Suggestions for mini-itinerary from San Sebastian to Madrid
 

Hello,

This is a follow-up question from a couple of weeks ago. I had asked for rental suggestions in northern Spain in September. So, here's the plan so far. After a few days in Madrid, we are taking the train to San Sebastian (thanks everyone for your help) where we are renting a house or apartment with some friends from England. We are then renting a car and meandering back to Madrid. We have 4 nights to do this and would love some suggestions on stops along the way. One thought was Salamanca, Avila, and Segovia. Do you think this would work and, if so, which towns would you stay in? Hotels or inns? Any other suggestions? Thanks ,

Margret

OK- I'v been looking on-line (Tripadvisor, etc) at hotels (and the Paradors) in Salamanca and Segovia. Any suggestions? I was thinking of 1 night and 2 nights respectively, followed by a last night stay at the Parador near the airport. Any thoughts?

As to our first 3 nights in Madrid-we previously stayed near the Plaza major, at what I think was Hotel Plaza Major and would like to perhaps stay in another area. I am a light sleeper, so noise is an issue.

Thanks, Margie

Salamanca is very lovely. At night especially, the Cathedral, University and square are beautifully lit. Singers often at the square at night. The Salamanca Parador is an inconvenient location,look at Hotel Rector instead. Avila has a great Parador, right at the wall as you enter the old city. The Segovia Praador is not right in town, but it has a wonderful view, especially at night. I think Salamanca, Segovia, and Avila make a delightful trip. You have time to stop at the Escorial Palace along the way.
Check out the Paradores web site. If over 60 years old sometimes you can get a really low price for seniors. Sign up as friends of the Paradores and get free parking and a free drink when you check in.
Another Royal Palace that will be near Segovia is La Granja. It's known for its gardens and fountains.
We stay at the Villa Real Hotel in Madrid. Can walk to all the major museums and to the Plaza Santa Anna for great tapas. Rooms have balconies, so they can be a bit noisy. YOu could request a rear facing room, just no view. Rooms have a living area, which is nice.

Forgot timeline. Avila could be a half day, or full day, Salamanca 1 1/2 days, Segovia part of a day is fine. Depends on how hectic you want to be. Escorial visit is worth half a day minimum, as the palace is inmense and has a very rich art collection, like being at the Prado Museum

Aleta or anyone,

Do you recommend 2 nights in Salamanca and one night in Segovia or visa versa? Can we go to Avila between the two for a half day, and with our luggage in the car?

And, if we don't stay in Paradors, which hotels would you recommend? Tripadvisor likes San Antonio de Real and Palacio del Facundo in Segovia, which are both valued at around $130-140. In Salamanca, the Hotel Rector (over $210/night!) and Maria Las Claras ($110/night) have the highest ratings. It looks like the Rector is more tradional, but I'm having trouble figuring out if it is worth the double cost.


Thanks,

Margie

The reviews in TA can be a bit hit and miss as the reviewer does not have to actually stay at the hotel to write anything.
However www.booking.com you are only invited to review the establishment after your stay, which was reserved via the website.
So maybe also look though that website too?

ribeirasacra, thanks for that tip. Intuitively I've always valued Booking.com reviews a bit more but now you've given me a reason. Never recognized that difference before.

justretired, (how long have you been using that name?) I would give Salamanca the longer stay. We felt like we'd seen a lot of Avila in a morning look around followed by lunch there so I'd agree with aleta on time allotment. Also recall La Granja as having beautiful gardens but unless they've switched to handheld audio and permit you to see the interior at your own pace, I'd skip the tour. I recall feeling absolutely a hostage as the tour guide droned on and on and on.

Our time in Salamanca was 10 years ago, but I recall fondly the NH Palacio de Castellana there. Since only one of the reviews on Booking.com is in English, it's hard to know what to make of it these days. While looking at Salamanca hotels I did note that they have a Roommate hotel. This chain is new and very "hip" with modern design but very reasonable prices so if the location of the one in Salamanca is good, I'd give it good consideration. When we were in Segovia, the only room I could find was in Pedraza about 48 km out, but we loved it and the tiny town it's in--Posada de la Don Mariano. Hope this helps.

I created "just retired" in 2003, when my husband, Larry had just retired. Shortly after doing this, Larry pointed out that this wouldn't be a very suitable name over time, but never changed it. Of course, he was right, but now, I guess we're stuck with it.

We actually both post under the name, usually on the Europe forum, but also occassionally onthe Mexico/Central America one. We just got back from Costa Rica- loved it. I have recently found the Lounge and am both fascinated by and repelled by it. In any case, we often sign our real names to distinguish the poster. Larry is a technology and language buff, and generally writes our trip reports. He's much more thorough than I. I'm the creative one (an artist), the trip planner, and ask the questions. Heh-It works for us.

Since Larry speaks Italian, Spanish and French, we tend to go places where he can speak the language, but we've only traveled to Spain once before. We tend to alternate France and Italy yearly, but we wanted to visit the Basque region and we are meeting our British friends, and voila- our current planned trip. Larry should be able to use the reviews on Booking.com better than I, so thanks for that tip.

Thanks for any other suggestions or comments...,

Margie

I would read Maribel's guides specifically relating to Segovia. We stayed in Segovia as well and the surrounds which is all in my trip report from 07.
It's a foodie and flamenco report.

If I had my way I would stay in one of the 4 very basic rooms at the Meson Gonzales (Sacramenia Segovia) mentioned by Maribel. I have not yet done that. After having a meal in their restaurante or kitchen (depends n the season, but I actually would prefer the kitchen) If your DH speaks Spanish, these are the types of experiences that you may enjoy that others may not somply due to the language.

In Segovia proper we found the Infanta Isabel to be a comfortable hotel smack in the middle of the plaza.

Segovia is very noisy in town ! I would suggest the prador minutes outside of Segovia in La Granja.It's just a few years old in an incredibley restored building-peaceful,best breakfast buffet I've ever had.La Granja itself is often overlooked by tourists who visit Segovia-probably because they don't know about it.The palace was built in the style of Versailles -the fountains are fabulous if you are lucky enough to see them turned on.I agree the palace tour is boring but the grounds have beautifully maintained gardens free to wander around-also very clean bathrooms! Lots of little places to eat.
The parador also has a swimming pool with a view of the mountains and a great deal for seniors.No problem parking.The only other hotel is the Hotel Roma-clean rooms and about 55€ a night -good food.
I say visit Segovia but rest up in La Granja about 10 minutes away!

Are you interested in spending any time in the Rioja?

Perhaps, but we htought we might visit the northern pasrt of the region from San Sebastian. How far is it from SS to the Rioha?

Thanks,

M

Have you looked at Maribel's guides re San Sebastian?

http://maribelsguides.com/mg_guides.html#donostia

Hotel Rector in Salamanca is lovely, and has a private garage for your car, then you can walk to everything. I remember pre-euro days when this lovely hotel would cost $100 for a small suite! I like the earlier posting suggestion about La Granja, as it is really a lovely palace and not visited by many Americans. You could either do Segovia as one day trip on the way from Avila elsewhere, if necessary.