Below you can read a summary of the last 100 messages posted to the TravelSpain
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Re: [travelspain] Spanish citizenship
Posted on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:06:36 UT
Hi Alfonso,
Congratulations - that's great. Does that mean you'll be coming to Spain to
live permanently?
If you obtain Spanish citizenship, then I imagine all bureaucratic processes
will be greatly facilitated. As a Spanish citizen, you will need to apply
for a Document Nacional de Identidad, or DNI. You should read through all
read more...
Spanish citizenship
Posted on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:32:13 UT
Roger.....hope all is going well with you and the group. Apparently
very little activity....I plan to be going this year to Spain about the
end of the summer for my usual time of 1-1/2 months and looking forward
to it.
I may (finally) be obtaining Spanish citizenship (via my parents)
and would like to know some info if you are able to provide it....the
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Madrid
Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:53:20 UT
the last few days before we're leaving spain we would like to be in
madrid. we're 2 people and 1 child.
any ideas? looking for a nice hotel in madrid, nice is important, not
fancy. meaning clean, and comfortable
any ideas would be appreciated.
thanks adi
Hi Joe,
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RE: [travelspain] Re: Madrid
Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:19:56 UT
Thanks very much for the info.
Joe
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
Hi Joe,
If you start off at the Plaza santo Domingo and walk down towards Opera, you'll pass by dozens and dozens of tapas bars, cafés and restaurants, and have plenty to choose from.
If you continue walking past Opera and towards Plaza Mayor, and then go down Calle de los Cuchilleros and towards Cava Baja street, you'll find even more.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Madrid
Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:08:38 UT
I think Rogers comments sum it up perfectly.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Madrid
Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:54:24 UT
Hi Joe,
If you start off at the Plaza santo Domingo and walk down towards Opera,
you'll pass by dozens and dozens of tapas bars, cafés and restaurants, and
have plenty to choose from.
If you continue walking past Opera and towards Plaza Mayor, and then go down
Calle de los Cuchilleros and towards Cava Baja street, you'll find even
read more...
Madrid
Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:47:10 UT
Hi folks, couple of quick questions regarding Madrid:
Where can I find the best tapas and casual dining options in the Santo Domingo/Opera/Plaza Mayor metro stop areas. Any issues bring children (10 & 14) along for tapas?
Are there any areas of Madrid to stay clear of with a family traveling together?
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Re: [travelspain] Re: looking for accomodations
Posted on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:21:36 UT
thanks sue
out of curiosity, i was in the algarve about 12-14 years ago, and
stayed at a bed and breakfast on the beach. next to it was a british
owned hotel (or a club med type) not big, but it has a pool, and
everything. i was trying to find it but never did, ever hear of such a
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Things on the Costa de la Luz (sensu lato), was: Re: [travelspain] Re: looking for accomodations
Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:38:33 UT
Hi,
On the Costa de la Luz, we've stayed in Zahara de los Atunes, Sanlucar
de Barrameda, driven through Barbate and Conil de la Frontera, passed a
rainy February afternoon in Los Caños de Meca. We have also stayed with
family in El Puerto de Santa Maria, and visited Cadiz from there. Also
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Re: [travelspain] Re: looking for accomodations
Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:28:49 UT
Hi Adi
The beach area closest to Seville is the Costa da la Luz - on Spain's
Atlantic coast. This would involve a lot less travel than going to the
Mediterranean coast.
The pictures of it show beautiful sandy beaches but I've never been
there myself and so can make any hotel recommendations. I have been to
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From Out to In, in Barcelona (Poblenou Neighborhood) (NY Times)
Posted on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:07:00 UT
June 14, 2009
Surfacing
From Out to In, in Barcelona
By LIONEL BEEHNER
A CIRCLE of young trapeze artists, jugglers and flamenco dancers took a smoking break from their practice. After refusing to be interviewed — he did not want the publicity — the pony-tailed leader of the troupe disappeared into a hangar-sized warehouse he had converted into a circus, replete with funhouse mirrors and a kiosk selling crepes.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: looking for accomodations
Posted on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:55:35 UT
thank you
its still a little far away from seville but i am looking into it.
thanks adi
read more...
Re: [travelspain] looking for accomodations
Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:14:41 UT
Hi Adi,
At Murcia province, limit with Alicante, at the inner side of Mar Menor
(Minor Sea) some self-catering apartments are offered from a family.
More info at
[link] Regards,
Aitor
Computer Concepts(e)k dio:
I've spent a lot of time and really did not find what I was looking for.
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looking for accomodations
Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:43:42 UT
I've spent a lot of time and really did not find what I was looking for.
This place looks like the place.
I am looking for a bed and breakfast or an inexpensive hotel on the
beach (not too touristy), on the South South East part of spain. any
help would be appreciated. i am going to be in seville on july 8 & 9,
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Re: [travelspain] Hotel in Barcelona
Posted on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:32:28 UT
My husband and I were there last month, and stayed at the Hotel
Pulitzer. It was well located, pretty quiet, and I thought,
reasonably priced. Friendly helpful staff. Great modern décor. Good
breakfast. Out the door and around the corner to Las Ramblas. We
were very happy. Joan Pizitz Birmingham, AL
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Re: [travelspain] Hotel in Barcelona
Posted on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:32:30 UT
It is difficult to say what the weather is like, March just gone we had
a hurricane of course so it really can be anything, cold or hot, wet or
dry I'm afraid.
Massive choice of hotels in Barcelona and early booking almost
guaranteed to get you a value rate right now as he prices have tumbled
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Re: [travelspain] Hotel in Barcelona
Posted on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:16:48 UT
I was there last February and we had pretty decent weather - around 50 - 60 degrees F and sunny. I can't really help with hotels though. I was chaperoning a student trip and we stayed outside the city in Sabadell. I would imagine though that anything near Las Ramblas would be lively at night.
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Hotel in Barcelona
Posted on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:59:16 UT
My wife and I are going to Barcelona in March '10, and we have two
questions. Is this a good or bad time to be there in terms of
weather, etc.? And can anyone recommend a good, fun, reasonably
priced hotel?
Thank you.
Ned
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:19:32 UT
In message <001b01c9e6e4$a0bd43e0$e237cba 0$@com>, Rosemary Potter
<thecatt...@btinternet.com> writes
There really is no need to buy a Spanish phone. The sims are different,
but the phones are the same. I live in Spain, and have had phones from
the UK, from Netherlands, and from Spain, all working without problems.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:47:10 UT
I have orange and its fine. coverage seems similar with all networks.
The important aspect alllways is who they are calling, where and on what
network and let that dictate the decision.
Most people have mobiles here. to use on for international calls is
going to expensive wherever you call and it would be better to use
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RE: [travelspain] Re: Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:23:14 UT
Hi
Just seen these messages. I have Vodaphone and was in Archidona near Antequera last October and whilst I could call people in the UK from my mobile, I had no success calling anyone in Spain – either to their mobiles or their landlines. The same applied in Málaga or anywhere else I was. My daughter has 2 mobiles – one was Vodaphone and the other T-mobile. She also had the same problem with Vodaphone, yet with her T-mobile ‘phone, she could call people in Spain as well as the UK. Interesting as T –mobile does not work too well in our part of the UK (Cotswolds).
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:22:50 UT
Thank you to Roger and Karen for your responses. I printed your comments for
her to take along. Katie arrived in Madrid yesterday and traveled to
Santander today where she will be living until August 1. I expect she’ll be
purchasing a phone in the next couple of days. Thanks for sharing your
expertise.
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Re: [travelspain] Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:57:46 UT
I have an Orange pre-paid card while i'm in Spain. They also have an international calling card that is pretty cheap that you buy for 5 euros. I forget how many centimos it costs a minute with it, but i got a lot of talk time out of it. Check
[link] for rates.
I would think that the best way to call home would be using an intl calling card that works on the cell phone that she buys. I would not reccomend a US calling card to use from a payphone. Think about it. Spain 6 hrs ahead of us (if you are on the east coast, more if you are out west). I see you are in Michigan, so 7 hrs? If she were to call you around 6pm your time when you got home from work, then she'd have to be standing at a payphone at 1am on the street. Not ideal. (not that it's not safe, could even be noisy). Calling from the cell phone is just more convenient and she wouldn't have to be standing up all the time and it's more private.
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Re: [travelspain] Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:02:25 UT
Hi Janet,
There are 3 main mobile phone providers in Spain: Movistar, Vodafone &
Orange. Yoigo is a 4th, slowly picking up market share.
Traditionally, Movistar has always had the best network coverage, followed
by Vodafone and Orange, but it often depends on your location, and all 3
networks always give good coverage in any town or city such as Santander.
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Cell Phones in Spain
Posted on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:31:40 UT
Hello!
My 19 year old daughter is about to embark on a 2-month study abroad program
in Santander. She plans to purchase an inexpensive cell phone when she
arrives in Spain. She flies into Madrid and then they are taking a bus to
Santander.
I'm just wondering if anyone can offer suggestions as to a brand and/or
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Sat, 30 May 2009 15:23:01 UT
I think I missed that one somehow. Nice read. thanks!
______________________________ __
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:47:24 AM
Spent a pleasant afternoon in Aveiro one November many years back. I only remember that it was colorful and the weather was great.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 18:10:14 UT
Some of us visit Spain as often as we can and think about visiting it
all the time!
John
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 17:49:55 UT
And some of us visited Iberia a number of times many years ago and now live vicariously through these posts!
Ken B
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
I think we have a mix of ppl that
a - live in the US/other country that travel to spain each year
b - live in spain year round
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Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 17:41:39 UT
A very pleasant surprise to awaken and find a number of messages
from the group after a long absence.
I have been to La Alberca (SW of Salamanca) a number of times.....my
companion participated in the English program for Spaniards there (we
also went several times to its branch near Soria). La Alberca was a
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Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 16:53:44 UT
Well, I am a partner in 'Conference Coordinator Spain' who organise
events and conferences etc throughout these different areas.
Hence the lots of travel related services etc I come across.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 15:30:47 UT
Sorry about the weather over there and the shorter than hoped for Summers.
What kind of work have you been doing these ten years?
All the best,
Brian Glynn
908 507 7694
To: "Travel Spain" <travelspain@googlegroups.com>
We actually live out here, I have personally lived here about ten
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 15:12:12 UT
I think we have a mix of ppl that
a - live in the US/other country that travel to spain each year
b - live in spain year round
c - live/travel in spain for extended periods
______________________________ __
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:50:59 AM
Out of curiosity, do most of you live in the US but travel to Spain
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Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 15:19:19 UT
We actually live out here, I have personally lived here about ten
years now, leaving the miserable UK weather behind and with no
intentions of ever going back. I must admit that the weather has
disappointed me here overall in that time, it seems the winters get
longer and the summers only really last 6 months now as oppose to the
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:50:59 UT
Out of curiosity, do most of you live in the US but travel to Spain
every year? Do any of you actually live in Spain for a certain number
of months each year?
Thanks,
Ryan
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:47:24 UT
Spent a pleasant afternoon in Aveiro one November many years back. I only remember that it was colorful and the weather was great.
You've probably read this NY Times article about Aveiro:
[link] Ken B
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 09:56:17 UT
Thanks. Yes, I've been trying to figure out how to rent of those cool striped houses for a few days, but can't find them on the internet!
______________________________ __
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:21:02 AM
We wanted to try Aveiro/Illhavo in Portugal - anyone been there?
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Re: [travelspain] Re: This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 07:21:02 UT
Hi Karen,
I've been once to Aveiro, to spend the day there - it's truly beautiful. The
houses along the seafront are a little like the houses lining the canals in
Amsterdam, and the historic centre is just as picturesque.
We didn't actually go to the beach, but the sands looked incredibly
inviting. I'm sure you'll love it.
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Re: [travelspain] This Year's Trip
Posted on Thu, 28 May 2009 01:34:14 UT
Hi John (and everyone):
Yep, time to get the conversations rolling. ;-)
Airfare seems to be lower this year, but we didn't know that it would stay this low, so we cashed in our FF miles in Feb. and got tickets. Oh well. If the airlines go under I may not have FF miles by next year, so probably good to use them.
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This Year's Trip
Posted on Tue, 19 May 2009 18:36:00 UT
Hola de nuevo amigos.
Well, here we are in Toronto and looking for some improvement in the weather for the summer. With the poor economy comes a sudden surprise from Air Canada in an attempt to strengthen travel. Toronto to Madrid direct (no more nasty transfers in Frankfurt) for $825 with all fees and surcharges included. That's a whopping 35% off last year's price. Needless to say, we have booked 2 seats.
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The Call of Gaudi (from the Washington Post)
Posted on Thu, 14 May 2009 21:55:05 UT
The Call of Gaudí
Can One Barcelona Visitor Resist The Lure of the Modernist Architect?
By William Powers
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, April 26, 2009
When the waiter placed a steaming pot of paella in front of me, my hair was still damp from a Mediterranean swim. As I savored lemony forkfuls of rice and prawn at a Barceloneta Beach area sidewalk table, Barcelona's ocher beauty simmered decadently all around me. Equally delicious: daydreams of the midday siesta to come.
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36 Hours in Barcelona
Posted on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:20:09 UT
From Sunday's New York Times:
April 26, 2009
36 Hours in Barcelona
By STUART EMMRICH
IN recent years, the once-gritty neighborhoods of Born, El Raval and Barceloneta have emerged as the new face of Barcelona — home to some of its best restaurants, bars and designer shops. You wouldn’t want to spend your entire time in Barcelona without traveling outside the boundaries of these three vibrant areas, of course, but spending a few well-chosen days among their narrow streets and shadowy alleyways will provide you with a crash course in what’s hot now.
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Re: [travelspain] Cadiz next week
Posted on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:49:04 UT
Hi Rick,
Not really sure what you're looking for, because there are of course
customs and culture that are common to virtually the whole of Spain, and
which you can really only find out about by actually living there.
If you're referring to culture and customs particular to Cádiz, then I
suggest you do some research on the following :-
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Cadiz next week
Posted on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:11:34 UT
Hey there folks,
My name is Ricardo and I am heading to Cadiz
next week to do some instruction on electrical equipment for my
company. I plan to be there for four weeks this trip with another trip
planned for later this year. Very slowly learning the language.
Seriously looking forward to the food! Would appreciate any thing on
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36 Hours in Majorca (from today's New York Times)
Posted on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:45:19 UT
March 29, 2009
36 Hours in Majorca
By PENELOPE GREEN
MAJORCAN summers are infamous for the swells they attract: the billionaires on their megayachts, the movie stars at their mountain estates. Michael Douglas has a house in Deià, and in nearby Sóller, there is an outpost of the Ashram, Malibu’s answer to asceticism, at which studio heads pay thousands of dollars a week to eat like vegan hippies. Then there’s that other summer crowd, the European lads who flood the developments that spread out from lovely, medieval Palma and make the beach scenes there cautionary tales of the evils of alcohol. During the off-season, which runs from fall to early summer, however, this mountainous, gnarled island is largely yours. Set yourself up with a rental car (there’s a lot of driving to be done on this island) and prepare to be hypnotized by ancient terraced landscapes with twisted olive trees, the tiny medieval villages and the extraordinary food and wine.
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Artistic Spain
Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:18:02 UT
The (London!) Times had a special supplement this past weekend on
Spain's artistic heritage, with features on many of the places I and
others have written about in the past few years. It's worth a look,
at
[link]
Salud
Mac
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Re: [travelspain] 36 Hours in Madrid (from today's New York Times, March 8 2009)
Posted on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:41:52 UT
Dear Ken, thanks for this wonderful itinerary. It has more than whetted my appetite for further travels in Spain. Again,thanks.
All the best,
Brian Glynn
908 507 7694
To: "Travel Spain" <travelspain@googlegroups.com>
March 8, 2009
36 Hours in Madrid
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
MADRID is once again a city for walkers. For five years, Mayor Alberto
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36 Hours in Madrid (from today's New York Times, March 8 2009)
Posted on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:54:14 UT
March 8, 2009
36 Hours in Madrid
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
MADRID is once again a city for walkers. For five years, Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón’s urban renovation project had turned much of the Spanish capital into a massive construction site. Sidewalks and roads were dug up; parts of the ring road on the city’s outskirts were buried underground. But the recession and the end of the property boom have halted much of the ambitious face-lift. The mayor has postponed a plan to reorganize the traffic and pedestrian lanes running past the Prado — a move that would have felled dozens of trees. For the moment, the city’s humanity has been restored.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Mis lugares favoritos en España
Posted on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:18:11 UT
There are so many favorite places, depending on the mood, the season, the pocketbook, the time of day. But if I had to pick one place in Spain, it would be the Picos de Europa. I love to hike, and the region is an all-time favorite place to do so.
Ken B
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:33:31 UT
I would say that you saved the least attractive parts of Spain til last
so well done.
If you don't have to stray further south than Valencia you probably
aren't missing a great deal. Of course Benidorm is Benidorm and changed
very little over the years and Alicante is still a bit of a dive as it
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Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:04:01 UT
John,
Belatedly catching up on my emails ... we had a really nice visit to
the little town of Velez Blando, west of Lorca. The castle there is
nicely restored, although the entire courtyard is missing, shipped off
to New York during the romantic era.... Outside of town are some
lovely prehistoric paintings on a cliffside. Very few visitors, so
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:50:38 UT
John,
I've been told by my daughter who studied at the U of Valencia, as did I, that Alicante is charming and busy. Benidorm is a little less intense and La Albufera is lovely. All of these are just south of Valencia, which in itself is a lovely little city which has changed dramatically over the years since my soujourn there in '67/'68. I still find it charming and very doable as well as a nice city for strolling. I'm probably a little biased since I spent time there as a student and have pleasant memories.
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Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:04:01 UT
John,
Belatedly catching up on my emails ... we had a really nice visit to
the little town of Velez Blando, west of Lorca. The castle there is
nicely restored, although the entire courtyard is missing, shipped off
to New York during the romantic era.... Outside of town are some
lovely prehistoric paintings on a cliffside. Very few visitors, so
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:21:10 UT
A giant Thank All of You, from Romania!
Frendly,
Simona
2009/2/23 Roger Warwick <roger.warw...@gmail.com>
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:15:42 UT
By the way, early trip reports from Stewart, Clara, Mac, John Zumsteg and
others, are still available here ...
[link]
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:09:53 UT
And a warm and large "Thank you" from me too. Although I haven't been to Spain for a few years now (and the exchange rate between Sterling and the Euro isn't making it any more affordable at present), the site did help considerably when I did go (5 trips between 1999 and 2005, I think).
And I still love the trip reports (Thank you Mac, Sue and all the others, whoever you are!).
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RE: [travelspain] Happy Birthday
Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:56:56 UT
I would like to thank you Roger, and everyone on this list. This group has been a great deal of help in my travel planning to Spain, especially in the years 2001 through 2003. It has also been a big pleasure for me to sometimes revert back with trip experiences and reports..
Happy birthday and many years to come!
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Re: [travelspain] Good morning everyone!
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:19:09 UT
In message <BLU137-DS730E85ED1FEAB705169F FBB...@phx.gbl>, LINDA STEPHENS
<ldsteph...@sympatico.ca> writes
Which is where I live! Well, in the countryside of Cartama, 8km away
from Coin.
Of course, you can wander around Coin itself, many interested narrow
streets and small bars.
Ronda, including the drive to Ronda. The "Snowy Mountains" are on the
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Re: [travelspain] Good morning everyone!
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:50:20 UT
It wont be very busy at this time of year so avoiding busy tourist areas
certainly wont be a problem. With that in mind I would make most of
visiting places like Puerto Banus near Marbella nd Benalmadena where the
port area is very nice and also Pueblo Park I think its called which is
lovely park with rabbits n hundreds of ducks n stuff wondering about.
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Re: [travelspain] Good morning everyone!
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:53:51 UT
From Coin, it's a little over an hour to Ronda, and then another 45
minutes to Grazalema. They are very different towns, Ronda is on two
hills (
[link])
joined by a very impressive bridge, and Grazalema is in a valley
(
[link]). Both are
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Re: [travelspain] Good morning everyone!
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:41:01 UT
Dear Linda,
Congratulations on your 30th anniversary!
From Madrid there are a lot of great places for you to visit. Here are a few: Toledo, a definite must see. It is another Spanish testament to its rich past. Avila, home of St. Theresa of Avila is quite moving especially for those who are Catholic. Aranjuez has a lovely palace and if you are a lover of the Concerto de Aranjuez it can be a nice afternoon. Further on to the west is Santiago de Campostella burial site of St. James and pilgrimage site for many millions over the centuries. And of course to the north you may want to drive up to Asturias (the Switzerland of Spain) and home to of the most wonderful cheezes: manchego and cabrales.
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Good morning everyone!
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:34:22 UT
I'm new to this travel group, so I'll introduce myself. My name is Linda Stephens and I live in Eastern Ontario in Canada. In 2 1/2 weeks, my husband and I are traveling to Spain and Morocco to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The only overseas travel that we've done so far is to England, Scotland and Ireland.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:55:00 UT
First of all, thanks are due to so many others. To Sue James and John
Zumsteg, who also administer the group, to Mac for his wonderful
travel stories, and to so many others who have contributed over the
years, your good self included Alfonso - but it's simply impossible to
name you all.
I've been living in Spain for nearly 21 years, since April 1988. I now
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Mis lugares favoritos en España
Posted on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:06:56 UT
Favourite places in Spain presents a problem - almost every new place
in Spain we visit gets added to the list.
Toledo and Segovia are somewhere near the top and so is Ubeda.
Recently, however, we haven't done as many road trips as we did soon
after the group formed but I still love planning hypothetical ones and
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Mis lugares favoritos en España
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:48:38 UT
Hola from Spain!! I am finishing up a whirlwind student trip right now. We started in France, but we did get to Tossa and Barcelona in Spain. It is the first time I've made it to this area. I will report back when I can.
Btw, I think it is *me* and not Sue that has family in Salamanca. :-)
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Re: Mis lugares favoritos en España
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:21:09 UT
Hello John
Like you, I could list favourite places at length, but I must put in a
word for Montserrat. Like Toledo, it is thronged with tourists during
the day, but stay in the hotel or one of the 'cells' for a night or
three, and the place reverts to what it always was - a glorious
mountain retreat with an atmosphere which affected even me, resolutely
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Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:02:39 UT
¡Feliz cumpleanos al este grupo! And thank you Roger for setting it
up, and also for the extremely informative GoMadrid site. I´ve really
enjoyed sending my 'letters from Spain', as it not only gives me a
record, but I hope helps others get a flavour of this great country.
Salud
Mac
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Mis lugares favoritos en España
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:29:25 UT
Dr. Gonzalez and everybody else,
That's a great idea to ask about people's favorite places, so here goes
for me:
We enjoy the smaller places (though we always spend time in Madrid or
Barcelona every trip) so our favorites are smaller towns. I really can't
put any order on these, but they're all high on our list of favorite places.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 20:47:35 UT
Thank you, Roger, for keeping it going at an often thankless task.
Ken B
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:11:49 UT
Thank you Roger for creating the group and all the others that have
contributed to the group. I just wish more of us would contribute to
make a more active group. We have/had a group of people who know and
visit Spain frequently and that can provide insights into the country
and its culture. It would be beneficial to have the opinions of those
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:07:46 UT
Thanks, Sue for the information and thanks, Roger for creating the group.
All the best,
Brian Glynn
908 507 7694
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
Hi Brian
As far as I know Roger was the instigator and continues to be the main fount of knowledge - particularly re Madrid.
Thanks Roger for nine informative years and to everybody who has contributed trip reports and chipped in with comments and questions.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:42:12 UT
Hi Brian
As far as I know Roger was the instigator and continues to be the main
fount of knowledge - particularly re Madrid.
Thanks Roger for nine informative years and to everybody who has
contributed trip reports and chipped in with comments and questions.
It's the questions that keep the group going so lets hope as the travel
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:43:51 UT
Its not my birthday is it??
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Re: [travelspain] Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:22:10 UT
To whom do we owe, "thanks" in particular for such a great concept and its execution?
All the best,
Brian Glynn
Weichert Realtors
908 507 7694
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
The TravelSpain discussion group was created on 21st February, 2000.
Happy Birthday to us all!
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Happy Birthday
Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:17:02 UT
The TravelSpain discussion group was created on 21st February, 2000.
Happy Birthday to us all!
Roger.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:06:11 UT
Hi, Mac,
I have, indeed, been reading your travel reports, not just because
they're about the area I plan to visit, but because they are great
reading. I have a friend who lived in Granada for a year and who also
loved Comares, and the villages of the Sierra Nevada. We will definitely
pick a couple to stay on our trip.
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Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:47:29 UT
Hello John
You'll have read my accounts in the past few years of travelling in
the areas you mention, but of course as always my writing is extremely
subjective. My favourites in recent times have been the Alpujarran
villages on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Near Málaga, I
really liked Comares - its views are tremendous, and the village is
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La Contraviesa
Posted on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:29:00 UT
There is a price to be paid for the plasticos: tattered shreds of
polythene line the arroyos and cling to the trees as we head up into
the high hills of the Sierra de la Contraviesa, which form a barrier
between the Sierra Nevada and the sea. They are themselves 'nevadas'
in this cold winter. Several roads lead up from the coast, all
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Re: [travelspain] Re: to salou with kids
Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:02:41 UT
unfortunately Port Aventura theme park is closed then i think
old tarragona is nice, even for non-museum kids (roman amphitheatre and forum). easy to go by train or local bus
reasonable train service to barcelona too...
----- Original Message -----
From: Marta Polanska
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
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RE: [travelspain] to salou with kids
Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:51:33 UT
I was just there in October for the Wwrld rally Championships there is a huge Amusment Park there that I am sure they would enjoy.
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
I've got two days in Salou with a 14 year old and an 18 year old on Feb. 21-22, looking for things to do. They're not big on museums. Any ideas of fun things to do? I understand the Ebro Delta is nearby - we won't thresh the place but maybe a boat ride?
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to salou with kids
Posted on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:53:53 UT
I've got two days in Salou with a 14 year old and an 18 year old on Feb. 21-22, looking for things to do. They're not big on museums. Any ideas of fun things to do? I understand the Ebro Delta is nearby - we won't thresh the place but maybe a boat ride?
Thanks,
Sam
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Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:36:49 UT
Where I live in Scotland it is a 20 mile round trip to buy anything at
all. You could get yourself a breadmaker!
On 2 feb, 11:45, Webmaster - Conference Coordinator Spain
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Between Two Seas
Posted on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:33:51 UT
The sun returning at last, we can explore Comares, led by ceramic
footprints in the steep (and slippery - ouch!) lanes and steps,
commanding views in all directions from the rather Disneyesque castle
and 5-tier cemetery, all topped by a tall Telefonica mast right in the
centre of the village. Banners and posters everywhere attest to the
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Above the Waterline
Posted on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:50:08 UT
The small village of Triana has been cut in half by water. I arrive
from Velez-Málaga to find a throng of pedestrians and vehicles
clustered on either side of 'el arroyo', normally a small dry dip in
the road, now a raging torrent spreading in all directions. Large 4-
wheel drive vehicles are cheered as they barge through, semi-
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Re: Wet Andalucia
Posted on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:29:50 UT
Hello Roger
We stayed in El Chorro a few years ago - I described it in this forum,
and also the Camino del Rey, which I ventured on to. But I read in
the local (Andalucia) local government paper just yesterday that
€300,000 is to be spent restoring the Camino. I'' believe that when
it happens.
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A Window on Arcos
Posted on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:24:20 UT
A weather window, that is. Descending through the rolling mists from
the sierra, we emerge eventually into the sunshine, reflected from the
masses of small paperwhite narcissi by the roadside. Stopping at an
Area Recreativo, Mrs Mac wanders off to inspect these and other
flowers, and I am immediately surrounded by a bevy of teenage girls.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:45:11 UT
Its just awful around the area I am in now. I am near Mojacar which in
itself is still a nice small town, mainly due to the lack of high rise
buildings and strict building regulations.
So boring here tho and ridiculous that I have to do a 20km round trip
just to buy a loaf of bread!
Cabo de Gata is quite local and popular picnic type area and also great
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:45:23 UT
Its just awful around the area I am in now. I am near Mojacar which in
itself is still a nice small town, mainly due to the lack of high rise
buildings and strict building regulations.
So boring here tho and ridiculous that I have to do a 20km round trip
just to buy a loaf of bread!
Cabo de Gata is quite local and popular picnic type area and also great
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:30:07 UT
Very glad this group is still alive. Haven't sent any messages because
didn't think the group was still active.
John & Karen glad you are still around. But, John you aren't going until
2010? I assume that Karen continues to go annually to Salamanca with
side-trips. I still do my usual (generally)....Madrid, then to coastal
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Wet Andalucia
Posted on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:19:53 UT
In message <49860146.3090...@conference-c oordinator.com>, Webmaster -
Conference Coordinator Spain <webmas...@conference-coordina tor.com>
writes
The Camino el Rey at El Chorro is quite close to us. It has been closed
ever since we arrived here, in 2001, but it hasn't stopped people from
passing along it.
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Re: [travelspain] Re: Wet Andalucia
Posted on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:08:38 UT
Im not sure you can actually do those walks anymore. It was closed off
last time I went through there.
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Re: [travelspain] Wet Andalucia
Posted on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:17:39 UT
Hi Mac,
Not too far from where you are now, is what appears to be a spectacular
gorge, "El Chorro". I've never been there, but it really looks amazing, and
especially the walk along its walls, described in this Wikipedia article
here ...
[link]
... and even better, to be seen in this incredible YouTube video here ...
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Wet Andalucia
Posted on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:06:01 UT
We're in the wettest village in Spain. I didn't know this before we
came, but people keep telling me it is so, and I only find it
astonishing that Grazalema is in Andalucia, and not somewhere in the
northwest.
This absolutely typical pueblo blanco is tucked into an east-facing
cleft in the sierra between Ronda and Jerez, and for the past couple
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RE: [travelspain] Re: Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:06:00 UT
Hi John
Have never visited Murcia or Cartagena but one place I liked which is
between Alicante and Valenice is Játiva (Xativa) which is a few miles
inland. It is a medium-sized town and is famous for being the birthplace of
pope Alexander VI (father of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia). There is a castle
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Re: [travelspain] Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:49:38 UT
We went to Cullera to the beach a number of years ago. It was ok, basically a beach town - which is what we wanted. But I do remember there being a castle at the top of a mountain.....very nifty, gorgeous views, neat old church there too. We stayed at the Hotel Sicania on Playa Raco. There is also a very pretty lighthouse at the opposite end of town.
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Traveling in SE Spain
Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:40:12 UT
Hola a todos!
Sure been quiet on this group lately...but I'm starting to plan our next
Spain trip (May, 2010) and so of course I've some questions.
First, can anybody give me some general information on the area between
Valencia and Malaga? This is the last area of Spain we haven't visited
and we plan to spend some time there. Anything specific about Alicante,
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La Costa Geriatrica
Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:35:56 UT
The huge influx of Britons into Southern Spain, first as young
holidaymakers then as retirees, has left in its wake a population of
aged and infirm expats who now need to be looked after. Yesterday we
made our first venture into deep Costa del Sol territory, Benalmadena,
west of Málaga, where a friend from home is helping his daughter, a
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Re: [travelspain] Re: On the road again
Posted on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:07:41 UT
'first message' mode on > Google Groups. Perhaps Roger could transfer it to
the 'On the Road' > thread.
I'm afraid Google Groups isn't like a forum, where you can splice and dice
threads at will.
But I believe most people have their profiles set to getting each email
individually in their Inbox, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
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Re: On the road again
Posted on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:01:45 UT
On 31 dic 2008, 14:54, mike james <mike.ja...@infomaxgroup.co.uk >
wrote:
Y feliz año nuevo to you too, Mike, (and everyone) despite hijacking
this thread (which was finished anyway). However, anyone looking for
your notice may fail to see it if viewing in 'first message' mode on
Google Groups. Perhaps Roger could transfer it to the 'On the Road'
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On the road again
Posted on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:54:04 UT
I promised to let the group know when the series "On the road again" (a
US take on Spain/food)
was on UK TV.
It is on UKTV Food (Sky 249 Virgin TV 260) starting Monday 5th Jan -
[link] mikej
PS - Happy new year everyone.
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Re: Translation help needed
Posted on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:21:41 UT
¡Dios mio!
No wonder I couldn´t understand it. Thank you, Roger.
Mac
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