Hi eck,

somehow I missed this when you started it, but it makes a terrific read.

i just wish that we were planning a trip to Spain anytime soon.

bookmarking

eks - thanks SO much for linking this to my thread. I am going to print out the relevant portions for our trip. Muchas gracias!!

bookmarking.

bummer your place in Seville is no longer available to rent... :(

The 2-bedroom flat that we rented appears to still be available through Spain Select, the agency I used for our rental; it is no longer listed on VRBO.com but that should have little import for a prospective renter. The owner was very much on the scene for us, and I would highly recommend.


http://sevilla.spain-select.com/en_U...a-de-la-moneda

Thank you Eksrunchy!

De nada!! And I think the price was the same on both sites..really, you will not go wrong with this apartment...I only wish I could stay there for 6 months!

Oh. My. Thank you so much, ekscrunchy, for this drool-inspiring info! Bookmarking for October. May ask a few questions as I get closer.

I will be happy to answer any questions!!!

Great TR! Bookmarking for use next year. Thanks!

Hi ekscrunchy,

I have devoured (!) this post and also your other on Madrid and Granada. Thank you so much! We are foodies, although not of the sort to seek out and pay for Michelin stars.

We will be in Madrid for three nights and in Andalucia for 9. Much of our time in Andalucia (4 nights n Sevilla, two in Granada, ) will be with my European cousins (Dane married to a German). As we are meeting in Spain, I hesitate to presume to make reservations.

Our "alone" nights are two in Ronda, one in Malaga, and three in Madrid.

My questions for you:

Would we be missing something anywhere if we just did Tapas in all cities, with no reservations? If we were to attempt to make reservations in advance--is there a "do NOT miss this? Can we wait until we are in Spain?

I used Maribel's advice to find Cal Pep in Barcelona--one of my all time favorites anywhere. I tell everyone I know going to Barcelona to run, not walk, there, as Maribel did.

Any places like that where we are going?

I will surely bring her guides and your reports with me.

Muchas Gracias!

I don't think you would be missing anything in Malaga or Ronda. In Malaga, especially, tapas in the center of the city would be an ideal way to get the feeling of the place.

In Madrid, you could plan one tapas night centered in the area east of Retiro park, and another in La Latina. (Maribel has excellent info on both areas in her online guide to dining in Madrid)

If you wanted to make one reservation at a restaurant, you could consider LUA, which I thought offered terrific value and wonderful food in a relaxed and friendly setting off the tourist track. I think you might want to book online ahead of arrival; you can always cancel. You can either phone them or use the ElTenedor booking site:


Let me know how else I can help!

Wonderful, ekscrunchy, thanks so much! How about in Sevilla?

We do have one night there without my cousins, and/or if there is a restaurant not to be missed (aside from tapas) I can suggest it to them.

Thanks!

Eks,
Where east of Retiro would you suggest for tapas?
We are staying just north of the park .

Also, any recos near the museums or in the Barrio de las Letras?

Thanks!

Danon: Try Taberna Laredo and Casa Rafa (the latter for pricey but sparkling fresh shellfish) .

I have not been to La Catapa, but that is also in the area and sounds intriguing.

YOu are so fortunate to be returning soon!!! I wish you a wonderful trip!

More:


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-madrid.cfm

Thanks , eks
We'll be In Madrid for five nights and Seville six.

Spain is our favorite destination....we already have plans for
the spring. - San Sebastian and Barcelona !

Hax: Sorry did not answer your query about Sevilla. In that city, the tapas bars are so fantastic and because many have tables, there is really a thin line separating bars and restaurants. (Or so it seemed to me). Take a look at the reports I wrote, above; Azotea is not to be missed, and we loved PuraTasca as well. For the latter, you might want to book a table, as the restaurant in tiny. It is quite a walk from the center but I felt it was well worth it, and the walk takes you through parts of Griana.

Zelai and Esclava were excellent, too. So many choices, and there may well be new ones that have opened since my visit last fall. I would concentrate on the bar/restaurants rather than formal sit-down restaurants in that city. Remember that there is quite a difference between the more modern places and the old-line spots....deciding on one or the other will help you make your choices.