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These off-the-beaten path destinations have us wishing for 007’s travel schedule.

Bilbao’s jetson-esque airport is the perfect introduction to the many architectural gems awaiting you in the Basque Country. The main terminal was designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2000. It was immediately nicknamed ‘La Paloma’ (dove) for its aerodynamic, birdlike appearance. It’s a breathtaking structure that really looks like it’s about ready to take off. A taxi driver told me that it has also received plenty of criticism for its somewhat ‘closed’ design, that makes future expansions a bit of a challenge. Keep your eyes open when you arrive/ depart, the building and its details are a treat, although sadly they show their young age already. ____________________________ A warm thank you: My travels through the Basque Country were courtesy of Romo Tur (http://www.romotur.com/). The amazing folks at MedjetAssist (https://medjetassist.com) ensure that I take trips, not chances.

Overview

Modern, mind bending, and mentally interactive, the Guggenheim Museum is one of the must-do experiences of Spain. You could easily spend an hour getting lost in the beauty of the facade, with the monstrous tarantula, the skyscraper of a flowered dog, and the fact that the building looks like a series of cookie cutters someone has carefully stacked on top of itself. This should give you a great clue as to the many outstanding exhibitions that lie inside. Find the Guggenheim centrally located in Bilbao, one of the up-and-coming cities of Spain. Photo by Guillermo Viciano/Flickr.

From the cave paintings at Altamira to the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the entire history of Western art is represented along the Camino del Norte. The colorful and realistic portrayals of animal figures in the caves of Altamira are world famous, though it is only one of a number of caves with where Paleolithic art reached a peak from 17,000 to 13,000 BCE—there are a total of 17 caves in the northern Spain inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Another artistic high point took place in the Middle Ages—you won’t think of them as “dark” ages after seeing churches like San Miguel de Lillo and San Julián de los Prados with their elegantly spare exteriors and rich interiors decorated with both Visigothic and Arab-influenced details. The highlight of culture today in northern Spain is the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Since it opened in 1997, architect Frank Gehry’s building has helped put Bilbao on the art world map. The sweeping structure revitalized the port and has become a contemporary icon of the city. Its collection is home to works by some of the world’s most important contemporary artists including Jeff Koons—whose floral puppy stands guard outside, Robert Rauschenberg, and Anselm Kiefer. The permanent collection in Bilbao is often supplemented by pieces from the other Guggenheim museums as well as traveling expositions.

Make your way up Mount Artxanda the fast way—via funicular railway. Built to make the mountaintop accessible to locals, this little red train has been in operation since 1915, although it closed briefly after being bombed during the Spanish Civil War. After the three-minute ride to the top, have a picnic in the park, dine in one of the area’s restaurants or simply enjoy the sweeping panoramas of the city.

Smack in the center of old town Bilbao, in an old building, up a few creeky, battered flights of stairs, you’ll find the quirky Basque Boutique Hotel. Each of the 8 guest rooms is unique. They’re designed around specific places, sculptures and stories of the Basque Country. I liked most of them, except the freakish ‘La Marijaia’ that has an oversized, scary and clownesque looking character hovering over your bed. I have a feeling you have to be Basque to appreciate her! Because of ‘La Marijaia’, your check-in may be a little bit of a Russian Roulette–you can’t choose your room ahead of time, they’re assigned. Sweet dreams ; ) info@basqueboutique.es T +34 944 790 788 Calle de la Torre, 2 - 1º 48005 Bilbao, Bizkaia (País Vasco) ____________________________ A warm thank you: My travels through the Basque Country were courtesy of Romo Tur (http://www.romotur.com/). The amazing folks at MedjetAssist (https://medjetassist.com) ensure that I take trips, not chances.

The metal-and-glass ribbon structure of this Frank Gehry−designed hotel—not too far from Bilbao—creates an ethereal silhouette that contrasts dramatically with Elciego’s medieval landscape. Opt for a guided tour to learn more about the history of winemaking in the Basque countryside.

The Museo Soumaya, financed by Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico, has the ambitions of the Guggenheim Bilbao from the outside. It’s a stunning building whose sweeping, soaring curves couldn’t help but make it an instant landmark near Polanco, one of Mexico City‘s ritziest neighborhoods. Inside, the museum recalls the Guggenheim New York, with galleries off of a ramp which spirals down (or up) the building. Unfortunately the museum’s permanent collection isn’t as impressive as those at either Guggenheim. The Soumaya does have some strengths—one of the world’s largest collection of Rodins and some especially noteworthy colonial Mexican works—but it can feel hit or miss, with many undistinguished pieces. Slim’s museum is free, however, so you won’t regret paying admission even if you just pass through quickly to take in the building itself and some highlights.

Donosti Librería is the bookstore that movies are made of. In the family for 40 years, the shop’s beautiful art nouveau façade hides a calming interior. Walls are stacked with books, handpicked by the owners, and the overall atmosphere is the perfect blend of peaceful and provocative.

Frank Gehry was born in Toronto, but his dramatic 2008 renovation and expansion of this Beaux-Arts museum was his first Canadian commission. He first discovered art on childhood visits to its vast collection, which spans the world. Now the museum features a restaurant, Frank, in his honor. —Charlene Rooke Art Gallery of Ontario. 317 Dundas St. W., (416) 979- 6648.

Try on these warm, pancake-shaped hats, known as txapelas in Basque, in traditional blue or another color of your choosing. Open since 1857, this elegant family shop specializes in artisan-made and custom berets as well as reproductions of historic hats.

Take a self-guided walking tour through the architectural styles of the Old Town, from the blue-and-white Baroque mansion, Mazarredo House (Heros Kalea, 18), to the Bank of Bilbao (Plazuela San Nicolás, 4) to admire the Beaux-Arts arched, square and circular windows. Salute the Hercules statues guarding the Renaissance-era Arana Palace (Belostikale, 1). At the 19th-century Bidebarrieta Library (Bidebarrieta, 4), note the intricate iron and glass inset above the entrance. Finish up at the Cradle House (Muelle Urazurutia), where stylized plant motifs reflect its Art-Nouveau provenance.

Get away from Bilbao’s busy city center and feast on classic Basque cuisine at this rustic restaurant housed in a traditional family home. Sip wine from the well-stocked cellar and enjoy sweeping views of the countryside and the Romanesque church of Andra Mari.

Located 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Bilbao, Guernica (Gernika in Basque) is home to the sacred site of the old oak tree Gernika Arbola, where the Basques were granted independence in the middle ages and where they’ve continued to meet for centuries. Also of note is the full-size mosaic replica of Picasso’s painting on Elejalde Street, a tribute to lives lost to war. Visit the world’s largest jai alai court, where locals practice their traditional sport, pelota. At the Peoples of Europe Park, paths wind between large-scale sculptures (find the Henry Moore work) and indigenous trees.