Such terrible sadness, death and destruction in so many place affecting so many millions all over the world.

Our plans were set for rail travel from Madrid to Cuenca on 18, Monday of November, and on the 20th, take the train from Cuenca to Valencia (those tickets not yet purchased)
If the IRYO is not fixed, I imagine there will be buses or even a possibility of a hiring a driver to cover the two routes. (?)

I also have other worries, tied to the health of my partner, who iwe only just learned, is going to need surgery soon--not sure how long if this can be delayed, or how he would feel about gong along even if the surgery IS delayed until his return. (It is a vascular condition (PVD??) affecting two legs, one worse than the other, which we only just learned has been the cause of his diminished ambulation over the past year or so (Pain when walking) ....we thought, and were told, that it was his back!).)

My thoughts are with those affected in various areas of Spain, and this week I have to decide if I will go alone, cancel the trip, or we will go together (the latter is probably the smallest likelihood and will depend on what his doctor says after a medical test on Tuesday.)

I will follow the news in Spain closely of course, and please share any news might miss about the high-speed rails between Madrid-Cuanca-Valencia....Our tickets are refundable (train, yes, air, probably not) but that is the least of the concerns right now.....

Good luck with your decision!

Thank you, Susan: You are so kind to think of me and my own trip at this time.

If I decide to proceed here, and it's a big If for various reasons, I'd like to get a name (or three) for private drivers that might do the Madrid-Cuenca route, assuming that the highway(s) are not affected by the flooding.... Maribel would you happen to know about how to go about finding a respected driver; no guide' no English necessary. I am sure it will be exorbitant, but I'd like to have a few options on hand....

Ekscrunchy, by the time of your arrival most roads will be in good condition and you should not worry about getting there. And high speed train route from Madrid to Valencia is set to be back to normal in less than two weeks, so if everything works out as forecasted, you will have no problems. In any case, bus is an excellent alternative option. I´ll be driving from Bilbao to Valencia (city) on Nov 22 and at this time there are no issues on that route. The storm, much weaker, is now affecting parts of southern Catalonia and the Balearic islands, but it´s far from being what´s happened in Valencia.

What a terribly sad tragedy.
Good luck to those that are planning to visit soon.
EKscrunchy: best wishes for your partner’s treatment and swift recovery.
Glad to hear the city of Valencia itself was spared the worst.

best wishes eks,
keep us informed.

Suerte !

Thanks to all of you for the information and the good thoughts! I just learned that this is an outpatient surgery, and it sounds as if the recovery is fast IF he gets a surgery date for this week......so will hope for the best and if need be, I think I will go alone.

Question:

I have booked rooms in four hotels for this trip: One is a parador (Cuenca); the others are in the 4-5-star class. I've booked the rooms for two people. If my partner cannot go along,
is the price lower if only one person occupies the reserved room? (Wondering if I need to alert these hotels that I will be coming solo). I am not looking for a single room but would want to keep the rooms (or the room category) that I booked?

Once, in Le Marche Italy, I was taken to task on checkout because I had inadvertently booked our room for one person, not two....which leans me to believe that in that particular hotel, at least, the price depends on how many people occupy the room.....

Thanks for any answers!!

[QUOTE=ekscrunchy;17608950]Thanks to all of you for the information and the good thoughts! I just learned that this is an outpatient surgery, and it sounds as if the recovery is fast IF he gets a surgery date for this week......so will hope for the best and if need be, I think I will go alone.

Question:

I have booked rooms in four hotels for this trip: One is a parador (Cuenca); the others are in the 4-5-star class. I've booked the rooms for two people. If my partner cannot go along,
is the price lower if only one person occupies the reserved room? (Wondering if I need to alert these hotels that I will be coming solo). I am not looking for a single room but would want to keep the rooms (or the room category) that I booked?

Once, in Le Marche Italy, I was taken to task on checkout because I had inadvertently booked our room for one person, not two....which leans me to believe that in that particular hotel, at least, the price depends on how many people occupy the room.....

Thanks for any answers!![/

If breakfast is included in the rate, then number of people would make the difference.
VAT is per room.
In some cities hotels charge a “ city tax “ ,per person .

Oh, Danon, good point. Yes, I almost always get the breakfast-included rate so of course that would be higher......and the VAT...

I don't think I need to alert anyone in advance if I will arrive alone then.....hope that will not happen in any case....thanks for your help, as always.

We have created a new thread about your specific trip

I would simply email your hotels explaining the situation and the possibility, not certainty, that you may arrive solo. And if you do arrive solo(hope not), you will want the same room that you booked and ask about the price of the room for only one.
When traveling here alone, I always book a double/single occupancy because I don’t want to be put in a small single room, at times very, very small ( been there, done that).

I’ll email you with the names of some drivers ($$$$) but I hope that the IRYO will be operational by then.
I’m sure the Orfila could set you up with a driver, but of course for a pretty price!

“When traveling here alone, I always book a double/“…I do the same .
Never had a problem when arriving solo.

Sorry to bother you Maribel, but do you know what is happening with Icon Casona 1900 ?
They won’t take bookings for 2025.

Hi danon,
I haven't a clue. I can't book an early Jan. stay on their web page or any other web page for that matter. But I haven't received any notifications of a 2025 closure, a total refurbishment (don't see why that would be needed) or change in management, so I just don't know. I'll get to the bottom of this. I'll try to stop by this week and ask.

Thx…I tried different dates in version months and got “ no availability “ each time.

Hi danon,
Just received an email from the hotel Casona 1900. The property has been sold and will no longer be a hotel. They'll be closing their doors on Dec. 31. Such a shame!

enas tardes Sra. Maribel,

Lamentamos informarle que, debido a un cambio de propiedad en el hotel, cerraremos nuestras puertas el día 31 de diciembre, ya que se llevará a cabo una modificación en la actividad económica del edificio.

Muchas gracias

Un saludo cordialBuenas tardes Sra. Maribel,

Lamentamos informarle que, debido a un cambio de propiedad en el hotel, cerraremos nuestras puertas el día 31 de diciembre, ya que se llevará a cabo una modificación en la actividad económica del edificio.Buenas tardes Sra. Maribel,

Lamentamos informarle que, debido a un cambio de propiedad en el hotel, cerraremos nuestras puertas el día 31 de diciembre, ya que se llevará a cabo una modificación en la actividad económica del edificio.

Thank you Maribel.
It is too bad, A perfect location, quiet at night , and unbeatable rates.

I will take a look at other Petit Palace properties in the area.

danon,
Look at the Icon Wimpton on Jorge Juan, remembering that the Icon is the top brand of the Petit Palace group.

Are there any rooms “ in the back” of the hotel ?
I know how busy JJ is at night. I am a light sleeper 😳
Thank you for the suggestions.

danon,
Well...the Icon Wipton certainly isn't a bargain, as I just checked the rates for Jan & Feb. Ouch. And for light sleepers on the weekends Jorge Juan is very noisy. So probably not a good choice for you.

Thx, very kind of you.
I liked The Pavilions but their rate is no bargain either.