Frommers ShortCuts - The Basque Country, Spain

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ISBN 9781118191392 (ebk); ISBN 9781118191385 (ebk); ISBN 9781118191408 (ebk)

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About the Authors

Veteran travel writer Darwin Porter wrote the first ever Frommers guide to Spain. Back then it was called Spain on $5 a Day, and it became an immediate best seller in the travel book business. The only good thing about those dark days of the Franco era were the $2 hotel rooms, the $1.50 paella dinners, and the 25 glasses of Rioja wine. Spain has changed drastically since then, and the new Frommers Spain has kept up with the developments. Porter was joined in 1982 by Spanish-speaking Danforth Prince, formerly of the Paris bureau of The New York Times. Together, they have also written such Iberian guides as Frommers Lisbon, Frommers Barcelona, Frommers Madrid, and Frommers Seville, Granada, & the Best of Andalusia.

Frommers Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

In addition to the star-rating system, we also use eight feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:

special finds those places only insiders know about

fun facts details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun

kids best bets for kids and advice for the whole family

special moments those experiences that memories are made of

overrated places or experiences not worth your time or money

insider tips great ways to save time and money

great values where to get the best deals

warning traveler's advisories are usually in effect

The following abbreviations are used for credit cards:

AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa

DC Diners Club MC MasterCard

The Best of Spain

Ernest Hemingway once said, If you visit only one foreign country in your lifetime, make it Spain. The country turns one face toward Europe, while its other face points south to Africa, especially in the ancient Moorish kingdom of Andalusia, which revolves around Seville and Granada.

Today, freed from the shackles of the long, dark dictatorship of the Franco era, Spaniards are experiencing what they call La Movidaa renaissance of life. Post-millennium Spain is about having funand lots of it. The true Spaniard believes in working half the year and partying the other half, a bartender in Madrid told us. It is second nature to us to experience a sense of frivolous abandonjust attend one of our many fiestas. From the Balearic Islands to the beaches along the Costa del Sol, Spain is Europes playground.

What you get in Spain are 17 semi-autonomous regions, each with its own legislature, judicial system, and flag. In some cases, these regions have a distinct languageCatalan, Euskera (Basque), and Galician are widely spoken.

Once a staunchly conservative, Catholic country, Spain today is a bastion of fierce liberalism in the Westand, yes, that means same-sex marriages and all that jazz.

One of Europes oldest, yet most dynamic, countries, Spain is a rich, cultural mosaic. It has some of the worlds greatest museums, such as the Prado in Madrid and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Its a mecca for the sports lovergolfing, cycling, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming; the activities seem endless. From bullfights to the flamenco tavern still going at three oclock in the morning, Spain rocks round the clock.

Spaniards love to eat, and in the past 2 decades the country has become a culinary lodestar renowned around the globe. Its all here, ranging from time-tested recipes to fusion and molecular gastronomy, all accompanied by some of the worlds best wines.

As you plan your trip, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the number of fascinating sights, beautiful landscapes, and off-the-beaten-path towns to fit into your limited time. So let us give you a hand. Weve scoured the country in search of the best places and experiences, and below we list our favoritesadmittedly, they are very personal and opinioned choices.

The best Travel Experiences

Sitting in Sol or Sombra at the Bullfights: With origins as old as pagan Spain, the art of bullfighting is the expression of Iberian temperament and passions. Detractors object to the sport as cruel, bloody, and savage. Fans, however, view bullfighting as a microcosm of death, catharsis, and rebirth. If you strive to understand the bullfight, it can be one of the most evocative and memorable events in Spain. Head for the plaza de toros (bullring) in any major city, but particularly in Madrid, Seville, or Granada. Tickets are either sol (sunny side) or sombra (pricier, but in the shade).

Feasting on Tapas in the Tascas: Tapas, those bite-size portions washed down with wine, beer, or sherry, are reason enough to go to Spain. Tapas bars, called tascas, are a quintessential Spanish experience. Originally tapas were cured ham or chorizo (spicy sausage). Today they are likely to be anything gambas (deep-fried shrimp); anchovies marinated in vinegar; stuffed peppers; a cool, spicy gazpacho; or hake salad.