Sun 22 Jun- San Sebastian (Donastia to the native Basque speakers) and Hotel Maria Christina

Sun 22 Jun- no buffet today, we were on a different program. With the 'golden age' program, breakfast buffet is included, but today we were on a different program, so we finished the left-over veggies from last night with coffee, and headed to San Sebastian (Donastia to the native Basque speakers) and our Hotel Maria Christina, a Starwood luxury property in the heart of the city, walking distance to all the important places - old town, Monte Urgull, shopping, the theater, right beside the river, a few blocks from the beach promenade, etc. It was Maria Christina's beach-side palace apparently, now a 5-star hotel, very plush. We got a large room with flat-screen TV, king bed, huge bathroom. Although Kiyomi got a good basic rate, the peripheral add-ons mounted up: parking, valet service, Internet, etc. giving a bit of sticker shock. It is a beautiful hotel in a good location. We went to old town for lunch, but found inflated prices and average restaurant fare at the wharf and through the town. The Tapas bars look interesting, though they are called 'pintxos' here. We finally had lunch at 'Restaurante Igueldo': fried squid, E12; grilled sardines, E10; 2 beers for E5.50; 'filete ternas' (minute steak) with fries, E9; total E39. Not bad tasting and the quantity was sufficient, but no bargain price-wise, and the tables and chairs were crowded together outside, smokers mixed on with non-smokers. Back at the hotel we researched France. Went out in the evening for beer (Amstel draft) at a local pub and picked up sweet rolls for tomorrow morning, since this hotel does not include breakfast.