AboutVíctor Díaz Expertise I live in Madrid,and travel frequently to Valencia. I have also travelled to many places all over spain, if haven't been there i'd try to help anyway providing my knowledge and links.
I enjoy trekking in the mountains, and know pyrinees, Picos de Europa and mountains in the center.
Question QUESTION: Hi Victor - I have a few questions about the heat/crowds - and summer travel/ our dates are July 9-July 24 arriving to Madrid and out of Barcelona- we plan to rent a car and explore north - we are taking approx 3 days for each of the big cities - from Madrid we will go to Segovia - then thru Salamanca to Zamora - next day up through (Leon?)to the Picos to stay for a few days then to Hondarribia for 2 night (mid July will this be crazy crowded??)
then on to the pyrenees before going to Barcelona-
we want to avoid oppressive heat and crowds - and like local color - and don't want to be going nuts with too much driving !! (we can take train as well )any suggestions are appreciated - we are so looking forward to this trip
thanks so much Ana
ANSWER: Hello Ana
For your plans driving will save time and will allow to explore more places, specially in the Picos and Pirineos
Rent a car when leaving Madrid. Before you may add Toledo as daytrip, using trains it's only 30minutes from Madrid. http://www.toledo-turismo.com/turismo/
You could do Segovia as daytrip as well but by doing it by car will let you add La Granja.
For your route, personally, it looks great to me!, and you are heading to the north and then to the east by the Pirineos, that means scaping from the heat of the south. You will have still very warm temperatures in Madrid and surrouning areas as well as some places in Castilla y Leon (Salamanca...). If there is a heat wave in spain and it reaches the north, the heat there becomes worse as there is a higher humidity. But you can't control those things so, go ahead with your plans.
About the crowds, most tourist head to the sun and beaches of the east and south of Spain. Unless there is a local festivity i don't think you will find those places too crowded, but if you seek an special place to stay book in advance.
Your route: using these maps http://www.viamichelin.co.uk
Starting in Madrid you want to visit Segovia. I would take A6 to Villalba, then M601 to Navacerrada pass (mountain pass = puerto) more scenic road, you will pass by La Granja de San Ildefonso after the pass, where you could visit at least the nice gardens with lots of fountains, normally there is only one working at a time due to high water consumption. You will finally reach Segovia in the afternoon or in time for having lunch. http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Destinos/TipoIII/Datos+Generales/H/RP/0/San+Ilde...
The east route is easier, the west route is more scenic but with more winding roads.
Via oviedo you could stop there for a fast visit http://turismo.ayto-oviedo.es/index.php
From the basque country to Barcelona you may take the fast route using the tolled higway along Ebro valley, but there is not too much to see around and the landscape is very arid, or use a route by the foot of the pyrynees, with conventional roads in good conditions and nice landscapes.
you then may head to Barcelona or to Costa Brava and extend your trip with a couple of days in the very nice beaches of Costa Brava, also visit Girona. http://www.costabrava.org/
In this route i have told you you may cut at any moment and drive directly to Barcelona taking the fast route.
I could give you more details of places to stop along the way, i have just mentioned the most important.
I hope this helps a bit.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: /thanks for travel tips Victor!- I have a follow up question regarding visiting the area of San Sebastian /Hondarribia -when the San Fermin festival July 6-14 in nearby (sort of near by) Pamplona will just have finished - we are planning to stay in Hondarribia a few days after the 14th - will this area be packed w/ people/crowds from the festival still ??
Answer hello again Ana
I seincerly don't know if Hondarribia will get packed or not after or dureing Sanfermines.... i think is not a primray destiantion in Spain, but also there is not a wide offer of hotels etc.
