Topic: Trip to Spain in 2012

[Railton]

Mr and Ms Railton are looking to plan a trip to Spain for next Fall, early September. Anyone have any recommendations as far as where to stay and visit while there?
We have a week at a time share that we plan on using although have not booked the specific location yet as well as booking another hotel for the 2nd week or vice versa. We plan on renting a car for at least a week while there to travel around. International license required?
Railton

[CanuckS2K]

Good stuff, Spain is a beautiful Country.  IMHO, Seville and Barcelona are must sees as far as larger cities are concerned.  The cathedrals in each of those cities are simply gorgeous!  Toledo is another place that I would consider to be a must see.  The Costa Del Sol region is beautiful as well, allbeit rather touristy.  Torremolinos and Malaga are a worth see.  If you are planning on visiting the south coast part of Spain in Andalucia, you can also visit Gibralter.  You can also take a 45 minute ferry ride over to Morocco, Africa as well.  An international driver's license is recommended, but not required.  I never got my international driver's license until my trip to Italy last year and I never had any issues.  It's cheap though if you decide to get it. 

[Railton]

Thanks Canuck. It won't be a cycling trip as Kate will be coming along, more of sight-seeing trip. Not interested in the beaches and likly not Morocco.
I had an international licence when we were in France for a couple of weeks and drove all over. Is it pretty safe to drive over there in comparison to France?
Railton

[CanuckS2K]

Thanks Canuck. It won't be a cycling trip as Kate will be coming along, more of sight-seeing trip. Not interested in the beaches and likly not Morocco.
I had an international licence when we were in France for a couple of weeks and drove all over. Is it pretty safe to drive over there in comparison to France?
Railton

I found the driving in Spain to be very similar to other European countries like Portugal, France, Italy, etc.  They drive VERY quick, but I've always found them to be attentive drivers.  ie, not yacking on a cell phone, putting on makeup, etc.  If you didn't have any issues driving in France, you likely won't in Spain either.  A GPS loaded with European maps is a big help!  It helped me out on a number of occasions in Italy last year. 

Check out JMVacations and SunmedHolidays as they specialize in Portugal/Spain vacations.  You can rent an apartment for a week, including your rental car and return airfare for some pretty decent prices.

http://www.sunmedholidays.net/index.php?com=showcountry&cId=2
http://www.jmvacations.ca/

[tpl]

If you are in Northern Spain, the Basque country and the Rioja then the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is worth the trip.

I have driven around there and I'd say that driving is safe there, limits on expressways 10 km/h slower than France ( 120 not 130) and you must indicate to change lanes to pass AND when you change lanes back.   
Down in the sw there is Cadiz and close to it Jerez de la Frontera if you a sherry drinker.   SE corner near enough to the Costa del Sol there is Cordoba with the Cathedral built inside a Mosque sometime after the Moors were thrown out ( One of bin Laden's obsessions)

You have to get used to the Spanish eating much later than we do here.   Tapas at 7pm but main dinner at 10.

[CanuckS2K]

If you are in Northern Spain, the Basque country and the Rioja then the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is worth the trip.

I have driven around there and I'd say that driving is safe there, limits on expressways 10 km/h slower than France ( 120 not 130) and you must indicate to change lanes to pass AND when you change lanes back.   
Down in the sw there is Cadiz and close to it Jerez dela Fronters if you a sherry drinker.   SE corner near enough to the Costa del Sol there is Cordoba with the Cathedral built inside a Mosque sometiem after the Moors were thrown out ( One of bin Laden's obsessions)

You have to get used to the Spanish eating much later than we do here.   Tapas at 7pm but main dinner at 10.

North Americans certainly aren't used to that schedule, but personally I love it.  They ENJOY their meals as opposed here where it seems most people try to get them over and done with as quickly as possible.  And Tapas.......

[tpl]

Good Tapas is a thing of beauty indeed. Tapas in a not-to-good Tourist bar  not worth the money.  Also, indulging in Tapas does tend to kill the appetite for a serious dinner.

My favourite Tapas are almost any seafood ones. My favourite meat tapas, stewed tripe with chickpeas and hot peppers.   provides a suitable jolt for a beer.

Importantly in a lot of the EU now the DUI number is 50 not 80. 

[CanuckS2K]

^ Same here.  I gravitate towards any type of seafood tapas as well.  Any tapa that involves their jamon as well.   

Now I'm hungry.   

48 days to go and I will be there!!   

[safristi]

   Ov'r the LIMIT..... ........ will respond with my Fav Spanish places later....stay tuned as they say............

[CanuckS2K]

Was just looking at a few Seville pictures tonight. Man, what a beautiful city.  My daughter's middle name is Sevilla and we gave her that name due to the city's beauty.  Can't wait to go back there in October. 

[No H2O]

If you are there to drive and have fun doing so, I'd look at staying in the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees areas.

[Railton]

If you are there to drive and have fun doing so, I'd look at staying in the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees areas.

Nope, not drive in the same sense as you and I know it.
Railton

[laspalmas]

Do not miss the Alhambra, in Granada, simply unbelievable. I recommend watching any documentary on the Alhambra first, so you can understand and appreciate its' grandeur. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Granada, it's breathtaking. We were staying in an apartment in Sevilla (also beautiful, do a small-boat tour on the guadalquivir) and did a leisurely drive past Cordoba, on the way to Granada, stayed one night then on the way back, stopped in Cordoba to see the famous Mosque within a Cathedral, the "Mezquita", another wonder of the world.

[laspalmas]

We're including Barcelona for 8 days in our trip in September, I'm sure I'll have some interesting shots!

[Ex-airbalancer]

have to go to las ramblas http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/ramblas/barcelona-las-ramblas.html
check out http://www.solmelia.com/ sign up for newsletter , I goot a hotel in Barcelona for 50 euros a night

[safristi]

Railton it would help if you were more specific on yer Timeshare area and the next weeks home base?..............I imagine you are flying into Madrid...possibly BARTH_A LOANER .....and this would give us appropriate suggestions........no use us raving aboot  Basque Country if yer toasting yer tootsies in Torremolinos....

[Railton]

Railton it would help if you were more specific on yer Timeshare area and the next weeks home base?..............I imagine you are flying into Madrid...possibly BARTH_A LOANER .....and this would give us appropriate suggestions........no use us raving aboot  Basque Country if yer toasting yer tootsies in Torremolinos....

I was hoping to pick the location of the timeshare once I found out what area would be best to explore base on the fine reviews and recommendations of the CTC Team.
Railton

[tpl]

So what do you think so far from all these posts?

[Railton]

So what do you think so far from all these posts?

I expect that we will fly to Madrid and stay in the Southern area of Spain as Mrs. Railton likes 'heat'. So....Granada, Seville, Cordoba, et all.
What cities do most carriers fly into?
Railton

[Ex-airbalancer]

besides Air Transat, i am not sure if there are any direct flights to Spain from Toronto