Below you can read a summary of the last 100 messages posted to the TravelSpain
discussion group. If you're interested in participating in these discussions about travel in Spain, why not join our group? Just
enter your email address in the box below, click OK and you'll be on your way to Spain in no time!
Guernica
Posted on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:12:05 UT
First there was the barbarous atrocity, the first of many. Many.
Then there was the painting by Picasso. I have seen it, in the Reina
Sofia museum in Madrid. But now I feel I must take another look.
And now there is the book. Dave Boling's 'Guernica' is of course not
the first book about Guernica, but it's the first historical novel
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Alto Alentejo, Unsung but Not for Long (NY Times)
Posted on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:05:45 UT
Ken,
Thanks for posting this link. We visited this area 10 years ago,
including a stay in Marvao, and liked it better than any other place
in Portugal we visited (but we didn't see much of Portugal, so we have
a limited perspective). We've always said that we'd like to return and
visit this area more, and this article makes us want to do that even
read more...
Alto Alentejo, Unsung but Not for Long (NY Times)
Posted on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:13:03 UT
November 8, 2009
Next Stop
Alto Alentejo, Unsung but Not for Long
By ROBERT GOFF
IN 2002, Doug Smith was bored. Korakia Pensione, his Mediterranean-style boutique hotel in Palm Springs, Calif., that attracted a celebrity crowd like Annie Leibovitz, Gore Vidal and Brice Marden, pretty much ran itself. Mr. Smith was looking for a new project — a grand fixer-upper in an exotic locale — where he could show off his well-honed style and settle into a life of rustic ease with his new wife, Josie.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Cádiz
Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:19:24 UT
Good idea, Tom; thanks. We'll definitely look into doing something
like this.
John
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Cádiz
Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:27:58 UT
We had a pretty nice stay in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. We did stay in a
modern hotel, but found the sea food at the mouth of the Guadalquivir
pretty good. There is a nice interpretive museum. The boat trip into the
Doñana leaves from Sanlucar. We also happened to be there for the
return from Rocio which was interesting to watch. You could stay in
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Cádiz
Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:20:03 UT
Thanks, Mac. We haven't figured out where to stay in Cadiz yet. The
parador is closed for a two-year restoration (much needed, from what
I've read) and we're not great fans of the modern paradores, anyway.
The hotels in the old city proper do not seem to have very good
recommendations or reviews. Maybe we'll stay somewhere out of town,
read more...
Re: Cádiz
Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:22:14 UT
On Oct 19, 2:22 am, John Zumsteg <jzums...@DirectionsConsulting .com>
wrote:
Hello John
I've been trying recall something of our stay in Cadiz, which was
before I started my letters to Travelspain, but all I could turn up
was a postcard of the (as usual) rather basic hostal we stayed in, and
read more...
Spanish Menus
Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:32:44 UT
I think we should start a collection :-)
[link] [link] There's some nice ones from other countries in that series as well.
read more...
Cádiz
Posted on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:22:58 UT
Hola a todos!
We're starting to plan a trip to Spain late next year -- never too early
to start planning!
We want to spend a few days in Cádiz, both to see that city and some of
the surrounding area. Does anybody have a hotel recommendation for
Cádiz? Or restaurant recommendations? Suggestions for things to do and
read more...
RE: [travelspain] Re: spain football tickets
Posted on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:21:14 UT
Took the AVE/Avant high spd service a couple of weeks ago from Chamartin to Segovia. Trip was about 23 minutes ea way. Cost about 52 euros for 4 folks via walk up sales agent. It worked out very well. Bus #11 from train station to centre of Segovia took longer!
Joe
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
read more...
Re: Easter 2010 in Madrid
Posted on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:30:19 UT
About those religious processions. They are really worth it. The
museums of Madrid are terrific, but the religious processions of Holy
Week are also fascinating and deeply Spanish (although I haven't seen
any in Madrid, only in the south).
Holy Week is extremely busy in Spain with lots of people traveling.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: spain football tickets
Posted on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:11:33 UT
Hi, there is no AVE to Segovia but with a normal train it shoukdnt take too long to get there aasit is relatively close to Madrid. With AVE it is nice to book ahead to get a better price but not necessary but you end up standing in line.
As far as tipping, it is included in your bill but you could leave a little extra if you had great service.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: spain football tickets
Posted on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:52:20 UT
Joe....Madrid to Segovia prob only one hour or so by normal
train.........not sure if AVe does that service anyway, but prob 5
times dearer by AVE, last week I travelled Sevilla-Madrid by AVE in
2.5 hours, good service for longer distances
read more...
Share your files with the Travel Spain group (if you want)
Posted on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:24:18 UT
Google has just announced a change to the way it handles shared documents:
[link] This means that if any member wants to share a calendar, spreadsheet, Google
site or document with all the other members of the Travel Spain group, they
simply have to add the group's email address instead of all the members'
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Easter 2010 in Madrid
Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:13:48 UT
Easter Thursday and Friday are normally public holidays in Madrid, and some
museums will be closed (for example the Prado is closed on Good Friday).
Others, however, will stay open (the Thyssen museum webpage mentions nothing
about being closed during Easter week).
Taxis and public transit will be fine (although there will be a small
read more...
Re: [travelspain] bicyle or cart rental
Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:57:08 UT
I was in barcelona in february. There were bikes all over the city. They have a system where you can rent a bike in one part of town and drop it off somewhere else. Check this part of their city web page
[link]
______________________________ __
read more...
Easter 2010 in Madrid
Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:36:52 UT
I was thinking of taking a escorted tour of Spain which begins in
Madrid. I was planning on arriving a day or two early to explore
Madrid on my own but that would mean arriving in Madrid on Thursday,
April 1st which happens to be the beginning of Easter weekend. Will
the museums, restaurants etc be open on the Thursday and Friday? What
read more...
bicyle or cart rental
Posted on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:12:24 UT
Know of good places where I can rent bicyles, carts or similar devices in Barcelona? Looking for fun things to do with teenagers.
Thanks,
Sam
read more...
AVE & Tipping
Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:01:21 UT
Joe,
1. The AVE doesn't travel from Madrid to Segovia, only a regional train. You
can catch it at 4 of Madrid's stations: Atocha, Recloteos, Nuevos
Ministerios or Chamartin.
2. For general tipping info, I recommend you read the info on this page:
[link]
read more...
RE: [travelspain] Re: spain football tickets
Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:28:53 UT
Hi folks, I have a couple of quick questions that you can hopefully answer:
1) If I want to travel from Madrid to Segovia high speed via the AVE, it is my understanding I would pick it up in Chamartin. Is this correct? Also, are walk up purchases for the AVE readily available without the need for reservations?
read more...
Re: [travelspain] spain football tickets
Posted on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:32:55 UT
Hi Sam,
I do not know these I'm afraid but that does not mean it is not
legitimate of course. They are not a Spanish company.
One established website that I do know is
[link] <[link]> tho I don't
read more...
Re: [travelspain] spain football tickets
Posted on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:42:33 UT
This is the ticket section off their official website.
[link]
______________________________ __
To: travelspain@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 11:47:21 AM
I am visiting Barcleona and would like to buy tickets to a football (soccer) match. Found a site called SpanishFootballTickets: [link]
read more...
spain football tickets
Posted on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:47:21 UT
I am visiting Barcleona and would like to buy tickets to a football (soccer) match. Found a site called SpanishFootballTickets:
[link] Does anyone know this site? Are they legitimate?
And by the way, I'd welcome other suggestions on how to order online.
Thanks,
Sam
read more...
Madrid Market Bustles Again (NY Times, July 26, 2009)
Posted on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:26:28 UT
July 26, 2009
Heads Up
Madrid Market Bustles Again
By SARAH WILDMAN
ON a recent morning, before the midday sweltering heat had settled on Madrid, a statuesque fashion model clad entirely in white, her hair pulled tight and high into an elaborately wrought bun, posed with a bountiful head of lettuce in front of a fruit stand so beautiful it looked to be a still life. An elderly woman pushed forward past her, eager to get some tomatoes and move on to the next stall, photographer be damned.
read more...
Madrid Finds Its Own Marais (NY Times, July 19, 2009)
Posted on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:41:16 UT
July 19, 2009
Surfacing
Madrid Finds Its Own Marais
By ANDREW FERREN
NESTLED among several of Madrid’s busiest boulevards — Gran Via, Princesa and Alberto Aguilera — quiet little Calle Conde Duque forms a picturesque frontier between the city’s chaotic 17th-century center and its just slightly more spacious and orderly 19th-century districts. Lately, the street has also become an important beachhead for international design, providing a tranquil oasis of stylish boutiques, friendly cafes and outdoor restaurants just steps away from the blaring horns and big box stores.
read more...
Strolling Pamplona Without a Bull in Sight (NY Times, July 12, 2009)
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:19:29 UT
July 12, 2009
Next Stop
Strolling Pamplona Without a Bull in Sight
By LIONEL BEEHNER
I SNAGGED the last seat in the daily post-siesta ritual of musical chairs at the Café Iruña, a Parisian-style spot once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, and settled in for some of the best people-watching and pinchos nibbling in Spain. The Iruña sits on the Plaza del Castillo, once a bullring and now the buzzing nucleus of the northern Spanish city of Pamplona. Children skipped rope next to a gazebo, older men in berets chain-smoked, backpackers wandered and gawked, and clusters of hipsters mingled and gabbed on cellphones.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: looking for accomodations
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:19:02 UT
hi everyone
just came from hotel elimar, you can yahoo it and they have their own
website. Not too many non-spanish tourists, we really enjoyed the area.
we were in a city call rancon de la victoria, (something very close to
it, its about 5-8 km east of malaga on the southern part of spain.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:37:36 UT
Here's an extract from my trip report from our trip to Madrid in September 2002 (can it really be that long ago?)
We enjoyed a glass of something in the Cafe de Oriente in the square between the theatre and the royal palace one evening, and noticed that it had a wonderful deli attached to it in the side street (Carlos III). We had planned to be here the next day anyway, so bought a wonderful 'self-select' picnic form the sandwiches, rolls, pastries and cakes. The whole lot were beautifully wrapped on a board and off we went to sit under the trees of the square amongst the sleeping siesta people with our books (we are great readers) and our picnic. Wonderful.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:14:33 UT
That is now on my list of "next trip to-do's"!
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:09:42 UT
Hey, we've got a theme going here: lunch trips!
Here's one I love, which can even be done on the bus: Madrid to Chinchón
(Number 337 bus from Plaza Conde Casal), suckling pig for lunch in the
picturesque square, the local variety of anisette liqueur called Chinchón as
digestif, and back to Madrid by evening.
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:04:07 UT
My first trips to Spain were business trips to Madrid,and the people I
worked there with loved to go to Duque's in Segovia for lunch. We'd
leave Madrid about noon, drive to Segovia, have a huge meal, walk around
the town for a bit, then drive back, arriving back in Madrid at 8
o'clock or so. A long way to go, but worth it!
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:57:40 UT
I do Malaga - Valencia, paella and back in a day by car already! Perks
of the job haha
read more...
AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:33:59 UT
(My apologies, but I'm sending this message again because I accidentally
deleted it from the group's webpage)
El País announced today that the high-speed AVE train will link Madrid and
Valencia by the end of 2010 and Madrid to Alicante in 2012:
[link]
read more...
Re: [travelspain] AVE to Valencia
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:36:07 UT
We'll be able to go from Madrid to Valencia, have paella and return in a
day!
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Car Ownership in Span
Posted on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:29:25 UT
That is almost correct but not quite. The age of the allowed driver can
differ depending upon the car and the level or insurance that you may
take out, My own (Spanish) car actually is insured for any driver over
35 I believe.
Personally I have been happy with direct line, yes the same direct line
read more...
Car Ownership in Span
Posted on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:11:55 UT
I am cnsidering buying a car in spain and leaving it for long holiday
breaks...... I know that for older cars one has an annual ITV cert for
roadworthiness......I believe that the insurance goes with the car and
that anybody over 25 with a license can drive it ... is that
correct? ... any recommendations on insurance companies ....costa
read more...
Re: [travelspain] Re: Madrid
Posted on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:20:12 UT
I agree. It also makes it less difficult for children/teens to transition to appropriate adult behavior. :-)
I leave Tuesday. Can't wait.
Karen
______________________________ __
To: Travel Spain <travelspain@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 5, 2009 12:24:58 PM
Joe,
One of the great things about Spain in general is that they don't
read more...
Re: Madrid
Posted on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:24:58 UT
Joe,
One of the great things about Spain in general is that they don't
carry the hangups American's have about separating out adult
activities and children's activities. You'll see a lot of families
together, hanging out in bars or public spaces that would be "adult
only" in the USA. It's really invigorating and makes you realize how
read more...
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,
read more...
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.
read more...
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?
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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,
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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).
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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?
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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 :-
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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>
read more...
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]
read more...
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!).
read more...
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!
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
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.
read more...
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.
read more...
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
read more...
More Information
about the TravelSpain Group here
