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-   -   Advice on Spain Please! (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/advice-on-spain-please-203753/)

Vivian Apr 22nd, 2002 10:54 AM

Advice on Spain Please!
 
I will be going to Madrid and Barcelona with 2 friends in May and would appreciate any help on the following:<BR><BR>1. Would you recommend taking local day tours in either cities? Also, we plan to take a side trip to Toledo, and maybe Segovia if time allows. Should we go with a tour? If so, which ones?<BR>2. Which hotel would you recommend in Barcelona - Hotel Royal or BW Hotel Regina? Both hotels have similar rates for the dates we are there. What have your experiences been in terms of accommodations and location? There will be 3 of us in the room, so size of the room is pretty important.<BR>3. We've read a lot of postings on using ATM's in Europe, and that is what we intend to use for the most part. Has anyone had any bad experience with ATM in Madrid or Spain, or with Bank of America?<BR>

julie Apr 22nd, 2002 01:58 PM

Here's one thing we found regarding ATM's and it's worth noting: If you have an account that uses a code word, (ie, something with 4 letters in it, DOWN, etc.) memorize the equivalent number as numbers is what their machine want. Also, carry a spare card in case the machine eats your card. Then you must cancel that card or wait around and try to get it back. It's easier to cancel it (so take the phone number of the VISA card company too. Yes, it can happen.

Kris Apr 22nd, 2002 02:09 PM

I thought Toledo was easy to visit on your own as a day trip from Madrid. We took a bus which took about an hour, at the time is was cheaper and quicker than the train. There's a little bit of a uphill walk from the bus station.<BR> <BR>We didn't have any trouble with the ATMs in Spain. But we did have trouble in Portugal, all of the ATMs there were linked together and none of them worked for our card (our fault not the ATMs). You shouldn't have trouble but make sure you have a backup way to get cash like knowing your Visa PIN or having a spare travelers check or cash.

cb Apr 23rd, 2002 11:59 AM

I agree that Toledo is an easy day trip to do on your own from Madrid. We took the bus to Toledo but the train back; found that the train to be more convenient to get the bus to/from the main tourist area.<BR>We also did a day trip to Segovia and La Granja, also by bus. We walked from the Segovia station to the major points of interest. Then we took a bus from Segovia to La Granja to see the palace museum with its magnificent water fountains. The palace is also walking distance from the bus stop.<BR>With a map provided by the Spain tourist agency, it was easy to find the places worth visiting.

mpprh Apr 23rd, 2002 12:10 PM

Hi<BR><BR>If you see a trip to Figueras to the Dali museum it may be interesting.<BR><BR>Or Port Legat (Dali's house) or the medieval old town in Girona.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>


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