A really wonderful hike. Definitely a must-do for Donostia in my opinion. Very good display of…read morehistory at the top and the view is amazing.

One of two viewpoints that are a must while visiting San Sebastian, but be ready for Monte Urgull…read more Why be ready for Monte Urgull, easy it is a stiff hike for someone who either is not found, ready, or use to vertical hill climbing. The positive aspect is that you can take your time, so while it may be a long and strenuous hike, it can be accomplished by most with the right mindset. I took my time as I had a family member who was not "hill climbing" ready, but was very determined to see those beautiful views that were awaiting us at the top! The trail itself is laid out pretty well, but be aware there are several trails, some leading to lower beach/ocean views, and others leading to small park areas, and the other preferred ones leading to the top. Fast forward past all of the beautiful scenery to top of Monte Urgull and you are greeted with various views, all stunning of course, but you can go to the "very top". This max vertical accession requires going through their free museum which is a nice touch especially on a hot day as some of the exhibit rooms are air conditioned! The very top obviously is where you will catch the iconic panoramic shots that most will see online when researching the city. On one last note, the opposite side of the mountain is the other view point, which is paved and regular bus routes consistently run throughout the day. It really leaves you with two choices, but many prefer the hike.

I just returned from Spain, where we saw Chillida sculptures everywhere, particularly in the north…read more This was an eye-opener, as I only learned about him a few years ago, while staying with friends in St. Jean-de-Luz, in France, about 20 minutes north of the Spanish border. Luckily, at that time, my friend's father practically forced my friend's wife and I to go down to Spain to the Chillida sculpture garden. So I knew them when I saw them. (I'll add some pictures in the future.) I'm actually not a huge fan of abstract sculpture, but the space is beautiful and when you can see all of his work in one place, it clicks. If you are in Bilbao for the Guggenheim, or in the area for any other reason, I strongly recommend spending an hour or two at this museum. Note: It's not terribly easy to find. Get directions in advance.

Our wonderful hosts at the Pension Bellas Artes told my wife and I that we needed to pay a visit to…read morethe Chillida museum. This was emphasized even more by the the fact that apparently they were closing at the end of 2010. Personally I am not a huge fan of most forms of modern art, but I found the Chillida museum pretty engaging. You can wander around the many pieces of art that are placed throughout the grounds. It might be a fun place to let the kids expend some energy while you wander around and interpret the pieces. Hopefully someone will step in and manage the finances of this uniquely Basque artist's legacy, far better then the previous caretakers.

I saw the original up close in 1970 in NYC. This…read morereproduction in ceramic tile is just as moving and powerful as the original. Highly recommended. "A mosaic of tiles which depicts in puzzle form Picasso's great work Guernica, the original of which is currently on display at the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid. The inscription beneath this impressive mural expresses the desire of local people for the original canvas to be put on display in the town which inspired its creation: Gernika."

If you really want to experience the charm and hospitality of Spain, this is a fine place to start…read more Located in a quaint, tiny, Medieval town in the middle of the best wine country Spain has to offer, Villa Sonsierra is comfortable, beautifully maintained. Mixing extremely old architecture with new interiors, the rooms are spacious, modern, with wonderful beds. Our kind host and hostess provided substantial breakfast foods each morning, excellent coffee, included in the price of the room, and offered laundry service for 15€. They speak English haltingly, but are quite capable of communicating with us. The greatest experience for me was the Los Picayos processional that occurs twice a year in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in May and in September, a unique, ancient religious event that involves penitents flogging themselves. The processional passed down the narrow cobbledstoned streets, right past our hotel. We loved that this little town was so close to an incredibly rich choice of wineries, with many within a 15 minute or less driving time, spectacular views, castles and walled cities. We had a mid sized rental car and negotiating the streets was challenging at best, so beware.

This building in a town from the 1600's that has been completely renovated inside. Has multiple…read morerooms with very modern interiors. Firm beds, giant towels, huge rooms with bedroom, living room and private bath, lovely owners. Super quiet. Breakfast included with the room for around $75 per night. The female owner (Irene) included two days of laundry for us for 20 Euros. Pedro, Irene's husband, was very helpful with things to do around the area. Where can that happen? We are staying for a week while exploring La Rioja wine region. Cannot give a higher recommendation for any hotel we have used over decades of travel to Spain. After visiting 70 countries, this is the nicest hotel room we have ever used for under $400 per night

This is the largest cultural center of Pamplona located at the center of the city. It holds…read moreexhibitions, concerts and promotes several cultural activities. The concert room is modern and has about 1.000 places. It has a big courtyard in front with a glass bar and some monuments. If you are looking for some top cultural activity in Pamplona, take a look in the agenda of Baluarte.