First time in Spain
Jan 15th, 2025 | 08:35 PM
#21
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16,282
Likes: 0
Day trips …
depends how early you start, how much you wish to see, and your stamina as well.
Once, a friend and I visited Valencia for a day ( not my first time )..
We took a few taxis , ended up having late dinner by the beach, cached the last train back to Madrid.
A memorable day.
I also went to Zaragoza for a day.
I wouldn’t recommend the above to the first time visitors…🙂
depends how early you start, how much you wish to see, and your stamina as well.
Once, a friend and I visited Valencia for a day ( not my first time )..
We took a few taxis , ended up having late dinner by the beach, cached the last train back to Madrid.
A memorable day.
I also went to Zaragoza for a day.
I wouldn’t recommend the above to the first time visitors…🙂
Last edited by danon; Jan 15th, 2025 at 09:12 PM.
Jan 16th, 2025 | 01:47 AM
#22
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I appreciate all your help! Will discuss w/companions later today and decide on Barcelona! If they really want to go, I don't mind, but at least now I know to start there! My apologies for repeat posts also, but I probably thought some didn't post. It's my first time on this platform as well. Well, I can't wait to hear all about your trip! Thanks again to all for the tips and recs! I'm taking notes of all.
and worth to spend more days there
Jan 16th, 2025 | 07:49 AM
#24
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 25,312
Likes: 0
Granada is "better" than Barcelona?
How can anyone compare those two cities?
Amsdon: I love your plan!!! Zamora? I know its only as a name on the map----will now begin reading about it cause if you've chosen to go there, I know it must be worthwhile!!!
Believe it or not, I am on a one-week "eastern Caribbean" Princess cruise right now, without good connections, so will return to this thread when I have reliable service and, most important, check in to your posts and, especially, your report after you return home!!!!
As for the cruise????? Oh, my, where do I begin??????
How can anyone compare those two cities?
Amsdon: I love your plan!!! Zamora? I know its only as a name on the map----will now begin reading about it cause if you've chosen to go there, I know it must be worthwhile!!!
Believe it or not, I am on a one-week "eastern Caribbean" Princess cruise right now, without good connections, so will return to this thread when I have reliable service and, most important, check in to your posts and, especially, your report after you return home!!!!
As for the cruise????? Oh, my, where do I begin??????
Last edited by ekscrunchy; Jan 16th, 2025 at 07:58 AM.
Jan 16th, 2025 | 12:03 PM
#25
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,266
Likes: 0
Goyatravels , where do you three stand at this point on the itinerary? Did you eliminate Barbelona?
Scrunchita, We are in Cadiz! Leave tomorrow for Sevilla. The trip has been great, albiet slow slow travel because of my doggone knee. 😕.
The trip report will take some time. For the first ever we are truly relaxing ( But naturally feeling guilty and worried about the California fires. Our little place is not too far from all the actions but we are safe over there.
I will share the itinerary to below. Here's a little secret
😉😉😉😉 Goyatravels is a good friend. I'm thrilled that she is going to Spain!! 💃💃💃💃
Scrunchita querida our trip is 47 days
We left Dec 23 arrived Dec 24 in Madrid
Madrid Catalonia
Granada ( by train)
Jerez by rented car
Cadiz by taxi
Next.......
Sevilla ( private driver planned almost same as Taxi. We will see)
Salamanca ( transport TBD) Anniversary yay
2 Pueblos in Zamora plus Zamora city, Carbajales
& Cerezal de Aliste
Leon
Burgos
Madrid round 2 🤪
Home to So Calufornia Feb 7
I will try to get a start on notes soon. As you know I tend to be verbose 🤣. But the trip has been wonderful and very different than I imagined.
Goyatravels Sorry to hijack....
Fodorites lets help my buddy make it wonderful.
QUESTION TO HELP GOYA;
Can you rank you favorite DAY TRIPS from Madrid for her? In order of preference ? ONE THROUGH 3 ?
Scrunchita, We are in Cadiz! Leave tomorrow for Sevilla. The trip has been great, albiet slow slow travel because of my doggone knee. 😕.
The trip report will take some time. For the first ever we are truly relaxing ( But naturally feeling guilty and worried about the California fires. Our little place is not too far from all the actions but we are safe over there.
I will share the itinerary to below. Here's a little secret
😉😉😉😉 Goyatravels is a good friend. I'm thrilled that she is going to Spain!! 💃💃💃💃
Scrunchita querida our trip is 47 days
We left Dec 23 arrived Dec 24 in Madrid
Madrid Catalonia
Granada ( by train)
Jerez by rented car
Cadiz by taxi
Next.......
Sevilla ( private driver planned almost same as Taxi. We will see)
Salamanca ( transport TBD) Anniversary yay
2 Pueblos in Zamora plus Zamora city, Carbajales
& Cerezal de Aliste
Leon
Burgos
Madrid round 2 🤪
Home to So Calufornia Feb 7
I will try to get a start on notes soon. As you know I tend to be verbose 🤣. But the trip has been wonderful and very different than I imagined.
Goyatravels Sorry to hijack....
Fodorites lets help my buddy make it wonderful.
QUESTION TO HELP GOYA;
Can you rank you favorite DAY TRIPS from Madrid for her? In order of preference ? ONE THROUGH 3 ?
Jan 17th, 2025 | 10:47 AM
#27
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 0
Shalemm, only because my grandparents were both born in those pueblos. I will be certain to cover them when I get there in about a week and a half. I am still in Sevilla and it will take some time for me to get the trip report out.
KJA, I can assure you I would like nothing more to get some other helpful information for my dear friend in real life , Goyatravels. The deviation is something that happens sometimes on these forums as you probably know. No harm intended.
KJA, I can assure you I would like nothing more to get some other helpful information for my dear friend in real life , Goyatravels. The deviation is something that happens sometimes on these forums as you probably know. No harm intended.
Jan 17th, 2025 | 10:54 AM
#28
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,679
Likes: 0
You, at least, tried to steer the discussion back to the OP!
Jan 17th, 2025 | 11:13 PM
#29
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 0
Goya travels has a common dilemma When traveling with others for the first time. Everyone wants to throw in Barcelona which is of course not to be ignored.
But there is limited time and it's really a logistical issue I think.
Goya, Did you and your friends decide on itinerary so that we can help involve the forum for you on logistics I'm getting from one place to another even for their trips?
But there is limited time and it's really a logistical issue I think.
Goya, Did you and your friends decide on itinerary so that we can help involve the forum for you on logistics I'm getting from one place to another even for their trips?
Jan 22nd, 2025 | 09:50 PM
#30
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
plans in the works! Thank you all again!
Hola, thank you again for all the tips, deviations included! amsdon is the best, a dear friend indeed! So my friends agreed to hold off on Barcelona this time. Going with Revulgo's suggestion of Madrid 5 nights, Cordoba 1 night, Granada 2 nights, and Sevilla 5 nights. We're having fun making plans. I've been wanting to visit Spain for about 25 years now so it's exciting!
