lol

Hello,
Our trip originally planned for spring 2009 has been pushed up to this December. My husband and I have ten days to spend in Europe in time for Christmas and New Year. Spain is definitely on top of our list, we’ve been there before on honeymoon to Seville, Barcelona and white villages. When we were planning for spring we had Madrid, Cordoba, Granada in mind, Is this still a good plan? This is our first trip without the kids, and probably the only one for a few more years to come, and we want to make it memorable.
All help is appreciated.

Thanks a lot

zeppole

I think the Alhambra, especially if you book at the Parador, is one of the very most romantic destinations I've been to in Europe. But I wasn't there in December, so I don't know what the gardens are like, or whether that hill gets very chilly.

Cordoba is marvelous, and I love Madrid, especially it's fabulous museums, but I don't know about the weather or how romantic in feeling it is for others.

Were it me, I would at least think about Girona and some near-coastal towns in Catalonia, on either side of Barcelona, preferably staying paradores and skipping Barcelona itself. Or other Spanish destinations that are historic, provided the weather is reasonably good that time of year. (In coastal Catalonia, toward France, there can be freezing high winds in winter.)

amsdon

lol,


Maribel had recommended this hotel in Granada. I have not personally been there but at Maribel's suggestion I recemended it to friends who just returned and they loved it.

http://www.alcubilladelcaracol.com/index_fr.htm

zeppole

PS: I didn't mean to imply you should do Catalonia instead of Granada. I would combine the two if possible.

A trip constructed around high-end paradors in warm parts of Spain might be wonderful, but you'd have to book early if you want that Christmas/New Year's slot, I would think.

amsdon

By the way lol, I guess we need to know what your interests are & the idea of a perfect trip would be for you guys.

Arts, Music, museums, castles? sights? Nature? Hikers?
Fine dining? Adventurous?
Romance????? Slow travel? Lots of action? What is your age? How long of a flight is it for you?
And lastly budget?

Aleta

Beware of holidays as you make your plans.
A few years ago, we spent a delightful 24th of Dec in Madrid, flew to Barcelona on the 25th and found practically everything closed for the next 3 days! So check specific sites to ensure they will be open.

lol

Hello all,
thanks for all the great ideas.
Amsdon, we are flying from Cairo, Egypt so it is a short flight to Madrid (about 5 hours). we are both interested in food, culture (less of museums and more of heritage), and scenery. I also love walking. we are both 31 and like to savour things. Our perfect idea of a trip is to drive around between quaint villages and beautiful landscape savouring food and culture. we have a somewhat open budget for this trip. the highlight of our honeymoon was a week spent in ronda which we used as a base to visit the white villages at a leisurly pace. I like to idea of parador hopping in Andalucia, are there some paradores that are extra special?

Thank a lot guys

zeppole

Certainly the parador in Granada is special. It's outstanding. It's right inside the Alhambra.

You can browse the paradors online from their catalog. Do a google search. Most of them are historic properties, and 4 and 5 star accommodations. They are gorgeous. And their restaurants, serving local cuisine, are often highly rated.

"Castles in Spain" are legendary for a reason.

Madrid's museums are fantastic. And there are beautiful places to stay. The Spanish love swank and sophistication.


Have a great trip!

lol

Since we are slow travellers, i am thinking 3 places in 10 days, madrid, granada, and another base in andalucia from which to take day trips. the question is which of these places should we spend new year's eve in?

snorkelluvn

Take a look at the parador in Carmona, like a castle in a wonderful old city that isn't overrun by tourists, a short trip from Seville. Parador-hopping sounds great!!!

amsdon

I have not been during the holiday though. Have you tried doing a search specifically for that?
The past trip reports have stated that Madrid & Seville are much more exciting and festive at the holiday time (and loud) & the paradors were much more low key, although that could be a good thing too.

Also it depends if you will end the trip with a bang for New Years or will you have a few days for the relaxing to unwind? The exact timing with Newyears might determine the order. Better hurry though.

The New Year Eve in Madrid with all the crowds and the eating of the 12 grapes at Puerta del Sol could be a lifetime event, I would do that
unless you hate crowds, but then make sure you have a nice quiet hotel room since Madrid is a loud city in the first place. But should be exciting then.

You could Segovia and some of the surrounding area too. In the past reports we got inspired and went to Pedraza de la Sierra which is lovely and quaint but quiet during the week. Hospederia de Santo Domingo is where we stayed and it was great. http://www.hospederiadesantodomingo....estrohotel.htm

If you like history I would say Segovia & Toledo, which are easy from Madrid. I also liked the Granja Palace especially and would recommend spending some time visiting there. It's close to Madrid & Segovia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Granja_(palace)

As for the Paradors I also agree w/ snorkel especially if you can take advantage of the Amigos discounts or the specials for staying more than two nights.

I know there is a thread on favorite paradors here on fodors.

Here is just one of them, but I know Maribel has a list out there of her favs..I couldn't find it just now. Can someone help us with that?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

Revulgo

Pack a good coat, Granada is very chilly in winter.