Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

14  INTRODUCING SP AIN

Bilbao and the Day 3: Along the Coast to
Basque Lands San Sebastián (Donostia)
Explore the spectacular Costa
• Duration 7 days.
Vasca (p123), with its plunging
• Airports Arrive and depart cliffs and beautiful bays. Stop off
from Bilbao Airport. at a string of enchanting towns,
such as Lekeitio, Zumaia,
• Transport This tour must be
done by car. Zarautz and pretty little Getaria,
barely changed in centuries.
• Booking ahead Bilbao: Any of these towns are ideal for
Guggenheim tickets a seafood lunch by the beach.
(www.guggenheim-bilbao.
es), any of the Michelin- Day 4: San Sebastián A pretty street in San Sebastián’s Old Town
starred restaurants. Stroll around the narrow streets leads to the Basilica de Santa Maria
surrounding the magnificent
Basilica de Santa María in an unattractive modern
Day 1: Bilbao San Sebastián’s beautiful Old construction from the 1950s,
The vast, spectacular Museo Town (pp126–7), then visit the which nonetheless enjoys a
Guggenheim (pp124–5) Museo de San Telmo, set in a sublime mountain setting.
deserves a day to itself. Admire 16th-century monastery. After
the gleaming curves of Frank lunch in one of the celebrated Day 6: Vitoria
Gehry’s magnificent design traditional tapas bars, hike up Explore the vibrant Basque
from the banks of the river, and the Monte Urgell to enjoy the capital of Vitoria (Gasteiz) (p130),
don’t miss Jeff Koons’ flower- views, then head to the Playa de beginning with the charming
covered Puppy at the entrance. la Concha, a crescent of golden Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. Don’t
Afterwards, stroll along the sand curving round an idyllic miss the older of Vitoria’s two
banks of the river, then enjoy bay. For dinner, splash out on cathedrals, the handsome Gothic
an evening in the atmospheric one of the many Michelin- Catedral de Santa María. After
tapas bars of the city’s Old starred restaurants (see p585). lunch, visit the fascinating Museo
Town (Casco Viejo, p122). de Arqueologia y Naipes (BIBAT),
Day 5: Oñati and the an archaeology museum which
Day 2: Bilbao and Gernika Santuario de Loiola also contains a curious collec-
Spend the morning at Bilbao’s From San Sebastián, drive tion of historic playing cards.
other fantastic art museum, inland through verdant
the Museo de Bellas Artes countryside to the Santuario Day 7: Haro and back
(p122), which displays works de Loiola (p128), a lavish to Bilbao
by Basque, Spanish and inter- 18th-century complex built on Return to Bilbao, but first stop
national artists. The museum the site where the founder of off in Haro (p132), capital of
overlooks the city’s most the Jesuits, San Ignacio de the Rioja Alta region, to pick
beautiful public park, perfect for Loyola, was born in the 1490s. up some of the area’s world-
a stroll. Have lunch in a local Continue to the elegant little famous wines and perhaps
café, and then drive to Gernika- university town of Oñati (p128), enjoy a tasting or two. It’s a
Lumo (pp122–3). Bombed on which boasts a few handsome perfect place for lunch, with
the orders of General Franco in Renaissance buildings. You a host of lively tapas bars
1937, this town now contains could also visit the nearby serving great food to match
a poignant peace museum. Santuario de Arantzazu (p128), the wonderful local wines.

Frank Gehry’s sleek and gleaming Museo Guggenheim, a spectacular structure of glass, titanium and limestone
For practical information on travelling around Spain, see pp626–35

012-017_EW_Spain.indd 14 26/09/17 11:00 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Country itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm