iHola! Spain

[Lisa Fishman]

I'm going to Spain soon. What cities have you been to? What did you like or dislike about it? What are your "must sees"?
I think my tour is Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Costa del Sol, Velencia, and Barcelona. I especially want to know what not to miss in Barcelona besides La Sagrada Famillia, Picasso and Miro?
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[MJo19]

In Seville, you have to go see La Plaza de Espana..it is gorgeous! Definately also visit the Domecq sherry distillery (if that is the correct term). Seeing all of the Olympic venues in Barcelona is also not bad, but not real high on the exciting list unless you really like sports. Visit a bullring (I visited one not during a fight and it was very interesting). Montserrat is also near Barcelona.

[Rudey]

HOLLA BACK NOW!

-Rudey

[lyrica9]

i lived in valencia last summer, there are a lot of cool museums, and you should check out the ciudad de artes y ciencias in the middle of the turia downtown, it's a pretty place!

[Scandia]

This was almost 17 years ago. But this is where I went:

- Madrid
- Bilbao/Burgos
- Zaragoza
- Santiago de Compostela
- Sevilla
- Granada
- Barcelona
- various places in the island of Mallorca

[xo_kathy]

I'm leaving for Spain on Weds. We're doing Madrid, Seville and Cordoba. I'll be back next weekend, so I'll post on what I thought was a "must see".

[KATwoman]

Originally Posted by Lisa Fishman

I'm going to Spain soon. What cities have you been to? What did you like or dislike about it? What are your "must sees"?
I think my tour is Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Costa del Sol, Velencia, and Barcelona. I especially want to know what not to miss in Barcelona besides La Sagrada Famillia, Picasso and Miro?
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I live here (and have been to all these placesand more except the Costa del Sol) so if you have any more questions I'd be happy to help.

Madrid: I love Madrid. It's a very hectic place and, as all of Spain, has a ton of tourists and things to see. It really depends what you are interested in- for example the Prado museum has great art but if you aren't into the old masters it could bore you to tears. Do you like shopping? Go to Fuencarral Street.

Toledo is beautiful! It's a bit too touristy but the town is very cool anyway. I lived there a while and for me none of the museums etc are out of this world its the city itself that is cool.

Cordoba has the huge Mosque and lots of little private courtyards that are very pretty with their flowers, other than that it doesn't have any big "thing".

Granada and Seville are good places to soak up the laid back Andalusian life style. The night life is fun and you can check out some flamenco.

Valencia has the aquarium and science museum but keep in mind that the former is costs like twenty euros. Have some fresh oj.

Barcelona has the Ramblas, basically a sidewalk with lots of action- street performers, flower stalls etc, which is fun to walk down. I recommend the Parc Guell and the Palau de la Musica.

KATwoman

[xo_kathy]

Got back last week. Had a very nice time.

Cordoba has the Mezquita (the mosque the pp referred to) which is a lot more than she makes it sound. Amazing actually - and it was also consecrated to a chruch when the Christians took over so the mix of cultures in one building is really interesting. Also there is the Real Alcazar - the old fortress/palace that has some very cool old ruins, arab baths, and a beautiful garden. There is also a medieval synagogue that is tiny but very cool when you think about the history and it's only .30 euros.

In Seville, please go see the Casa de Pilatos! It's sort of out of the way (though we walked to it and I'm pregnant, so it's not like a crazy far walk, just not in the main tourist area) and not a "major site" but was so very cool. It was built in the 1500s and has amazing mudejar tiles all over - they are like wall paper! And the gardens are so beautiful as well. The courtyard has a 5th century BC original statue of Athena. It's 5 euros to get in to the see the main floor and the gardens. So worth it. We spent an hour just staring at everything. You can pay a few Euros more for a tour of the upstairs - has some antiques and such, but it doesn't seem worth it. The real beauty is on the main level. Here are a couple pics:



There is also a bull ring in Seville that does bi-lingual tours every hour or so. We didn't go but it would have been interesting.

Madrid, if you don't want to see art at the Prado, the Royal Palace is very cool. The extravagance is crazy. Parque Retiro (kinds like their Central Park) is also very beautiful and worth a visit I think.

[Scandia]

In Granada you need to see the Alhambra. It is a spectacularly beautiful palace. The gardens and fountains are amazing.

[macallan25]

Saw the Rolling Stones in Barcelona. It was good.

[Kevin]

Spain's a great place. I've been all over it. What stands out to me was an experience I had in Granada. My brother, a friend of his and I were out one night looking for something to do. We had seen signs around the bus stops that said something to the effect of "El Fariel" (The Fair).

We got on a bus and rode for what seemed like a long time and they dropped us off literally in the middle of nowhere at a Gypsy fair.

Generally, I'm annoyed by the gypsies as they are pickpockets, thieves, beggars, generally detestable people. But this fair they put on was amazing.

Imagine every ride banned in the U.S. due to safety issues assembled in one location for your amusement. Had a great time, got back just fine. So if you see a fair in Granada or anywhere else, definitely go.

But yeah, the art museums, castles, etc.. those were pretty ok as well.

[xo_kathy]

Oy the gypsies! I'm in NY so I'm used to homeless and beggars, but these ones are ballsy!!! They will walkright up to your table, put their hand out and say please in every language under the sun and just stand there forever!!!!!

I loved how they sauntered down the street laughing and gigiling until they saw an outdoor cafe. Then the sad face comes on, they slouch, and the "act" begins. Kevin and I have different views on homeless/beggars , but I have to agree with him on the gypsies!

[JonInKC]

I don't know if there's a Spanish equivalent, but if someone tries to get you to go see a donkey show, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T DO IT. Anything good inside of you will die.