Help me get to Spain!!
 

I am absolutely dying to go back to Spain. However, my husband is rather resistant. We were just married two weeks ago, and paid for a large portion of our wedding(no honeymoon). He says we can't afford to go until we pay off some expenses. He has never been to Europe, and I know once we get there he will fall in love it and agree that it is money well spent. Here's the help I need. I want to go in late April-Early May, and need to figure a way to do it inexpensively, but not cheaply (if you get my drift). We can use frequent flyer miles for 2 airline tickets (already booked - sneaky). So I need recommendations on cities to visit and places to stay that will reasonable priced. I want him to have such a wonderful time that next time he'll be the one planning the European vacation!! Thanks.

Cindy, if I were married to you I'd be already considering an annulment. You have, shall we say, at the very least a different financial philosophy from his, and if you still have lots of expenses to pay off, it's pretty irresponsible to plan an overseas trip -- ***especially*** without consulting him. Using those FF miles to book behind his back..... I just hope they were all yours to begin with. Suggest you tell him soon, like maybe as a Columbus Day Surprise (my favorite holiday), and get him involved in planning, otherwise he'll resent every detail. <BR> <BR>Now that I've shaken a finger (and thumb) at you for that, suggest you stay in areas away from the coast and Barcelona, since the prices in those places tend to be higher. I'd set a budget -- I suspect you can't do it for less than $100/day for hotel and meals -- and show Beloved how each day will fit into that budget -- find at least 3 2-star or less hotels in each city. It's possible, but unlikely, that you can get a package deal for one or two major cities through a travel agent for that time of year. At least the flowers and trees are usually in full bloom then, esp. in Sevilla.

Dear uh oh, I appreciate the advice on the trip, but not the advice on my marriage, nor the annulment comment. You do not know the situation, aside from what I included in my e-mail, which hardly gives you enough information to pass judgement. Your assumption that I would not include him is unfounded - it was planned as a surprise for his upcoming birthday, which is when we would begin the planning for the trip. I was hoping to have info to share with him at that time. All the miles are mine, and there is no penalty for cancelling the fare. Not to mention that we both have our own accounts for purchases, which is how I would pay for it. So a piece of advice back to you - don't comment on people's personal lives when that is not what was asked for. If that's what I wanted I would have gone to a chat room on marriage, not travel. <BR>

Cindy--- If you guys go off season and stay at Hostels (Hostal Cervantes or Hotel Mora are very reasonable), you should be able to do Spain very, very cheap. Late April is actually already shoulder season, so expect RT to be, at a minimum, &gt;$500/pp. Check www.flycheap.com and www.cheaptickets periodically. Good consolidators, their phone service is also tops. I just got terrific rates to Rome for February. <BR> <BR>I definitely understand your urging for a European vacation, after paying for a wedding and no honeymoon.

Cindy--- never mind. I went on and on about tickets; didn't registered the FF deal. <BR> <BR>Madrid has reasonable hostels, very affordable sightseeing options. check the Rants & Raves section for the Hotel Mora. Also, I thought the area of the Costa Verde (Northwest corner) was very inexpensive.

Thanks Maria. The airfare is not an issue since we can use frequent flyer miles, but that's good info for future reference. I'll check out the hostels. <BR> <BR>Thanks too for your understanding. I was actually quite hurt by the first response from someone who does not know me or my husband.

You only told "part" of the story...how was that writer supposed to know it was a "surprise" for your new husband's birthday??? That changes the "tone" of your posting???

I usually stay out of this type of interchange, but would you please back off, whoever you are? <BR> <BR>Cindy, I truly hope you raise above this type of response and don't pay any attention.

Not that any of this is anybody's business, and Maira is right, I should rise above it (but I'm annoyed), I hardly felt the need to tell the "whole" story since that is not what is germane here. I was merely looking for some advice on TRAVEL from people on a site who I thought would be more mature than I've experienced from two people. Next time I won't give any information at all. This is the first time I have visited a chat board, and now I know why I don't. <BR>

My, my my!!!Very touchy Cindy but if you did not want to receive comments about your personal life then you shouldn't have started your message about it. You could have just ask for help/suggestions on places to visit in Spain without elaborating on your marriage and financial life details. Now you are annoyed that people commented on that part of your message. What did you expect?? Maybe you should not indeed go on a chat board. This is a two-way street you know.

Hi Cindy, <BR> <BR>Seville is a wonderful place to visit. I stayed at La Rabida Hotel,which was very reasonably priced and conveniently located, when I was in Seville in March. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a great trip. <BR> <BR>Heather

Check out www.madridman.com His website has recommendations on cheap places to stay, we're talking about $30USD/night. He also has a (polite) bulletin board where you can get some more info.

Cindy. I can't give you any further advise except "Time Share" &gt; My husband and I have owned for 2 years. We use of FF mileage and stay for $162 for accommodations for the week plus $415 for maint and taxes. Can't beat it. And if you take another couple it becomes "Free". They pay all your costs. Email me back at [email protected] if interested..

Hats off to you Cindy! Like you I did a trip to Spain this year 2000 all planned without my husbands knowledge/consent???!!! He went along with it and we had a most wonderful vacation. (Lucky for you and I that we both have such understanding and wonderful husbands who would not 'annul' us like some that responded to your questions.!!) Anyway I was on a very meagre budget and got lots of help from the various websites re booking hotels etc. I also purchased the book on Hotels from $40-$80 per night through Amazon. Our hotels were ALL right in the centre of things and we had absolutely no disappointments. All reservations were made on-line including car rentals and all went like clockwork. We had no unexpected expenses and lived within our budget for the full 18 days. <BR>If you would like information about the individual hotels you can email me directly. Incidentally one of the hotels was La Rabida in Seville which someone already recommended. <BR>Good luck with your planning... it was 50% of the fun FOR Me of course. That part my husband missed out on but then we only have one computer!!!

Cindy, Your first message reeked of Control from start to finish. Then you asked US join in the control of that person as well. <BR> <BR>We have a voice in this .... You DID ask us. Or did you forget. <BR> <BR>Marriage is a two way street. Don't forget to let _Hubby_ have a voice in it.

What is the weather (temperature) like in Spain in mid-November?

Hey Guys <BR>Please let Cindy be. So what if she is controlling!! Perhaps she and her husband have a much better relationship than many of us who dare to comment!!! <BR>Is'nt this supposed to be a TRAVEL message board?????

Maybe the bigger question is "How do you convince your significant other that an overseas trip will be fun, rewarding, and not that expensive?" Hopefully couples contemplating marriage get around to talking about travel philosophy before making the committment. Being eternally single, I unfortunately don't have much advise to couples. <BR> <BR>I agree with Dr. Laura, boo-hoo, and Maureen.