I'll be travelling to Spain and will be visiting Madrid,Sevilla, Costa Del Sol, Toledo, Malaga,Granada and Lisbon (portugal). Any recommendations on what to buy and bring back home? In previous trips to Europe I've brought from leather goods to shower gel. Since I've never been to Spain I need some help. Thanks in advance.

Jewelry from Toledo - it's gorgeous. Also, saffron, maybe olive oil, wine. There's a chain of dept. stores called the Corte Ingles and most have a tourist and souvenier section. Look through there for more ideas.

Toledo is known the world over for the beautiful swords it has been making for centuries. They are gorgeous and can be shipped. <BR>I loved the pottery, purchased several hand-painted pieces. My husband bought me a gorgeous silver necklace at a designer's boutique in Madrid. <BR>In Portugal the azulezos are truly an artform. You will seen block after block with these decorative tiles covering the entire facade. We visited a shop and had tiles hand painted for us in Portuguese. In English it translates to "Home of the Explorers". <BR>We put these tiles together to hang on the exterior of our home just as you will see all over Spain and Portugal. <BR>Vanessa, you will have no problems finding many beautiful things to bring home! <BR>Have a wonderful trip. We were there the last two years. Loved every minute of it. <BR>Gloria <BR>

Vanessa, if you haven't booked a hotel in Toledo, I have the name of a wonderful place, large rooms, your own balcony with a spectacular view of the city and river below. It is a former olive oil farm that has been renovated into a fairly good size hotel. If you like I can locate the name and number of this very nice establishment.

<BR> I've been told that the swords currently sold in Toledo (and generally speaking in Spain) are of very poor quality, made of stainless steel and so unsuitables for collectors and amateurs, though bautiful-looking enough to be displayed on a wall. <BR> <BR> A second thought...It seems they also break easily, making them dangerous to keep at home, if you have childrens. <BR> <BR> I know there's also some rare shops which sell blades of a better quality, but I don't think I'll be able to find the adresses...And I'm not even sure it was in Toledo.

I appalled that someone who "hears" something about the beautiful swords made in Toledo can make such an absurd statement of their quality. I am sure the many craftsmen in Toledo will not appreciate such an uninformed, stupid conclusion that is based on something someone "hears" rather than first hand evidence. <BR>And such a person cannot even recall the shops, or whether the shops she "heard" of, were even in Toledo. <BR> <BR>As I said earlier, Vanessa, you will have no problems finding many things of beauty in Spain. <BR> <BR>And, as I have often remarked on this site, make your decision based on your research and your own good judgement. <BR> <BR>Have a lovely time in Espanya! <BR>Adios, <BR>Gloria

Good for you Gloria! I'm getting sick of the same old people on this site who seem to think their opinions are of greater importance than others. I think your response illustrates this very well. Claire can't back up anything she says...obviously uninformed and to be discounted.

Gloria, <BR>It is my understanding that those looking for information on this forum are seeking PERSONAL OPINIONS/EXPERIANCE/OBSERVATIONS. Just because someone(Clairobscure) states their opinion, is no reason for rudeness on your part. All Clairobscure was saying, IN MY OPINION, was "buyer beware." <BR> <BR>And Sharon, <BR>Clairobscure is new to this forum,HE has only been here a month or two at best. I have read HIS posts on other travel forums and HE seems to be intelligent and informed, unlike you. <BR>

Easy people, no need for rudeness. <BR> <BR>Vanessa--- Gloria gave you good ideas; pins, earrings, bracelets in Toledo are absolutely gorgeous. The craft is an ancient method called Damasquinado (I believe, Pedro? Maribel?) and the designs are beautiful and make for very elegant pieces. Easy to carry, I would recommend taking care of the ladies in your souvenir list in this town. <BR> <BR>Granada has beautiful leather shoes and purses, also beautiful hand-crafted fans that would look beautiful as decoration. In Southern Spain, bottles of Jerez (cherry liquor); the best in the world. In Portugal, besides decorative tiles, try to get some wine (Oporto/Porto). I found linens in Portugal quite beautiful too; summery tablecloths, etc...

We went to Andalucia for 2 weeks last November and brought back green manzanilla olives, Ponche Caballero (orange flavored brandy), a beautiful enameled ceramic plate and lots of gifts!

Gloria please give me the info on the hotel you stayed in Toledo. Also, include the price. Muchas Gracias.

Vanessa, I shall retrieve the information today and send it to your email address, and, I will include a photo taken from the balcony. The hotel is truly a "find"! <BR>You are very welcome, and I envy you going there! <BR>Gloria

We bought hand-painted ceramic plates, sherry, olives, fig jam, cured ham, and shoes! In other words, we just walked around and if something appealed to us, we bought it!

Gloria: Check your postings " I appalled"??? Shouldn't it be "I AM appalled"???? In my humble opinion Gloria's response is typical of the Fodorite KNOW IT ALL Syndrome.

Vanessa, <BR>Ditto to all of the above! <BR>Maira and I seem to have the same shopping list. Yes, the Toledo damasquinado ware is so easy, takes up such little space-look for an official seal of authenticity in the store window before you purchase for assurance of quality. <BR> <BR>I'll add olive oil from Baena (sold everywhere, little miniature bottles on each breakfast table in the Paradors), sherry vinager from Jerez, a little clay pot of honey from La Alcarria, the green/blue pottery from Granada, Licor 43 (a yummy almond-type liquer), Asturian sparkling cider ("El Gaitero"),the dark brown La Toja/Magno soaps (very aromatic & long-lasting), Loewe's "Gala" perfume or Loewe cologne/after shave for the mister(not yet sold in U.S.-a very little dab 'l do ya),small hand-embroidered linen items from the island of Madeira, available in Lisbon (I like these even more than the embroidery of Lagartera/Toledo)), the beautiful blue & white ceramics with 17th c designs from the Coimbra area. The list is endless...Happy shopping!

Vanessa--If you've nevere been to Spain, you absolutely MUST check out the Web site www.madridman.com--I can't imagine your having any question about your vacation that couldn't be answered there!

Vanessa, <BR>I was able to locate the hotel information for you and scanned in a couple of pictures taken from our balcony. <BR>The brochure states "El Greco often visited the property as an inspiration for some of his most famous paintings". I think once you see my pistures you will see that it is probably true. <BR>I will include the hotel's email address. <BR>Let me know if there is anything else! <BR>Gloria

Vanessa, received your email back, perhaps you are more comfortable sending me one first and then I can resend the pictures I scanned in. <BR>The email address of the hotel is: <BR>[email protected] <BR>tel# 925 22 38 66 <BR>fax# 925 25 05 62 <BR>Have fun! <BR>Gloria

Vanessa-- check the website for pictures of Gloria's hotel at http://www.ribernet.es/Hotel_almazara/. Popular with conventions, I had heard about this hotel before and bookmarked it back in '98, but didn't stayed in Toledo, so never find out how was it. Have a good time planning your trip!

Maira, <BR>I think your shopping list was grand. We would be real trouble together, I fear! <BR>I tried that website prior to my previous posts and and couldn't get anything to come up. Did you have luck with it? <BR>I am a little surprised that it would be recommended for conventions as it really isn't that large, but, perhaps it's quiet location and large breakfast room attracts small groups. <BR>As I recall, it has less than 25 rooms. <BR>Nonetheless, I shall try that site as well. And if you want some pictures of the hotel and the marvelous views, I shall be pleased to send then via mail, or email. <BR>If it is not what you are looking for, I may have another option in my notes. <BR>I hope I have been of help. <BR>Ciao, <BR>Gloria <BR>