Originally Posted By Lisann22 I went to Spain when I was 18 with my grandma to visit family. Well, she visited I sat quietly and tried to listen to their rapid fire proper Spanish. My family is from Avila, it's about 1 hour outside of Madrid. I didn't really get to see anything other than Avila and a day in Madrid. My mom and I plan to go back in 2008. We are going to go for 14 to 20 days, still trying to decide. My trip has three purposes: 1. To go back and see family. We do not have hardly any family left from my grandma's side of the family here in the States so I want to make sure I keep my relations with my family in the old country. 2. To go to Sevilla and do some artifact reclamation work for my tribe. 3. I want to be a tourist and sight see the Southern region. We'd like to spend some time in Madrid, Avila, Toledo, Salamanca, Granada, Arcos and smaller towns. I know it's a lot we will be skipping around a lot. I'm trying to decide whether to go partly with a tour group and partly on my own or just on my own. Anyone with any experience traveling in Spain? Ideas, suggestions, hotels, must see's? Of course, I'm doing my research and I have my own must see and do list but I'd like to hear from others if they have anything to share.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel The Basque region is beautiful along the coast line and yet near the mountains.
Originally Posted By DAR Here's what I know <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdKQRs5nvgc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =VdKQRs5nvgc</a>
Originally Posted By ilvdland If you can wait until my friend gets back from Spain on the 20th (she leaves tomorrow morning) I could have some answers for you!
Originally Posted By friendofdd Never having been there, I've had to make this up out of whole cloth, but here is my list of main attractions. <a href="http://www.alltravelspain.com/Spain/Destination_Guides/Top_Attractions.htm" target="_blank">http://www.alltravelspain.com/ Spain/Destination_Guides/Top_Attractions.htm</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lisa, don't miss Barcelona. To me, this is the most beautiful and vibrant city in all of Europe! Great country side, architecture, cuisine, museums. Wonderful. Madrid is great and Granada is a do not miss. Tours are fine to get you around, but they rush you around everywhere and you never get a real flavour. If you speak spanish (can I assume a yes?), then I would definately do it on your own. Have a fantastic time! Viva Espana
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Barca is nice. While everyone speaks Spanish, keep in mind that Catalonian is the official language. So things like train schedules, etc., are in Catalonian. Catalonian is similar to Spanish. IMO, it looks like a cross between Spanish and French. Also, people in Barca refer to the Spanish language as castellano (as opposed to español), as in "no hablo catalan, pero si hablo castellano"
Originally Posted By LuLu Ooh, very cool, I'm excited for you! I have only a teensy bit of experience in Spain - Hubby and I went on a 2-week Italy tour 18 years ago, to which we added 3 nights in Spain and 3 in Paris. I planned to spend 2 nights in Madrid, but disliked our hotel and just didn't get into Madrid. We left a day early so we spent 2 in Avila, which we loved!! How cool that you have family there! Have you read the book Iberia? That's what really piqued my interest in visiting Spain. It would be a good thing to read before your trip.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I'm busting at the seams today. Everyone is going to be sick of hearing from me about my trip. A lot has happen since I posted this thread and I'm very excited. I know for a lot of LPer's going overseas is not real biggie but this is really a dream come true for me. I dreamt as a little girl that maybe I could possibly go back to the country my grandma was from and spend time there. I never really imagined it to be true. Nor did I ever imagine my passion for being Indian would lead me back to my first dreams. Today is my goddaughter's eleventh birthday and I surprised her today by telling her she is coming too. She is as thrilled as me. She is very involved in our indian culture, she does presentations with me, she is a dancer, singer and basketweaver. She makes jewelry, is learning our language and just an overall sponge. When my grandma was alive Lula would sit out on the swing with our grandma asking her questions about Avila and Spain. Talking to her for hours about it all. Lula wants to be a travel photographer. She gets the significance of our trip and she was stunned and excited to find out. So depending on a few things we are either going next April or October. I'll settle that in May. Sorry Dave, I just couldn't do it all. Barcelona didn't make the cut. Reason is I found out I have a cousin who owns a bar and grill downtown in Madrid. I have family in Avila AND Salamanca. So we are going to be busy. Day 1: Fly to Madrid Day 2: Land in Madrid in morning Day 3: Madrid Day 4: Madrid/Drive to Segovia in late afternoon Day 5: Segovia Day 6: Drive to Avila Day 7: Avila Day 8: Drive to Salamanca Day 9: Salamanca, drive back to Madrid - train to Toledo Day 10: Toledo Day 11: Train to Cordoba Day 12: Train to Sevilla Day 13: Sevilla Day 14: Train to Granada for day Day 15: Train to Arcos/Frontera/Ronja Day 16: Train back to Madrid in morning Day 17: Fly home Whirlwind tour, I know!
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan I spent a month and a half in Spain about 9 years ago. (9 years??? YIKES!) We did about 17 cities....but spent the most time in Madrid. Anyway, I don't remember many details, just the big picture. We would get cafe con leche twice a day....in the mornings and again in the afternoons. I loved having the time to sit and enjoy the atmosphere wherever we were. Plus we had nothing to be responsible for except our packs....unlike vacations to Disneyland today were we have to keep an eye on our kids. (Which I am glad to do!) Anyway, I LOVED Segovia. Our hostel was near the roman aqueduct which was amazing to see, and the alcazar was beautiful too. I bought black and white drawings of the castle and aqueduct which still hang on my wall today. We were there in July, which was during a festival where we saw some beautiful flamenco and other types of dancing. I am assuming you will visit the Alhambra in Granada.....a great place to walk around! I still remember La Mezquita (the mosque) in Cordoba being very beautiful. I can't remember much about Sevilla except there were shoe shops everywhere. In Toledo I bought some beautiful black and gold jewelry that is especially prolific there. I do remember eating some wonderful sea food in Southern Spain. Is Ronja the same as Ronda? I hiked a beautiful gorge there, saw some roman ruins, and bought a VERY COOL - very large rug that was a huge pain to ship home, but very worth it. I agree with the poster who talked about Barcelona....it is an amazing city to visit. But since you seem to be concentrating on the south, you'll just have to get up NEXT TIME!!! Have a WONDERFUL trip!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Thank you momofbuzzfan. I've very interested in seeing Segovia and Toledo the most. Yes, we will go to the Alhambra. Yes Ronja, is Ronda. I get my languages crossed sometimes. LOL
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No worries Lisa, great excuse to go back. Your itinerary sounds great. I hope you havea great time. And who knows, European LPers have been known to pop up around the continent. Sarah's never been to Madrid before. Perhaps an LP spanish meet could be in order.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling LOL @ posts 3 & 4! Regrettably I have no advice so, as usual, I'm no help at all. lol. But I did want to say this sounds like a GREAT trip and I love how excited you are! And you goddaughter too! She sounds like such a great little girl. What a wonderful experience this will be.
