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Maribel

Thanks for your reply
I've sent an email to Seville Walking Tours.They dont have October dates posted yet.. I'll be in Seville afternoon of Oct 7 through Oct 9.I believe their site says in the fall they run tours MWF.I am definitely hoping to secures spot for an Alcazar tour, hope to hear back from them soon. I'm also definitely taking your suggestion on the Flamenco show you suggested too! Enjoy your time in Seville!

Don

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Maribel,

On the topic of neighborhoods to stay, we are looking into AIr BNB in Madrid and Barcelona since we will be in each city for 4 nights.
You had recommended the Letras area in Madrid.I did locate what looks to be a nice place right off the entrance to Plaza Mayor close to
Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, San Miguel Market and the Royal Palace. Definitely a bit lively looking. Any thoughts on this area you can share?
Thanks

Don

Maribel

Hi don, That area is VERY lively and can get congested. Do you have the name of the street?

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Maribel I dont have the exact address but it looks to be near the intersection of the area of C.del Marques Viudo de Pontejos and C.de San Cristobal.
See if this link works
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2652829...f-49c62eb45288

Also..for Barcelona I have located this hotel
https://www.cienhotel.com/
let me know if you have a thought on this location as well if you could.Thanks

Don

Maribel

It looks like it's at the corner of Viuda de Pontejos and Postas, just a block from the entrance to the Plaza Mayor, which is kind of the epicenter of the Madrid de los Austrias. The area around the Plaza Mayor is a very busy area at all hours. I't not in the Barrio de las Letras. I think of this street as being in La Latina. You'll have a lot of pedestrian traffic here, although the windows of the apartment may be double glazed and well sound proofed.
Do you have another option that you could share?

As to Barcelona, although I don't personally know the Hotel Cien, I do know the location, and it's fine, just 2 blocks west of the elegant Passeig de Gràcia. I've stayed just a block away on the Rambla de Catalunya. Nothing wrong at all with this location in the Eixample.

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Maribel

For our price range of $250-$275 usd per. looks like in Madrid for location it will be the Ibis Styles 4 nights (unless you have a better thought)..Looks like we October is one of the more pricier times of the year to book hotel rooms in Spain!. Definitely staying at your excellent suggestion for the lovely H10 Seville 3 nights. I'm sure Granada 2 nights will be an easy pick from your suggestions, but Barcelona..thats going to take some work for sure.A question if I may. We are 6months out from our travel dates of 10/2-10/16.Is it too early to book now in hopes of a decrease in room prices? As always thanks for your help Maribel.

Don

Maribel

Yes, we used to stay at the Ibis Styles when it was called the Hotel Prado before becoming a member of the Ibis group. It is in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras, that I first recommended to you. This hotel is where I met Fodorite cruiseluv long ago.
Yes, the hotel prices in Madrid in October are steep!!

Also check another member of the Accor group, the Mercure Madrid Centro, on Lope de Vega..

Since you're still 6 months out, you could book something now completely refundable then check back from time to time to see if the price has dropped. This can happen, although October in Madrid will be pricey.
This happened to me recently in Antequera when I booked the Parador far in advance, then checked back to see that they were running a special about a month before I arrived, so I canceled my original booking and made another, saving about 20 euros and even snagging an upgraded room, from standard to superior for the same price.

Revulgo

Madrid in October is busy because in addition to nice weather, it is a month in which international conventions are usually held with many attendees and the hotels are usually full.

Maribel

Your 4 Madrid nights are still arriving October 3 and departing October 7, correct?
I just checked the Mercure Madrid Centro for those dates, and it's a bit beyond your US dollar budget.

The One Shot Prado just below the Ibis Styles on the same street, should be within your budget for those dates.

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Lucky me!

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Thanks Maribel.. for sure it will be either the Ibis or One Shot. Thanks and appreciate the tip on booking the refundable rate.
on a positive note I did score a decently priced direct flight to Madrid and out of Barcelona .

Don

Maribel

Glad you found a decently priced multi-city ticket.

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Hi Maribel

Coming along. .Booked Ibis Styles for Madrid,H10 Casa de la Plata Seville..You have an opinion on the H10 Art Gallery Barcelona,price is in range,you think location is good? Thanks

Don

Maribel

Yes, I have an opinion on the H10 Art Gallery. I know the location well, although I've never stayed there. I've stayed in several H10 properties lately, most recently 2 weeks ago at the H10 Palacio Colomera in Córdoba. I joined the club H10 to avail myself of a slight discount at their hotels and a free welcome drink upon arrival.
The Art Gallery is in a location that I like a lot, in the Eixample and just a few minutes from Cerveseria Catalana, a very popular tapas place. I would book it!!

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Maribel

Wow. I fell I got lucky there and did book the H10 Art Gallery!.Just need to nail something down for our 2 nights in Granada then our accommodations will be set.
Aside from that Just have to wait for the calendar for the Alcazar to open for our walking tour with Concepcion, Las Ventas booking and Museo Picasso and Renfe tickets. I'm sure I will be asking for more food recommendations asides from the ones I have noted from you. Although convenient and typical I did not book rooms with breakfast as I like to find local pastries from bakeries or cafes to eat in the morning but know if we are short on time the hotel will do. This is getting VERY exciting now the trip is coming together and cant wait to share the itinerary that you and some other members here have helped plan! Gracias Maribel

Don

Maribel

Glad you booked the H10 Art Gallery!

We don't usually take breakfast in our hotel (exception, the Paradors' buffet breakfast), since we prefer to explore new or noteworthy local spots popular with the locals. Here are a few ideas:

MADRID
Within walking distance of the Ibis Styles or One Shot in the Barrio de las Letras, you have several options:
Estela Hojaldre at Plaza de Jesús 5 for delicious puff pastry treats, like croissants
Motteau at San Pedro 9 for wonderful chocolate cake, brownies, croissants, lemon merengue tarte at Calle San Pedro 9,
Cafés Tornasol downstairs in the Mercado de Antón Martín for specialty coffees from all over the world and excellent tortilla española (Spanish eggs/potato omelet)
Gosto Café at León 30 (on the way to the above market) for avocado and other toasts and bowls ("healthy" food) in a Scandinavian-like setting
Feliz Coffe at Lope de Vega (tiny, for homemade croissants and coffee to go)
Pastelería América at Atocha, a classic from 1979, they also sell quiches & coffee is from La Mexicana

BARCELONA
Near your hotel you have a branch of the Saona Coffee chain, Sauna Aribau, at Aribau 131
Brunch & Cake at Rosselló 189 (always packed, though)

SEVILLA
Literally almost next door to the H10 Casa de la Plata you have my favorite place for churros & chocolate, the venerable Café Comercio and a bit further down the street the Café La Centuria on the Plaza de la Encarnación, where Las Setas sits.

For one of the city's best breakfast sandwiches (huge), called "Carne Mechá con su Salsa¨, the little hole-in-the-wall, Café Bar Er Tito at José Gestoso 11, around the corner from Las Setas. Order just a half a sandwich or share. Coffee served in a glass. Cheap and soooo good.

Maribel

About Granada lodging,
I see a rate within your budget at the Eurostars Puerta Real (has an excellent location) in a standard double for $238 USD/night for your dates of Oct. 10-12, fully refundable on www.eurostarshotels.com.

This is a rate for members of the Star Traveler program, their frequent guest program, which I joined. It's easy to join and gives members this 10% discount.
This is cheaper than the rate you'll find on booking.com.
On booking.com the hotel receives a guest rating of 8.9 ("excellent").

Revulgo

Again, this is a map of the Las Letras/Plaza Santa Ana area in Madrid
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...G2lzBlvQ77iSvY

Maribel

For Granada breakfasts outside of your hotel:

• Churros & chocolate at the Cafetería Alhambra on the pretty Plaza Bib-Rambla.
• The venerable López Mezquita at Reyes Católicos 39, specializing in Moorish-inspired pastries. Opens Mon-Fri at 9 and Sat-Sun at 10.

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Rev..Thank you again!