Spain Itinerary Question

What is 'a few months'?

How are you going to get around - - car or public transportation? And why is Santander in the mix?

Combo probably on public And car. Maybe santander to
Train back to Alicante.

Alicante! How many more darn worms are you going to pull out of the can? Here's some facts and guesses: Facts: I can drive from Alicante to Bilbao in eight hours if I push hard, probably nine to Santander. I can easily drive from Alicante to Madrid in four hours. The latter drive is boring, the former is boring until you pass Madrid. Guesses: Public transportation to either northern city is going to take twelve to fifteen hours. Public transportation to Madrid is going to be real close to driving time. Public transportation among the other spots on your list is going to take way more time than driving and have inflexible start times. Back to the basic question. A day and a half to two days is plenty for most spots. I'm not a big San Sebastian champion, but a lot of people are - - give it at least two nights. Santander would get zip if you decide not to use the train station. Things along the way and in the area that you might want to consider: Segovia, Avila, Picos, Gijon, Santillana, Guernica, the Portugallete suspension ferry, Burgos. Gijon could be an overnight if it fits onto the track, otherwise don't detour. Burgos could also be a half day and an overnight. The way I'd handle Segovia is to leave Toledo, swing by Avila for a couple of hours, and wind up in Segovia late in the day. The aqueduct doesn't take long. What you need to do is eat dead pig at Candido's place - - it's a life-changing experience. From Segovia to Salamanca is only a couple of hours and you go right back through Avila, so you could actually see it then instead of the day before.

Am in Spain for a few months so trying to group some trips together a week at a time.
Ideally 3-4 destinations a week at most.

Try grouping Salamanca, Toledo, Segovia, and Avila for one trip and the northern glump for another. On trip two, go up through Zaragoza and Pamplona and down through Burgos.

Lots of miles to travel, and only a relatively brief stop in each. Toledo - I have visited many times, alone and with friends. I strongly suggest at least one over night stay (Posada de Manolo is ideal) to experience Toledo after the tourist traffic has left. It is a completely different atmosphere. Salamanca - I spent two nights there and that was sufficient to see the buildings. You can get a guide at the Tourist office on Plaza Mayor ( fantastic in the evening!), but I think they are given only in Spanish. I did self tour around, as I do in all the cities, and had a great time. Bilbao - The museum is an amazing edifice. Be sure to see it, even if you do not care for the artwork...I found both to be intriguing. Not much else there to be honest. The Caves of Altamira, south somewhat of Bilbao are excellent...contain the worlds oldest known cave drawings I think. Santander. I stayed several days there last spring. Fascinating coastal location, good food, nice people. You can explore most of it on foot and on the bus system. Avila, not on your list, but neat Salamanca. The wall around the city is the best preserved anywhere. Also, the emphasis on their saint. A day at most. Segovia, which someone mentioned. A day is sufficient. You see the roman aqueduct as you approach the town. Proceed to the other side of the city to the Alcazar, Excellent.. A couple hours there will be well spent. Also, the cathederal on top of the hill, basically 1/2 way between the aqueduct and the alcazar is (one of?) the last gothic cathederals built in Spain. Lots of history in the city. All of the above are walkable. Have Fun!!!

Thanks for the suggestions. Bilbao is to see the Guggenheim. Which trip would you add Leon? I would like to see the cathedral with the stain glass that is supposed to be one of the largest
displays in Europe.

I would put Leon on the same trip as Oviedo. And yes, the cathedral's stained glass is breathtaking!

What Nancy said. The only other option would be catch Avila between Toledo and Segovia one day (but leave really early in order to see the top of Segovia that HJ mentioned), then leave Segovia to swing through Leon enroute to Salamanca. That second day would be a bear.