kenderina

If someone said "party all night" I would say Ibiza

I like Segovia, but if I have to choose ..I would take Toledo everytime, even if it was only to see the Cathedral. Or Salamanca, but it's a bit far from Madrid for a day trip.

lreynold1

I stayed at the Hosteria del Laurel and enjoyed it very much. It's right in the old quarter, and in fact, their restaurant with seating in the little plaza abutting the hotel is not bad at all. Very nice on a summer evening, there are several restaurants with tables on this pedestrian square. It's also in walking distance of a small (though probably regarded as touristy by the experts) flamenco place, which we and our two children enjoyed tremendously. Nice cozy atmosphere made it much more enjoyable than a big theater.
On the question of time in Madrid, I think Madrid is a beautiful monumental city, not just a place for fine dining, shopping and partying. Its old neighborhoods and historic architecture are quite just lovely. I would add to the list of places to go the Sorolla Museum, which is a small museum in the house of Spain's most famous impressionist painter. It's in a very pleasant, tree lined neighborhood, itself a nice destination for people watching and cafes. I've suggested it to many friends and none has been disappointed.
And my last random comment -- you might consider spending your last night in a parador outside Madrid and then going direct to the airport in the morning from there, thus avoiding going into the city. We have done that at both the paradores in Siquenza and Chinchon and enjoyed both. It makes the drive to the airport a lot more stress-free, especially if you're coming from Siguenza.

nessundorma

nytraveler,

Your opinions seem set in stone -- like mine. I find it risible to compare the Prado, with its works by Velasquez and Goya, to the V&A, of all places, or the destroyed Louvre, which now resembles an airport. But maybe the Hermitage is superior -- I've never been and hope to go.

It is highly misleading to translate my praise of Madrid's urban sophistication to "a rapidly growing modern city." Madrid is filled with Old World elegance, and it is a great international city, filled with impressive and historic architecture.

I'm well aware the OP said they're intrested n architecture, antiquities and local culture. Andalucia is often the preference for tourists who want to see a "quaint" Europe, frozen in time. I very much like history and Andalucia. But Madrid is also filled with history and grandeur, if you know where to look.

I understand you only see shopping, partying and fine dining in Madrid. Many others see a great international city, that is a great caretaker of its past while moving into a new era -- and to me, that is what makes travel exciting, seeing how the rest of the world lives today.

Which is not to say the OP should go to Madrid. Just to put your opinion in perspective.

nytraveler

Sorry - I didn;t want to put a whole list of other museums I prefer to the Prado - but there are many others in europe - including the Vatican Museums, the Pergamom (never mind the Met. MOMA etc in NYC).

And Madrid reminds me of nothing so much as Chicago - which is fine for Chicago - but I go to europe for history and cultural diffrences - not high rises - and it seemed like the former is what the OP wanted.

As for urban sophistication - I spend my whole life in the middle of that - and much more so than Madrid - which IMHO was not particularly sophisticated - as for instance Paris.

I admit that Madrid is the one place in europe I have been to that I really didn't like - and just don't get (perhaps it has something to do with all the drunken screaming in the streets - including young women lying in the gutter - when the clubs close at 5am.)

nessundorma

Nytraveler,

Where on earth did you stay in Madrid? To describe the city as mostly "highrises" is quite misleading. It's like describing London as mostly highrises.

But Chicago is my favorite American city -- not because it has "highrises," but because it has style.

I also live in New York, and I prefer Madrid. My feeling is Paris is not what it used to be (I lived there, too) and Madrid has tremendous style.

Sorry to put it so bluntly, but I'm surprised you let your isolated bad experiences of Madrid affect the advice you give to others. I was robbed in Barcelona, but it doesn't prevent me from encouraging others who want to see it to go, and how to maximize their time there.

And I remain baffled by your reaction to the Prado.

mdtranslation

Thanks for your suggestions and the lively discussions of a city I have yet to see. We have no intention of skipping Madrid and are open to any suggestions aside from our two must-sees: El Prado and El Palacio Nacional.

At this point, I am considering extending our trip one or two days in order to see Segovia and El Escorial and not take away from Toledo either. In order to get a better taste of local flavor, we would much rather overnight in Toledo and Segovia instead of do a day trip.

I will research the fastest ways to get to Toledo and Segovia from Madrid, as well as to Seville from Marbella.

I have studied about these places all my life but have forgotten more than I remember (so I relate to your language struggles, artlover). As I mentioned previously, it will probably be several years before we are able to go back to Spain again so we want to get in as much as we can and still not feel rushed.

I also still need to research each city's handicraft such as swords in Toledo and the best places to buy. My wife always thinks I am so peculiar to research vacations a year in advance. It seems that I get so much more out of a trip that way.

I appreciate so much all of your help!