Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo travelog ...
Jun 9th, 2005, 04:22 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo travelog ...
My wife and I just returned from a one week vacation to Spain. It included 3 nites in Madrid and 3 nites in Barcelona. We also did a day trip to Toledo.
Following is a quick recap … I have a detailed travelog – if anyone wants it, please email me at: [email protected]
We flew on Air Plus Comet and got a great deal with them back in late December out of JFK. It was the first time that we flew with them and were satisfied with the flights.
We stayed at Hotel Mora in Madrid, right opposite the Prado. In Barcelona, we stayed at Hostal Opera, a short walk from Las Ramblas.
Our highlights included the Prado, particularly seeing Las Meninas; Plaza Mayor; Sagrada Familia – just incredible and becoming even more incredible over time; Las Ramblas; Picasso Museum, especially his interpretations of Las Meninas; Casa Mila; and Toledo, just walking the streets.
Our weather was absolutely perfect although it got quite hot on our last day in Madrid that forced us to shorten our walk that day.
Any disappointments? A few. I thought that my planning was very thorough but I missed a few things ---
(1) We went to Tibidabo in Barcelona on a Tuesday and found out that the funicular was only running I believe Thurs-Sun so we missed out on this – I had read that it was open 7 days a week
(2) Palau Guell in Barcelona was closed for renovation; I had not been aware of this.
(3) The cable car to the castle on Montjuic was not running; I had read that once you took the funicular to the top from the Parallel metro stop, the cable car there would take you to the castle. I was wrong. The cable car going from the harbor to Montjuic was the one that I thought was not supposed to be running. In fact, this all turned out to be just the opposite.
(4) In Toledo, the Alcazar was closed – I had not read anything about that.
Yet, when traveling independently you learn to be flexible and we just moved on to the next thing to see or do.
I am thankful to all Fodorites who were helpful to me. The forum is just awesome and has helped me tremendously over the years as we have prepared for our travels throughout the world.
Happy trails to all!
Following is a quick recap … I have a detailed travelog – if anyone wants it, please email me at: [email protected]
We flew on Air Plus Comet and got a great deal with them back in late December out of JFK. It was the first time that we flew with them and were satisfied with the flights.
We stayed at Hotel Mora in Madrid, right opposite the Prado. In Barcelona, we stayed at Hostal Opera, a short walk from Las Ramblas.
Our highlights included the Prado, particularly seeing Las Meninas; Plaza Mayor; Sagrada Familia – just incredible and becoming even more incredible over time; Las Ramblas; Picasso Museum, especially his interpretations of Las Meninas; Casa Mila; and Toledo, just walking the streets.
Our weather was absolutely perfect although it got quite hot on our last day in Madrid that forced us to shorten our walk that day.
Any disappointments? A few. I thought that my planning was very thorough but I missed a few things ---
(1) We went to Tibidabo in Barcelona on a Tuesday and found out that the funicular was only running I believe Thurs-Sun so we missed out on this – I had read that it was open 7 days a week
(2) Palau Guell in Barcelona was closed for renovation; I had not been aware of this.
(3) The cable car to the castle on Montjuic was not running; I had read that once you took the funicular to the top from the Parallel metro stop, the cable car there would take you to the castle. I was wrong. The cable car going from the harbor to Montjuic was the one that I thought was not supposed to be running. In fact, this all turned out to be just the opposite.
(4) In Toledo, the Alcazar was closed – I had not read anything about that.
Yet, when traveling independently you learn to be flexible and we just moved on to the next thing to see or do.
I am thankful to all Fodorites who were helpful to me. The forum is just awesome and has helped me tremendously over the years as we have prepared for our travels throughout the world.
Happy trails to all!
Jun 9th, 2005, 06:53 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for posting your travelog! I'll be going to Spain later this fall and can hardly wait!
Do you mind me asking - besides the Plaza Mayor and the Prado, was there anything else that interested you in Madrid? Any restaurants that were considered noteworthy? And in Toledo, what other places did you find interesting?
Thanks! Perhaps I should also request the detailed log!
Do you mind me asking - besides the Plaza Mayor and the Prado, was there anything else that interested you in Madrid? Any restaurants that were considered noteworthy? And in Toledo, what other places did you find interesting?
Thanks! Perhaps I should also request the detailed log!
Jun 12th, 2005, 02:38 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi!!
Like any major city there's tons to do. My wife and I only got a glimpse of Madrid. We were there for 3 nites total but one day was in Toledo, the bulk of another day was in the Prado, and the other day was mostly spent around Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Cava Baja, and Plaza del Oriente.
We especially enjoyed Toledo, well, because it's Toledo! Just walking the streets was just so cool on a Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the Alcazar is closed and will be closed for awhile.
There's lots to do. Trust me. Just keep reading the many postings here. There's really good, current info posted regularly. Madrid like most European cities has different areas that appeal to different types of people. You will pick up on this as you do your research.
You will enjoy it, trust me, especially in the Fall.
Pls send me a note at: [email protected] & I'll send you our travelog which may be helpful to you.
Like any major city there's tons to do. My wife and I only got a glimpse of Madrid. We were there for 3 nites total but one day was in Toledo, the bulk of another day was in the Prado, and the other day was mostly spent around Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Cava Baja, and Plaza del Oriente.
We especially enjoyed Toledo, well, because it's Toledo! Just walking the streets was just so cool on a Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the Alcazar is closed and will be closed for awhile.
There's lots to do. Trust me. Just keep reading the many postings here. There's really good, current info posted regularly. Madrid like most European cities has different areas that appeal to different types of people. You will pick up on this as you do your research.
You will enjoy it, trust me, especially in the Fall.
Pls send me a note at: [email protected] & I'll send you our travelog which may be helpful to you.
Jun 13th, 2005, 03:44 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi!
To be honest,I'm not really sure except that I think one was supposed to be closed till 2007! I think it was the Alcazar. I think as you research things you will get some confirmation on this.
Palau Guell (not Parc Guell) was closed for some renovation when we were there from May 23-25. I would imagine it will not take that long to renovate things but again you will probably pick up on some more definitive dates in your research.
Hope this is helpful. Have fun with your planning.
To be honest,I'm not really sure except that I think one was supposed to be closed till 2007! I think it was the Alcazar. I think as you research things you will get some confirmation on this.
Palau Guell (not Parc Guell) was closed for some renovation when we were there from May 23-25. I would imagine it will not take that long to renovate things but again you will probably pick up on some more definitive dates in your research.
Hope this is helpful. Have fun with your planning.
