First Time In Spain
 

Hi.
I am turning 50 and planning a solo trip to Spain, and would appreciate any feedback on my travel itinerary (especially if you know whether the new AVE train is operational between Madrid, Barcelona and Toledo).

My style is to hang out and get a feel for the people/culture versus just seeing the tourist attractions.

I was planning to leave Friday, May 4th, and fly into Madrid.
Spend 3 days/4 nights in Madrid, (incorporating in a day/evening trip to Toledo on the AVE train, hopefully).
On Tuesday morning take the AVE train to Sevilla for 2 days/2 nights and incorporate a daytrip tour to Zahara and Grazalema.
On Thursday morning, I'll either take a train or fly to Barcelona, where I will stay until I fly home on Monday morning.

Does anyone have suggestions for the best way to get from Sevilla to Barcelona?
Alternatively I may fly into Barcelona initially and then fly or take the AVE to Madrid, and I am wondering what the best way to get between Madrid and Barcelona is?

I would also appreciate any suggestions as to hotels, tapas bars, flamenco shows, city walking tours, shopping, and general hints.

Many many thanks!!

ttt...

www.vueling.com
flys between Bar. and Mad. for 50 euros.
www.iberia.com
flys from Sev. to Bar. for about the same

Hi

Please state your budget for accommodation (in euros). If you like you can do a search of this forum for suggestions. I feel 2 days in Seville (including a day trip) may be a little rushed. Another day trip option is to take the AVE from Seville to Cordoba. Check out - www.renfe.com. My preference would be to take the AVE from Madrid to Toledo. You can stay the night - I believe it's even better when the day trippers are gone. Then I think you can take the AVE from Toledo to Seville. Then fly from there to Barcelona. Checkout flights with Span Air, Iberian or Vueling or try http://www.whichbudget.com.

We visited Spain in 2005. If you want a copy of our notes emailed to you contact me on [email protected]. You will love Spain. It's fabulous!

As a somewhat older solo traveler than you, my first recommendation would be "do it". I have met many more people traveling "solo" than I have traeling with my wife. 'don't know if it is "take pity" or "curiosity", but you will meet many people.

If I were you, I'd try to decide between Madrid and Sevilla OR Madrid and Barcelona. Trying to fit all three into the time frame would be tough. Flights within Spain are cheap [or they were 5 months ago] but you have to figure the time to get to the airport, from the airport downtown, etc. It's easy to lose an entire day.

It seems you are on the right track. Go to Madrid and maybe catch day trips to Toledo and Segovia. The EITHER take the AVE to Sevilla or a flight to Barcelona. [the AVE now goes 70% of the way to BCN but a flight appears the most convenient. I yield to those with later info]

If Sevilla, don't overlook the area across the river, Triana, as it seems to me, this is Sevilla without the corruption of tourists like me. If you go Barcelona, there is more than enough to do. I went to the La Familia Sagrada 4 times and still only scratched the surface. My suggestion would be to enjoy the "tourist area" and then get on the local busses and get out of the tourist areas and walk. It is special.

Although it really depends on your style of travel and preferences, I concur with the opinion that trying to cover Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona in a single trip is ambitious for your time frame. I also concur with the suggestion to stay overnight in Toledo - IMHO it merits more than a day trip, and it does have a different feel during the evening. Enjoy!

I agree with the idea of staying overnight in Toledo (highly recommend Hostal Cardenal) and also would suggest a daytrip to Segovia--it too is incredibly special.

If you decide to do just Madrid and Sevilla (my favorite city in Spain), I'd suggest considering stops in Cordoba and Granada if you can. Both are smaller cities with plenty of places to mingle w/ the locals.

Also, I know you mentioned you don't really like to focus on tourist attractions, however if you have time, the Prado (in Madrid) and the Alhambra (in Granada) are worth a consideration.

Have a great trip!

I agree to stay overnight in Toledo, less known but much less $, there is a very nice Hostal in Toledo, it is called Hostal Santo Tome. Dollar wise it is great.

Hi lesleejd,
Happy to find your thread as I was also thinking of a solo trip to Spain in late April. I've never travelled alone, so I am kind of worried about that.

I had a similar itinerary in mind (minus Barecelona) - 3 nights in Madrid, then take the AVE and spend 3 nights in Seville. Also thinking of maybe a day trip from Seville.

I'm anxious to hear more responses on ideas for day trips, hotels, etc.

lesleejd, have you travelled solo before? What are your feelings on it?

In Madrid:
* Flamenco show: Corral de la Morería.
* Tapas bar: La Fábrica (calle Jesús, 2)
* A nice sight-seeing walk: El Prado-Recoletos-La Castellana.
* Shopping: El Corte Inglés (department stores), calle Serrano area (expensive shopping).
* A must: Palacio Real (the Royal Palace).

I also would tend to leave the Barcelona trip out of this given the time you have, though it is one of the most wonderful cities in the world. I am currently thinking of going back to Barcelona as part of a loop around the Pyrenees on both the Spanish and French sides.

If you go to Madrid, you have to go to the Prado, and the Bornemisza is certainly near the top. If you are not an art lover, there is no better place for people watching than a great museum. I concur on the Royal Palace.

I did not stay in Toledo overnight and wish I had. The best views are from up high, across the river, not from the main roads into the city.

The plaza outsided the catedral in Sevilla is great for people-watching, and the church itself and neighboring tower and wonderful.

And it is hard to think about leaving out Cordoba. I think it is better to do these well than to run and fit in BCN

Between Madrid and Barcelona or between Sevilla and Barcelona I recommend flying. Check Spanair, Vueling and Iberia.