Hello, My girlfriend and I will be spending about a month in France this summer and are trying to finalize an itinerary. I worry, however, that I allotted too much time for two of our stops: Collioure, France and San Sebastian, Spain. We have 3 full days and 3 nights planned for San Sebastian and 4 days and 4 nights planned for Collioure. The hotels are already booked so we can't alter the length of our stay. My question is this: Do you guys have any recommendations for nearby towns to visit (using only public transportation) that are worthwhile? I'm afraid we will get bored staying in the two towns for so long. We don't have anything in particular that we demand when we travel; we just like unique towns and pretty scenery. Not really museum/history people. Thanks in advance for any help!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
I went to Collioure as a day trip. It was really nice, but 4 days is a long time. We had a car, but it looked like there wasn't much public transportation available. Have you considered renting a car? We saw other nice things in that area, but I think a car is a must.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I drive, but I think you've got a chance from Collioure. There's a railway staion on the west side of town, maybe five hundred yards from center ville. The tracks run down to both Banylus and Cebere, both are fairly nice little beach towns. The tracks run north to Perpignan which is one of my favorite small cities in the area. Nothing could be much more than a half hour away. San Sebastian should keep you a little more busy, but you could take the train up through the valley to the south-southwest. I wouldn't go much further than Alsasua (maybe an hour and a half ?) but the scenery alone is worth the ride.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Other day trips, with a car, could include the Haut Corbiers.
Posted by
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
11 posts
Hello Nick, I hope you enjoy your stay both in Collioure and San Sebastian. Near Collioure in public transport I would recommend you Perpignan. If you get a car or driver, you can go to smaller villages or to some wonderful castles on the area. If you do so, do not miss please Peyrepertouse castle, about an hour drive from Perpignan to the North. It is a castle in the top of a very step slopped mountain. Hard to figure out how they managed to do it. I love it. I live near San Sebastian so that I know many places you should not miss. Some of these are: Hondarribia, nice traditional Basque Village with an old tower converted on a deluxe hotel (can be visited). This town is 15 minutes to the East of San Sebastian by bus. Biarritz is at 50 minutes in train from San Sebastian to the North. (It is not that far, but it is in France and you should consider some time for transfer of trains). It has a wonderful beach with Casino and famous amongst European surfers. Zarautz and Getaria. Two traditional bath resorts and ports 20 min. by bus to the West of San Sebastian. Nice surfing and scenario there. Vitoria. A well preserved medieval city on a hill with nice green areas which this year 2012 is the European Green Capital at 1 hour and 15 min. by bus to the South. Another hotspot is Rioja wine region, but it is really complicated to reach there with public transport. You might consider hiring a car with driver/guide to Rioja to reach there, where you can taste its wines and see the nice villages around there. I hope I've helped you. Enjoy!
Aitor