Reply to Spain and Portugal - need tips and advice

Forum Index » Travel Discussion

Reply to "Spain and Portugal - need tips and advice"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Need advice from those who have been

Thinking of going 2 weeks late April or September. What to pack - do we need a light jacket just in case? Planning on taking only a carry on and personal bag.

I planned for Madrid 3 nights (more interested in Toledo and Segovia so this is just a base after the flight in), Seville 4 nights, 1 night Cordoba, 2 nights Granada, 2 nights Malaga, 3 nights in Lisbon.

From what I read, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga are all well connected by train (just under 2.5 hours).

Madrid -  If I am interested in just the Royal Palace, Almudena cathedral and crypt, walking around Retiro Park and the main city center, food hall in San Miguel market, tapas - is the evening of arrival and 2nd day enough? I want to use the 3rd day to see Toledo or Segovia. If both Toledo and Segovia are interesting, I could cut one Seville day and add a 4th day to Madrid. There are guided tours but 12 hours long. Has anyone taken these?

Planning on taking the train to Seville from Madrid. How are trains there? I see Ouigo, AVE, Renfe Avalo, Renfe, Iryo - If you have been, is it worth splurging on the Comfort class for a short 3 hour ride, or are the regular coaches just as fine there? How early do we need to book these if we want to keep plans flexible?

If I want to keep it flexible and stay longer in one place is it better to not book a hotel for the night I am unsure where I will be - example Madrid and Seville - if I want to stay a day longer in Madrid, I would not need the 4 days in Seville so if I keep that 1st Seville night unbooked and just book the next 3 days, would it be too much of a hassle finding accommodation either in Madrid or Seville for the night? There is also the checking out/checking in problem if same hotel does not have any rooms left and wasting time on that.

Since Cordoba is on the way, does it make sense to stop at Cordoba first, then go to Seville and then take a train to Granada from Seville?

What are the must sees in these cities ?

How easy is it to use the metro/trains there if we don't know Spanish. Is it better to stick to taxis? Are the tuktuks or hop on hop off buses needed or is it all walkable in Madrid just like in DC for the main sights that I listed above?

Which areas to stay?

Can you recommend hotels you have stayed at and also any tips/suggestions for a first timer.

Thanks!

[/quote]

We liked the Thompson in Madrid (next to Puerta del Sol), Hotel Balcon de Cordoba, and Hotel Gravina 51 in Sevilla.   Madrid and Sevilla are walkable.  Train between them is fantastic high speed.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics