Roadtrip to Bilbao

October 5-8, 2017

Saturday, October 5

We loaded up Maria’s little car and headed off for a few days together in Bilbao.  She lived there for 4 years and has a great group of friends there.  An added perk, we were able to stay with her former roommate, David, in the apartment they used to share right in the heart of the Old Quarter.

It was a long drive, 7+ hours plus extra stops for a lovely lunch and many bathroom breaks.

Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies

We stopped in the adorable town of Ayerbe for lunch at O Callejon de Belchite.  We had about 45 minutes to wander around before we could get a table so it was an unexpected treat to poke around this sleepy town.

The views driving through Basque Country were breath taking.

We finally arrived to Bilbao around 9pm and David promptly offers us wine, cheese, and a homemade Spanish tortilla.  This would be just the beginning of the incredible hospitality we were shown by Maria’s Bilbao friends.

After eating, we decided we’d go out for “a glass of wine” just to get a taste of the nightlife.  Oh man– we ended up staying out until 4:30am and I danced my ass off, which is not usually the case.  It was loads of fun and it’s great to even surprise yourself sometimes when you just go with the flow!

Sunday, October 6

Rise and shine, time for some hangover food!  Well, we weren’t really hungover but a big lunch was definitely in order.  We met up with 4 of Maria’s friends and headed out of the city to Batzoki Erandio Goikoa and OMG it was probably my favorite meal I had in Spain (so far!).  This is a traditional Basque restaurant, served family style, and they only make a few simple dishes.  The whole roasted chickens are out of this world, as well as delicious salad topped with fish (yes, the salad is worth mentioning), sausages, bread, peppers, and french fries.

Gang’s all here!

Batzoki is actually a political party in Spain and traditionally these restaurants are meeting place for locals to talk politics.  See the portraits of famous Basque Nationalists on the back wall.

Ok, so we finished a huge meal.  We should probably go eat more food, right?  Off we go to the swanky restaurant El Txakoli which sits at the top of the funicular and has incredible views of the city.  It was a rainy day but by the time we finished up our coffee, tea and sweets, the sky had cleared and we had a beautiful view from the park adjacent to the restaurant.

This was truly a fantastic day roaming around the city!

Monday, October 7

Chef Maria started the day off right by treating us to Wonderland‘s famous banana pancakes this morning.  Swoon!

Her bestie David had the day off from being a professional tour guide, so we had him all to ourselves!

Ready to start our day outside David and (used to be Maria’s) apartment

David doing what David does best!

Ok enough buildings and history, let’s eat!  David and Maria took us to some of their favorite spots for pintxos and wine!  El Globo was our first stop!  Bilbao is amazing and basically has an open container law throughout the whole city (Vegas!).  So we decided to walk across the way to eat and drink in front of the lovely water feature outside the gorgeous Biblioteca Foral de Bizkaia.

Next we walked a few doors down to La Vina del Ensanche for absolutely superb jamon, foie gras and eggs with mushrooms, and vino blanco.

Full of food, now it’s time for a hike!  We drive out to Playa de Menakoz Barrika for some fresh air, a nice walk, and gorgeous scenery!

Ok, we’re not done yet.  We then drive to pick up their friend Chris, and proceed to go eat more pintxos and drink more wine!  We drive to the cute town of Getxo in the Puerta Viejo and first stop at Tavern Itxasbide for their famous croquettas that look like breakfast bars wrapped in oats and raisins.  Don’t be fooled, their are sinful and filled with cheese and are to die for!

Why stop now, one more place!  We walk up the stairs to Arrantzale for more pintxos and had some spicy mussels in red sauce, peppers (me and Fazi’s favorite!), and I was still having more wine….

Tuesday, October 8

Today we just really packed up and shipped out.  We had a long drive ahead of us and then Fazi and I were both flying out the next morning, so lots of travel in our future.

I can’t say enough about the kindness of Maria and her Bilbao crew.  They treated us like friends from the second we arrived and I am forever grateful!  What an experience!

Lunch stop by the lake on our drive back to Barcelona!