Spain Itinerary: Yes, for you the expert to comment on! Thanks
Mar 2nd, 2007, 03:09 PM
#41
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have not read all the posts, but if you can only visit one unique convent/museum, you will not be disappointed with the convento de las descalzas reales.
amazing to see how they lived then. near/in plaza santa ana, i believe.
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/...l/descreal.htm
amazing to see how they lived then. near/in plaza santa ana, i believe.
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/...l/descreal.htm
Mar 2nd, 2007, 03:52 PM
#42
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ComfyShoes, re: Museums. I'm sure others may disagree, but if time is the issue, I'd opt to skip Palacio Real and hit museums instead. You could maximize your museum visits by planning what you want to see and bee-lining to those works, especially in the huge Prado.
If you have not seem Guernica, it is very worth it. If you are not a modern art fan, you could focus on it and not spend much time there.
Last trip was my first visit to the Thyssen & I loved it. Didn't allow enough time, but will have to hope for the next trip...
I do have a photo in front of S. Bernabeu (Real Madrid's stadium), but didn't see more than the outside.
I am not much of a bullfight fan, but las Ventas itself is great for photos.
Agree with staying in Salamanca; Plaza Mayor is gorgeous. Do the singing students still roam the streets?
It has been a long time since I visited Jerez, but your plans there sound good to me.
Enjoy your trip and the Madrid night life as your final send-off!
If you have not seem Guernica, it is very worth it. If you are not a modern art fan, you could focus on it and not spend much time there.
Last trip was my first visit to the Thyssen & I loved it. Didn't allow enough time, but will have to hope for the next trip...
I do have a photo in front of S. Bernabeu (Real Madrid's stadium), but didn't see more than the outside.
I am not much of a bullfight fan, but las Ventas itself is great for photos.
Agree with staying in Salamanca; Plaza Mayor is gorgeous. Do the singing students still roam the streets?
It has been a long time since I visited Jerez, but your plans there sound good to me.
Enjoy your trip and the Madrid night life as your final send-off!
Mar 2nd, 2007, 04:04 PM
#43
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, and I meant to add that I don't consider myself an "expert" just a Spain lover!
For your tapas in Madrid, one place I kept returning to on the last trip (2005) was on Huertas (pedestrian street with many options) called Taberna Maceiras. It's very casual(as is the service)and specializes in Galician food; I liked the grilled octopus and small grilled peppers.
For your tapas in Madrid, one place I kept returning to on the last trip (2005) was on Huertas (pedestrian street with many options) called Taberna Maceiras. It's very casual(as is the service)and specializes in Galician food; I liked the grilled octopus and small grilled peppers.
Mar 3rd, 2007, 02:45 PM
#46
Comfyshoes, yes, you can buy a pass for all three museums. You can buy it at any one of the three. I did in November. I forget what it saved me, but I bought it so it must have saved me something!
Someone above recommended skipping Palacio Real in favor of museums. I tend to agree. If you've been to any other palaces in Europe (Versailles and Schoenbrunn outshone this in my eyes) then it's not really a must see, IMHO. I agree that you can pop in to see the Picassos at RS and be out in a hour. I also agree with whomever indicated that the Prado is a must-see for the Spanish art. You aren't going to find that quality and quantity stateside, so hit the Valezquez, El Grecos and Goyas (the Majas are just beautiful) and get thee to the Thyssen!
Also, if you like El Greco, pay attention in Toledo. I wasn't a fan but became one there. Seeing his work in churches, which is where they were made for, really brings it home.
Someone above recommended skipping Palacio Real in favor of museums. I tend to agree. If you've been to any other palaces in Europe (Versailles and Schoenbrunn outshone this in my eyes) then it's not really a must see, IMHO. I agree that you can pop in to see the Picassos at RS and be out in a hour. I also agree with whomever indicated that the Prado is a must-see for the Spanish art. You aren't going to find that quality and quantity stateside, so hit the Valezquez, El Grecos and Goyas (the Majas are just beautiful) and get thee to the Thyssen!
Also, if you like El Greco, pay attention in Toledo. I wasn't a fan but became one there. Seeing his work in churches, which is where they were made for, really brings it home.
Mar 4th, 2007, 05:21 AM
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
lincasanova, I have been to convento de las descalzas reales before. But, thank you.
Anabelle2, I am planning on doing four musuems (couple quicker than the others). I will see if I can visit Taberna Maceiras.
Kend, Find a nephew or a niece. Otherwise, bring out the child in you (I am so NOT kidding) and be serious but not too serious looking at art
There is "art" everywhere in life, including in you and me. And we don't have to spend a lot of money to appreciate it.
Amyb, I will look for El Greco in Toledo. That is one interesting looking place from pictures.
Dillian, Josele is reviewing my itinerary right now. Send a mail to [email protected], and I will e-mail you a final version before the week is over.
Anabelle2, I am planning on doing four musuems (couple quicker than the others). I will see if I can visit Taberna Maceiras.
Kend, Find a nephew or a niece. Otherwise, bring out the child in you (I am so NOT kidding) and be serious but not too serious looking at art
There is "art" everywhere in life, including in you and me. And we don't have to spend a lot of money to appreciate it. Amyb, I will look for El Greco in Toledo. That is one interesting looking place from pictures.
Dillian, Josele is reviewing my itinerary right now. Send a mail to [email protected], and I will e-mail you a final version before the week is over.
Mar 4th, 2007, 06:00 AM
#48
Hi, comfy,
yes you can buy a "paseo de arte" ticket that gets you into all three for 7.60e per adult. we didn't because we weren't planning on going to all three, and the Ptrado was free on the sunday.
In fact, as each museum costs 6E per adult, it's worth getting, even if you aren't sure whether you are going to go to two, let alone 3.
I echo the thoughts about the palacio real - it's quite interesting, but the thyssen was better. The best bit was the armoury, just for a look at the ridiculous things they used to get the poor royal children to wear - amazing!
A good view of the situation and the mountains can be obtained from the plaza gabriel Miro, in a little park to the south of the cathedral [closed for "obras" - works?]
we really enjoyed the opera [not cheap but very good] and the flamenco show at the cafe de chinitas, on calle torija.
I echo the suggestions that you should go to salamanca and avila - the plaza mayor in salamanca is unforgetable, as is the tomb of St. theresa in Avila, complete with her heart! [can't remember where exactly in avila that is, and my old Michelin green guide isn't helping ...anyone?]
Has anyone said already about gonig to the alhambra twice - once in the day, and again in the evening [or the night before, it doesn't matter]; this really isn't overkill as the night-time visit is a completely different experience.
You need to makes your reservations for both asap if you're going in April.
regards, ann
yes you can buy a "paseo de arte" ticket that gets you into all three for 7.60e per adult. we didn't because we weren't planning on going to all three, and the Ptrado was free on the sunday.
In fact, as each museum costs 6E per adult, it's worth getting, even if you aren't sure whether you are going to go to two, let alone 3.
I echo the thoughts about the palacio real - it's quite interesting, but the thyssen was better. The best bit was the armoury, just for a look at the ridiculous things they used to get the poor royal children to wear - amazing!
A good view of the situation and the mountains can be obtained from the plaza gabriel Miro, in a little park to the south of the cathedral [closed for "obras" - works?]
we really enjoyed the opera [not cheap but very good] and the flamenco show at the cafe de chinitas, on calle torija.
I echo the suggestions that you should go to salamanca and avila - the plaza mayor in salamanca is unforgetable, as is the tomb of St. theresa in Avila, complete with her heart! [can't remember where exactly in avila that is, and my old Michelin green guide isn't helping ...anyone?]
Has anyone said already about gonig to the alhambra twice - once in the day, and again in the evening [or the night before, it doesn't matter]; this really isn't overkill as the night-time visit is a completely different experience.
You need to makes your reservations for both asap if you're going in April.
regards, ann
Mar 4th, 2007, 06:20 AM
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Ann,
Thank you. The multi-museum tickets are pretty cheap which is great because I won't feel too guilty going in/out!
Can't go to Opera due to a busy schedule. I prefer slower vacations in general, and once there, might drop items in the current itinerary to "smell the roses".
You know those poor royal children were spending a lot of time in the gym, and I am not feeling sorry for'em Just kidding.
Thanks again.
Thank you. The multi-museum tickets are pretty cheap which is great because I won't feel too guilty going in/out!
Can't go to Opera due to a busy schedule. I prefer slower vacations in general, and once there, might drop items in the current itinerary to "smell the roses".
You know those poor royal children were spending a lot of time in the gym, and I am not feeling sorry for'em
Just kidding. Thanks again.
Mar 4th, 2007, 06:43 AM
#50
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Comfy, I love museums and art, specially Renaissance and Barroc art. But for the life of me that I'm unable to feel anything in front of a white painting with a red big circle in the middle (I thought it was Japan flag)...
I love Dali and Picasso, though
I love Dali and Picasso, though
Mar 4th, 2007, 06:55 AM
#51
hi, comfy -
they would have needed time in the gym to carry that heavy armour about! and what about the horses?
If you are in Madrid on a sunday, you can easily fit in an opera as it starts at 6pm, leaving the rest of the evening free - remembering that the madrillenos don't go out til 10pm!
Kenderina - no I don't get the splodges either - and don't get me started on
Miro!
regards, ann
they would have needed time in the gym to carry that heavy armour about! and what about the horses?
If you are in Madrid on a sunday, you can easily fit in an opera as it starts at 6pm, leaving the rest of the evening free - remembering that the madrillenos don't go out til 10pm!
Kenderina - no I don't get the splodges either - and don't get me started on
Miro!
regards, ann
Mar 4th, 2007, 06:59 AM
#52
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sta Teresa's tomb is in the Convento de las Carmelitas, in Alba de Tormes about 20km SE of Salamanca. She didn't quite make it back to Avila before she died; afterwards is a different, and stranger story.
Mar 4th, 2007, 07:03 AM
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hola Kend,
It seems to me that you in touch with your inner child Next time you see something resembling the Japanese flag in a museum, you have everyone's persmission to say out loud "Cual es este? Esto es absurdo!" and then ask for your money back.
Just kidding. I share your pain. Dali is very good although after seeing his melting clocks a few too many times, you begin to have very strange dreams of clocks, his moustache, and Gala.
It seems to me that you in touch with your inner child
Next time you see something resembling the Japanese flag in a museum, you have everyone's persmission to say out loud "Cual es este? Esto es absurdo!" and then ask for your money back. Just kidding. I share your pain. Dali is very good although after seeing his melting clocks a few too many times, you begin to have very strange dreams of clocks, his moustache, and Gala.
Mar 4th, 2007, 07:19 AM
#56
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the melting clocks were not his best idea..
My friend Emilio had an embarrasing encounter with "contemporary art". He has a friend who is a professor of the Fine Arts Faculty in Valencia, he is an artist. He invited Emilio to his home to have lunch, and when he was showing him his house , Emilio saw a log in the middle of the living room all with oxidated screws on it and said "hey, take this out of here, your kids can harm themselves with such a rubbish" ...Well, it was the last of his friend works called "the meaning of life" LOL
I don't get that things either, he is not alone
My friend Emilio had an embarrasing encounter with "contemporary art". He has a friend who is a professor of the Fine Arts Faculty in Valencia, he is an artist. He invited Emilio to his home to have lunch, and when he was showing him his house , Emilio saw a log in the middle of the living room all with oxidated screws on it and said "hey, take this out of here, your kids can harm themselves with such a rubbish" ...Well, it was the last of his friend works called "the meaning of life" LOL
I don't get that things either, he is not alone
Mar 4th, 2007, 07:22 AM
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ahhh... Kend, In this instance, Emilio really didn't get it because he never was a graduate student, perhaps. His professor friend used to use that log to hit his students on his head when they least expected it, hence the name "meaning of life". I have experienced that first hand
I am having too much fun here. Time to log off.
I am having too much fun here. Time to log off.
