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<\/a>The train from Madrid to Bilbao was long (almost 5 hours), and slow by Spanish standards. But it was a comfortable ride, and it traversed some beautiful scenery. Especially notable was the segment from the town of “Miranda de Ebro” to Bilbao. The train passed through stunning green mountains. Huge white and light brown cattle grazed peacefully in pastures. Wide valleys opened up, and we went through small towns of stone houses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As with many train stations in Spain, the interior of the station was a lively center with shops and restaurants. It is a shame that so few stations in the United States are like this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our hunger satisfied, we continued rambling through the city.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Nervion River winds through Bilbao, and provides many opportunities for panoramic views of sectors of the city.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We headed through a commercial district,\u00a0past <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n past Moyua Plaza, and along the Gran Via, until we reached the Sacred Heart monument.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then we worked our way, back along the river toward our hotel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Iberdrola tower in Bilbao is one of the tallest buildings in Spain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In front of the Guggenheim is a piece of living art: A dog constructed of living flowers. Apparently it was supposed to have been a temporary installation, but it proved so popular that it has been maintained.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next day we took the Metro from downtown to the suburb of Gexto where the cruise port is located.<\/p>\n<\/a>The last stop of the train was the \u00a0picturesque Abando station in downtown Bilbao. A large stained glass window dominates the north end of the terminal, though to me the view of pastel colored buildings seen through the open end of the other side was just as lovely.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Our hotel was quite close to the station. After we dropped off our bags, we wandered around the city. The first order of business was getting something to eat. We headed over a bridge, <\/a>past the opera house,\u00a0to the city’s “Casco Viejo” (Old quarter) and found a nice restaurant with tables outdoors.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Jado Plaza,<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Wide walkways along the river make it a perfect area for strolling, jogging, or bicycling.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>The Guggenheim Museum<\/p>\n