Aqua_8502

Hi -

I'm just venting out of SHEER FRUSTRATION!!! My husband and I are going to Spain for a week in January. I know this is a cold time of the year to be there and that it is a short period of time to be there, but that is what we have. I've read three guide books, went back to message 1500 on this board of topics that looked like they would apply, checked out MadridMan.com etc., etc.,

I cannot figure out where to go! There's so much to see and the days will be short and the weather will be cold. As soon as I've got one itinerary figured out it seems like there's just so many cons or reasons it won't work.

We're flying in and out of Madrid - tix already purchased (via skyauction). We don't really like big cities - live in ATL now and want to get away from chaos. We aren't huge art aficiandos. We're looking for small environs, good food, maybe having on or two "bases" for day excursions.

If you choose to reply, please be kind - I'm already at the point of ripping out my hair and probably just need to get away from the travel planning for awhile and then come back with a clear head! By the way, we travel all the time and I've never hit such a "block" before. Maybe it's that other than Scotland I've never been to Europe.

Thanks for listening!!!!!

degas

Just go to Seville and be done with it. You can do a couple of daytrips from there. The weather might not be too cold and its a small town. The more options you get the worse you will feel.

TopMan

I kinda agree with Degas, particularly if you don't like large cities and aren't particularly into art museums such as the Prado, etc. Although I have to say that "large cities" in Europe can be somewhat different than "large cities" in the US. Plenty to do in and around Seville for most folks.

Anyway, if you want to rail it you can be in Seville from Madrid in a couple of hours using high speed Ave trains. BUT, you might look into flying from Madrid to Seville which when all is said and done might be easier.

I also agree that you'll probably get a jillion suggestions as to where to go (you've already gotten two but at least they are the same!!!) so prepare for a possible onslaught.

mamc

I agree with the suggestion to go to Seville. It is a wonderful medium-sized city with lots to do. If anywhere in Spain is mild, Seville has a pretty good chance. You can easily take a day trip to Cordoba from Seville.

miguelgcuadra

Yes, there is lot to see and do, but you do not have to see and do everything...
SEVILLA is a great suggestion, as advised earlier. BARCELONA is kind of small too, and many things to do there.
Just find out of what is available in MADRID, start walking the city , if you encounter an attraction, go for it if you feel like doing it...IT IS YOUR MONEY AND YOUR TIME..
You do not have to do what people do..do what you want TO DO .. sometimes I travel and only feel like walking around the city..and am very happy with that...

Infotrack

You may find Madrid to be colder than you prefer, as it is at a fairly high elevation.

Check out the ANDALUCIA (Andalusia) region ... southern Spain. Seville is in that region, as are many other very interesting cities, white-washed villages and sites.

Temps will be warmer and you will have a great time.

--Marv

lincasanova

straight from the airport you could take a taxi to a hotel in alcalá de henares, birthplace of cervantes, the writer.
it is a very quaint university town, world heritage site, with a few porticoed walking areas, lots of storks and nests on every single steeple top ( and there are many), and numerous buildings to admire or go into.. churches, museums(archeology), etc.
nice restaurants and low key all the way.

from there you can take train to madrid, or on to next city which might be toledo (also accessible by taxi from the airport as first stop if you prefer, at much more convenience and not much more expensive than trains and exchanges and frustration. you can be IN TOLEDO practically by the time you get to madrid station!!)

toledo is not big, and has a nice feel to it. used to be the capital of spain. good restaurants and some very nice hotels . you can find great recommendations here.

after toledo.. rent a car and go to sevilla.. stopping at almagro, cordoba and carmona on way. perhaps stay at the parador in carmona for small town elegance .
you might want to detour before almagro to consuegra, a castle on hilltop flanked by several windmills. very impressive on the don quijote route, and worth the detour.

wherever you go, the scenery will be very unique and you will enjoy your trip, i trust.

there are so many options, but this way you will be going south, which might bring you a bit of warmer weather, without missing the beautiful sights on way. it is a very easy drive... don't worry about that.

drop car off in sevilla and take AVE back to madrid. the tour bus in madrid is quite nice, and if you had a night there, worth the ride, especially at night. go to the plaza mayor, down to some of the caves for some wine and tapas. take in a flamenco show ...
go finish your stay with a drink behind the opera facing the royal palace lit up at night. bundle up and ride on top of the bus to get the best views.

i would go to your public library and get out a guide book or two to read up, and you could photocopy the pertinent pages.

Aqua_8502

Many thanks to all of you for your speedy replies. You are helping me to clarify what it is we can do in our limited time frame. I guess I felt somewhat stuck trying to figure out how not to miss any of the important sights in Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and on and on knowing if (when) we go back to Europe it will probably be to another new country.

We usually go "tropical" which entails laying on a beach and maybe wandering into town for a day or two. Europe is such a new type of experience for me.

I appreciate all of the advice and thank goodness it's been pretty consistent!

Thanks again

NEDSIRELAND

For just one week in January I wouldn't move around very much. Madrid, for example requires about 3-full days to do the Palacio Réal, Museo del Prado the Thyssen Bornemitza Museum, the Centro de Arte de la Reina Sofia and all Madrid's outdoor Marvels (Sunday AM in el Parque de Retiro, for example).
Even if you're not big art enthusiasts, you will be captivated by el Greco's Burial of the Conde de Orgaz at the Church of San Tomé in Toledo; Picasso's Guernica at the Reina Sofia or Goya's La Pradera in the Museo del Prado.

Goya also did many of the Tapestries that hang in the Palacio Réal.

Add a day for Toledo and another for Segovia and maybe you will want to dedicate a half day for shopping. Your 1-week is just about 'shot!'

Once, wife & I took the 7:30 AM AVE to Sevilla: arrived in Sevilla at 10:00 AM and spent the day touring Sevilla. We caught the 8:00 PM AVE back to Madrid (where we were staying with some relatives). There's a 25% discount on 'same day return.' The next time, We'll forego the discount and take the 7:30 PM AVE to Sevilla, have supper there and then a Tablao Flamenco until about 4:30 AM at which time we will go to Estación Santa Justa for breakfast and the first AVE back to Madrid.

artlover

I too agree with degas. While Toledo and Segovia are great places, in January you will probaby have better weather-wise if you head south. You could do a day trip to Cordoba too.