By Janet Steinberg, Travel Editor
Thanks to “starchitect” Frank Gehry’s
Guggenheim Museum, the former industrial town of Bilbao, Spain, that was once
dubbed the most ugly city in Europe, has had a vibrant rebirth that exceeded
the townsfolk’s wildest imagination. Little wonder that it was one
of the highlights of Silver Whisper’s cruise itinerary from Lisbon, Portugal to
Southampton, England.
Our Silversea shore excursion departed the Getxo pier for a scenic
45-minute drive to Bilbao. As we
approached the city we passed through its industrial outskirts and took in the
splendid panoramic view from Mount Artxanda. A lacy iron sculpture crowns the
park from which you have a birdseye view of the Bilbao skyline and a distant
glimpse of the iconic Guggenheim Museum.
Bilbao is linked to the recreational park atop Mount Artxanda by a
funicular.
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LACY IRON
SCULPTURE CROWNS PARK ON MOUNT ARTXANDA
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