In August, wandering the Internet looking for some travel suggestion, I run the page of new routes for Air Berlin, which had already flown last year from Bergamo to Berlin, would inaugurate the first of November with flights from Milan Orio al Serio.
am Among the new routes, with great pleasure, a flight with a stopover in Palma de Mallorca from Orio al Serio arrives in Bilbao in mid-afternoon, this half that for a passionate student of contemporary architecture like me, is like Disneyland for the little ones ...
Enthusiast, phone immediately to Laura, my girlfriend, and try to convince her to a trip in the city of the Basque Country in conjunction with his own birthday. After some hesitation
I can convince her and so began to look for the best solutions for your trip and stay, August 16 we book flights and hotels, all strictly DIY and all over the internet and Postepay.
From the website of Air Berlin outbound flight booked for Nov. 15 starting at 11:20 from Orio al Serio airport an hour to fly to Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao at 16:30, long hours convenient both for the departure, that does not even require getting up early for the arrival in mid-afternoon with the possibility of finding peace with the hotel and enjoy a few hours of Bilbao on the first day.
For the return, since we had never been to Palma di Maiorca e lo scalo proposto dalla compagnia aerea era di circa tre ore, propongo di fare il viaggio in due tappe: il 19 partenza da Bilbao alle 12 e 40 ed arrivo a Palma alle 14 e il 20 partenza da Palma alle 21 e arrivo previsto a Bergamo per le 23. Enthusiast, phone immediately to Laura, my girlfriend, and try to convince her to a trip in the city of the Basque Country in conjunction with his own birthday. After some hesitation
I can convince her and so began to look for the best solutions for your trip and stay, August 16 we book flights and hotels, all strictly DIY and all over the internet and Postepay.
From the website of Air Berlin outbound flight booked for Nov. 15 starting at 11:20 from Orio al Serio airport an hour to fly to Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao at 16:30, long hours convenient both for the departure, that does not even require getting up early for the arrival in mid-afternoon with the possibility of finding peace with the hotel and enjoy a few hours of Bilbao on the first day.
Per i quattro giorni a Bilbao e la notte a Palma di Maiorca consulto i più noti siti di hotel ed ostelli; tramite Booking la scelta cade sull'hotel Ria de Bilbao per i giorni nei Paesi Baschi, e sull' hotel Colon a Palma , i migliori per vicinanza al centro e rapporto qualità-prezzo.
Avendo organizzato il tutto con cura non ci resta che aspettare i mesi che ci separano dalla partenza.
Giorno 1 - Rotta su Bilbao
Finalmente arrives November 15. The bags are packed at 8 and it's off to Bergamo airport, pick up your tickets at check-in for both flights, boarded the bags, which do not meet again until Bilbao, and on time, we move to Palma de Mallorca where we landed on time.
Time for a sandwich and McDonald usually at 15 and 10 parts of the flight to Bilbao where we land at 16 and 20, the time you collect your luggage at the airport designed by Santiago Calatrava and take the bus (1.25 € ), from door to Moyua Square, where there is a metro station, or up to Termibus.
I got near the Palace Euskalduna cross the bridge and walk the same name Ribera de Deustu up 'Hostel Ria de Bilbao, here we are welcomed sun, gentle, gives us some tips on places to visit, places to eat well for a few euro on those areas to see and to be avoided and there over the keycard to our room, a pocket map of the city, which will be useful, and times of breakfast - included in room price.
After a shower and go out there for a few minutes for the first visit of the city, go up the right bank of the river Nervion up to the Puente de Deustu, near which Sun has recommended a place to eat good food combined, the Etxepe Berri Bar
tired for the trip we return the hotel and we fall asleep thinking about the future.
Day 2 - Tradition in Casco Viejo
We wake up for 9 and we have breakfast, take the bus from the hotel just off the A4 that leads to Zorrotzaurre Deustu (1.15 €) where we go down in the subway (1.10 € for zone A), English architect Norman Foster, and soon we reach the station Casco Viejo which is located in the heart of the historic center, here we move down the narrow calles full of shops and specialty shops.
We visit the Plaza Nueva, and the Catedral de Santiago, dropping you between Calles, nerve reach the shore of the river, overlooked by the Iglesia de San Anton ed il Mercato de la Ribeira, il più grande mercato coperto dell’intera Spagna (a dire il vero decisamente fatiscente) dove si trova ogni tipo di pesce, carne e verdura.
Abbandonata presto la visita del mercato, ci avviamo lungo la Ribera, dalla quale vediamo la Estacion de Santander (La Concordia); raggiungiamo poi il Teatro Arriaga, che, dopo un incendio, è stato ricostruito sullo stile dell’Opera di Parigi; nelle vicinanze è stato allestito un carino mercatino equo-solidale.
Attraversando il Puente del Arenal, ci avviamo lungo la Gran Via Don Diego Lopez de Haro, la via dello shopping bilbaino, sulla quale si affacciano una enormità di negozi; questo before being sucked into the Corte Ingles, a real institution for all Spaniards, in which there is any consumer goods, from toys to luxury clothing, bread, until the travel agency 'car insurance.
we come up to Moyua Plaza, a large square of elliptical shape, well cared for and on which stands the building of BBVA (one of many banks in the Basque Country) and characterized by the presence of revenue underground, so-called Fosterritos (named the architect who designed them), steel structures, steel and glass that protrude from the ground as if they were extensions of the underground tunnels in quali corrono i treni.
Ormai sono le 14 e, come ogni spagnolo, cerchiamo un posto dove pranzare; dopo una lunga ricerca entriamo nella Cafeteria Tayda (Gregorio de la Revilla 2): tipico locale da tapas con ottimi bocadillos e combinados.
Dopo pranzo ci avviamo verso il Parque de Casilda Iturrizar, il quale ospita anche il Museo de Bellas Artes (Museo Plaza 2); qui visitiamo l’intera collezione permanente ed anche quella temporanea (Entre Picasso y Debuffet ) per soli 4 euro (sconto studenti al di sotto dei 26 anni); nel museo sono affascinato dalle opere di Jorge Oteiza, uno scultore spagnolo astrattista di cui non avevo mai sentito parlare prima, ma che mi ha lasciato amazed by his capacity for abstraction.
Leaving the museum, we cross a few roads and we are facing the entrance of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed by Canadian architect Frank Owen Gehry and advance the great work of Jeff Koons called Puppy, a sculpture depicting a floral dog and greets visitors to the museum.
Gehry's building is really impressive: the titanium coating and natural light make it shine and sunset light reflections make it even more beautiful.
Tired, but with the thought that the next day we visited the entire building, take refuge in nearby shopping center Zubiarte , American architect Robert Stern, who is on the left bank of the Nervion close to the Puente de Deustu.
Being too early for dinner, we turned a few stores and finally refreshed us with excellent bocadillos at Krunch, a sort of McDonalds Tyrolean appearance but with authentic English food (try the croquetas de jabugo, potato croquettes stuffed with melted cheese and ham ham and jalapenos, hot peppers stuffed with cheese and fried).
Given the cold, catch the last bus that goes to Zorrotzaurre and go back to the hotel for the night.
Day 3 - Defragment the orchestra in a wild flower titanio
È finalmente giunto il grande giorno; non dico che siamo venuti a Bilbao solo per il Guggenheim, ma sinceramente è l’edificio che più mi interessa e devo dire che non mi delude affatto, come invece avevo letto era capitato a qualche altro turista che se lo immaginava più bello e più interessante.
Ci svegliamo e prima di uscire facciamo colazione con calma; solito bus fino a Deusto e poi a piedi percorriamo Avenida Lehendakari Aguirre, particolare per le fioriere piene di ciclamini multicolori che dividono i sensi di marcia, fino a Plaza San Pio X; da qui scendiamo sulla riva destra del Nervion e proseguiamo fino al Puente Pedro Arrupe, opera dell’ingegnere José Antonio Fernández Ordóñez, that the project was inspired by a dragonfly (or more likely, as Laura says, for a lizard) who puts his feet on both banks of the river, this bridge is actually a crossing of the latest and most beautiful Bilbao, but also one of the best locations to photograph the Guggenheim.
crossing the bridge, we find ourselves in front of the Guggenheim , climb the stairs to the upper square and will come down to reach the entrance.
are now half past ten, and finally, after a short tail and leaving coats and bags in the cloakroom, we enter one of the most fascinating contemporary museums and most beautiful in the world.
The ticket is 8 euro, but only € 6.50 for students, including audio guide in Italian, in addition to commenting on the works, also makes a brief but useful introduction to the characteristics of the building, the Gehry's thought and the difficulties faced in the building.
The exhibition rooms spanning three floors: the ground floor there are rooms that can accommodate the permanent exhibition consists mainly of works by contemporary artists like Dan Flavin, Louise Bourgeois, Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Miquel Barcelo. .. and the installation of Richard Serra The Matter of Time ", composed by a dozen di sculture in acciaio e che occupa l’intera sala denominata “El pez”, la quale scivola fin sotto al Puente de la Salve; da El Pez si raggiunge la caffetteria interna del museo dove pranziamo.
Per le celebrazioni del decimo anniversario dall’apertura del museo, al secondo piano è ospitata la mostra temporanea “Art in the USA - 300 years of innovation”, una raccolta di opere che raccontano l’arte statunitense dal 1700 fino ai giorni nostri attraversando i periodi storici e le correnti artistiche più importanti. Da non perdere le opere dal 1945 al 1980 fino a quelle più contemporanee di “Multiculturalism & Globalization”, che comprendono dipinti, fotografie ed installazioni di artisti come Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein e dello svedese, ma americano d’adozione, Claes Oldenburg.
Infine, saliamo al terzo piano dove, dal 17 ottobre 2007 al 3 febbraio 2008, è ospitata l’esposizione “Chacun à son goût”, una raccolta di opere di giovani artisti baschi per lo più ancora sconosciuti, fra i quali Maider Lopez, Aitor Ortiz e Ibon Aranberri.
Dalle 17 assistiamo ad una rappresentazione musicale all’interno del museo: un gruppo di musicisti classici disposti singolarmente nelle diverse sale, che cambiando continuamente collocazione spostandosi da una postazione all’altra a tempo di cronometro, suonano brevi melodie che rendono l’atmosfera all’interno the museum's very impressive.
When we go out now are the 19, which is why I recommend you spend the whole day visit to the Guggenheim: calmly look around, touch the clear cold stone, but touched the thin sheets of titanium-strong, get involve its sinuous shapes and from his works, go through the installation of Richard Serra, go up with the glass elevator to the third floor of the atrium and enjoy the view from above, walking in the bookstore (actually very expensive!) and do not miss the potato tortillas and the delicious cakes and coffee, if you can, treat yourself to dinner at the museum restaurant recommended by many guidebooks.
The air is cold, now the sun was down and take refuge again Zubiarte, which on Saturday is filled with children.
dinner and no night life, and when we arrived at the hotel has just begun the game of football that the English national team, to be honest, I do not think very much felt in the Basque country, especially compared to the real passion that they have to Bilbaino 's Athletic Club.
Day 4 - Churros
Last day in Bilbao. We woke up late - at the end of Sunday, the hotel serves breakfast until 11 - and go back on foot to the right bank of the Nervion Euskalduna Palace, designed by Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacios , the building was inspired by the hull of a vessel and includes music rooms, conference rooms, auditorium and was built on the site occupied until a few years ago since the last industry Bilbaino producing ships, dismantled in the nineties to make way in following this new building, whose construction began in 1994 and ended five years later.
We climb along the left bank of the river to the Guggenheim, is a beautiful day, the sun is hot and I get a few poses with Gehry on Sunday that it becomes a meeting place for all that Bilbaino bring their children in the many green areas and playgrounds in the vicinity of the museum.
continue the walk to the bridge by Santiago Calatrava Zubizurri; a few photos and take the tram from the nearest train station, Ribera Uribitarte to look for a restaurant in Casco Viejo outside of which, two days before, we saw sign depicting an inviting churros with hot chocolate. Unfortunately on Sunday the premises of the old town are closed, we head to the Guggenheim disconsolate in the vicinity of which is the basis for the panoramic city tour by bus (12 € reduced to 10 € for students); tour hour and a half with an audio guide in English to the streets and, incidentally, in passing the Paseo de Arenal we are attracted by a large neon "churros" that illuminates the face of Laura.
So ended the tour, we take the tram from the station and reach Arriaga Guggenheim, cross the piazza that overlooks the stage and enter the room at this time that is full of people who enjoy the churros with hot chocolate bitter, typical English afternoon break (the best of five in the United Kingdom). A friendly waiter carries two cups of hot chocolate and a plate of delicious churros, soft sticks of fried dough dipped in chocolate for the modest sum of € 4 (in Italy the bar serving hot chocolate for 3 € o 3,50€ e se venite sul lungolago d’Iseo riuscite a pagarla anche 5 o 6 euro...); nel frattempo socializziamo con una dolcissima bimba italo-inglese che ci sorride dal tavolo vicino. Felici e contenti per i churros e per la nuova amicizia, cerchiamo un ristorante tranquillo con piatti tipici per festeggiare il compleanno di Laura, ma stanchi dopo un lungo girovagare, ci ritroviamo nel locale della prima sera.
Giorno 5 - Agur Bilbao, Hola Palma
Con calma ci svegliamo; oramai le valigie sono pronte e dopo colazione raggiungiamo a piedi (mai decisione fu più sbagliata) Plaza Moyua, da dove prendiamo il bus fino all’aeroporto di Sondika che raggiungiamo in venti minuti con un buon anticipo che ci permette di fare easy check in and see the entire building, this work of Calatrava and known as "La Paloma" for its shape like a dove with outstretched wings in the wind.
We embark on time and as the roadmap-Air Berlin Boeing 737-700 took off at 12:10.
The aircraft is en route to the area of \u200b\u200bPortugalete and Getxo, the sky is clear and the view of the port of Bilbao and the Puente Colgante from above is incredible: the murky water of the Nervion gradually becomes a deep blue and all 'horizon only the water of the Atlantic Ocean.
Not even an hour's flight and the plane comes down and touches the Majorcan soil, through hundreds of meters of the terminal to the baggage reclaim area, we will take them very quickly and we decided to have lunch at the airport in a kind of fast-food wonderful place but very devoted to tourism (2.80 € per packaged ice cream seem far too many) like the rest of the Balearic Island.
Leaving the airport take the first bus that quickly reach the city center.
temperature compared to Bilbao is much higher and you notice the usual way for German tourists in shorts and a T-shirt (19 November 26 ° C are quite a marvel to visit the capital of the Autonomous Community Balearic Islands).
go down to the Parc de les Estaciones, next to Plaza de España and quickly reach the Hotel Colon, a short walk from the downtown streets.
A little 'rest, a shower (cold to tell the truth) and we begin to walk the streets of Palma, mostly restricted traffic areas rich in local shops. We do some shopping and we note the presence of many tourists, mostly German and British grandmother who spend their holidays in the middle of the Mediterranean in autumn in mild temperatures.
looking for a restaurant to spend the evening in particular we "El Asador de Aranda" in the area of \u200b\u200bPlaza de las Tortugas, marked by Via Michelin but unfortunately it happened to Palma on Monday, which coincidentally is the day of closing time.
So we go down to the sea and near the cathedral, we find a street full of nice local restaurants, are only 20 and thinking of the English times (dinner at 22) convinced Laura to take an aperitif caña sit on chairs outside a Local.
Back then to the before-seen restaurants, we choose one with a very nice guy who plays guitar and sings live songs in English, but when we sit down to order tell us that the kitchen closes at 22 and that there are only tapas. So choose a shrimp and squid and have dinner by candlelight, accompanied by hot singer's voice, really good and kind. We choose two typical English sweets: a crema catalana for Laura and me for a Cat Mallorcan. Unfortunately, the restaurant is closing, we pay and we go out, the streets there is no one, just as I had read on some website that is not recommended for Palma de Mallorca nightlife because it is too quiet.
We take refuge in the hotel to sleep with the idea that our long-awaited holidays are ending, even end up in a few hours.
Day 6 - Getting around Palma
We get up for 9, pack your bags and leave the hotel until 18 (good thing because the flight was scheduled for 21). We go from Bocatta for breakfast and head towards La Seu, cathedral in the thirteenth century Catalan Gothic style with beautiful gardens and sumptuous decor, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
look away from the cruise ships on the horizon sooner or later expect to cross the whole Mediterranean on one of these huge floating cities, from here we proceed to the Museum Baluard Es, a contemporary art museum located inside the ancient walls surrounding the city. The visit is recommended and the building is really interesting both from an architectural standpoint, the work of the SCT study, both for including the work contained an important collection of works by Joan Miro.
Bocatta Lunch and afternoon dedicated to shopping center with a visit to the Museu d'Art Espanyol Contemporani Xocolateria Rosaledas and one to another excellent hot chocolate with churros.
We pick up the suitcases, travel by bus to the immense Majorca airport, check-in, dinner in a German beer and sausages made with Weissbier, a perfect takeoff and landing in advance to 21 to 22 and 50.
holiday ended. But as soon as the plane of Air-Berlin has touched the runway of the airport of Orio al Serio I started thinking about our next trip ...
soon so ... to tell the next adventure.
good trip!
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