My husband and I are considering a second trip to Spain. We've been there two years ago on our honeymoon. We went to Ronda and the white villages, Seville and Barcelona. We absolutely loved Andalusia but were not very fond of Barcelona. We want to go back for a week early December and we are considering a central place where we can take day trips from. Is a Madrid a good choice? if yes, what are the possible villages that can be visited from Madrid?
We love places that have very strong Spanish flavor not just another European city. Any recommendation is highly appreciated.
Thanks.

Madrid certainly has a great deal to offer. If you are interested in art, there are the Prado, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofia (for modern art).

If you stay in the historic centre (around Plaza Mayor), there are hundreds of restaurants and tapas bars in the area.

Among the day trips from Madrid that would give you what you are looking for would be Toledo, Salamanca, and Segovia.

Spain is really 4 trips in my judgment. Since you have done Andalusia, I suggest you do the " Centro Espana" itinerary that I did 2 years ago. However, it is high elevation and very cold in Dec. It included Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Avila, and Salamanca. All can be done as day trips from Madrid except Salamanca, which is worth 2 days.

lol, I agree with bobthenagivator...could you do this trip another time of year? We were in Costa Blanco last Nov. and it was rainy and chilly.

While you're here, bob, I was hoping you (and maybe others) could offer me some advise (which may be useful to lol as well.

We plan on doing your recommended trip this May but only have a week (we'll be visiting our daughter who will be in Siena Spring quarter and plan to be in Italy for about 12 days first).

I'm thinking of staying in the Paradors--getting a 5 day pass, which seems like a great deal. We've been to Toledo (which we loved), and I'm very drawn to Leon, so am currently thinking of Avila, Salamanca, Leon, and Segovia staying 2 nights at Avila (with day trip to Salamanca), 2 nights in Leon, then one night in Segovia. Does this sound reasonable?

Also, another question--DH's driving gives me a nervous breakdown, so I don't want to rent a car this time and use trains and buses instead. Any advise here?

We're not going until May, so am just in the first stages of planning and am welcome to suggestions.

Yes, Madrid is a good choice for day trips to Segovia, Aranjuez and Toledo. Of course you should devote some time to Madrid de los Austrias (Old Madrid) and to a tour of the Palacio Real. If you are in Madrid on a Sunday morning and it's a nice day, go to Retiro Park and see all the Street performers (beginning around 11:00 AM).

The SanLorenzo Monastery in Escorial is also worth a visit. I don't know about December, but many tour bus companies do daily excursions to all those places as well as to la Granja. With just a week, I think I would devote about 3-days to Madrid and do day trips to Toledo & Segovia. Don't take the Gastronomic tour to Segovia! When you get there, walk up the hill from the main plaza (where the Roman Aqueduct crosses) to the Hotel where el Meson del Duque restaurant is and have the roast suckling pig (or lamb).

for artlover:
I generaly take Public Transportation when I visit Spain, and I stay in the cities. I think your ideas of staying at Paradores Nacionales without having a car to get there are incompatible.
I don't know about Leon or Avila or Segovia (I didn't know there was a Parador in Segovia), but many of the Paradors like Santillana del Mar or Fuente De are remote from City Centers, where you can get a Train or Bus.

It is not easy to do Salamanca without a car--I am sure there must be a bus from Avila. The Parador in Avila is a very good choice, but there are better options in Segovia and Salamanca. The Santa Isabel is right in the Plaza Mayor in Segovia. The Palacio Castellanos is the better choice in Salamanca. I do not know Leon. You can find my trip report at slowtrav.com

The parador in Leon is one of the jewels of the parador system. It was built, I believe, by Isabella la Catolica as a hostel for pilgrims and contains within its walls a cloister, a church and a museum. There is also a modern new section, in which the rooms are very nicely appointed but not as "atmospheric" as those in the old section. The restaurant is excellent. It is in the city and within walking distance of the major points of interest in Leon.

There are excellent train connections from Madrid Atocha to Salamanca; I'm afraid I no longer recall whether Avila is on the same line. (I visited El Escorial and Avila on a different trip; they are on the same line.)

Thanks everyone for information (for me and lol). I've heard great things about the Parador in Leon too and yes, there is one in Segovia, but as Bob pointed out, there might be better places to stay (though with the 5 day special I might just go for it since I want to do 2 nights in Leon and 2 in Avila.


I'm not sure about connections yet...Bob--is it possible to go to Salamanca as a daytrip from Avila?

Bus or train?

I know having a car is more convenient, but I don't know that my marriage could survive it again (LOL).

Does it make sense to stop at Segovia on the way back from Leon or maybe to do Segovia as a daytrip from Madrid?

Thanks a lot everybody.
I think we will have to reconsider Madrid because of your comments on the weather.

There are trains from Avila to Salamanca that take 1 hour; regional trains may take 1 1/2 hours.

There is no direct connection between Leon and Segovia. When Philip II founded Madrid, he wanted it to be the centre from which all else in Spain radiated. That is still the case, for the most part, today.

The easiest connection to Segovia is from Madrid; it takes approx. 2 hours.

You can look up all this yourself at

www.renfe.es

You could spend a couple of days in Madrid at one end and make Salamanca your main base. It sounds very much the sort of city you want and day trips by bus are fairly easy to Ávila, Ciudad Rodrigo, León, Segovia, and Zamora [much underrated in my opinion.]
See http://www.auto-res.net/index.html?a
However Andalucía is warmer and it sounds as though a trip to the eastern part would be new to you. The Alhambra at Granada and the Mezquita at Córdoba, a great little city, are world class and the Alpujarras are good for mountain scenery. Nerja is well spoken of although tourist coasts are not my scene.
There are a number of bus companies but you might like to look at http://www.continental-auto.es/continental/_origen.php
Mail me at [email protected] if you would like my notes on these or other areas with URLs. Another possibility is Mallorca which has some splendid scenery in the north.

Thanks Eloise, for the information. I may have to go back to the "drawing board" and reconsider and post when I have things figured out a bit more.

lol, Another area you may consider that might be warmer to visit in Dec. and is supposed to be wonderful as well is Extremadura. I haven't been there myself, but have read great things about that area.