Thank you, Thank you- it is done
Sep 17th, 2008 | 07:50 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thank you, Thank you- it is done
Well, the destinations and hotels are planned. Now, I have to wait for 60 days out to book the trains and then 30 days out for the Alhambra. Seeing the cities I am going to, are there other museums such as The Prado, etc. that you have to book in advance?
I have relied on your advice and especially Maribel's guides. They are incredibly helpful!
If you know of any other museums or attractions in any of these cities that need pre-booking, please let me know.
April 15-16 TOLEDO, Parador
April 17-21 SEVILLE, Hotel Alminar
April 21-24 GRANADA, Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol (yes we got the top room, yeah!!)
April 24-27 DENIA, Marriott La Sella
April 27-May 3 BARCELONA, Hotel 1898
May 3-May 5 MADRD Villa Real
I have relied on your advice and especially Maribel's guides. They are incredibly helpful!
If you know of any other museums or attractions in any of these cities that need pre-booking, please let me know.
April 15-16 TOLEDO, Parador
April 17-21 SEVILLE, Hotel Alminar
April 21-24 GRANADA, Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol (yes we got the top room, yeah!!)
April 24-27 DENIA, Marriott La Sella
April 27-May 3 BARCELONA, Hotel 1898
May 3-May 5 MADRD Villa Real
Sep 17th, 2008 | 08:04 AM
#3
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Posts: n/a
I booked the Uffizi in advance in Florence. If not, you have to stand in line forever to get in. If you book in advance there, they give you a time to get in---pick up your tickets and you go to a line for prebooked tickets and you are inside in 15 minutes.
Poor people standing in line for hours to get in.
Poor people standing in line for hours to get in.
Sep 17th, 2008 | 08:46 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the input--I am a little obsessive compulsive (ha, ha) about my hotel choices. Had too many horror stories to remember so I do a lot of research. This hotel looks like a great choice and by the way, if you go to the nn hotels site, you can get a better rate by booking their early booking rate than going directly to the hotel themselves. Go figure???
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Sep 17th, 2008 | 11:06 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,661
Likes: 0
kakiebell,
I'm glad you've found the guides useful.
Remember that can book the Alhambra tickets 90 days out-3 months rather than one month out. And I would book those tixs as soon as you see the calendar up for your dates, so that you can be sure to get your preferred timed slot for entrance to the Nasrid Palace.
If you have trouble booking the train tickets 60 days out on the Renfe site, don't worry. Just be persistent. It sometimes takes a while for Renfe to load the fares into the system. 62 days out is often not possible. I tried booking a ticket 60 days out last week to no avail and had to wait 4 days for fares to be loaded. In dealing with Renfe on line, patience is a virtue O
And if your train selection on the departures page doesn't show a Web or Estrella fare, when you go on to the next page where you put in your personal info and c.c., just scroll down the fare (tarifa) menu and you may (or may not) see them. Sometimes it takes a day or two for Renfe to put those Web or Estrella fares on the departures page, although they are available-just hidden in the scroll down tarifa (fare) menu. But not all trains have both these discount fares available on every departure. Renfe is a tricky site to negotiate. That's why I added a Guide to Purchasing Renfe Tickets Online to my web page!
How are you going from Toledo to Sevilla? Back to Madrid on the Avant, then taking the AVE, I assume?
About pre-booking museums:
We like to pre-book at the Prado to avoid the long lines, and especially if there's a special exhibit going on. With our pre-booked tickets we simply walk in the newly opened Velázquez door with no wait-so easy.
We also pre-book the Thyssen for blockbuster shows such as the Modigliani so that we don't have to wait. But if there's no big special exhibit at the Thyssen, it's not necessary.
I don't know yet what special exhibit will be at the Prado on May 3-4. The fabulous Sorolla murals from NYC will be at the Prado May 7 (the end of their Spain grand tour), and the big Matisse show doesn't begin at the Thyssen until June, '09.
In Barcelona if you plan to attend a concert/opera at the Teatro Liceo, you really must book in advance. Those tixs go extremely quickly. If you see something on the Palau schedule but can't book on line, also check
http://tinyurl.com/4mwzne
If it's a Promoconcert, tixs will be sold on the Servi Caixa site (the one that handles the Alhambra tixs now).
If there happens to be a special exhibit at the Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña (MNAC), I might book those tixs on line. They don't have an April show listed yet, but check before you leave. It's a truly superb museum in its own right and for art lovers, a "must see".
(On the English language ticket sales page, the NIF would be your passport number).
About your hotel choices in Toledo, Seville, Granada:
Like them a lot!
The Toledo Parador has come out of a stem-to-stern renovation, so the rooms should be extremely comfy now.
We loved our room 14 that had THE VIEW with wrap around balcony-very, very romantic at night.
The Alminar has a terrific location for easy sightseeing and provides a solid value.
And you know that I love the Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol. Please send Manuel my kind regards and that I recommended his lovely home to you.
You're going to LOVE the 1898 and its great colonial style. The public rooms are absolutely beautiful, the indoor pool a special treat and the rooftop pool and huge terrace area is to die for! Guests were swimming in the pool in Jan. because they keep it open and nice and warm year round.
And the Villa Real is a great choice with unbeatable location, just steps from the Thyssen and easy walk from the Prado.
The only hotel I don't know well is the Marriott La Sella in Denia.
Sounds like a great trip!
I'm glad you've found the guides useful.
Remember that can book the Alhambra tickets 90 days out-3 months rather than one month out. And I would book those tixs as soon as you see the calendar up for your dates, so that you can be sure to get your preferred timed slot for entrance to the Nasrid Palace.
If you have trouble booking the train tickets 60 days out on the Renfe site, don't worry. Just be persistent. It sometimes takes a while for Renfe to load the fares into the system. 62 days out is often not possible. I tried booking a ticket 60 days out last week to no avail and had to wait 4 days for fares to be loaded. In dealing with Renfe on line, patience is a virtue O
And if your train selection on the departures page doesn't show a Web or Estrella fare, when you go on to the next page where you put in your personal info and c.c., just scroll down the fare (tarifa) menu and you may (or may not) see them. Sometimes it takes a day or two for Renfe to put those Web or Estrella fares on the departures page, although they are available-just hidden in the scroll down tarifa (fare) menu. But not all trains have both these discount fares available on every departure. Renfe is a tricky site to negotiate. That's why I added a Guide to Purchasing Renfe Tickets Online to my web page!
How are you going from Toledo to Sevilla? Back to Madrid on the Avant, then taking the AVE, I assume?
About pre-booking museums:
We like to pre-book at the Prado to avoid the long lines, and especially if there's a special exhibit going on. With our pre-booked tickets we simply walk in the newly opened Velázquez door with no wait-so easy.
We also pre-book the Thyssen for blockbuster shows such as the Modigliani so that we don't have to wait. But if there's no big special exhibit at the Thyssen, it's not necessary.
I don't know yet what special exhibit will be at the Prado on May 3-4. The fabulous Sorolla murals from NYC will be at the Prado May 7 (the end of their Spain grand tour), and the big Matisse show doesn't begin at the Thyssen until June, '09.
In Barcelona if you plan to attend a concert/opera at the Teatro Liceo, you really must book in advance. Those tixs go extremely quickly. If you see something on the Palau schedule but can't book on line, also check
http://tinyurl.com/4mwzne
If it's a Promoconcert, tixs will be sold on the Servi Caixa site (the one that handles the Alhambra tixs now).
If there happens to be a special exhibit at the Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña (MNAC), I might book those tixs on line. They don't have an April show listed yet, but check before you leave. It's a truly superb museum in its own right and for art lovers, a "must see".
(On the English language ticket sales page, the NIF would be your passport number).
About your hotel choices in Toledo, Seville, Granada:
Like them a lot!
The Toledo Parador has come out of a stem-to-stern renovation, so the rooms should be extremely comfy now.
We loved our room 14 that had THE VIEW with wrap around balcony-very, very romantic at night.
The Alminar has a terrific location for easy sightseeing and provides a solid value.
And you know that I love the Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol. Please send Manuel my kind regards and that I recommended his lovely home to you.
You're going to LOVE the 1898 and its great colonial style. The public rooms are absolutely beautiful, the indoor pool a special treat and the rooftop pool and huge terrace area is to die for! Guests were swimming in the pool in Jan. because they keep it open and nice and warm year round.
And the Villa Real is a great choice with unbeatable location, just steps from the Thyssen and easy walk from the Prado.
The only hotel I don't know well is the Marriott La Sella in Denia.
Sounds like a great trip!
Sep 17th, 2008 | 11:59 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yes, we have to back-track from Toledo to Madrid to take the AVE to Seville. After flying from Denver-Miami (with a six hour layover) to Madrid, we decided that we would just like to go somewhere and just relax for a few days. Toledo seems like just the spot at the Parador. No anxiety to see museums, etc. Also, we get into Madrid at 8:45 in the morning so we thought we might as well keep moving as it is so hard to get an early check in in most hotels.
I was so surprised how many hotels are already booked up. I started looking about a month ago and a lot of the hotels that you recommend are already booked. I feel lucky to have gotten into Hotel Alminar and the one in Granada as they are such small hotels. Is it that there are fewer hotels in Spain or is Spain becoming such a great tourist spot??
We chose the hotel in Denia because we are travelling from Granada to Barcelona and wanted a few days to relax near the ocean sans museums.
Once again, all the hotels were booked that looked interesting in Jaen. I did not want to stay in Benidorm (way too crowded without the local flavor). If you know of a good hotel in that area that I might want to try, I would appreciate anything. I just got frustrated and booked the Marriott to have something.
We are going to pick up a car in Granada and drive to Denia so we can see some of he countryside. It is about an eight hour drive from Granada to Barcelona and Denia is about half way there.
Thanks again for all your help. I think I will see if I can book Prado tickets as we are only in Madrid for two days.
I was so surprised how many hotels are already booked up. I started looking about a month ago and a lot of the hotels that you recommend are already booked. I feel lucky to have gotten into Hotel Alminar and the one in Granada as they are such small hotels. Is it that there are fewer hotels in Spain or is Spain becoming such a great tourist spot??
We chose the hotel in Denia because we are travelling from Granada to Barcelona and wanted a few days to relax near the ocean sans museums.
Once again, all the hotels were booked that looked interesting in Jaen. I did not want to stay in Benidorm (way too crowded without the local flavor). If you know of a good hotel in that area that I might want to try, I would appreciate anything. I just got frustrated and booked the Marriott to have something.
We are going to pick up a car in Granada and drive to Denia so we can see some of he countryside. It is about an eight hour drive from Granada to Barcelona and Denia is about half way there.
Thanks again for all your help. I think I will see if I can book Prado tickets as we are only in Madrid for two days.
Sep 17th, 2008 | 01:04 PM
#10
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
take a look at www.montiboli.com.
always a favorite with passing guests.
the parador at javea is in a great location. the marriot is not near/on the beach. but they probably have a private shuttle to take you. it is a nice enough hotel.. have stayed there once. but it is not waterfront.
la manga club, now by hyatt, is a lovely golf resort.. not waterfront but they used to also have a private shuttle to take you to THEIR private beach with lots of watersports.
i spent a lovely two nights there years ago when it wasn´t even hyatt.
most romantic.. montiboli.Just off main road but perched on cliff.. feeling very, wonderfully isolated.
easy access to village life, parador at javea. visit denia and their famous fish market in the afternoons at port when boats come in.
local well know place in denia is
www.hotel-laracona.com
one of my favorites..
www.sidisanjuan.com even has free shuttle bus to take you to alicante ( 10 minutes south).
hope this helps
always a favorite with passing guests.
the parador at javea is in a great location. the marriot is not near/on the beach. but they probably have a private shuttle to take you. it is a nice enough hotel.. have stayed there once. but it is not waterfront.
la manga club, now by hyatt, is a lovely golf resort.. not waterfront but they used to also have a private shuttle to take you to THEIR private beach with lots of watersports.
i spent a lovely two nights there years ago when it wasn´t even hyatt.
most romantic.. montiboli.Just off main road but perched on cliff.. feeling very, wonderfully isolated.
easy access to village life, parador at javea. visit denia and their famous fish market in the afternoons at port when boats come in.
local well know place in denia is
www.hotel-laracona.com
one of my favorites..
www.sidisanjuan.com even has free shuttle bus to take you to alicante ( 10 minutes south).
hope this helps
Sep 17th, 2008 | 01:09 PM
#11
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
take a look at www.montiboli.com.
always a favorite with passing guests.
the parador at javea is in a great location. the marriot is not near/on the beach. but they probably have a private shuttle to take you. it is a nice enough hotel.. have stayed there once. but it is not waterfront.
la manga club, now by hyatt, is a lovely golf resort.. not waterfront but they used to also have a private shuttle to take you to THEIR private beach with lots of watersports.
i spent a lovely two nights there years ago when it wasn´t even hyatt.
www.lamangaclub.com
most romantic.. montiboli.Just off main road but perched on cliff.. feeling very, wonderfully isolated.
easy access to village life, parador at javea. visit denia and their famous fish market in the afternoons at port when boats come in.
local well know place in denia is
www.hotel-laracona.com
one of my favorites..
www.sidisanjuan.com even has free shuttle bus to take you to alicante ( 10 minutes south).
hope this helps
always a favorite with passing guests.
the parador at javea is in a great location. the marriot is not near/on the beach. but they probably have a private shuttle to take you. it is a nice enough hotel.. have stayed there once. but it is not waterfront.
la manga club, now by hyatt, is a lovely golf resort.. not waterfront but they used to also have a private shuttle to take you to THEIR private beach with lots of watersports.
i spent a lovely two nights there years ago when it wasn´t even hyatt.
www.lamangaclub.com
most romantic.. montiboli.Just off main road but perched on cliff.. feeling very, wonderfully isolated.
easy access to village life, parador at javea. visit denia and their famous fish market in the afternoons at port when boats come in.
local well know place in denia is
www.hotel-laracona.com
one of my favorites..
www.sidisanjuan.com even has free shuttle bus to take you to alicante ( 10 minutes south).
hope this helps
Sep 17th, 2008 | 01:22 PM
#13
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,661
Likes: 0
Hi kakiebell,
I'd certainly second lin's reco of the Montíboli! Or if you don't want to spend that much, the Javea Parador, bookable at
www.parador.es
Yes, I certainly wouldn't stay in Benidorm!
Sounds like a really good plan to go straight to Toledo to the Parador and relax.
I'm surprised that you found many hotels booked already. Sometimes when I try to book six months or more out using discount hotel web sites or the parent company sites, they tell me that no rooms are available, when they indeed are. Those sites just won't let me book that early.
When I go to the hotel's own web booking site, I usually have no trouble unless it's over a year in advance. I just booked a hotel in Santiago de Compostela directly on the hotel's web page for next April.
And the paradors can be easily booked online a year in advance. Saw some great, under 100 euro web tariffs yesterday for the Galician Paradors for our spring trip.
I'd certainly second lin's reco of the Montíboli! Or if you don't want to spend that much, the Javea Parador, bookable at
www.parador.es
Yes, I certainly wouldn't stay in Benidorm!
Sounds like a really good plan to go straight to Toledo to the Parador and relax.
I'm surprised that you found many hotels booked already. Sometimes when I try to book six months or more out using discount hotel web sites or the parent company sites, they tell me that no rooms are available, when they indeed are. Those sites just won't let me book that early.
When I go to the hotel's own web booking site, I usually have no trouble unless it's over a year in advance. I just booked a hotel in Santiago de Compostela directly on the hotel's web page for next April.
And the paradors can be easily booked online a year in advance. Saw some great, under 100 euro web tariffs yesterday for the Galician Paradors for our spring trip.
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