I’ve literally just swung through the front door, bottle of Rioja and wheel of manchego cheese in hand. I’ve a suitcase full of laundry parked up in the hall. Extremely stylish laundry, naturally, but laundry all the same. I’m just back from a week-long road trip through Spain, amigos (and amigas, for my female readers – you didn’t think I’d forget you, did you?)

From the Atlantic Coast to the Mediterranean via the Pyrenees – Bilbao to Barcelona – the Guggenheim to Gaudi – Basque to Catalan. Incredible. If you’ve read about my Italian road trip, you’ll know I’m a man who likes to drive, and a man who likes to travel. This was a sensational trip – you have to try it. Here are my top tips for a road trip through northern Spain, which has it all. You can read Miss H’s sports cars for women tips here and her travelling tech tips here if you want to set off in style.

Why Northern Spain?

• For one, because everyone else goes south. True, Barcelona is amongst Europe's most popular cities, but the rest of the trip will mark you out as someone in the know.
• It's great for those with a short attention span - it's  hugely varied. There's the Basque country with Bilbao at its heart on the northern coast, the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast via Pamplona and the tranquil mountains of the Pyrenees. You can say 'oui oui' and traverse the French side or 'arriba arriba' to the Spanish side. You're in charge.
• Spain remains one of the cheapest places in Europe right now.
• It’s easily achievable within a relaxed week – you’ll total little more than 800km. Plus you can claim to have 'done' Spain coast-to-coast, Atlantic-to-Mediterranean. So crucially there are bragging rights at stake here.

Bilbao and San Sebastian

The Basque country is a small region bordered by La Rioja to the south, the world-famous wine region, and the rugged coast to the north peppered with beaches. It's decidedly different from the rest of Spain - they speak their own language even. The city is home to the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum housed in one of Europe’s most iconic buildings.

East along the coast less than two hours drive away is San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque). There are three great beaches in the heart of town: Playa Ondarreta, Playa de la Concha, and the extremely popular surfing beach of Playa Zurriola. You can be surfing in the morning, eating tapas at lunchtime and shopping in the afternoon. Which is exactly what I did.

The food here is, put simply, astounding. It has amongst the highest Michelin-starred restaurants per person in Europe. Dinner is enjoyed late here – after 9:30pm – and standing up in tapas bars. Try the counter-top dishes along with incredibly reasonably priced wines. Local dishes include piquillo peppers stuffed with bacalao (salted fish), along with ‘txakoli’ (pronounced 'chakolli') – a slightly sparkling local white wine. There's also ‘cidra’ – a cloudy, dry Basque cider. Service is extremely efficient, prices reasonable and the atmosphere always lively.

Eat at (almost anywhere, but particularly):

• Nagusia Lau for rosé wine with salmon on bread: Calle Mayor 4, Tel +34 943 433 991
• Bar Martinez for Rioja red wine with their mushroom towers: Calle 31 de Agosto 13; Tel +34 943 424 965
• El Lagar for sit-down dinner and some of the best food in town at a reasonable price: Calle Zabaleta 55, Tel +34 943 320 329
• Mil Catas for the mind-blowing truffled egg mash with chips: Calle Zabaleta 55, Tel +34 943 320 329 (it’s next door to El Lagar)
• Oiartzun Gozotegia for their pastry and coffee breakfast: Igentea 2, Tel +34 943 426 209

Stay at the Hotel Londres right on the beach – doubles are around €150 a night. Sadly there are few bargains here, but you'll want to be near the old town.

Pamplona and the Pyrenees

Two hours away, Pamplona is the home of the ‘San Fermin Festival’ in early July, better known as the ‘running of the bulls’. I like to call it an interesting distraction from the local bars. And I know which one's more dangerous. The writer Ernest Hemingway loved the place. It still makes a great day trip en route to the Pyrenees.

A further two hours away in the stunning Pyrenees scenery lie the tiny towns of Boltana and Ainsa. The 5-star Monasterio de Boltana in a converted monastery is a superb spot. Opt for a villa room with private parking and lounge – rates for a double can be as low as €70 a night. Your companion will be suitably impressed - provided you don't tell her what a bargain you've landed. Avoid their restaurant and head to the medieval hilltop village of Ainsa for dinner. Try Bodegas del Sobrarbe on Calle Plaza Mayor 2, Tel +34 974 500 237 for their underground vaulted restaurant with well-priced food.

Barcelona

A further two hours drive is Barcelona, one of the most popular city-break destinations in Europe. If you're travelling with your buddies, this is the party town you've been looking for.

See the port area around Barceloneta which hosts a world-class beach; the works of architect genius Antoni Gaudi, particularly the Casa Battlo and the work-in-progress La Sagrada Familia.

Wander the Gothic Quarter, El Raval and Las Ramblas and head to the Olympic park at Montjuic or the Park Guell for the best views in town.

Stay in the eastern parts of the Esquerra de L’Eixample district. Most tourists will head for Las Ramblas. You now know better and will leave them to it. The Hotel Balmes has a great location near the pavement cafes of the Passeig de Gràcia, a swimming pool and underground parking (around €24 per 24 hours) for around €110 a night for a double. Resist the urge to bring everyone back to your room. Or the pool. 

Eat breakfast at Cornelia & Co near the hotel on Valencia 225, Tel +34 932 723 956 - it has a modern feel to it like Dean & Deluca in New York. People-watch over lunch in El Raval at Bar Lobo on Calle Pintor Fortuny 3, Tel +34 934 815 346 and dine al fresco around the Passeig de Gràcia – the tapas at La Cerveceria Catalana on Mallorca 236, Tel +34 932 160 368 is legendary, though expect queues. On hot evenings, round things off with an ice cream at Häagen Dazs on Passeig Gràcia 59, Tel +34 934 877 571. You've earned it.

You can read my top tips to book a holiday here and hit the road next week if you want - I booked the lot three days ahead. Now, if only dealing with laundry were that easy. Wait, actually it is. Poor Marie, she's not going to enjoy all that ironing.