natjgc

My husband and I spend 8 days in Spain and had a wonderful time. We first arrived in Madrid and experienced a true Spainish city. By that I mean the city was filled with other Spainish and Latine American people-- MAdrid seems to attract very few Europeans and a fewer Americans. This was fine with us. Very interesting city. We went to the Royal Palace, The Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen- Bornwmisza Museum. If you like art galleries, this is the city to experience some of the best in the world.
We also ate great food. Tapas are wonderful for dinner if you don't want to wait until 9:00 pm or later to eat. The fish is so freah and the wine is some of the best I've ever had.
The plazas are beaufiful. We esp. liked the Plaza Mayor area. We took a bus tour of the city. That's a good way ti get your bearings in a new place.
Our hotel was the only bummer of the trip. We stayed at The Hotel Emperador on the Grand Via. I didn't care for the room-
The bed was very low to the ground and
extremely hard. I think the hotel lowered the air conditioning at night and we sweltered. My husband. however lliked the location, very close to the subways stop.
We took 2 side trips to Toledo and Avila. Those were interesting and worth seeing.
Madrid is like NY-- very large! We liked Madrid very much but Barcelona blew me away.
What a city!! The streets are beautiful and filled with shops, cafes, neighborhoods,Gaudi art everywhere. The Gothic Quarter was amazing! Las Ramblas --
everyone needs ot go there- true it's touristy- are isn't that what we are? The market off Las Ramblas is something to see.
We also took 3 bus tours of Barcelona. Those are a must! Each tour shows different part of the city. Beach was very nice, I've never been to a topless beach.
We took 2 side trips outside of Barcelona- both worth the time. We took the train to Fugeres and were met by a quide that we hired and toured Gerona and Besalu. Two ancient walled cities. Very interesting.
Took a tour of the Jewish Quarter of Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter by a quide.
Great food also. We stayed at a great hotel near the Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter called The Hotel Colon. Great hotel-We would stay therein a minute again.
Breakfast comes with the room and it's very healthy and excellent.
It was one of our favorite trips and we hope to go back someday.
natjgc

kswl

Great report natijgc! You packed a lot of interesting activities in your vacation! Glad you had such a wonderful time.

I really enjoy reading these reports; each one makes me want to go to the country someone has just reported on. I guess that is what really makes a good trip report, regardless of the length, style, and information included: that it makes the reader want to visit the subject of the report!

donco

Hi natjgc, Enjoyed your report! You have especially whetted my appetite for Barcelona. Will look up more info about Hotel Colon. Thanks!

worldinabag

Hi

Thanks for your report. We too have just returned from Spain. Like you guys we loved Madrid. I'm sorry to hear about your hotel. One positive is that at least it was central. The Gothic quarter in Barcelona was our favourite as well.

We definitely want to return to Spain. It is a fabulous country.

Bye for now

LoriNY

How did you get from Madrid to Barcelona, and how long did it take. Curious, since DH and I want to do the same trip.

Chele60

Thanks for the report on Spain! I will be leaving to go there in just about 47 days (can't believe it!), and am just absorbing any and all information I can about it!

Can you share any information about the Prado and the Reina Sofia? What were the crowds like? What exhibits did you see and which ones impressed you the most? Any tips to get navigate the museums easily? (I have Maribel's guides, but still interesting to get first hand, up-to-the-minute experience!)

Thanks!

lincasanova

do not miss in madrid the convento de las descalzas. very quaint.it is a convent and museum. ovely and nice small scale.

also, you might find good exhibit at the March Foundation ( fundacion march) or a free concert or something.

also the national library has fabulous exhibits.

fun restaurant on diego de leon, is the SEPTIMO not far from american embassy on serrano.

natjgc

Hi LoriNY,

We flew from Madrid to Barcelona- the airline is Span Air which we booked through a travel agent. The flight was 1hour and 10 minutes. Very easy.
We took the atocha train from Madrid to Toledo one day and the train again to Avila the next day. Trains are a great way to travel through Europe.
We also took the train from Barcelona to the Fuegueres ( spelled wrong), a quide met us there and took us to Gerona and Besalu. I can give you the name of the company if you want a tour. Let me know if there are any other questions you have. natjgc

natjgc

Hi Chele60

We loved the Prado- it had art from the 1200s-1800s. A large collection of Spainish and Dutch art. Bosch- ( he did The Garden of Earthly Delights) that was totally amazing. The museums are large so there is alot of walking- wear comfortable shoes and if you are going in the summer- stay cool and drink tons of water. The Reina Sofia is a contemporary art museum with far out stuff. Very interesting. you can get the guides in English and they are very easy to follow. Have a great time. Please let us know all about your trip when you come back.

zwho

Hi Natalie, I really enjoyed your trip report. I WANT TO GO BACK!!!!! Do you think you could have enjoyed the small towns without a guide? Just curious on how important they were? Thanks.

WillTravel

Natjgc, are the Madrid museums air-conditioned? Thanks for your report. We'll be in Madrid in a couple weeks.

natjgc

Hola Willtravel,

Yes they are and comfortable too but remember, it's really hot in Madrid so wear cool clothes-- speaking of clothing.... I saw women wear a lot of everything meaning skirts( which I took mostly of), capris and to my surprise long pants- i can't do that in the summer esp. when one is walking all over the city in 95 degree heat. I imagine some of the people in Spain and Europe are used to the heat and wearing pants doesn't bother them.
Have a fabulous time in Madrid - it's really a great city.

worldinabag,
Could you believe all of the shops, cafes and little squares all through the gothic quarter?? Our hotel was right around the corner from the quarter- there's alot of history in the quarter. Barcelona has so many facets to it. natjgc

dcespedes

Hi natjgc, thank you for your enthusiastic trip report! Growing up, my husband lived in Madrid for four years and wants to return. I have never been there. After reading your report I think we will put Spain at the top of our list of places to visit next.

worldinabag

Hi Natjgc

Yes I went mad with a camera in the Gothic Quarter. My wife got really sick of me photographing streets and buildings. She was ready to have me dumped in the middle of a bull ring as bait!

natjgc

Worldinabag,

That's funny, my husband did that with the beach in Barcelona! Enough already- I said. But he had never seen this before and was enthralled with it- I can't blame him, the Spanish women (and men for that matter) are so good looking.

Lincasanova,
Do you live in Spain?? I remember you answered me about something concerning Spain way back in March or so.natjgc

lincasanova

yes.. in valencia.. but off to the states to visit my family as usual evey summer.
but i'll keep checking in.

have a good summer everyone.!