Gotta love Ryan Air: if you survive the trip (planes are kinda ghetto), you can visit this amazing city which is only two hours away from Madrid for about 50 EUR! Of course, once you get there watch out for those 7 EUR café au laits... The French capital is for me one of the most beautiful cities on earth (despite its inhabitants, who are, indeed, somewhat rude in general, even when one makes the effort to speak French [comme moi!]...although one can understand how they might be sick of toursits: in July and August the city is literally flooded, ad nauseam, and it makes it difficult and frustrating to do just about anything...)
Click here to see the photos (then "Slideshow"):
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Then, we continue our trip south towards the French Basque Country, and then cross the border into Spain and San Sebastián in the Spanish Basque Country. Unfortunately, we had very little time to explore this beautiful city, but instead opted for a few days of quiet relaxation in the neighboring region of Cantabria where Luz's parents had rented an apartment for their summer holidays. Northern Spain is quite beautiful, and a strong contrast to the stereotypical images of sun and flamenco dancing that people associate with the south (Andalucia); the north is quite green, with beautiful rocky shores, quaint villages, and a climate similar to that of southern Ireland (meaning yes, unfortunately, lots of rain!)
Click here for the pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/marcusgiovanni/SanSebastiNSantander2007
