HI, Going to Europe for the 1st time last two weeks in July
Jun 7th, 2010, 04:35 AM
#21
Hi; If Spain is your choice, you can download information by this highly respected person on many cities. Richard www.maribelsguides.com
Jun 7th, 2010, 04:44 AM
#22
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Seems to me you have settled on Spain and Barcelona. With only 10 days available you should limit yourself to changing bases twice, divide your time between Barcelona and Madrid. From Madrid you can always do daytrips to Segovia, Toledo, Avila, El Escorial.
But don't take my advice blindly (or anybody elses). Spend some time with a guide book to get the flavor of these, or any other cities , you are considering and see if it's something you would like.
But don't take my advice blindly (or anybody elses). Spend some time with a guide book to get the flavor of these, or any other cities , you are considering and see if it's something you would like.
Jun 7th, 2010, 09:37 AM
#23
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Just so you're aware, Spain is VERY hot in the summer - Madrid often reaches 100 - and not everyplace has AC. Also is major cities 4/5* hotels won;t be a bargain.
Also, it's getting late to get resonable plane fairs if you don;t have tickets yet. Definitely do open jaws - int one city and out of another - and in the time you have you can get a taste of 2 cities and perhaps 1 or 2 day trips to the beach or th4e countryside.
But late July is coming up fast so I would focus on nailng down some reservations.
Also, it's getting late to get resonable plane fairs if you don;t have tickets yet. Definitely do open jaws - int one city and out of another - and in the time you have you can get a taste of 2 cities and perhaps 1 or 2 day trips to the beach or th4e countryside.
But late July is coming up fast so I would focus on nailng down some reservations.
Jun 7th, 2010, 10:37 AM
#24
As suggested, it is getting late to make reservations. This can be used as a good resourse to see what's available to fit your budget. You can check 4 star and 5 stat. For location, look for 'centro'. Will also have customer reviews. www.booking.com/madrid
Jun 7th, 2010, 10:45 AM
#25
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Regarding hotel rates in major cities... I know this is counterintuitive , but in cities like Madrid and Barcelona , late July is considered low season and hotel rates go down considerably. For example, I will be paying 66 euros per day at the Hotel Prado in Madrid, a 3 stars. On high season their rates are over double that.
However, in resort cities like San Sebastian and Santander, it's considered high season and hotel rates are much higher.
However, in resort cities like San Sebastian and Santander, it's considered high season and hotel rates are much higher.
Jun 7th, 2010, 11:42 AM
#26
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I agree that it's going to be very hot in Barcelona and Madrid. Weird about the hotel rates.
As for 2 cities, I agree that if you want a second destination from Barcelona you should stay in Spain, unless you want to fly somewhere.
An alternative for a first-timer would be to combine, say, Paris and Amsterdam, two cities where you could take a train between if you wished, and further north so perhaps not perishing hot.
Frankly, I think that from what you've said, a 7-day cruise out of Barcelona would be great for you--spend one day pre-cruise there, and one day at the other end of the trip, wherever that is. Of course, you'd have to do your homework pretty fast on that, since it's very late to book a cruise for July of this year. I'd get on to a good agent who deals with multiple lines, to see what they could find for you at this late date.
As for 2 cities, I agree that if you want a second destination from Barcelona you should stay in Spain, unless you want to fly somewhere.
An alternative for a first-timer would be to combine, say, Paris and Amsterdam, two cities where you could take a train between if you wished, and further north so perhaps not perishing hot.
Frankly, I think that from what you've said, a 7-day cruise out of Barcelona would be great for you--spend one day pre-cruise there, and one day at the other end of the trip, wherever that is. Of course, you'd have to do your homework pretty fast on that, since it's very late to book a cruise for July of this year. I'd get on to a good agent who deals with multiple lines, to see what they could find for you at this late date.
Jun 7th, 2010, 12:07 PM
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It isn't counterintuitive or weird that hotel rates go down in late July and August, it's the same way where I live in the US. That is because most hotels in major cities depend a lot on business travel and that slows down in the summer. the only place where summer is peak season are resort and beach areas, places like that where all they depend on is tourists. Most cities don't exist just for tourists, I think people forget about that.
I really liked Madrid but don't know if I'd want to go there in summer as it's so hot. If you do, I really liked Segovia as a day trip. I don't think you need to fly from Barcelona, if you do that. Now that they completed the high speed train line, the train is a good option. It's less than 3 hours travel time on the AVE.
I think a cruise might be a good idea given how hot Spain is.
I really liked Madrid but don't know if I'd want to go there in summer as it's so hot. If you do, I really liked Segovia as a day trip. I don't think you need to fly from Barcelona, if you do that. Now that they completed the high speed train line, the train is a good option. It's less than 3 hours travel time on the AVE.
I think a cruise might be a good idea given how hot Spain is.
Jun 7th, 2010, 12:56 PM
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Christina, not counterintuitive to me , but most people think in term of Tourist season and they think because it's summer and people go to these places on vacation the hotel rates will be up. Rome and Venice also have their hotel rates go down in mid to late July/ August.
Jun 8th, 2010, 05:48 AM
#30
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Innak19
My family and I have traveled around quite a bit of Spain .. mostly traveling to a different city every day .. we have found it to be quite fun. We came back from a trip in November that started in Barcelona, up though southern France, across the northern coast to Austrias (4 days there)then out of Madrid -- total trip 14 days (including travel)
We have also done trips starting and ending in Madrid (17 days - in July) and we covered from Madrid, to Toledo, Granada, Seville, Avila, Pampolona, Asutrias (5 days), Leon, etc .. and back out of Madrid.
My suggestion would be .. if you are bent on Barcelona .. then 3-4 days, then take then go to Madrid - you could rent a car and stop and see places along the way - or I think you could take the train. Madrid has tons of day trips as someone mentioned.
In any case .. you should be safe, as long as you are an aware traveller.
Enjoy .... I would go back to Spain in a moments notice.
My family and I have traveled around quite a bit of Spain .. mostly traveling to a different city every day .. we have found it to be quite fun. We came back from a trip in November that started in Barcelona, up though southern France, across the northern coast to Austrias (4 days there)then out of Madrid -- total trip 14 days (including travel)
We have also done trips starting and ending in Madrid (17 days - in July) and we covered from Madrid, to Toledo, Granada, Seville, Avila, Pampolona, Asutrias (5 days), Leon, etc .. and back out of Madrid.
My suggestion would be .. if you are bent on Barcelona .. then 3-4 days, then take then go to Madrid - you could rent a car and stop and see places along the way - or I think you could take the train. Madrid has tons of day trips as someone mentioned.
In any case .. you should be safe, as long as you are an aware traveller.
Enjoy .... I would go back to Spain in a moments notice.
