Sell me on MADRID

[sprite]

EDIT: Spain it is. Last 3-4 nights will be in Madrid after several days mooching in smaller cities or the countryside.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

We have narrowed down our Fall holiday to either Crete or Spain. I am leaning to Crete, but to be honest that's mostly because I really like feta and souvlaki.

We did a tour of Bilbao/RIoja/Basque/San Sebastian a few years ago. We've been to Barcelona, and to Andalucia (Malaga, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba) a few times.

Where else would be nice for two weeks? We like historical buildings, walks, good food. We speak decent Spanish. We'll be flying in from the UK--this is what's pushing me towards Spain, as it'll be an hour shorter.

[sophie]

I loved Crete but that was ages back. Did some great hikes, nice beaches, great food.. and back then was very inexpensive. Driving a car was a nightmare so I just bussed it with the kid. Fall is also very laid back as the majority of the tourists usually leave by then.

[sprite]

Yeah, I don't want to drive there either, the mainland was bad enough. Partner is a bit wierd about having his own wheels, so I predict arguments!

Spain, I don't mind driving so much.

[Liiisa]

I'd choose Spain but that's because I've never been there and can speak Spanish - Greek would take a lot of work. But if you've already been to Spain so many times, why not Crete?

[sprite]

I get the feeling we'll just pull one of them out of a hat...

[Queen]

I was going to say something about very sexy accents... but if you're going as a couple that's probably not such a great selling point.


Both have great food, great history, lovely people etc. I'd probably go for the one I haven't been to before...

[sprite]

Last night I came up with a plan to go from Barcelona, to Andorra, to Carcassone, to Toulouse, mostly by public transport and pilgrimage trails. I think the French side of this plan is influenced by Phar's 'croissant' thread.

I really need to sort out this ADHD thing.

[wombatrois]

Andorra! Does anyone remember the LPTT Andorra guy (girl?) ... what was the name. It was YC, so maybe you don't remember.

[sprite]

vaguely?

[Queen]

Carcassone has been on my list for a while...

[sprite]

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that it's mostly because of Kate Mosse's 'Labryinth' novel. Which I didn't think was a very good book, but I enjoyed the descriptions of the area and the history.


THis morning HE woke up and suggested flying to Dubrovnik, then doing a road trip through Montenegro and into Albania.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why we haven't booked tickets yet.

[tzarine]

love love love donostia/san sebastian
the food from affordable molecular gastronomy to traditional fish pintxos, the walks, the funicular, the beaches, the festivals, cool art spaces

kutxakulturartegunea.eus/index.php/en
www.monteigueldo.es/home
www.thefork.co.uk/restaurant/zazpi-bar-restaurante-r752102

[Webs]

Seville!

[riverhorse]

It's been over 30 years since I was in Crete but I've always wanted to go back. It was just fantastic. Great hiking, gorgeous villages, interesting architecture/history over so many different periods of occupation (from Venetian to Ottoman), friendly locals, great food.

[Queen]

I looked at visiting Albania from Corfu, and it was doable but painful for independent travel. I've sailed into Albanian waters, but no further. Yet.

[wombatrois]

I can sell you on both :-D

Although not been to Crete it is very high on the list, we even purchased an LP! But went to mainland Greece instead (which was amazing and can thoroughly recommend the Peloponnese if you want throw another destination in the mix!).

Albania looks amazing too ...

Good luck choosing!

[lillielangtry]

I think Rikita went to Albania recently?

I'd go for Spain but that's just me.

[tzarine]

love madrid
the prado, thyssen, reina sofia
& the markets
love this one
www.mercadosananton.com/

[sprite]

We did go to the Pelopenese a couple of years ago, and now I feel like, if I go, I want more swimming! Far too much of that visit was looking at a gorgeous blue sea from far away.

Argh.

so many decisions...

[wombatrois]

Some nice beaches in the Peloponnese

[sprite]

We've decided to shelve Albania, and give ourselves next winter to plan it.

I think we'll do Spain, if we can work out non-Ryanair direct flights.
Ideally, we'll fly into one city and out of another, and mooch along to get to each, maybe by car, maybe by long hikes/bus/train. I'd certainly prefer that, but it might mean missing out on some 'car only' gems.

[sprite]

Has anyone been to Madrid in the last few years?
Trying to choose a neighbourhood for 3-4 nights. Likely in a hotel/BnB, because we plan to eat a lot and are feeling queasy about the negative influence of short term lets.
Want something quite but convenient to wander out of.
Will likely take metro or bus to Terminal 1 on Saturday morning, earlyish.

I've only been once, for about 8 hours between trains, so I walked around the Atocha area, but that was more than 15 years ago, and all I remember was a market, an Egyptian obelisk, and some excellent hot chocolate. Not useful.

Ideas?

[tzarine]

sprite
have stayed here
www.hotel-moderno.com/en/

[sprite]

That is gorgeous, but they don't have our dates.

[tzarine]

sprite
love the chocolate here
cacaosampaka.com/tiendas/

we ate here:
www.esmadrid.com/en/shopping/mercado-de-san-anton

visited guernica
www.museoreinasofia.es/en/collection/artwork/guernica