Divya123

Hi Guys,

have planned a a 10 day trip to Spain in November (19th November to 29th November)

This is my itinerary. Aside from the obvious things to do at these places - Please suggest other fun things I can do at these places or things I can see, places to go, places to eat etc.


Nov 19th - Fly to Madrid
Nov 20th - Reach Madrid Early Morning -explore the city
Nov 21st - Explore Madrid
Nov 22nd - Day trip to Toldeo
Nov 23rd - Day trip to Segovia
Nov 24th -Take train to Seville - explore Seville
Nov 25th - Explore Seville
Nov 26th - seville to Granada - spend a day here
Nov 27th - Continue exploring Granada/Malaga
Nov 28th - seville to Cardoba /Osuna
Nov 29th - Fly to NYC

Since i am traveling by myself, I want to know if I should do those group tours or its ok to be out and about by myself ? are there any places where I should reserve before I go ?

Do I carry Euros from here or exchange them at Madrid airport when I land.

I am nervously excited. and have so many questions.

It would be great if you guys can pitch in with your suggestions.

thanks,
Divya

kja

I've traveled to all of these places except Malaga and Osuna as a solo female traveler -- no problems! Actually, I'm firmly committed to solo travel as I find it a great indulgence -- I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. What a luxury!

I trust you realize that this is an extremely ambitious itinerary. FWIW, I spent more than twice as long to visit these places, did so when the days were MUCH longer, and traveled HARD. You should be able to see some wonderful things, but you would do well to think through your priorities in advance so you can use your time to best advantage.

I would strongly encourage you to get a copy of either the Rough Guide or the Michelin Green Guide (or both), or consult them at a library -- they are IMO the best of the more than 1/2 dozen guidebooks I used for my time in the area. And that's the ONLY way you will be able to figure out what YOU want to see and do. We can all tell you what WE liked, but ultimately, that info really isn't worth much as your interests might be VERY different.

The most important advance reservation that I know of for these areas is the Alhambra. FWIW, I generally recommend at least 2 nights in Granada for anyone who wants to see the Alhambra. I recommend a day-time visit, starting as early as you find reasonable. During the day, you can visit the entire Alhambra, but you will do so with MANY others, so be prepared for crowds. (FWIW, the audio guide met my needs.) In the evening, you can visit the magnificent Nasrid Palace (only) with just a few other visitors. I found it absolutely magical! Since I was there, I believe the Alhambra also offers evening visits to the Generalife, and if I had the chance, I would snag one of those reservations, too! Do be aware that advance reservations for the Alhambra are critical -- make those reservations ASAP!

Also, note that many things in Spain are closed all day Monday, most or all of Sunday, and for a prolonged midday meal. If there are specific things that are a priority for you, make sure they will be open when you will be able to see them.

Good luck!

janisj

>>Do I carry Euros from here or exchange them at Madrid airport when I land.<<

Neither. Leave your money in your checking account. Then use your ATM card to get €€ as you need.

If you just want to land w/ some € in your pocket you can always buy a few at your departure airport. But don't overdo it. Just maybe €100 or so to get your through the first day or two.

pariswat

Excellent advice above.

No need to be nervous - excited yes.
Limit the cash you carry.
Some banks have fees that are higher than others
Check and tell your bank you are going abroad some will block your payments in fear your card was stolen.

Enjoy Spain !

kja

The OP asked, and janisj answered, ">>Do I carry Euros from here or exchange them at Madrid airport when I land.<< Neither. Leave your money in your checking account. Then use your ATM card to get €€ as you need.

I agree -- sort of!

The last time I was at Barajas (May 2015), an ATM "ate" my credit card -- no card, no cash! And it was a Sunday, so there weren't any people I could get to help. SO first and foremost, Divya, be sure you have a back-up ATM account and card. I did have backups -- but was afraid to use them under the circumstances (maybe I was just being paranoid), and so paid a ridiculously high conversion fee to withdraw cash from a credit card at one of the MANY currency conversion desks in the airport. (So take heart, Divya -- you will have other options!) I withdrew just enough to manage until I could use an ATM at a bank during open bank hours (so if my card got captured, there would be someone right there to get it for me). I faced no further difficulties with ATMs while in Spain, but also never again tried an ATM that wasn't attached to an open bank. Had I known the potential problem in advance, I would have converted some money to euros before starting my trip -- but then I have easy access to a relatively low cost conversion service through a credit union to which I belong, and not everyone has that....

bilboburgler

great advice from kja as usual, perhaps a bit too much but since both visits from Madrid will be on public transport, easy to cancel

kja

bilboburgler wrote: "great advice from kja as usual, perhaps a bit too much"

Thanks, I think -- I hope you meant that the OP's plan included, perhaps, a bit too much -- not that my advice was a bit too much? Not that I would change my advice.... ;-)

pariswat

It is always wise to have several cards.
with accounts in different banks .

Btw the American Express card is making a come back in france. It is being accepted more widely.

janisj

That is true/good advice -- I <u>always</u> have at least one back up ATM/debit card, and some trips two back ups. (I have accounts w/ several banks).

If you only have one account you can get a second card.

I also always carry at least two credit cards -- usually 3.

bilboburgler

kja, nailed it

joannyc

janisj, Chase is my primary bank. They would not give me a second ATM card for my account (I am the only person on the account).

I took a few thousand out of that account and walked a couple of doors down to Cap One and opened a second account there. I now use the Cap One account for all my foreign ATM withdrawals as they reimburse me any bank withdrawal fees.

suze

For money, I get some at home by ordering from my bank (not the best deal but I like to have local currency when I arrive).

Then use your debit card at an ATM as needed.

I also carry USD and keep that stashed just in case of emergency.

Is there a reason you are moving around so much? Only 1 day in Madrid? With "day trips" every day.

I travel solo and if I were leaving soon and doing this trip, I would seriously cut back the list of places.

I like to just walk around new cities. Get a good map. Start at your hotel. Venture out.

Take the business card from your hotel, and have taxi fare in local currency, so you can always get back "home" if you get lost or find yourself too far away from where you started.

Mimar

Keep in mind the days are relatively short in November. On November 20th in Madrid the sun will rise about 8:00 and set about 6:00. So it will be dark for all the nightlife: dinners, flamenco, etc.

Christina

I"ve traveled alone to Spain several times, it's perfectly safe to do so where you are going. You can do group tours if you find them well-priced and perhaps saving time/trouble for you over doing iot yourself, of course. But you can do all those things on your own. I don't see a real natural one you might do a day tour for (you'd have to find mentions on the tourism website or your hotel or tourist information booth, etc) because it would be efficient.

I would knock off one of your day trips from Madrid and spend at least another day in Madrid. But it's not wrong, of course. Just doesn't leave any time for Madrid. I enjoyed both Toledo and Segovia a lot, but would regard Segovia as the more minor destination, if you wish.

The one thing I do not understand is your trip to Granada, an overnioghtstay, and then you talk about another trip FROM Seville. What's going on here? Why would you go back to Seville only to do a day trip to Cordoba from it? Or maybe cardaba is some other place I am not familiar with. If it is Cordoba, why wouldn't you move from Granada to Cordoba?

IMDonehere

We like to take some Euros with us, just we can clear customs and get to the hotel. As noted on another topic, people spend $1,000's on a trip but fret over an extra $4 to get Euros in the US.

No one can assure another's safety any where. But we have been to Spain many, many times and my wife and her sister, then 74, walked the 500 mile Camino without incident.

Just be aware of your surroundings and keep your purse and camera near.

You have to go out of your way, not to have a wonderful time in Spain.

Also learn a few basic phrases in Spanish. The Spanish are very forgiving about their language being spoken by foreigners and will appreciate the effort.

kimhe

Two tips for a solo traveler in two of your cities:

Madrid:
Have tapas in some of the many great tapas bars in and around Calle Cava Baja, just off majestic Plaza Mayor. Start with Casa Revuelta, as genuine as it gets, and end up in Txirimiri, will give you an idea why the Basque Kitchen is considered the finest in Spain:
Revuelta: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
Txirimiri: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html

Sevilla:
See flamenco in Casa de la Memoria right in the heart of the city. No food, no drink, just flamenco. Popular with tourists, but only top of the shelf artists. A great intro to this powerful and beautiful art so important for Sevilla and the region. http://www.casadelamemoria.es/

EYWandBTV

A few ideas:

1. You're moving around a lot in a brief trip. Perhaps eliminate one or two places and spend a night in Toledo and three nights in Seville. Suggest two nights in Granada. With only one night, you will need to plan your visit to the Alhambra very carefully; it has complex rules for access in order to limit the crush of people wanting to visit this amazing complex. For the places you are visiting, the historic centers become very atmospheric, and you can begin to get a little of the feeling of these places.

2. Money belt money belt money belt. Always.

3. Re cash, ATM, etc: We have a different take on this. We bought a few hundred dollars worth of euros, kept them in a money belt. This way would could sail right through the airport, hop the express bus to downtown Madrid, and not worry about finding an ATM machine in our jet-lagged frame of mind.

4. Two different bank ATM cards a good idea; as a single traveler, not fun to be stuck with no cash or ATM access. As mentioned already, be sure to tell your credit card banks that you are going to Spain for specific dates; otherwise, they may block your transactions.

5. Since you are visiting so many places, with little time in each place, you really need to do your homework on what is in each place that you want to see. Read good guide books. Rough Guide and Rick Steves each have clear city maps which indicate the locations of restaurants, train station, etc. I go to Kinko's, photocopy these maps with the enlarge button so they are 150% bigger, then circle what I want to see in red and the routes from my hotel. Otherwise, you will step out of the train station in a city like Seville which is loaded with great attractions and spend your short time figuring out what is where.

6. Have fun! We just got back from our first trip to Spain and are already planning our next one.

Divya123

Thanks so much GUys !! this is amazing feedback ..

Yes I do realize this is an ambitious itenary, but then I do know I will come back to Madrid sometime in future. hence 2 days this trip.

Also, Osuna and Malaga I can skip if I do not feel like it.

I have booked myself for 4 nights in Madrid out of which I launch 2 one day trips to Segivia and Toledo and 5 nights in Seville out of which I launch a 1 day trip to Cradoba and 1 day trip to Granda. If I need to spend a night in Granada, I will book a hostel there and then.

I appreciate all the places and cafes and restairants mentioned. I do have the green guide but its so much to read. @Kja mentioned that things are closed on monday. Will I be able to visit the Alhambra on monday ?

I am still in the porcess of writing down what I wnat to see at each place and where I want to go. Yes, I want to have lots of spanish food, see the flamenco, thanks for the amazing suggestion @kimhe.

I reach Madrid at 6 30 am. and would like to have my euros with me. Check into my hostel and leave for the day to roam around Madrid.

And if last minute I feel I need to skip a place, I will, since I am booked for 4 nights in Madrid and 5 nights in Seville.

It would be great if I can get more suggestions on where to eat and if I can get to see bullfighting ?

Thanks again you guys !!!!

Divya

Bedar

Granada is not a daytrip from Seville so plan to spend at least one night there. No, you won't be able to see a bullfight. It's not the season for that.

Divya123

Thanks a lot ! It would be great if someone can provide me with great cafes /restaurants and places to eat, drink at the places I have on my itenary. I will also go through my green guide and start making a thorough list

Thanks,
Divya