider these options:
zip it to Madrid and hop on a train to Cuenca

stop in a city en route from Bilbao to Madrid (Burgos, Logrono, Zaragoza?)

Posted by
15794 posts

I can only share my one-day experience in Cadiz on the first Sunday of Carnival. I stayed in Jerez for several days, spent 2 days in Jerez sightseeing (horse show, bodega tours and tastings, and flamenco fashion show), a day trip by bus to Arcos and a day trip to Cadiz by train. My decision to base in Jerez was in part because rooms were significantly cheaper than in Cadiz.

The train was easy-peasy. The TI in Cadiz is less than a 10 minute walk from the train station, and in the old city center. I walked everywhere, had time to visit some of the sights, and enjoy the festive atmosphere, the elaborate costumes (not nearly as fancy as Venice). After sunset, the little kids disappeared, more and more teens and young adults poured in, the drinking was much heavier and the crowds turned rowdy. The trains arriving were packed, those leaving were half-empty. BTW there were extra trains running that day.

Have you spent time in Cordoba? I've stayed there 3 times and always find new sights and eateries that delight. Toledo's vibe is similar, lots of sights and scenery, San Francisco-like hills. It's well worth 2 nights and at least one full day. You can leave the most of your luggage at the lockers in Atocha (check that they are still there) and just take an overnight bag to Toledo. Allow enough time to retrieve your luggage and find the train to the airport. To be on the safe side, buy your tickets from Toledo to Madrid in advance. You're leaving on Sunday, there are few trains in the morning. I wouldn't cut it too close.

Posted by
7172 posts

There is a ferry that operates between Rota and Puerto de Santa María over to Cádiz, as well as buses, so hotels may be cheaper in those towns. You’d need to check timetables and whether the ferry operates that time of year. San Fernando may also be an option as it too is close to Cádiz.

Cáceres is nice for a full day and would make a good base if wanting to visit any or all of Mérida, Trujillo, or Guadalupe; each of which is worth an overnight.

Posted by
749 posts

Answering what I know best, as a Bilbao local:

Mon, Feb 24--Sleep in Bilbao. Museums are closed. Thoughts on what we should do? Go to San Sebastian for the day (depending on weather)?
* Fine Arts Museum in Bilbao closes on Tuesdays, not on Mondays. https://bilbaomuseoa.eus/en/home/. Other interesting visits may be the Funicular of Artxanda, for the best views of the city; Azkuna Zentroa and its change from an old wine and food distribution warehouse into a cultural center (take a good look at the 47 columns...); the Old Quarter, of course; outside of the city but very easy to get there on the metro (subway) system (cleanest, safest, cheapest, easiest) you can´t miss this unique UNESCO World Heritage Monument, Puente Bizkaia; in the same area, the old fishing port of Algorta. On the same metro ride, Plentzia makes a very nice, off the beaten path visit.

Tue, Feb 25--Sleep in Bilbao. Guggenheim in morning. Explore city.
* As you know, this is a rainy area and it will probably be cold in February (although our weather is very unreliable to predict). Expect 30s-40s and chances of rain.

Wed, Feb 26--If weather is decent, interested in taking a day tour to wine country or perhaps other place?
* The Basque Country offers 5 wine D.O.s, not sure which one you are referring to, but if it´s Rioja D.O.Ca. (not to be mistaken with La Rioja), it´s a bit over one hour car ride.

If it's really rainy, would want to leave...but where? Spend night in Bilbao or another place?
* All northern Spain is rainy, so if it´s raining in Bilbao it will for sure rain in Donostia-San Sebastian (this last city is rainier) and Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, may be drier (but also colder, we call it Siberia-Gasteiz, rarely below 0ºC-32ºF).

Hope this helps!

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