It's been a few days of hell workwise coming back after my trip but just wanted to post some final thoughts on my trip. I still haven't got used to American coffee or the coffee at work-how I miss my cafe con leche. The only bad cup of coffee in Spain was at Barajas airport. I also miss eating later as 7pm here is considered late and there's no way I could walk around my town at 10:30-11pm alone like in Spain. Sadly, my Spanish skills are also fading through non-use.

Most cherished memories-walking through the side streets of Granada, Toledo and Seville seeing the real life of the town behind the tourist attractions. Walking around the Alhambra at 9am watching the light hitting the brick and stone buildings and looking out over the city of Granada. Riding the trains in Spain and seeing a different landscape from my home. Using my Spanish language skills from school years back. The kindness of Spanish people. Seeing Guernica and El Greco's work in person.

Things I would do differently: Better planning of what to see and eat in each city. Coming from Madrid, I thought more things would be open all day in Granada and Seville. I had a habit of getting to a cathedral 45 minutes before closing time and not being able to get an audio guide which would have helped my understanding of the Seville cathedral. Buying a cellphone when I first got to Spain. I found as a single traveller, my phone really helped me out in certain situations where there was no WiFi and Skype didn't work. Take a pair of comfortable shoes as my ballerina flats while comfortable didn't have good cushioning while walking on cobblestones which are everywhere in Spain.

To be honest, I never really had a burning desire to travel to Spain-I'm much more interested in Paris and London. However, after my trip, I've been a strong advocate since Spain has at least as fresh food and coffee as France, cheaper hotels and better transport than England. The weather apart from the end was gorgeous and I still miss the little pastry shops where I could go and get my pastry and coffee at the counter. Even all my misadventures were part of the experience. So now I will go back to lurking and figuring out how I fund my next trip to London and Italy.

Welcome back to wherever you are! Glad you have such a positive attitude after your trials and tribulations! Good luck on the funding for the trip.

Hi, glad that the positives outweighed the negatives.

Spain is really an amazing place to visit---we were in Seville and Malaga over Christmas and the weather was stunning, lodging VERY affordable, and the pastries are to die for, want to go back soon.

Nice post, I can relate.

Like you, I never had a burning desire to visit Spain - until about ten years ago, when friends persuaded me to visit them in Andalucía. I, too, found it amazing, from the cafe con leche to the kindess of the people. I kept going back every spring on vacation, and in 2004 I moved to Seville "for a year." I am still here, and can't believe my good fortune. So Emily, think about coming back! It doesn't have to be a one-time thing.

Glad you enjoyed. If you think the spanish are nice tthen you should try the Portugeuse

We also have loved our trips to Spain and plan to return. The coffee is the best and I had a big adjustment returning home. But, I agree with bilboburger that the nicest and most welcoming people we have ever encountered in all of our far flung travels are the Portugese.

I've really enjoyed your trip reports -thanks for posting.

I can totally relate! The cafe con leche was to die, and the people are so kind (esp if you do your best w/even rusty Spanish). I have to say I was not ready for how powerful of an experience the Alhambra was, or how (not being a mod art fan) seeing the Guernica in person would move me. We made so many "mistakes" and I even had strep throat in Granada, but that's not what I remember. What I recall is an amazing historical, cultural and social experience!