Madrid to Gibraltar to Marakesh or Casablanca
Jun 20th, 2012, 06:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Madrid to Gibraltar to Marakesh or Casablanca
I have making up routes and itinerary for a trip to Spain and Morocco this November.
The trip will be about 4 weeks. Since we'll be flying from Canada through London to Madrid, I want to stay 1 week in Madrid (and make a day trip to Toledo). That's all I have planned so far.
I know I want to see Barcelona, Gibraltar (and take a ferry either from Spain to Morocco/Tangier, or on the way back), Casablanca, Marakesh.
I don't now much about Spain - and would appreciate if fellow Fodorites and Spain or Morocco experts would suggest a route: train/ bus/ flights. My thinking is:
Madrid (7 days) - take train to Seville
Seville (2-3 days) - then somehow gets to Gibraltar
Gibraltar (1 day) - ferry across the Strait to Tangier - fly or train to Casablanca or Marakesh
Casablanca/Marakesh - (~10 days between the 2 cities) - then fly to Barcelona
Barcelona (5 day) - take train to Madrid
Madrid (2-3 days)
Any suggestions or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
The trip will be about 4 weeks. Since we'll be flying from Canada through London to Madrid, I want to stay 1 week in Madrid (and make a day trip to Toledo). That's all I have planned so far.
I know I want to see Barcelona, Gibraltar (and take a ferry either from Spain to Morocco/Tangier, or on the way back), Casablanca, Marakesh.
I don't now much about Spain - and would appreciate if fellow Fodorites and Spain or Morocco experts would suggest a route: train/ bus/ flights. My thinking is:
Madrid (7 days) - take train to Seville
Seville (2-3 days) - then somehow gets to Gibraltar
Gibraltar (1 day) - ferry across the Strait to Tangier - fly or train to Casablanca or Marakesh
Casablanca/Marakesh - (~10 days between the 2 cities) - then fly to Barcelona
Barcelona (5 day) - take train to Madrid
Madrid (2-3 days)
Any suggestions or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
Jun 21st, 2012, 03:37 AM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trains in Spain - www.renfe.com and read (at least) -
http://tiny.cc/d728fw to understand the website (if necessary) and the probability of discounted tickets. And as you are from outside Europe, you may need this further hugely comprehensive guide if you have troubles - http://tiny.cc/4b38fw
Seville to La Linea bus - http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_33_english.htm and walk across the border into Gibraltar.
Seville deserves more time perhaps, if you could shave a day off somewhere else - but it's your trip and not mine. Plenty of time for fundamental and in depth research before November.
http://tiny.cc/d728fw to understand the website (if necessary) and the probability of discounted tickets. And as you are from outside Europe, you may need this further hugely comprehensive guide if you have troubles - http://tiny.cc/4b38fw
Seville to La Linea bus - http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_33_english.htm and walk across the border into Gibraltar.
Seville deserves more time perhaps, if you could shave a day off somewhere else - but it's your trip and not mine. Plenty of time for fundamental and in depth research before November.
Jun 21st, 2012, 06:24 AM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is more for the Africa Forum, but is there any special reason for going to Casablanca? Fez, maybe Meknes and Essaouira, definitely Marrakech, and hopefully a trip into the desert. But not Casa.
10 days isn't much but for a basic trip here goes - ferry to Tangier and taxi immediately to the train station. Train to Fez. 2 days, maybe 3 with a day trip to Meknes. Rent car and long drive into the desert. 2 days including an overnight in a tent. Drive to Todra Gorge. Overnight. Long drive to Marrakech. Spend the rest of your time there.
I know, I know - Africa Forum.
Also, I think it's much easier to take the ferry to Tangier from Tarifa or Algeciras than from Gibraltar, meaning that ferries from Spain are very plentiful and those from Gibraltar are not. All you need is one, though.
10 days isn't much but for a basic trip here goes - ferry to Tangier and taxi immediately to the train station. Train to Fez. 2 days, maybe 3 with a day trip to Meknes. Rent car and long drive into the desert. 2 days including an overnight in a tent. Drive to Todra Gorge. Overnight. Long drive to Marrakech. Spend the rest of your time there.
I know, I know - Africa Forum.
Also, I think it's much easier to take the ferry to Tangier from Tarifa or Algeciras than from Gibraltar, meaning that ferries from Spain are very plentiful and those from Gibraltar are not. All you need is one, though.
Jun 21st, 2012, 07:07 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Spent less than four hours on Gibraltar as part of a tour back in the day. Seemed like more than enough time.
Wouldn't go to Tangier if there's another arrival point in Morocco. Tangier is a port city of little historical or touristic significance.
WOULD go to Cordoba from Seville and drop a day or two from Madrid.
Have you booked the flights? If not, return to Canada from Barcelona through London, not Madrid. A total of 10 days in Madrid is excessive (much more to see in Barcelona).
Wouldn't go to Tangier if there's another arrival point in Morocco. Tangier is a port city of little historical or touristic significance.
WOULD go to Cordoba from Seville and drop a day or two from Madrid.
Have you booked the flights? If not, return to Canada from Barcelona through London, not Madrid. A total of 10 days in Madrid is excessive (much more to see in Barcelona).
Jun 21st, 2012, 07:09 AM
#8
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Gibraltar (1 day) - ferry across the Strait to Tangier"
It seems as though you are intending to take a ferry from Gibraltar to Tangier. If so, you will need to be in Gibraltar on Friday evening for the ferry because there is only one ferry a week.
It seems as though you are intending to take a ferry from Gibraltar to Tangier. If so, you will need to be in Gibraltar on Friday evening for the ferry because there is only one ferry a week.
Jun 21st, 2012, 08:59 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
AlanRow/Wombatt/TonyBishop:
La mia colpa: my partner wants to take the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar, and so I wrote down Gibraltar. But it looks like there is only 1 ferry from Gibraltar, and most ferries leave from Tarifa or Algeciras.
Given the ferry ride is only about 1/2 hour: is it really worth it to take the train from Madrid to Tarifa or Algeciras, land in Tangier (which I heard is not very pleasant), and then find my way to Marakesh or Casablanca?
Maybe I should investigate flying from Spain to Marakesh directly rather than "wasting" 1-2 days on train/bus/ferry.
Bellini:
The reason I wanted to stay in Madrid at least a week is that, I heard even though Madrid itself is not as interesting as Barcelona, there are places outside Madrid for day trips: Toledo being one, and now I would look at Aranjuez.
BigRuss
We will be taking Air Canada/BA from Canada - London - Madrid. The tickets were bought a few months ago. I don't think there is BA flight from Barcelona to London? Anyways it is too late to change. Yes ideally I would like to fly back to London from Barcelona, rather than going back to Madrid, If we fly back through Madrid I would stay there 1-2 days, because going from Barcelona to London to Canada in one stretch is too easy to miss a connection.
WomBatt/BigRuss
I want to go from Madrid to Morocco stopping at either Seville or Granada. It's a toss-up but leaning towards Seville, with the biggest Cathedral in the world (?), and also maybe easier to fly from Seville, rather than Granada, to Morocco. I wonder if we stay for 3 days in Seville, can we make a day trip to see Cordoba (I know that's going back towards Madrid).
Robertino:
I know we should discuss in AfricaForun, but many people go to Spain and also go to Morocco.
The only reason for Casablanca is the movie which I saw many years ago, and to tell people that "yes I've been there". Are you saying that it isn't worth a trip? how about staying in Marakesh as a base and make a day trip or an overnight trip to Casablanca?
Fez, Meknes and Essaouira: I don't know these places at all, but will do some research. I wasn't planning to drive in Morocco. I had no problem driving in Italy (the Amalfa Coast) and Turkey (within Izmir, and from to Ephesus to Parmakkule). But I am afraid that English signs are not prevalent in Morocco and fewer people speak English? What is your experience of driving in Morocco?
If Kez is worth a few days, maybe we can join local tours while in Kez to explore the surrounding area. How long is the train from Marakesh to Kez? but it means that we have to go back to Marakesh to fly back to Spain.
No sure about the desert: I heard those camels are pretty nasty animals: they spit at you if they don't like you. That's what my brother told me.
AlanRow/Wombatt/TonyBishop:
La mia colpa: my partner wants to take the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar, and so I wrote down Gibraltar. But it looks like there is only 1 ferry from Gibraltar, and most ferries leave from Tarifa or Algeciras.
Given the ferry ride is only about 1/2 hour: is it really worth it to take the train from Madrid to Tarifa or Algeciras, land in Tangier (which I heard is not very pleasant), and then find my way to Marakesh or Casablanca?
Maybe I should investigate flying from Spain to Marakesh directly rather than "wasting" 1-2 days on train/bus/ferry.
Bellini:
The reason I wanted to stay in Madrid at least a week is that, I heard even though Madrid itself is not as interesting as Barcelona, there are places outside Madrid for day trips: Toledo being one, and now I would look at Aranjuez.
BigRuss
We will be taking Air Canada/BA from Canada - London - Madrid. The tickets were bought a few months ago. I don't think there is BA flight from Barcelona to London? Anyways it is too late to change. Yes ideally I would like to fly back to London from Barcelona, rather than going back to Madrid, If we fly back through Madrid I would stay there 1-2 days, because going from Barcelona to London to Canada in one stretch is too easy to miss a connection.
WomBatt/BigRuss
I want to go from Madrid to Morocco stopping at either Seville or Granada. It's a toss-up but leaning towards Seville, with the biggest Cathedral in the world (?), and also maybe easier to fly from Seville, rather than Granada, to Morocco. I wonder if we stay for 3 days in Seville, can we make a day trip to see Cordoba (I know that's going back towards Madrid).
Robertino:
I know we should discuss in AfricaForun, but many people go to Spain and also go to Morocco.
The only reason for Casablanca is the movie which I saw many years ago, and to tell people that "yes I've been there". Are you saying that it isn't worth a trip? how about staying in Marakesh as a base and make a day trip or an overnight trip to Casablanca?
Fez, Meknes and Essaouira: I don't know these places at all, but will do some research. I wasn't planning to drive in Morocco. I had no problem driving in Italy (the Amalfa Coast) and Turkey (within Izmir, and from to Ephesus to Parmakkule). But I am afraid that English signs are not prevalent in Morocco and fewer people speak English? What is your experience of driving in Morocco?
If Kez is worth a few days, maybe we can join local tours while in Kez to explore the surrounding area. How long is the train from Marakesh to Kez? but it means that we have to go back to Marakesh to fly back to Spain.
No sure about the desert: I heard those camels are pretty nasty animals: they spit at you if they don't like you. That's what my brother told me.
Jun 21st, 2012, 11:17 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd suggest spending more time in Sevilla. With 4 days you'd have enough time for a daytrip to Cordoba. I'd also try to find a couple of additional days to visit Granada. It seems a shame to not visit Granada for a first trip to Andalucia. You could easily spend the entire month in Spain considering you're trying to visit 3 distinct geographies. You may consider cutting Barcelona to give you the time needed for Sevilla and Granada. It makes better sense logistically and you could save Barcelona for another trip.
Jun 21st, 2012, 11:40 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Forget Casablanca. Since this is a first trip and you want to see Andalucia, go into Madrid and then on to Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. From there head to Algeciras and take the ferry to Tangiers. Hop the train and go to Fez. In order to get to Marrakech, the train goes west to Rabat and Casa before turning southeast to Marrakech. From there fly to Barcelona and then on to Madrid. It is tempting to take a flight from Madrid to Morocco, but you'd have to take Ryanair if you don't want to spend a fortune, and then you'd miss seeing Andalucia ! Forget Gibraltar, too. The ferry from Algeciras takes 2 hrs and costs 20€. The one from Tarifa takes 35 min and costs 35€.
We will be doing a trip to Spain/Morocco in Oct-Nov, but we're old hands having lived in both places for many years. We plan to take the train from Madrid to Algeciras, then pick up a rental car in Tangiers after visiting an old friend who lives there, and on to Asliah, Larache, Kenitra, and Rabat. Then back to Tangiers and Algeciras where we'll get another rental car to continue on to our house in Spain. If my daughter and son-in-law are with us, because she was young when we lived there, from Rabat we'll continue on down the coast to Essaouira, over to Marrakech, up to Fez and Chaouen, drop the car in Tangiers, and out to Spain. We, too, are not interested in the desert.
Best for you to go to a library and get books on Spain and Morocco so you'll have a better idea of what you might want to see. You are lucky to have 4 wks for your trip, unlike many people on this board. Take advantage of your time and HAVE LOTS OF FUN !!!
We will be doing a trip to Spain/Morocco in Oct-Nov, but we're old hands having lived in both places for many years. We plan to take the train from Madrid to Algeciras, then pick up a rental car in Tangiers after visiting an old friend who lives there, and on to Asliah, Larache, Kenitra, and Rabat. Then back to Tangiers and Algeciras where we'll get another rental car to continue on to our house in Spain. If my daughter and son-in-law are with us, because she was young when we lived there, from Rabat we'll continue on down the coast to Essaouira, over to Marrakech, up to Fez and Chaouen, drop the car in Tangiers, and out to Spain. We, too, are not interested in the desert.
Best for you to go to a library and get books on Spain and Morocco so you'll have a better idea of what you might want to see. You are lucky to have 4 wks for your trip, unlike many people on this board. Take advantage of your time and HAVE LOTS OF FUN !!!
Jun 21st, 2012, 02:06 PM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<< I don't think there is BA flight from Barcelona to London? >>
Try again.
And Barcelona - London - Canada is no more onerous an itinerary than Madrid to Canada via London. You made your choice so stick with it and don't look back but for future reference, the start point and end point on the vacation does not need to be the same.
The hydrofoil from Algeciras to Tangier is 1 hour. Bring antiemetics if you have any motion sickness at all on any type of transport.
Granada has one attraction, Alhambra. Other than that . . . yawn. Cordoba has more to entice and it's 1/8 the size of Granada. Thus, the pick should be Seville (worth a couple of days and better access to Cordoba). Its cathedral is the third largest in the world; St. Peter's is the largest in Europe.
Madrid doesn't really have a surfeit of day trips. Toledo is the best, Segovia is only ok and really not worth going out of your way to see. Unfortunately there are no fast trains to Salamanca, which is worth a couple of nights. You can do day trips from Barcelona too (Girona, Montserrat, etc.) and there's more to see generally in Barcelona than in Madrid.
If you like modern art, go to articketbcn.com and buy the ticket.
Try again.
And Barcelona - London - Canada is no more onerous an itinerary than Madrid to Canada via London. You made your choice so stick with it and don't look back but for future reference, the start point and end point on the vacation does not need to be the same.
The hydrofoil from Algeciras to Tangier is 1 hour. Bring antiemetics if you have any motion sickness at all on any type of transport.
Granada has one attraction, Alhambra. Other than that . . . yawn. Cordoba has more to entice and it's 1/8 the size of Granada. Thus, the pick should be Seville (worth a couple of days and better access to Cordoba). Its cathedral is the third largest in the world; St. Peter's is the largest in Europe.
Madrid doesn't really have a surfeit of day trips. Toledo is the best, Segovia is only ok and really not worth going out of your way to see. Unfortunately there are no fast trains to Salamanca, which is worth a couple of nights. You can do day trips from Barcelona too (Girona, Montserrat, etc.) and there's more to see generally in Barcelona than in Madrid.
If you like modern art, go to articketbcn.com and buy the ticket.
Jun 21st, 2012, 05:39 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I already bought travel books on Spain and Morocco. But all the places look so nice in the guidebook so it's difficult to decide where to go. Hence the posting here.
Here is my revised itinerary based on comments/suggestions:
Nov 3: late afternoon arrive in Madrid
Nov 3-9: 7 nights in Madrid, with 2 side trips (Toledo and Aranjuez)
Nov 10: travel - 3hr train to Granada
Nov 10-12: 3 nights in Granada
Nov 13: train - 3 hrs - to Seville
Nov 13-15: 3 nights in Seville (side trip to Cordoba)
Nov 16: fly from Seville to Marekash
Nov 16:- 18: 3 nights in Marekesh
Nov 19: 6-7 hrs drive? train? to Kez
Nov 19-21: Kez
Nov 22: 6-7 hrs train or car back to Marekesh
Nov 22: 1 night Marekesh
Nov 23: fly to Barcelona
Nov 23-27: 5 nights in Barcelona
Nov 28: to Madrid
Nov 28: 1 night in Madrid
Nov 29: Madrid - London - Canada
One thing not sure is the travel between Marekesh and Kez: it will take 6-7 hours either driving or train, and the same amount of time going back to Marekesh so that we can fly to Barcelona. It seems like a lot of effort to go to Kez..
Here is my revised itinerary based on comments/suggestions:
Nov 3: late afternoon arrive in Madrid
Nov 3-9: 7 nights in Madrid, with 2 side trips (Toledo and Aranjuez)
Nov 10: travel - 3hr train to Granada
Nov 10-12: 3 nights in Granada
Nov 13: train - 3 hrs - to Seville
Nov 13-15: 3 nights in Seville (side trip to Cordoba)
Nov 16: fly from Seville to Marekash
Nov 16:- 18: 3 nights in Marekesh
Nov 19: 6-7 hrs drive? train? to Kez
Nov 19-21: Kez
Nov 22: 6-7 hrs train or car back to Marekesh
Nov 22: 1 night Marekesh
Nov 23: fly to Barcelona
Nov 23-27: 5 nights in Barcelona
Nov 28: to Madrid
Nov 28: 1 night in Madrid
Nov 29: Madrid - London - Canada
One thing not sure is the travel between Marekesh and Kez: it will take 6-7 hours either driving or train, and the same amount of time going back to Marekesh so that we can fly to Barcelona. It seems like a lot of effort to go to Kez..
Jun 21st, 2012, 06:06 PM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the Spain portion I think this looks good. Personally I'd add a day to Sevilla and take it from Granada. While I do believe there is more to Granada than the Alhambra I think 2 nights is sufficient. While 3 nights in Sevilla with 1 day dedicated to a Cordoba daytrip is a bit rushed. For me I'd consider taking a couple of days from Madrid and perhaps adding Malaga or Cadiz. The weather may be nicer than Madrid and although not beach season it would be nice to see the coast. 7 nights in Madrid seems a little much even with a couple of daytrips - but it will allow you to rest up a bit. By the way, the train from Madrid to Granada is longer than 3 hours. It's closer to 5. Bus is also another alternative as takes the same amount of time and is more frequent. For Granada to Sevilla you can take the train or bus - either way this is 3 hours.
Jun 21st, 2012, 08:23 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Cathy.
If the train from Madrid to Granada takes 5 hours, it will be afternoon or late afternoon when we arrive in Granada. So that means only 2 full days there (Nov 11 and 12). On Nov 13 we can leave early for Seville.
I can shave 1 day from Madrid, but if I do I am thinking of adding a day to Fez (I kept calling it Kez), because it takes so long to travel between Marekesh and Kez. It would be perfect if we can go from Marekesh to Fez, and fly from Fez directly to Barcelona but I couldn't find any flights. That means we'll have to spend a whole day on the road just getting back to Marekesh to fly to Barcelona.
Thanks for all the help. Now all I need is to fine tune the days: add one here or shave off one there. I should really go to the Africa Forum to discuss the Marekesh - Fez travel.
Thanks again everyone.
If the train from Madrid to Granada takes 5 hours, it will be afternoon or late afternoon when we arrive in Granada. So that means only 2 full days there (Nov 11 and 12). On Nov 13 we can leave early for Seville.
I can shave 1 day from Madrid, but if I do I am thinking of adding a day to Fez (I kept calling it Kez), because it takes so long to travel between Marekesh and Kez. It would be perfect if we can go from Marekesh to Fez, and fly from Fez directly to Barcelona but I couldn't find any flights. That means we'll have to spend a whole day on the road just getting back to Marekesh to fly to Barcelona.
Thanks for all the help. Now all I need is to fine tune the days: add one here or shave off one there. I should really go to the Africa Forum to discuss the Marekesh - Fez travel.
Thanks again everyone.
Jun 23rd, 2012, 08:47 AM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have just discovered that Iberia Air flies directly from Madrid to Tangier for ~40euros. In that case I can devise my itinerary - I think this is abetter itinerary (wihout taking a 7 hour trian from Marrakesh to Fez and back to Marrakesh):
Nov 3-8: 6 days in Madrid (side trip to Toledo and Aranjuez)
Nov 9: early flight to Tangier - hop onto 4-hour train to Kez. Arrive late afternon
Nov 9-12: 4 nights in Kez
Nov 13: 7 hr train to Marrakesh
Nov 13-16: 4 nights in Marrakesh
Nov 17: early flight to Barcelona
Nov 17-21: 5 nights in Barcelona
Nov 22: early flight to Seville
Nov 22-25: 4 nights in Seville
Nov 26: morning train 3hrs to Granada
Nov 26-27: 2 nights in Granada
Nov 28: 1 hr morning flight to Madrid
Nov 28: 1 night in Madrid
Nov 29: leave for London - then Canada
Nov 3-8: 6 days in Madrid (side trip to Toledo and Aranjuez)
Nov 9: early flight to Tangier - hop onto 4-hour train to Kez. Arrive late afternon
Nov 9-12: 4 nights in Kez
Nov 13: 7 hr train to Marrakesh
Nov 13-16: 4 nights in Marrakesh
Nov 17: early flight to Barcelona
Nov 17-21: 5 nights in Barcelona
Nov 22: early flight to Seville
Nov 22-25: 4 nights in Seville
Nov 26: morning train 3hrs to Granada
Nov 26-27: 2 nights in Granada
Nov 28: 1 hr morning flight to Madrid
Nov 28: 1 night in Madrid
Nov 29: leave for London - then Canada
Jun 23rd, 2012, 09:29 AM
#19
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been to Aranjuez twice and each time less impressed! The palace and the river ride is not very well maintained!I would strongly recommend an early bus ride to Segovia and after a few hours take a short 10 minute bus ride to La Granja for lunch-the gardens and fountains are wonderful-now that's impressive!
Jun 23rd, 2012, 01:17 PM
#20
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Nov 3-8: 6 days in Madrid (side trip to Toledo and Aranjuez)"
If one of those days includes the day you arrive, and that seems the case, you are not going to get 6 full days in Madrid. You will get 5 full days at the most. If your flight into Madrid involves the possibility of jet lag, you definitely will not get 6 full days, and maybe not even 5 full days.
For what it is worth, a few years ago I went to Madrid for 6 full days with a group of friends, fully intending to make two day trips out of the city. In the end, we were having such a great time exploring Madrid that we did not even make one of those trips. No regrets whatsoever.
If one of those days includes the day you arrive, and that seems the case, you are not going to get 6 full days in Madrid. You will get 5 full days at the most. If your flight into Madrid involves the possibility of jet lag, you definitely will not get 6 full days, and maybe not even 5 full days.
For what it is worth, a few years ago I went to Madrid for 6 full days with a group of friends, fully intending to make two day trips out of the city. In the end, we were having such a great time exploring Madrid that we did not even make one of those trips. No regrets whatsoever.
