Anyone been on holiday to Santander or Bilbao?

I have a friend who lives in Bilbao - there's the Guggenheim:

http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/?idioma=en

The north of Spain can be quite pretty and very green - but it is very wet. Also, I'm not sure how much fun I'd find the ferry journey. Bilbao itself is a nice city, but won't keep you busy for more than a couple of days... it's also quite a grown up city I'd say - bars, art galleries, architecture, etc. So it depends how easy your baby is to keep amused. Also whether you want beach and touristy stuff or just to meander, as the countryside around is pretty and very different to the south of the country.

If you don't mind the ferry personally I'd look at France/Holland though. Shorter (much cheaper) ferry and lots more choices for when you get there.

Lauraloo, thank you for that. ?

charlottek, I dont mind ferries at all, it is planes I am scared of. ? I guess I am on the quest for better weather than here, although we are in Scotland so the weather is probably better anywhere else than here. ?

I was looking to the ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge, but then wasnt sure where we could go after that.

The alternative is to send my H and baby on a plane (I know they are safe, I am claustraphobic so hate being in one), and for me to get the coach to wherever they are going. [:I]

Not been to Santander or Bilbao but I have been to San Sebastian which isn't far and I highly recommend it. There's a beautiful bay with an island in the middle of it which you can swim too (if you're brave!)

quote:Originally posted by Bag of Bones
Not been to Santander or Bilbao but I have been to San Sebastian which isn't far and I highly recommend it. There's a beautiful bay with an island in the middle of it which you can swim too (if you're brave!)

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Ohh, I have heard of there, is it were Arteta (ex Rangers player) was from?

What sort of holiday was it if you dont mind me asking, as in was it relaxing or a touring holiday. And the weather? And do they sell Sangria there? ?

Thank you ? ... I started looking at holidays flying and as usual there was a plane crash ... happens every time.

Bilbao is small, and dull. santander is a ferry port.

You could drive from Santander or Bilbao to San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) which is a lovely city. You could also then cross the Pyrenees into SW France (St Jean de Luz and Biarritz are very nice) and then wind your way back to Calais through France.

quote:Originally posted by NickJ
bilbao is small, and dull. santander is a ferry port.

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Hmm, not an ideal holiday then. It says on one of the sites it is a 6 hour drive to the Med, but I am really not sure.

quote:Originally posted by Mrs Winkle
You could drive from Santander or Bilbao to San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) which is a lovely city. You could also then cross the Pyrenees into SW France (St Jean de Luz and Biarritz are very nice) and then wind your way back to Calais through France.

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The place we have been to in Spain isnt that far from the Pyranees, Santa Susanna, and we know what is there, and what hotels there are. The prob is our car doesnt have air con, which with a 1 year old may be a problem (tho maybe not, as I guess it isnt as hot there)

If only I could get over this fear of flying. It is starting to have really get in the way of things now.

Been to Santander and Bilbao, took the car over and stayed at a few different places in Spain over the course of two months. Bilbao ok for a couple of adults for a couple of days. Wouldn't recommend if for someone with a little one unless they are amazingly easy going.

If you do take the ferry to Spain, if what you really want is a beach holiday then the roads are brilliant, it is a really easy 9 hour drive to the South coast - we did it (in reverse) by accident, meaning to stop but didn't find anywhere en route!

From Scotland, with a LO, still all seems more bother than it's worth to me ... but have one suggestion ... have you looked at cruising from the UK? There are loads of them. You haven't said what your budget is, but the car ferry to Bilbao costs a bomb during the summer, cruising is full board, entertainment laid on etc. Worth consideration.

The other option is hypnosis ... all the best.

Tumbleweed, cruising was my first option as we went on a cruise for honeymoon, but again a lot are from Southampton and cost a fortune, although taking into consideration all the food, petrol etc may be worth it. I guess though we wouldnt be able to go on may excursions with a wee one.

Will have another look for prices. Failing that it will be a week in Blackpool I think.

?

How about looking at companies that do family-oriented static caravan holidays which are self-drive with the ferry included - like Haven Europe and Eurocamp - this is what my family used to do for years and we always enjoyed it.

When are you thinking of going? If you can be a bit flexible cruise prices go right down if you are a late booking, in fact they are pretty negotiable when they just want to fill the spaces. With a bit of research you will find that there are lots of cruises from Uk other than from Southampton. We've been on a couple of thomson cruises in the last year , off again next week, that were really great value - not flash but really enjoyable.

quote:Originally posted by tumbleweed
When are you thinking of going? If you can be a bit flexible cruise prices go right down if you are a late booking, in fact they are pretty negotiable when they just want to fill the spaces. With a bit of research you will find that there are lots of cruises from Uk other than from Southampton. We've been on a couple of thomson cruises in the last year , off again next week, that were really great value - not flash but really enjoyable.

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I had noticed Thomson cruises the other week. If you dont mind me asking where do they go to and where do you leave from?

We haven't been doing the out of UK ones, we've been flying from local airports, for us that's southampton, bournemouth and next week bristol - I don't mind flying but last couple of times at Gatwick we said never again!

Thomson do the from Uk ones in the summer months, seem to be Harwich, Liverpool and Newcastle. Thing is, prices go right down in the last week or two, there's always discount codes for a bit more off .... drinks are a bit less than uk pubs. Here's the websitehttps://www.tui.co.uk/

We have considered more upmarket cruise lines but this fits our needs for a simple, good natured break (with really good food) very well.

If we lived nearer Southampton I would cruise every year. I have to say we went by P&O on the Arcadia and it really was a bit of a disappointment. My parents have been on a Thomson Cruise and it sounded a lot better.

? for all of that. I will keep checking late deals for cruises and you never know we may get something.

It would be easier if I would fly ... I just cant bring myself to do it though. [:I]

quote:Originally posted by Smiley

quote:Originally posted by Bag of Bones
Not been to Santander or Bilbao but I have been to San Sebastian which isn't far and I highly recommend it. There's a beautiful bay with an island in the middle of it which you can swim too (if you're brave!)

id="quote">

Ohh, I have heard of there, is it were Arteta (ex Rangers player) was from?

What sort of holiday was it if you dont mind me asking, as in was it relaxing or a touring holiday. And the weather? And do they sell Sangria there? ?

Thank you ? ... I started looking at holidays flying and as usual there was a plane crash ... happens every time.

id="quote">Sorry, I disappeared to make dinner and didn't come back.

It was actually a touring holiday where my now H and I spent 3 weeks driving around France, Spain and Italy. We drove down from Biarritz (also lovely) and stayed in San Sebastian for 3 nights before driving to Zaragoza (awful) and onto Barcelona (fab).

The city itself is gorgeous and there is lots of good food, culture etc. It's in the heart of the Basque region and there's not much English spoken - most places seem to do stuff in either Spanish or the Basque language.

We were there in early September and the weather was gorgeous - about 28 degrees and sunny.

Oh and by the way, I'm with you on the fear of flying ?