A Great Private Guide
 

Last August I was on my way to a wedding in "nowhere" Spain and had a day to kill in Madrid before meeting up with my relatives.

Having been to Madrid before I was looking for something different and fun. Through a friend I was introduced to Kelly O'Donnell, a private guide who covers all of Spain and Portugal. She's a lovely lady from the Chicago area who fell in love with Spain and has been there for the last twenty years. We talked and agreed a plan that should be titled "24" after the TV show. It would last exactly 24 hours.

I arrived at Madrid's Barajas Airport about 2pm and she was waiting for me. We got the bags, loaded her car and drove into Madrid, with her carrying on an ongoing commentary about things we were seeing and things I might be interested in doing.

After dropping my bags at the hotel (HOTEL ZENIT ABEBA ****) and off we went -- to the subway.

We'd agreed that the "old city" and things not routinely on a "see Madrid in one day" would be our itinerary.

We started at the "0 Kilometer" marker in Plaze Mayor and she never stopped explaining, telling, regaling, and pointing out the sites and sounds. AND, the best part of all, I never had to stop and pull a map from my pocket or ask for directions. I felt totally immersed in the city.

We continued on through the Plaza Mayor and to the bodegas underneath. From there on I was thoroughly lost but the commentaries never stopped.

As evening turned into night, as agreed, I was dropped at a restaurant, had tapas and beer for dinner, and eventually grabbed a cab to the hotel. Kelly would have escorted me but by then I felt comfortable enough to ride a cab home.

9am the next morning and she's waiting for me in the lobby and "anything special you want to see?" Like the Prado, the Palace, or do you want suggestions? I opted for "something relaxing". So, again the subway and walking around the outside of the Palace. Then, on to the Retiro, Madrid's largest park. Being a weekday it wasn't very crowded and is a joy to just wander around.

Eventually the clock caught us and it was back to the subway and the hotel. Bags in the car I was at the airport at 2pm, just 24 hours after arrival.

Without doubt, had I attempted it on my own I wouldn't have seen or learned so much. AND, I wouldn't have had someone with me who is so knowledgable, attentive and friendly.

I found touring with Kelly to be much more like spending time with a friend who wants to show off her city than just hiring a guide.

In hindsight, I should have booked her for the week I had after the wedding. She's equally capable from Lison to Sevilla to Barcelona. It would have been well worth it.

I highly reccommend contacting her if you're headed to that part of the world. Contact is:

Kelly O'Donnell
[email protected]

Where exactly is "nowhere" Spain?

Curious how you found this site to post here. I see you have no history as a poster?

The OP did give a trip report, which should count in his/her favor.

ira, yes, but nothing came up now when I clicked on the name? Is it the engine not working?

Kelly sounds nice, but the only thing that comes up for awestin, or Kelly O'Donnell, is a single entry for "A Great Private Guide" with a yahoo.com email address. This kind of posting is always a little suspect.

For a trip report, it is rather...well-focussed.

Yo awestin: The only reason why I care is that we have alot of posters who have contributed so much here for several years and have places and services for rent but when I posted them it was deleted. So I guess, I'm suspicous for first timers promoting a place or service. If you are sincere , I'm sorry but please respond :)

Do we really NEED the "poster police" on this site?

I think it is useful to draw attention to posts that might be misleading. I have a useful tendency to scepticism, and am not very often taken in; some other people are more trusting, and if questioning a post makes them cautious, then some good may have been achieved.

I read with interest the comments on my attempt to give some well deserved praise to professional tour guide.

Firstly, "nowhere Spain" was Talarrubias. For me and the groom's family it was a 4 hour drive west from Madrid. Ok, we got lost. Aside from the wedding there are few if any reasons to go to the town.

Secondly, until I planned my trip last summer my experience with Fodor's has been at the bookstore. The internet is easier, faster and cheaper. You need only look at the header on the home page and you'll see the word "talk". It's doesn't take a rocket scientist to find one's way here or figure out what do. I simply felt Kelly deserved some applause.

Finally, for those who may question my validity, I'll be happy to send you the kodakgallery pics from my 24 hours in Madrid, the wedding, and as a special bonus, the 5 days in Istanbul followed by a final 2-day layover in London (ok, I really like "really ale").

If it helps, my email is [email protected]

Andy Westin

ps Because someone will ask, I met Kelly O'Donnell through her dad. I'm a nurse and was taking care of him. I was asking everyone "what should I do when I go to Spain" and he told me to talk to his daughter. The rest is history.

OOPS That's "real ale" and I really like it.

Just bookmarking for my next trip to Madrid.

Sorry, but I find this post about this "great" tour guide that takes you around by subway somewhat odd. Did you need a tour guide for what you did?

Oh come on people!!! Stop picking on poor Andy. I can so understand someone coming back from a great experience such as that and wanting to share the experience and the recommendation to other like minded people.

We have a saying downunder "Just get off your high horse" for a bit and accept the post for what it was - well intentioned.

Ira - where's your lightbulb? :)

In Madrid the subway is the only transport you can trust how much time is going to take. I prefer the bus, but though they are trying to enforce its own bus lane, many times buses get stuck in awful jams.

re the subway, the tour we did was a "walking tour". The subway was appropriate and given the location of the hotel, in a delightful Spanish neighborhood, it was perfectly sited. We rode it for all of 6 stops. Using the car, fighting the traffic and parking would have been less than wise.

Plus, Kelly got me a big discount on the hotel room and didn't take a commission on it. My price through Kelly was 15 euros under the best internet price, including breakfast.

And, "why hire a guide?" I suppose I could have done as I have done before and taken the time to research the history of Madrid, the interesting things, where they are, memorize a map, remember when things are open/closed, etc, etc. I had 24 hours, not a week. Thusly, a guide made excellent sense.

Kelly sounds just exactly what I am looking for when we go to Madrid next October. Could you send me your pictures [email protected]

Also do you mind me asking how much she charged for the 24 hours?