Help with Spain trip?

Well, after going back and fourth with going to Europe this year, we decided to just go for it. My DH dream is to go to Spain. He took a lot of Spanish classes in college, just to learn the language well, so he could travel there. We wanted to wait till 2008, but my DH thinks we should go now, since anything could happen in the next two years. (Baby!!) He feels we are young and now is the best time. Trust me, I feel the same. We don't own a home yet and no kids. An apartment is fine for me right now, so why not!!

So my question is, has anyone ever gone and stayed in Madrid, or Seville. We were thinking a tour company. Or just booking hotels on our own. We were going to take a cruise, but DH really wants to stay in Spain. Not just visit for a day or two.
Any Suggestions will help, Thanks!!!

Message edited 11/16/2006 8:58:12 AM.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

If you really want to see and "experience" Spain I wouldn't do a tour. Go to a travel agent and book hotels on your own. There is a great tour book, Let's Go Spain (or you can get Let's Go Europe) that is geared towards younger travelers. Madrid and Seville are both beautiful cities! Good luck!

Re: Help with Spain trip?

I suggest just buying tickets for those open top bus tours when you get there, they are such a great way to see a city! We took one around Barcelona and it was great!

Re: Help with Spain trip?

We did three days in Barcelona and three days in Madrid...they were both easy to get around in and there were lots of tour buses you could take tours out of (the hotels were helpful in that).

I have to say that while Madrid was nice, Barcelona was beautiful and one of my favorite cities in Europe.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

Re: Help with Spain trip?

I lived in Seville for 13 years.

I think it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You will find it is a mixture of European trendiness along with the folkloric, traditional Spain you think of when you hear flamenco music or see a poster of a bullfighter.

The best way - as a tourist - to get from Madrid to Seville is to take the AVE - high velocity train. It is quiet, clean, comfortable, fast, and you get to see the countryside. You'll pass miles and miles of olive and orange groves, small towns, and montains.

I can help you with hotels, restaurants, tours, whatever - I was a tour guide there for a time. FM me if you want details and with any specific questions.

Madrid is beautiful too - I would also try to get to Granada to see the Alhambra - soon to be named one of the 7 modern wonders of the world.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

I am in LOVE with BArcelona.

I never EVER wanted to leave

Re: Help with Spain trip?

Loved Madrid, it is so beautiful. Barcelona was nice too, but DH and I liked Madrid better. However, the gothic district in Barcelona has so much caracter. I wouldn't take a tour either. I much prefer to explore on my own. Venere Has a lot of good hotels with reviews. Then you could compare them against Fodors Forums and Trip Advisor.

Good luck and enjoy the Tapas. I have to research back and give you the name of this great place DH and I went to for lunch in Madrid it was right around the corner from the Prado.

Message edited 11/18/2006 7:28:17 PM.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

I just got back from a trip to Madrid and Barcelona. I liked Barcelona but LOVED Madrid. Some things I loved in Madrid (since thats where you were thinking of visiting)
- the Prado was wonderful
- try to take a day trip to Toledo, it was honestly my favorite thing on the trip

We stayed near all of the Museums and the big park ( the name is escaping me) but liked the location, could walk to ALOT and the subway was really close..the Atocha Station I think it was.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

I've been to Madrid twice and I really liked it. I agree with another poster about going to the Prado. I really like the artwork there.

I'm not a fan of tour groups. I'd rather research a city, buy some books on what to do there, and just venture out on my own. I think you get a better feel for the area by doing that. That's just my personal preference though. Have a great time. Spain is beautiful.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

I lived in Madrid while in college for a summer, took the AVE to Sevilla and also traveled to a bunch of other cities (Toledo, San Sebastian, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Ibiza) using bus, train, car and airplane, so if you have any questions, please ask! Don't do a tour - it is easy enough to do on your own.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

Have fun! I love Madrid! it is really a metropolitan city with such charm! and you can take a TON of side trips from there (Toledo being GREAT - especially if you like marzipan or swords )

but Madrid also has so much old world charm as well - like the kings palace and the plaza mayor.


barcelona was a lot of fun too. great picasso museum (rivals the paris one) and all the gaudy architecture is incredible! Look into the ritz there - I was surprised at how relatively inexpensive it was

Message edited 11/30/2006 5:07:30 PM.

Re: Help with Spain trip?

Well we all offered her advice - anyone hear back from the OP??