53415NOR
This journey is typically split into 3 parts.
(1) Salamanca ð Burgos Rest stop (Area de servicios)
Driving time: 2hr 45 min – 3hr
You will leave Salamanca relatively early, so it makes sense to cover a lot of distance in the first part of the day, allowing more time in Bilbao. It is likely your driver will suggest making the first rest stop near Burgos (at the Area de Servicio de Quintanapalla or Briviesca), after approximately 2h45m of driving. If this is the case, make your group aware of this, so that they all go to the toilet before departing Salamanca. If necessary, you can of course ask your driver to make a short additional rest stop between Salamanca and Burgos.
(2) Burgos ð Bilbao Guggenheim visit (2-3 hours)
Driving time: 1hr 30min
(3) Bilbao ð San Sebastian
Driving time: 1 hr 10min E-80 E-80 AP-68 E-70
Visit to the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
· The Spain Office will have given you a voucher/print-out for your Guggenheim visit.
· If you are doing a custom itinerary, check your vouchers to ensure you don’t have a guide for the museum. If you do, call or text at least 24 hours beforehand to confirm rendezvous time with the guide.
· Tell your group to leave unnecessary backpacks in the bus. Otherwise they will have to be checked in the lobby.
· The Guggenheim museum does not open until 10:00.
· The coach drop off point behind the museum, next to the tramlines and under in the tunnel, coach parking lot. Be sure to have the driver’s number as they probably won’t be able to wait there all the time.
· Backpacks need to be checked in the consigna before entering the museum.
The coach will drop you off at the lower level by the tramlines. The group entrance to the museum is on the same level. Cross the tramlines and walk ahead with the park/café on your left and museum on your right.
You should hopefully have time for lunch before your scheduled visit time. Take the group up the stone stairs to the Jeff Koons floral puppy (photo). From there they can go for lunch. There is a café/restaurant in the museum, and there are also numerous places along Calle Iparraguirre – direction the puppy is facing. Arrange a meeting time (e.g. at the puppy) and tell the group to be punctual.
If possible, it is a good idea to go down to the group entrance during this lunch break to exchange the voucher/print-out for your group tickets.
At the rendezvous, give out the tickets and set a final meeting time and place (see map below for suggested place on lower level). Walk down the right-hand set of stairs into the main entrance (if you already have the group tickets, you can enter through the main entrance – you don’t have to go back around to the group entrance).
The visit inside the museum lasts about 2 hours depending on the group’s interest levels. The gift shop and toilets are on the lower level near the group entrance.
Regroup at your meeting point and return to the coach (you driver will meet you in the same place as before).
MAP of the Guggenheim museum
(1) Coach drop-off / collection point
(2) Group Entrance
(3) Main Entrance
(4) Jeff Koons’ Puppy
(5) Stone wall/seating next to park. Suggested final meeting point to return to coach – weather permitting!
(6) River
Stairs
