cmeyer54

Bedar, You are correct, I only read her original post and not all of following posts closely. in the future, I will be sure to examine each post in a thread to make sure I don't make an error and suggest something that has already been covered. Thank you for pointing that out. I don't read arabic...our guide translated for us. My education is my business. Please mind your own

burberry212

We did a 2 week trip to Spain last summer and I would highly recommend adding Barcelona to the list. Madrid is fun but you would love Barcelona from the Ramla to Gothic Quarter its a great city to visit when in Spain.

cmeyer54

Burberry212...you made the fatal error that I did and luckily, Bedar pointed it out. the poster has been to Barcelona and doesn't want to return on this trip! Shame on both of us for not being more observant. On another note...I agree with you. Barcelona is one of my favorite places and with Sagrada Familia now more complete, I would return in a heartbeat!

IMDonehere

The Alhambra is one of the few tourist destinations that is equal to its reputation.

Also Barcelona is one of our favorite cities of any country.

And if you knew the history of Spain, one of the greatest periods in advancements in the arts, medicine, and mathematics, occurred under the Moors when there a great sense of tolerance between the Jews, Catholics, and Muslims.

As a Jew and someone whose building was engulfed twice by the remains of others on 9/11, it behooves the well-intentioned people to look beyond the acts of the few.

We have been traveling to Spain for over 40 years and I am the first Jew many have knowingly met. While I am not a great representative for myself, let alone entire religion, there is need that the people who want a peaceful co-existence act like they want a peaceful co-existence.

And education is the foundation for that. End of this lecture.

cmeyer54

Because my opinion differs from others on this board, am I now considered uneducated? Doesn't peaceful coexistence also require the ability to have differing ideas and opinions heard? Perhaps the only time one is considered educated is when they have opinions that are consistent and supportive of yours? Healthy discussion and debate is key when a poster asks for ideas and input before making a decision on travel. I guess that we should now refrain from making any suggestions unless they are all in concert for fear of being labeled 'uneducated'.

IMDonehere

To blame all for the actions of some is uneducated. And to take something from 1,200 years ago and place in a modern context, when there is none is uneducated. Sorry, I do not consider prejudice an opinion. An opinion is based in logic and fact. But, I must say, you are honest about this in an open forum.

Bedar

Andrea, I didn't mean to put you off Valencia in your other post. It just seemed that you were skipping over Cordoba and Granada to go to Valencia, and Cordoba and Granada and Seville are the highlights of any trip to Spain. Glad to see above that they're now on your list. Valencia is fine, but, remember, it's a BIG city. You haven't said exactly when your trip is taking place, but you may be in Valencia for the Feria de Julio which will be great fun. Be sure to try Spanish horchata and leche merengada while there. If you're interested in a smaller Costa Blanca town, have a look at Altea which is south of Valencia. I wouldn't bother with 3 days in Arcos. Have a look at Los Canos de Meca on the Costa de la Luz for a small beach town. Have fun !

AirBalloon

Hi everyone,

Travel and experience does give us all the opportunity to discuss many issues, connecting our own personal history and the history we learn as we travel. With the recent events in Paris, our writing (and typing), is the ultimate way to learn from each other in the promotion of peace for all.

I understand that Valencia may not be as well travelled or as much of a "must-see" to many as Granada, but with us spending time in Madrid, Toledo and Seville, we wanted to see another part of Spain outside of Andalusia. Valencia, to us, although it is a large city, seems to be very interesting and the coast and towns near Valencia look fabulous. From what we have read and in our discussions with others, we have been told that Valencia is overlooked by many travellers (we always try and travel to other, less visited areas, cities, and towns in many of our European vacation).

Barcelona was an amazing city, but with us having sent time there on two occasions, we are looking to see other parts of Spain.


Please keep your ideas and advice coming. Everyone benefits from these discussions.


Andrea

annhig

I can heartily recommend Valencia. We spent 4 nights there earlier in the year [end of May] and though it was hot it was not unbearable and it has the advantage of being right by the Med.

if you decide to concentrate on the southern half of Spain, you could do Madrid,[4] Toledo,[1] Seville [staying longer than 3 nights if you want to do day trips e.g. to Jerez] [4] Cordoba [1] [Granada, [2] Malaga,[2] Valencia, [3] Madrid. if you put your stay in Madrid at the end of the trip, you won't have to break up your time there in order to get your flight home.

I'm still not sure when exactly your trip is, but please do not underestimate the heat of the south of Spain. if it's towards the end of July/ August, personally I would agree that after Madrid you should go north to the Costa Verde and the Basque country. It would also be cooler up in the Picos di Europa. We spent a couple of weeks there in July a few years ago and though it was hot, it was not unbearable.

AirBalloon

Hi Annhig,

Thanks for your ideas. We will be arriving in Spain near the start of August. We know it will be hot but that is something that does not concern us.

What was it about Valencia that you liked? What area of the city did you stay in? Did you visit any other places in the same region?

Thanks.

Andrea

annhig

Andrea - Valencia had a nice vibe, it wasn't over-run with tourists, and there were lots of things to do most of which were walkable. The food was excellent and cheap - you could get a menu del dia for about €10 and there are lots of nice tapas bars to explore in the evenings. It is also probably the best place to eat paella and other rice dishes as they grow several different sorts of rice in the area.

We stayed right in the middle, which was ideal - close to the old city but also walkable to the station. one day we got the train to the nearby town of Sagunt and spend the morning exploring the 2000 year old castle; there were quite a few other places that you can get to on the train and which looked as if they would be equally interesting if we'd and the time.

And if the heat does get too much, you've always got the sea!

AirBalloon

Hi,

We have "almost" decided to do Madrid, Seville and Valencia, with day trips from each of these cities.

Can anyone recommend a beautiful beach town on the Costa Blanca, the Costa de Valencia or the Costa del Azahar where we can spend a few days that has gorgeous beaches and a great old town to walk around in the evening?


Thanks so much.


Andrea

lincasanova

altea.. javea denia. the old towns aren't GREAT.. these are very small towns but a more interesting coastline than Valencia city beach .

I do warn you that these towns will be at their HIGHEST occupancy so don't expect secluded beaches. The beach in Denia near Les Rotes is very small.. rocky.. so doesn't get many people but is in a very pretty spot.

They are all accessible from Valencia by car in less than 90 minutes door to door.

or2nh4me2

Just chiming in to support cmeyer. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and although I personally found the Alhambra stunning and magical, cmeyer did not and that IS ok. I read nothing in their posts that suggests bashing or prejudice against any other culture-just a sense that this site was not their thing-and that their honest opinion was compounded by their personal experiences. No mention was made that they connect the Muslim history at the Alhambra with Islamist radicals. Some people need to ease up...

kimhe

And if you go to Valencia, be sure to vist the Mercado Central, obviously anything can happen there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds8ryWd5aFw

And plain fantastic San Sebastian is obviously an alternative. The culinary capital of Spain if not all of Europe, some of the finest city beaches on the continent, beautiful landscapes, a local culture that people take great pride in and European capital of culture 2016.
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...anted=all&_r=0
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...lin-stars.html
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...rink.shopping2

AirBalloon

Hi,

We considered San Sebastien as an option, but we would rather spend our time in a region where the waters are warmer after visiting Madrid and Seville.

There is another option that we just started to consider.

What about spending 7 days in Majorca? After spending time in Madrid and Seville (and the day trips from these two cities), Majorca looks like the perfect combination of history, relaxation and beauty.

If you can share your thoughts and advice on Majorca, we would really appreciate it.

Thanks again so much.


Andrea

kimhe

Very warm waters in San Sebastian in summer. I've lived here and visted in summer some fifteen times since the late 80's. You could expect water temperatures at 70-72F+ and people swimming all the time.

The fabulous beaches, the waters and the milder summer climate have made San Seastian a favourite for French and Spanish summer visitors for more than 150 years. http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/beaches/
http://water.travel.org.ua/july/san-...mperature.html

And since the 1980's, of course the plain fantastic food almost wherever you go. Ferran Adrià, the world's most famous chef the past fifteen years (E Bulli), has said that San Sebastian is the best place to eat in the world "in terms of the average quality of the food, in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into"

All about going for the famous pintxos in San Sebastian: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

AirBalloon

Hi,


70 - 72 degree water may be warm for some but the sea temperatures around Mallorca are around 78 to 80 in August, which is more enjoyable for us.

Mallorca looks fabulous.

Any advice?


Andrea