We are Looking to do the Rick Steves Basque tour in mid-September. We're going to fly into Paris and spend 2 or 3 days just outside of Paris to acclimatize to the time change and culture changes. Then train down to Bayonne FR to start the tour. Then after the tour ends in Bilbao SP... take about 14 to 16 days traveling back to Paris,
What would all you world travelers recommend as a slow route back to Paris? Over to Barcelona and then north? Or, up the French Atlantic coast through Bordeaux Country? Something else?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Yes... Sept. 15th to the 23rd starting in Bayonne France. Any recommendations for after the tour? Looking at Barcelona and then working our way back to Paris.
Posted by
San Martín California
69 posts
We did this RS tour (also started in Paris for 3 days), end of Sept and beginning of October. The perfect time of year. We also went to Madrid. However I would definitely go to Barcelona. Maybe take the train from Bilbao and stop in Zaragoza for a couple nights, then on to Barcelona. I did not have enough time to squeeze in Zaragoza. Stay in Barcelona at least 3 days if not more to do some of the surrounding areas. Airbnb now has "experiences" where you can hire guides for the various cities. We used them for a walking architectural tour as well as a Gothic Quarter tour in Barcelona. We also used them for a tour of the Mount Martre area of Paris. Very worthwhile to go to the Costa Brava region along the mediterranean. We actually drove to Cadeques to visit the home of Salvador Dali, and the city is picture perfect. I suspect other small towns along that coast are nice too, and less secluded. If you go to Girona and then up the coast you will be very close to the French border. Happy Travels.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Sounds very much like what we had in mind... From Cadaqués did you go back to Paris to fly out? If so, what route did you take and what did you see along the way?
Posted by
Massachusetts
1564 posts
I highly recommend Zaragoza. I stayed there for three days after the Basque tour in September.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Zaragoza would be right on the route to Barcelona... What did you find interesting abut it? Are there some must see's? Can you recommend a good place to stay? Also, are there things you would advise us to skip?
Posted by
CA
2246 posts
I arrived home from that tour on 9/25. We spent a frw days in in Paris prior and 4 days after in Barcelona. It’s a nice tour.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1564 posts
Zaragoza would be right on the route to Barcelona... What did you find interesting abut it? Are there some must see's? Can you recommend a good place to stay? Also, are there things you would advise us to skip?
Unlike the other famous cities in Spain, Zaragoza does not get much attention and is not packed with tourists. Zaragoza was founded by the Romans who called it Cesaraugusta. It has Roman ruins (you can visit the Caesaraugusta Forum Museum). It is full of beautiful architecture, including the Aljafería Palace and two cathedrals - Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and Le Seo Cathedral. Le Seo has a wonderful tapestry museum. Zaragoza is the birthplace of Goya. Unfortunately, the Goya museum is closed for renovations and is expected to open sometime in 2026 but some of his artwork is currently being shown in the Aljafería Palace. Zaragoza is also on the Camino pilgrimage route (you will learn about and walk part of the Camino on the tour).
I stayed at Hotel Catalonia El Pilar.