ok, so i have discovered that my earlier scenario that put us in bilbao on a monday won't do, as the guggenheim is closed on mondays. i am studying the matter and will find a workable solution.

i recently had opportunity to discuss our trip to spain with someone i have known for over 20 years. "are you taking a tour?' was the response. i am still aghast, as certainly someone who professes to know me well would understand that i am not capable of going on a tour, with someone else in charge, with a timetable not of my own making. i am convinced that dante left the 'package tour' circle of hell out of his manuscript because the church-owned tourism concessions would have gone bankrupt.........anyway, i do have the greatest of admiration for those who can sit back in confidence that someone who knows what they are doing is driving the bus, but i can never be certain that the people in charge have prepared more than myself for the day.....i will concede that driving in cities where i cannot look at the map every 3 minutes does lead to chaos and wasted time in getting to cathedrals and other desirable sights. i like the planning end of travel almost as much as the being there part.