Where to go in Spain for 1 week other than Madrid and Barcelona?
Sep 26th, 2010, 06:15 PM
#1
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Where to go in Spain for 1 week other than Madrid and Barcelona?
We are trying to figure out where to go in Spain for a 1 week stay in the spring. We have been to Madrid and Barcelona and loved them both, but we'd like to see something new since this will be the last time we will likely go to Europe for many years (new baby coming)! We will be traveling with a 4 month old infant so our goal is to pick one city and get an apartment for a week rather than tour around.
Hoping to find a city that has direct flights from either Paris or London (Heathrow). I prefer a larger city like Madrid and Barcelona rather than anything rural or countryside. I liked how they had stores that were open late in case we needed any emergency baby items, I know a lot of the smaller towns the shops close up earlier. I loved that the El Corte Igles was open until midnight on most days with a grocery store in the basement that had wipes, diapers, etc. We don't have tremendous criteria, most importantly that it be safe, although we felt safe in both Madrid and Barcelona so I guess that's subjective. I like a place that has great shopping and my husband really likes a variety of live music., but other than that we're open if anyone is passionate over some great Spanish town!
Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hoping to find a city that has direct flights from either Paris or London (Heathrow). I prefer a larger city like Madrid and Barcelona rather than anything rural or countryside. I liked how they had stores that were open late in case we needed any emergency baby items, I know a lot of the smaller towns the shops close up earlier. I loved that the El Corte Igles was open until midnight on most days with a grocery store in the basement that had wipes, diapers, etc. We don't have tremendous criteria, most importantly that it be safe, although we felt safe in both Madrid and Barcelona so I guess that's subjective. I like a place that has great shopping and my husband really likes a variety of live music., but other than that we're open if anyone is passionate over some great Spanish town!
Any suggestions? Thanks!
Sep 26th, 2010, 06:50 PM
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If flying from Heathrow or Paris, you can fly into Bilbao for the week. Bilbao has remade itself as a major business and tourist destination and offers some of the best cuisine in the Basque country.
Sep 26th, 2010, 07:09 PM
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I second Seville and will also suggest Grenada. Both are smaller than Madrid/Barcelona, but have a lovely feel to them, and you could easily take a week and visit both. Flamenco and other traditional music performances are offered in both places.
Sep 26th, 2010, 09:20 PM
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I just watched a lovely Rick Steves video on Sevilla, that looks right up our alley, great suggestion! So, now I have to ask a silly question please forgive me...I'm a first time mom, and this is a little nerve wracking taking a little baby overseas, is Sevilla a safe place to tour around with a baby? Is there a good hospital close by? Pharmacies etc? How small of a town is this? I can't really tell from the video! I know I am being paranoid, but like I said this is our first child and while hubby and I enjoyed going to exciting fringe places before when it was just us, I'm trying to stay very mainstream with a baby! Am I being totally paranoid?
Sep 26th, 2010, 10:57 PM
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Sevilla has 700,000 inhabitants. So it's not exactly a small village in the middle of nowhere.
Climatewise, it's a good choice for spring (gets very hot in summer), while other destinations like the North are perfect (also) in summer. So if you want to see the "Moorish Spain", world-class sights like the Cathedral, and maybe an easy day trip to nearby Arcos de la Frontera, spring is the best time to go.
I cannot make a qualified comment on traveling with small children, but you will find the same "density" of pharmacies etc. in Sevilla as in Barcelona or Madrid. Pharmacies also carry "emergency" toiletry items and not only prescription drugs. So if you need some baby oil, you don't need to run all the way to a supermarket. Supermarkets tend to stay open late until at least 9pm.
Climatewise, it's a good choice for spring (gets very hot in summer), while other destinations like the North are perfect (also) in summer. So if you want to see the "Moorish Spain", world-class sights like the Cathedral, and maybe an easy day trip to nearby Arcos de la Frontera, spring is the best time to go.
I cannot make a qualified comment on traveling with small children, but you will find the same "density" of pharmacies etc. in Sevilla as in Barcelona or Madrid. Pharmacies also carry "emergency" toiletry items and not only prescription drugs. So if you need some baby oil, you don't need to run all the way to a supermarket. Supermarkets tend to stay open late until at least 9pm.
Sep 26th, 2010, 11:44 PM
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Hello!
I am not sure you can compare other cities to Madrid and Barcelona considering that they are the two major cities in Spain however i suggest you give Sevilla a try. Lots of sunshine, culture, history & art all placed in one setting. You can also travel around Sevilla and visit Cordoba or Cadiz.
Another Option i would suggest is Valencia It’s not as big as Barcelona but more provincial and cozy.
Enjoy your trip!
Lifestyle Barcelona
I am not sure you can compare other cities to Madrid and Barcelona considering that they are the two major cities in Spain however i suggest you give Sevilla a try. Lots of sunshine, culture, history & art all placed in one setting. You can also travel around Sevilla and visit Cordoba or Cadiz.
Another Option i would suggest is Valencia It’s not as big as Barcelona but more provincial and cozy.
Enjoy your trip!
Lifestyle Barcelona
Sep 27th, 2010, 04:15 AM
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Sevilla is wonderful, just came back from my third visit in three years. The Spanish are known for being extremely fond of babies/children, so I wouldn't worry about that. Excellent health services. Seven hospitals in town.
But one thing if you go next spring, note that between 17th and 24th of April and 30th of April and 9th of May, the city is in big celebrations. Sevilla has got one of the world's most famous easter celebrations, and one week later starts the Feria de Abril (Spring fair). On both occations, the city would be turned upside down. Great emotion, party etc and perhaps the best time of year to go. You would be in for an experience for life, but be prepared.
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/home.htm
http://www.spanishunlimited.com/spai...riadeabril.asp
This site is great on Sevilla:
http://www.exploreseville.com/
San Sebastián (pop 180 000) in the Basque region is another excellent option. The food capital of Spain, fascinating culture, Belle epoque architecture, some of the best city beaches in Europe etc. The article "A different kind of Spain" gives you an idea of my favourite city on the planet:
http://marshlands.blogstream.com/
75 mins by bus from Bilbao airport.
But one thing if you go next spring, note that between 17th and 24th of April and 30th of April and 9th of May, the city is in big celebrations. Sevilla has got one of the world's most famous easter celebrations, and one week later starts the Feria de Abril (Spring fair). On both occations, the city would be turned upside down. Great emotion, party etc and perhaps the best time of year to go. You would be in for an experience for life, but be prepared.
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/home.htm
http://www.spanishunlimited.com/spai...riadeabril.asp
This site is great on Sevilla:
http://www.exploreseville.com/
San Sebastián (pop 180 000) in the Basque region is another excellent option. The food capital of Spain, fascinating culture, Belle epoque architecture, some of the best city beaches in Europe etc. The article "A different kind of Spain" gives you an idea of my favourite city on the planet:
http://marshlands.blogstream.com/
75 mins by bus from Bilbao airport.
Sep 27th, 2010, 04:22 AM
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Giulia,
Just wanted to give you an apartment idea for Seville - ideally located in the center of the Santa Cruz neighborhood (a two minute walk to either the Cathedral or the Alcazar):
http://www.barriosantacruz.com/apartments/
Just wanted to give you an apartment idea for Seville - ideally located in the center of the Santa Cruz neighborhood (a two minute walk to either the Cathedral or the Alcazar):
http://www.barriosantacruz.com/apartments/
Sep 27th, 2010, 09:03 AM
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I'd love to be there for the April fair or Holy Week, but I think April would be too hot for me, I was overly warm in Rome last year in December! Sadly I run very, very warm, around 55 degrees with clouds is my perfect weather! I'm not overweight, I just run really hot, call it hormones! I think Seville is going to be a good option for us. My plan is to fly from either Heathrow or Paris into Madrid and take the fast train to Seville. I heard it's about 2.5 hours, not too bad.
How far are day trips by train to Cadiz and Cordoba?
How far are day trips by train to Cadiz and Cordoba?
Sep 27th, 2010, 11:20 AM
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It would be cheaper and faster to just continue flying through to Seville - especially if you connect in Madrid. The extra costs (if any) for the extra leg is much less than new train tickets.
Cordoba and Cadiz are about equally distant from Seville.
However, Cordoba can be reached via the high speed AVE whereas Cadiz would require taking a slower (regular) train.
Seville to Cordoba via the high-speed AVE train - about 45 minutes one-way.
Seville to Cadiz via the slower, regular trains - about 2 hours one-way.
Cordoba and Cadiz are about equally distant from Seville.
However, Cordoba can be reached via the high speed AVE whereas Cadiz would require taking a slower (regular) train.
Seville to Cordoba via the high-speed AVE train - about 45 minutes one-way.
Seville to Cadiz via the slower, regular trains - about 2 hours one-way.
Sep 27th, 2010, 03:53 PM
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I kind of liked the idea of taking the train from Madrid because of all the stuff we'll be hauling with us, ie stroller, car seat, baby, etc. The idea of going in and out of security with all that stuff sounds terrible. ALso thought about staying in Madrid for a few days. I'll definitely check into flying all the way through, thanks for the tip!
Sep 28th, 2010, 06:53 AM
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Absolutely Sevilla. Rent a place right near the Corte Ingles. ( I love their supermarket!). Anytime you get the chance to go to a Spanish town during one of their festivals you must go. You will never forget the experience. Nothing in the world compares to Sevilla, not even Valencia. April will not be too hot. Now if you were going in July or Aug I would say San Sebastian.
