Before leaving Spain we made a quick trip to Bilbao. Our room was not ready, so we strolled around the city, coming first to the main draw, which was directly across from our hotel.

We found so much more to love in Bilbao than we had anticipated. With no particular destination in mind we happened upon the Azkuna Zentroa, an enormous multi purpose space described as the “culture and leisure center” of Bilbao.

The lobby/atrium, a vast open space with dozens of decorative pillars

A video installation in the lobby

The ceiling of the atrium featureds a view of the swimming pool of the hotel, above.

Sights on our way back to the hotel. Residents of the building below include the Department of Public Health.

In the old city

The Hotel Miro

After checking in we headed directly to the Guggenheim

Flower doggie, Jeff Koons

Richard Serra installation

Another day enjoying this lovely and very livable city, with a late afternoon return to Barcelona, where we rested up in preparation for our departure to Turin the following day.

Below, the Cathedral of the Barcelona Airport Hotel