Hubby and I are thinking of "doing Spain" by a tour company. We've "done Europe" many times, and have always self-planned our 3 week adventures. However, we're actually thinking of letting the experts show us Spain. We'd like to meet up with the tour company there rather than here, as we have plenty of FF miles for our own flights, and we'd like to end up "doing Portugal" on our own. If you have experience with a certain touring company and would like to share it with me, I'd be eternally greatful.

ttt

I can't help you with a company, but I do just want to mention that our favorite part of doing Spain was living like a Spanish person. Maybe it is because their lifestyle fit ours so well, but we really enjoyed sleeping in a bit, doing a site, having lunch, taking a nap, doing more sites and having a late dinner. It was all so relaxing. I would be worried that a tour company would take the relaxing away.

Why are you considering a company? What benefits are you hoping for? We've never used a company so I'm curious at what they can offer.

I stayed at a hotel where a Spain & Portugal Rick Steeves tour group stayed for a couple of days (Madrid). I have never taken a tour, but was impressed with their schedule. Furthermore, the Hotel they stayed in Madrid was an excellent choice; not the typical huge, impersonal, not centric, corporate hotel. I would recommend based on that. Tour group seemed well taken care of.

Hi mkdiebold

We used a company called LemonValley Holidays (see link below). They have organised and tailor made tours available. Based in Andalucia the company is very efficiently run by two British girls.

The always give a selection of type of hotel to chose from and we decided on their 'Character Hotels' and were not disappointed.

We made our own way to Malaga and they arranged everything from the moment we arrived there i.e. transfers, superb information guides specially produced for you and your trip, train travel, hotels, tickets, entry to the Alhambra in Granada etc etc.

Check out their testimonials. Find them here at:-

http://www.lemonvalleyholidays.com/

They specialize in Andalucia but they may also create something to your specifications.

joe

Thanks so much for your help! To answer kelliebellie, we are considering a tour "in order to determine if we want to do future tours." That might sound really silly, but we'd like to continue traveling internationally, but hubby is 68 and I am 61. Not sure how many more times I want to do all the planning! Besides that, the last trip was to Paris, and we enjoyed the company of 2 other couples. We discovered an added joy having companionship. Granted, these folks were good friends and easy to be with, but we're friendly enough ourselves and believe that we could enjoy the company of others on the tour. So, that being said, we're "thinking" of taking the leap and signing on with a tour.

Thanks Viajero2, for sharing your impression of the Rick Steves tours. I've looked at their info for Spain, and have decided it's not a fit. However, I'm open to Rick Steves and appreciate all the work he has done to encourage European travel.

Joe4212...will definitely check out LemonValleyHolidays. Your personal recommendation is exactly what I was looking for from the forum folks. Thanks again!!

Well that sounds like a very reasonable reason and realistic expectations.

Can you sort of pre-screen the group by going through an organization that you belong? My friend's parents went with a church group. I don't think it was their local group, but a national thing. Does AARP have things?

I know our alumni club (University of Michigan) runs tours. They bring a professor along to give lectures on the sites. I don't know if you have to be an alum or not. But maybe your college does the same?

http://alumni.umich.edu/travel/2008.php

I travel to reconnect with my husband and get away from the stress of raising two young children. So you can see why I don't want others on my vacation! But this might be a nice way for you guys to meet others that you enjoy spending time with.

I also need to thank Joe. I've just been to the LemonValley site and it looks exactly what I have been searching for.

This may well spur me on to re-visit Andalucia.

Joe, did they send to you all your travel documents in advance or did they pass them on to you at Malaga when you arrived?

Bill

Thanks kelliebellie, for suggesting our college alumni clubs. One of our sons tonight made that same suggestion. He and my husband graduated from Notre Dame. I'm a University of Dayton grad. Certainly both schools offer alumni travel opportunities. Will check it out!

Hope joe4212 answers billbarr's question about the travel documents. I'd like to know that fact as well.

Hi Bill and mkdiebold

LemonValley sent us all the travel documents to our home about a month before we started our tour. What they sent was impressive too.

1) All rail and seat reservation documents.
2) All hotel vouchers and, lots of information about each of them.
3) Details of our taxi transfer that would be waiting on us at Malaga (it was!).
4) Tickets for the Alhambra and the bull fight in Seville (very difficult to obtain as it was the week of the Feria)
5) Tickets for our conducted tours
6) A substantial written guide personalised for the whole trip. This was particularly useful. It included all the historical details we needed, journey information etc., all tailored for us.

It is very much worth mentioning that I had some serious health problems last year and I almost had to cancel the trip. (click on my name and find the threads headed Potatoes in Spain and Potatoes in Spain 2.) The young ladies that run the company were aware of the problem and contacted each hotel individually and let them know what I needed. They did that without any request from me. Each and every one of the hotels came up with the goods too.

I can’t recommend strongly enough the enjoyment in using trains between our destinations. It was very cool simply walking on and finding our seats already reserved, the journeys were most enjoyable, not rushed and all of them departed at amount 10am. It gave us the opportunity to see and appreciate some of that beautiful Andalucian countryside.

joe

Thanks for the detailed reply Joe. That's exactly what I was looking for.

I think a late autumn visit with this company may be on the cards. I've written to them this evening.

Bill

Totally Spain is listed on Maribel's website. Friends were very pleased with them and their service.

Thanks Joe, for all the info. I've already emailed them and have received a reply. Sounds like a really good outfit.

Will also check out Totally Spain on Maribel's website.

That's great mkdiebold. Whichever company you choose you will have a wonderful experience.

If you can, try and have a day or two in Malaga. A hugely enjoyable city, wonderful to simply stroll through and enjoy.

Joe

I haven't used this company, but they've been around for quite a few years and their focus is Spain and Portugal. They are a US company and a member of the BBB and several other tour organizations. They also offer tours for Spanish speakers.
http://petrabax.com/main/index.asp