Bilbao to León via Burgos

We’ve had a long and tiring day of travel; the only sightseeing stop was in Burgos, and it was mostly the Cathedral.

On the way to Burgos
Cathedral de Burgos
This is one of the remaining six gates of progress city wall our guide. Our guide Gloria says it’s the most beautiful. The six men in the two rows at the bottom are Spanish heroes, including El Cid.
Inside the cathedral courtyard
Visitor’s entrance
Pilgrims get a discount
Main alterpiece. The sculpture of Mary in the center is made of 150 pounds of silver.
Grave of El Cid
Just another alterpiece in a side chapel
This clock has been here since the 1500s; it operates every 15 minutes and is called “The Flycatcher”
Our guide demonstrates alabaster
The original owners of this chapel
Columbus reported to the King and Queen here after his second voyage
El Cid

We are now ensconced at the AC Hotel León for the next three nights.

Pasaia and San Sebastian

Today, we took a tour to the Basque towns of Pasaia and San Sebastian. Pasaia is made up of four small villages; we started our tour in San Juan, then crossed the river to San Pedro and the Albaola museum and factory.

San Juan is a very pretty little village, with a lot of history. We walked through much of it on our way to the dock for a trip across the river to San Pedro.

Hundred year-old chimney from the porcelain industry
Saint John the Baptist
Fishin’ on the dock of the bay
Victor Hugo slept here!
Lafayette embarked here!
Franco ate here! (Casa Cámera was one of his favorite restaurants)
Time to cross the river to San Pedro
Farewell, San Juan (Donibane)
Albaola (The Sea Factory of the Basques)

Albaola was fascinating. They are actively restoring old ships, ranging from a 16th century whaler to a late 20th century tuna fisher. They use materials and tools appropriate to the time period, so they have resident blacksmiths and weavers (well, no weavers on Sunday).

Blacksmiths at work

Old ferry boat, was crewed by women before the 20th Century.

Nao San Juan (16th century whaleship replica)

We left Albaola, sailed to meet our bus, and drove into modern San Sebastian for a walking tour and lunch.

San Sebastian’s best hotel
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
San Sebastian Harbor
Fountain near central bus station

After the tour, we drove back to the hotel to pack for our departure to León tomorrow. We took a riverside walk after dinner for one more look at the Guggenheim.

Guggenheim Bilbao by Twilight