Southern Spain - What to SEE, what to BUY - what NOT to miss
Sep 30th, 2014, 09:42 AM
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Southern Spain - What to SEE, what to BUY - what NOT to miss
My husband and I will spend 2 weeks in Southern Spain in October. We'll be in Madrid (2nd trip), Toledo, Cordoba, Seville and Granada.
I'm always interested in restaurants. We don't like fancy...we like neighborhood. Also, I would like to know what to look for in terms of buying souveniers, art, artisan items. What are your top restaurant recommendations for each as well as what to buy while there. What should we NOT miss?
Thanks!
I'm always interested in restaurants. We don't like fancy...we like neighborhood. Also, I would like to know what to look for in terms of buying souveniers, art, artisan items. What are your top restaurant recommendations for each as well as what to buy while there. What should we NOT miss?
Thanks!
Oct 1st, 2014, 07:27 AM
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What to SEE: just look into a guidebook. I think, Fodor makes them.
What to BUY: you will find souvenir shops at every corner. Every museum or other attraction has a gift shop. Browsing through the displays is part of the fun. I personally liked the hand-made items with traditional Moorish patterns most, especially the little music boxes.
What no to MISS: the big attractions - Alhambras and Cathedrals. Driving through the beautiful countryside. Ordering Spanish brandy in a bar, e.g. Cardenal Mendoza.
What to BUY: you will find souvenir shops at every corner. Every museum or other attraction has a gift shop. Browsing through the displays is part of the fun. I personally liked the hand-made items with traditional Moorish patterns most, especially the little music boxes.
What no to MISS: the big attractions - Alhambras and Cathedrals. Driving through the beautiful countryside. Ordering Spanish brandy in a bar, e.g. Cardenal Mendoza.
Oct 1st, 2014, 08:31 AM
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Robert is recommending his wife's website again 
I have always thought the guide was meant to be aimed at what they call a "Sophisticated Traveler", not someone who likes to non fancy.
My suggestions are
Granada: Morrison's - Hotel Fontecruz.
Sevilla: Manolo Vázquez http://www.manolovazquez.es/
I have always thought the guide was meant to be aimed at what they call a "Sophisticated Traveler", not someone who likes to non fancy.
My suggestions are
Granada: Morrison's - Hotel Fontecruz.
Sevilla: Manolo Vázquez http://www.manolovazquez.es/
Oct 1st, 2014, 09:23 AM
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Seville - cathedral, tour the bull ring, flamenco performance; tapas just about anywhere
Ronda - nice day trip with the white villages, sample the brandy, enjoy some sangria, wander the little towns and have a meal in a place where little or no english is spoken! (Zahara?)
Ronda - nice day trip with the white villages, sample the brandy, enjoy some sangria, wander the little towns and have a meal in a place where little or no english is spoken! (Zahara?)
Oct 1st, 2014, 09:31 AM
#6
I'd look out for linen, you can get great deals in some places.
You all know about Tapas etc and dining times in Spain? If not read up before you go. Also watch out for breakfast pastry made with lard
Also those extruded tubes you dunk in chocolate.
You all know about Tapas etc and dining times in Spain? If not read up before you go. Also watch out for breakfast pastry made with lard
Also those extruded tubes you dunk in chocolate.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 04:02 AM
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In Seville we really enjoyed Osteria L'Oca Giuliva - It is located at Mateos Gago, 9 - lovely street close to the Cathedral. Best handmade sangria of our trip!
In Granda obviously the Alhambra - I assume you have your tickets already? We ate at Restaurantes Estrellas de San Nicolas - it was our most expensive meal of the trip $$$$ but really amazing - the view was priceless!!
In Granda obviously the Alhambra - I assume you have your tickets already? We ate at Restaurantes Estrellas de San Nicolas - it was our most expensive meal of the trip $$$$ but really amazing - the view was priceless!!
Oct 2nd, 2014, 01:55 PM
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Robert, thank you so much. We used Maribels guides for San Sebastian and Barcelona and I've already printed for Southern Spain. They were a God-send and I'd recommend them to anyone headed to Spain.
Ribe: We'll sure try your recommendation; thanks.
Others: Thanks for all recommendations. I found Capas Sesania in Madrid (last visit) and bought 2 beautiful full length capes. Headed there again. I'll file a trip report after. I love the forums. thanks.
Ribe: We'll sure try your recommendation; thanks.
Others: Thanks for all recommendations. I found Capas Sesania in Madrid (last visit) and bought 2 beautiful full length capes. Headed there again. I'll file a trip report after. I love the forums. thanks.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 07:37 PM
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Also to buy, if you're into shoes: espadrilles! Really inexpensive there, so expensive here, I bought a great pair a few years ago in Sevilla and still, wear them every summer. And buy olive oil- Spanish olive oil is awesome. I went searching for ceramics in Sevilla too (one of the things I always shop for abroad) and was sorely disappointed with what I found.
In Granada I found a beautiful watercolor print near the Alhambra. Assuming that you are going to Granada to see the Alhambra, plan to do the night time tour as well as (and after)!the daytime tour- magical!
Lastly, in Sevilla be sure and see a flamenco performance at la Casa de la Memoria. Well priced, at a reasonable hour and top notch performances- my highest recommendation and one of my favorite memories (we went two nights running when we were there last, and are returning to Sevilla in May and will see them again at least a couple of times!).
In Granada I found a beautiful watercolor print near the Alhambra. Assuming that you are going to Granada to see the Alhambra, plan to do the night time tour as well as (and after)!the daytime tour- magical!
Lastly, in Sevilla be sure and see a flamenco performance at la Casa de la Memoria. Well priced, at a reasonable hour and top notch performances- my highest recommendation and one of my favorite memories (we went two nights running when we were there last, and are returning to Sevilla in May and will see them again at least a couple of times!).
Oct 3rd, 2014, 01:49 AM
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<interested in restaurants. We don't like fancy...we like neighborhood>
Casa Manolo, just behind the Parliament, is as Madrid as it gets: http://11870.com/pro/casa-manolo
In Sevilla, there are several nice neighbourhood places in and around the very local atmosphere Calle Feria up towards the Macarena Church. Also a great food market with adjoining tapas bars here. There are also lots of excellent non-touristy places in Triana, just across the city river Guadalquivir. Had a great lunch some days ago in one of the three laid-back restaurants in the start of Calle Callao, just over the Puente de Triana.
In Cordoba, there are many great, local atmosphere and affordable tabernas in "Roman Cordoba" between Plaza de las Tendillas and Plaza de la Corredera just some three hundred meters north of the Mezquita and the most beaten tourist track. http://www.cordoba24.info/tavernen/
Casa Manolo, just behind the Parliament, is as Madrid as it gets: http://11870.com/pro/casa-manolo
In Sevilla, there are several nice neighbourhood places in and around the very local atmosphere Calle Feria up towards the Macarena Church. Also a great food market with adjoining tapas bars here. There are also lots of excellent non-touristy places in Triana, just across the city river Guadalquivir. Had a great lunch some days ago in one of the three laid-back restaurants in the start of Calle Callao, just over the Puente de Triana.
In Cordoba, there are many great, local atmosphere and affordable tabernas in "Roman Cordoba" between Plaza de las Tendillas and Plaza de la Corredera just some three hundred meters north of the Mezquita and the most beaten tourist track. http://www.cordoba24.info/tavernen/
