Anybody been to either? My wife and I will be there mid september for a couple weeks. The only things I've definitely decided on are the contemporary art and the picasso museum in Barcelona. That and just because we're in Spain doesn't mean a day trip to Morrocco is going to be possible.
Any advice gratefully received.
Enjoy the planning. Sounds like a fabulous trip!
I have to say, Bordeaux was underwhelming. The city is a little rougher than you might expect, and the food was very hit or miss. It feels like they're coasting off of an old reputation.
If you go to Bordeaux, stick to the vineyards. We went to St. Emillon which is stunning, definitely worth checking out. The wine tasting is fantastic so it's not all bad.
We just thought that San Sebastian, the French Pyrenees, and other parts of Spain were better and we'd skip the city of Bordeaux next time.
I have to say, Bordeaux was underwhelming. The city is a little rougher than you might expect, and the food was very hit or miss. It feels like they're coasting off of an old reputation.
If you go to Bordeaux, stick to the vineyards. We went to St. Emillon which is stunning, definitely worth checking out. The wine tasting is fantastic so it's not all bad.
We just thought that San Sebastian, the French Pyrenees, and other parts of Spain were better and we'd skip the city of Bordeaux next time.
Whatever you do, do NOT miss San Sebastian....
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Went to San Sebastian and North Spain and Bordeaux.
I have to say, Bordeaux was underwhelming. The city is a little rougher than you might expect, and the food was very hit or miss. It feels like they're coasting off of an old reputation.
If you go to Bordeaux, stick to the vineyards. We went to St. Emillon which is stunning, definitely worth checking out. The wine tasting is fantastic so it's not all bad.
We just thought that San Sebastian, the French Pyrenees, and other parts of Spain were better and we'd skip the city of Bordeaux next time.
Whatever you do, do NOT miss San Sebastian....
Pinxos!
It's touristy but the old town is definitely worth exploring. If you don't mind exercising a bit, the Fat Tire bicycle tours are a good way to get a lay of the land and see some of the sights. Good intro to the city's history too. https://www.fattiretours.com/barcelona
For restaurants, I recommend Arume (great seafood and mojito cocktails), Vinitus is a solid tapas bar, Churrería Laietana is great for churros, and the Tapeo Tapas Bar just down the road from the Picasso Museum is good for lunch.
If you have some time the old Montjuic Castle on the west side of town and the neighborhoods just below it are fun to roam around. There's also an interesting maritime museum en route.
Girona and its old town are a nice day-trip getaway (about 45 minutes by train). If you're into hiking than Montserrat (just over an hour away by car) is great too, especially on a clear day.
As to Bordeaux - I echo what was said above about the city of Bordeaux itself not being very interesting. The region is great but the city itself is nothing special IMO. You'll need a car for all this, but go out into the wine country - it's beautiful, or go south to the Pyrenees. If you can get to San Sebastian, great, although for that you're crossing back over to Spain.
In either city, depending on the teams' schedule I suggest checking out a game of either FC Barcelona or FC Bordeaux. Even if you're not a big soccer fan, it will be an interesting cultural experience and it can be very exciting. Bordeaux's team is not world-class like Barcelona's but they're serious about their soccer there, and the French league is decent.
I knoiw it is not the most direct route.
We are staying in an area la rambla.
I am looking forward to the Gaudi architecture and the food.
Girona and Tarragona are easy to get to from Barcelona, but San Sebastian is 6 hours away by train. San Sebastian can be combined with Bilbao on another trip, the food is that good.
You can't swing a dead cat and not hit a good restaurant in Barcelona, from high end to cheap tapas. I especially recommend Canete, which is somewhere in between. Try to get reservation to Tickets, two months to the date exactly in advance, and hit up Boqueria for sure. Near Picasso Museum I strongly recommend Estimar.
Algeciras (about one hour west of Malaga) would be better for the ferries to Morroco. It is only 12-15 miles across the Straits from Algeciras and there are a couple ferries per hour.
But Malaga and Algeciras are one hour by air from Barcelona.
I have to say, Bordeaux was underwhelming. The city is a little rougher than you might expect, and the food was very hit or miss. It feels like they're coasting off of an old reputation.
If you go to Bordeaux, stick to the vineyards. We went to St. Emillon which is stunning, definitely worth checking out. The wine tasting is fantastic so it's not all bad.
We just thought that San Sebastian, the French Pyrenees, and other parts of Spain were better and we'd skip the city of Bordeaux next time.
Good to know about Bordeaux. I thought it would make a good next stop after San Sebastian but perhaps I should look for alternatives.
If you don't like seafood, or generally are not an adventurous eater, may not be for you. Food is the main reason to go, but it's also a pleasant beach resort town to wander.
It's touristy but the old town is definitely worth exploring. If you don't mind exercising a bit, the Fat Tire bicycle tours are a good way to get a lay of the land and see some of the sights. Good intro to the city's history too. https://www.fattiretours.com/barcelona
For restaurants, I recommend Arume (great seafood and mojito cocktails), Vinitus is a solid tapas bar, Churrería Laietana is great for churros, and the Tapeo Tapas Bar just down the road from the Picasso Museum is good for lunch.
If you have some time the old Montjuic Castle on the west side of town and the neighborhoods just below it are fun to roam around. There's also an interesting maritime museum en route.
Girona and its old town are a nice day-trip getaway (about 45 minutes by train). If you're into hiking than Montserrat (just over an hour away by car) is great too, especially on a clear day.
+1
Park Güell is full of Guaudi influence/work as well.
Make sure to have drinks at the rooftop bar of the W hotel. View looking back at the city is spectacular.
We were in San Sebastien right before we went to Barcelona, full blown pinxos tour, etc. so we didn't lay out a big itinerary food-wise. We had our blow-out meal at a place called Spoonik.....very very crazy, eclectic, and pricey. In a city like Barcelona the Italy tactic works...watch the food coming out of the kitchen and when it looks great, sit.