Our Last Few Days in San Sebastian
James and I had such a lovely last couple days in San Sebastian!
Two days before departing San Sebastian we were able to get out for pintxos and a steep hike. It was called Monte Urgull. At the top is a huge statue called Castillo (of Christ) that looks upon the city and sits upon an old castle/fort. What was really stunning was the views of the bay, city and the ocean!
We then lounged at the beach for the afternoon and had some amazing ice cream! During the evening we went to a great seafood restaurant on the harbor. We sat on the terrace and shared a bottle of red wine, salad and then had monk fish.
mmm... After Eight (mint chip) and Banana Split...
a little vino tinto...
We then lounged at the beach for the afternoon and had some amazing ice cream! During the evening we went to a great seafood restaurant on the harbor. We sat on the terrace and shared a bottle of red wine, salad and then had monk fish.
Whoa! Who is that guy with his fully shaved face and all?!!
The day before our last in San Sebastian started out dreary. We thought for sure it was going to rain all day but were determined to get out for a last day of fun. We ventured out into the mist, hoping it would stay only a mist and not turn into a rain. Then the sun started to peek through the clouds. We decided to make a break and head up a funicular (like a little carnival ride up a steep hill). At the top is mainly an area for kids with carnival rides atop an old castle. Again, we were there for the spectacular views.
View from the top of Monte Igueldo
After, we went to an awesome spa called La Perla. This isn't your typical spa. It used to be used for the queen when San Sebastian was declared a national vacation location. It is literally on the beach. There is a large gym, cafe, and regular spa activities (massages, facials, etc...). The part that we visited was many different rooms with salt water pools, jacuzzis, jet pools, saunas, lounge chairs etc... We purchased 2 hours of time to use in this area. You wear your bathing suit, a swim cap and bring a towel. We started by entering the first large salt water pool. There were about 6 different massage jets stationed all around the pool. Each jet massages a different part of your body and you spend about 3 minutes at each one. Then we went into the room of contrast. This room was really cool! It was really dark! The first pool here was a work out pool. It had many different exercise machines in the water and different massage jets. This pool was really more for physical therapy. We checked it out a bit and moved onto the sauna room. It smelled like eucalyptus and had 4 different steam rooms and saunas. James really enjoyed the hottest sauna and I layer on the lounge chairs outside to relax with the smell of eucalyptus. We then went back into the room of contrast where they had a shower walk way. It is a one way walk way with about 5 different showers, each shower has different temperature, different body jets and different lighting above. As you walk through you spend about 20-45 seconds at each shower! It was a surprise what each shower would be like next! There was also a room here that had waterbeds for people to lay and nap in. James also checked out a really cold jacuzzi that had fountains overhead; too cold for me! The last room we went to was a large pool with different massage jets and in each corner was a vertical jacuzzi- we liked this the best! You are able to lay in the water and have all the jets massage and help you float (the salt water helps too)! Finally, we went in the jacuzzi that overlooked the beach and the bay! It was something we would never be able to do at home and something we never expected to do. But it was so much fun and we would definitely recommend it!
James' J&B (giant pour) on the left and my vino blanco on the right
on La Perla rooftop terrace overlooking the beach
For our final night in San Sebastian, we went out for a dinner in the old town at a place called Ubarrechena. We shared a delicious seafood pallella and learned how to pour txoli wine!
Our last day in San Sebastian was very uneventful. We packed our stuff and had to leave our bags at the apartment while the cleaners were there. We went out for pintxos. We got our favorite ice cream again! James tried the raved beef cheeks (which weren't a big hit for him). We also went to Santa Lucia (recommended by Rick Steves and Anthony Bourdain) to get churros (so yummy). Then we went back to our apartment and picked up our bags. Off to the train station for our first train ride! The train ride was 6 LONG hours! It wasn't too uncomfortable, we just got restless legs. When we arrived at the train station, we easily caught a cab (which cost 1/3 of our anticipated expense) to our new amazing apartment!
We are in a great location, in a great apartment! More to come about Barcelona soon!
After, we went to an awesome spa called La Perla. This isn't your typical spa. It used to be used for the queen when San Sebastian was declared a national vacation location. It is literally on the beach. There is a large gym, cafe, and regular spa activities (massages, facials, etc...). The part that we visited was many different rooms with salt water pools, jacuzzis, jet pools, saunas, lounge chairs etc... We purchased 2 hours of time to use in this area. You wear your bathing suit, a swim cap and bring a towel. We started by entering the first large salt water pool. There were about 6 different massage jets stationed all around the pool. Each jet massages a different part of your body and you spend about 3 minutes at each one. Then we went into the room of contrast. This room was really cool! It was really dark! The first pool here was a work out pool. It had many different exercise machines in the water and different massage jets. This pool was really more for physical therapy. We checked it out a bit and moved onto the sauna room. It smelled like eucalyptus and had 4 different steam rooms and saunas. James really enjoyed the hottest sauna and I layer on the lounge chairs outside to relax with the smell of eucalyptus. We then went back into the room of contrast where they had a shower walk way. It is a one way walk way with about 5 different showers, each shower has different temperature, different body jets and different lighting above. As you walk through you spend about 20-45 seconds at each shower! It was a surprise what each shower would be like next! There was also a room here that had waterbeds for people to lay and nap in. James also checked out a really cold jacuzzi that had fountains overhead; too cold for me! The last room we went to was a large pool with different massage jets and in each corner was a vertical jacuzzi- we liked this the best! You are able to lay in the water and have all the jets massage and help you float (the salt water helps too)! Finally, we went in the jacuzzi that overlooked the beach and the bay! It was something we would never be able to do at home and something we never expected to do. But it was so much fun and we would definitely recommend it!
on La Perla rooftop terrace overlooking the beach
For our final night in San Sebastian, we went out for a dinner in the old town at a place called Ubarrechena. We shared a delicious seafood pallella and learned how to pour txoli wine!
Txoli poured at a distance from your glass to aerate and add bubbles!
Amazing seafood pallella, can't wait for more!
Our last day in San Sebastian was very uneventful. We packed our stuff and had to leave our bags at the apartment while the cleaners were there. We went out for pintxos. We got our favorite ice cream again! James tried the raved beef cheeks (which weren't a big hit for him). We also went to Santa Lucia (recommended by Rick Steves and Anthony Bourdain) to get churros (so yummy). Then we went back to our apartment and picked up our bags. Off to the train station for our first train ride! The train ride was 6 LONG hours! It wasn't too uncomfortable, we just got restless legs. When we arrived at the train station, we easily caught a cab (which cost 1/3 of our anticipated expense) to our new amazing apartment!
the raved and reviewed beef cheeks in red wine sauce
Santa Lucia churros
James hates when I take "selfies"! haha!
Our first train ride!
We are in a great location, in a great apartment! More to come about Barcelona soon!
Sounds amazing - great food, fun times and new adventures! Love you so!
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