Short Report -- Madrid to Malaga - Ten days
 

We are just back from a ten day, four city hit in Spain. I often recommend against these kinds of trips because it was exhausting. Our son partially planned the trip as a graduation gift to himself and his girl friend. She had never been to Europe so he was eager to show her as much as we could within the short time. Not giving a blow by blow trip report but want to pass along some observations and information.

1. We flew into Madrid on the 27th and home from Malaga on Jan 5th via open jaws with Delta. In Madrid -2 nights; Cordoba – 1; Seville – 3; and Granada – 3 nights. Delta’s service was good with one, free small bottle of wine on the leg from Malaga to New York.

2. We use AVE trains to Cordoba and Seville and a regional train to Granada. All tickets were purchased on arrival in one city for the next leg - all second class with reserved seats. Although this time period is a heavy travel time for locals, all trains were only about half to three quarters full. With four people it was very economical to use taxis to and from the train stations.

3. For the AVE trains, all luggage was x-rayed but the person was not. No screening on the regional train. The access to the track area for all of our trains was controlled by permitting only ticket holders on the tracks. Obviously it cuts down on opportunities for pickpockets and it is a double check to make sure you are on the right track. All of the train cars were in great shape, clean and comfortable.

4. Having recent turned 65, I am not in the habit for asking for senior discounts. Half way through the train travels learned that the Spanish RR sells a “senior card” for anyone over 60 for 5E cash. The one year card gives a 40% discount on train tickets during the week and 25% on the weekend. Buy at any train ticket office. Also, anyone over 65 will receive free admission to many sites.

5. Nearly everything was closed on New Year’s Eve AND day in Seville.

6. Advance reservations for the Alhambra in Granada is critical. According to local sources the Alhambra is the mostly popular place in Spain for everyone -- think Disneyworld. We could not get the web site to work so our hotel made the reservations for us.

7. We used the bus from Granada to Malaga to catch the return flight home. It was convenient and cheap. Exited the bus and a sign in English pointed us to the pickup point (about 30 feet) for the airport bus. Made the run from Granada to the Malaga airport in less than three hours with a beautiful ride thought the mountains.

8. Compared to other parts of Europe, the bathrooms were clean and fairly easy to find. The facilities within tourist sites were great. However, carrying your own toilet paper is still important.

The “senior card” you refer to is only available to EU passport holders.

It is not limited to EU passports. We bought it showing US passports. It was worth 10E for the two of us to save 40% on the next leg of our trip. The card has a date stamp and is good for a year. We probably will be back in southern Spain this next September and plan to use it then.

My mistake... It must be a recent development.

It appears that you can only use the senior discount to reduce the coast of the standard fare and not the web or Estella discounts. The regular Estella fare is a 40% discount on the regular ticket price (the same as the senior discount), whereas the web fare is typically a 60% discount.

I guess it would make sense to use the card if you don't want to, or are unable to, purchase your tickets in advance.

We locals are aware of lack of toilet paper in toilets, people just uses to take them away. If there isn't, just ask for it.

And who do you ask?

If it is in a bar, the bartender.

Lets see if I have this correct. I have a need for toilet paper, find that the toilet paper is gone (I know, I should have checked first), the bar is jammed, I work my way to the bar and order toilet paper, now I am back at the toilet and it is occupied by someone else -- think not. Just easier to carry you own supply.