I've been told that you can negotiate hotel room prices with the hotels. I was wondering if this is true since I have never done that. How would one even o about negotiating? I think i'm not assertive enough.

One quick question: do you guys happen to know if I need special plugs in order to plug in my appliances? If so do you guys know where I can get them and how expensive they are? Thanks! :]

Definitely don't worry about using your French in France. My experience is that even if you're not fluent, folks there will greatly appreciate the effort to speak it.

Re electric plugs: my experience is that whatever plugs you use in Madrid will work in Paris. Not the same as those in the US, of course. Any good travel supply place should have plug adapters. If memory serves, European appliances also use 220 volts instead of the 110 volts of US electrical items.

Oh my is there ANY way you can be in Madrid for New Years Eve?? We were there last year and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, I will never forget it. They have an amazing block party with about 20,000 people and the spirit is like nothing I've seen before. The amazing part is that it was people of all ages from children to the elderly, no one got out of hand even though alcohol was allowed, everyone seemed completely civilized! Everyone wears crazy hats and wigs and they had a light show and fireworks that were top notch. It was just an unforgettable experience so I've always said that I would tell anyone I could, if you ever have the opportunity to be in Madrid on NYE then do it!

here are some quick clips but they don't even give justice to how it feels to be there~!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChKtqEsMZbE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqNoBHS0opM

As far as plugs go I think someone already mentioned that it's the same plug for Spain as it is for France. Just wanted to add my two cents that I love this little Kensington gizmo that does pretty much every country there is all in one! Very handy!

http://www.geek.com/articles/xyzcomp...rger-20060612/

Thank you guys for your helpful replies! I was going to head to Spain on the 27th of December but my family in the states wanted me to stay both Christmas and New Years with them. I would have loved to go to Madrid for NYE.

I've visited both in January.

Paris is more likely to have rain. Madrid is less humid, colder at night, but with clear sunny days.

Seems there are lots of opinions on Paris, but not much about Madrid.

Central Madrid is quite small - so walkable. We stayed at a hotel near Embajadores which has an underground station and was within walking distance of the centre, Atocha and the museums.

Peter