Spain Travel Forum

I promised not to bring food as subject, but I cant keep that promise;

One of my days in Barce. I will walk from Arc de Triomf down to Parc Ciuatadella. I will continue via Estacio de Franca and down to Barceloneta.


There I want to experience the Paella -- for my first time ever!

I really dont eat any kind of seafood, since this is not available where I live, we only get some several day old cod and frozen salmon.

Do I dare to eat a paella ??

I really dont know, it might help if I knew some places where I could get that dish safely and tasty...

PS. Any good Paella restaurant other places in the city will do, this Barceloneta walk is on my 7th day, I should perhapse try paella much sooner on my stay??
My belief is that I could get very sick of this paella - seafood, I could poisoned and die :-(

I will be attending a conference with some colleagues and we have a limited budget after registration and transport are paid. I've seen on old-town hostal here but we need something quiet since we have to be productive Saturay and Sunday.

Can anyone recommend a reasonable hostal or hotel that's close to the Guggenheim and Deusto University?

Many thanks from Madrid,
Patti

Hello,
We will be traveling through Bilbao on April 2nd 2012 spending one night in the city.
We are looking for a guided walking tour of the architecture of the Guggenheim museum (I know that the museum is closed on mondays) and the Old City. I see several tours but only on Saturday and Sunday any advice?.
Thanks , Gracias
Louise

We’re going to Andalucía in May
We’re looking for a house with a private swimming pool (in Frigliana, Nerja or Lake Vinuela)
Do we need a heated pool in May? Or is the water temperature good for swimming in the unheated pools?
Our 2 years old kid also wants to swim :)

Its a sunny day in Barcelona, its hot and you get thirsty, very thirsty.

In London, this is no problema, just walk in a public house and say "a Londoner, please"

Now, this is a tad too much to drink for me, what do you say in Placa del Sol to get half a pint?

And most important, in Catalan?

I assume that they might like me trying to speak some Catalan, such as this phrase;
" could I have a "cervXXX" and "amb tomaquet i pernil serra" please?

-- if I only had the nerves to really say something like that :-)

And we don say "una cerveca por favor", what are the brands in Barcelona? Xibeca? How in the world could i say that, xibeca sounds like a Harry Potter spell :-) I have also heard that Moritz and Estrella are from this region of Spain?

Is the Spanish beer any good, compared to Youngs or Londoner, Moretti, 1664 or even a Tuborg?

And last, any non-alcholic beverage I should know of? I really dont drink any of that Coke stuff due to my kidney problem, but I cannot rave about drinking only lager, I guess :-)


OT:
Made myself risotto for dinner tonight. Using Thai Jasmine - rice. Kind of weird looking when finished, but with ample pecorino and chopped parsley on top, not bad at all. Should have had a glass of red, but I settled for a cold Heineken, since I had fried chicken with the risotto. Any chance of getting such food here in Catalonia ?

Almost there, only 2 weeks left :-)
As usual, there are lots of questions I cannot deduct from tourist books:



Perhapse THE most I want to see in Barcelona, is these three,
look at the map page 60 in Lonely Planet Barcelona City Guide

1) The Cathedral
I guess it is just to walk in anytime/anyday?
If I want to see its Glory, the Virgin Mary, the geeses, the Indian plaque etc, etc -- is it wise to come on a Sunday at 1300 hours?

2) Placa del Rei, Museu d´Historia de la Ciutat
Due to the siesta closing, I will be there at Sunday at 10am, and go to the Cathedral in the Siesta hours.
Is this THE big museum close to the Cathedral, with everything from Hadrian up til present ?


3) Temple Romà d`August
Is this something different, not in the same house as 2) ??
Is there a "milestone" on the sidewalk, which tell me "this is it"?
Is it for free, when do they open -- if this indeed is a separate casus?

------------
Related to these:

4) Casa de l´Ardiaca
in front of the cathedral, and no entrance fee, ok?

5) Museu Diocesa
please tell me if you have been here

6) Museu Fredric Mares,
entrance 4 euro, 10-8pm.
What is the "big deal" about this collection?

I will visit ALL these in one day, on a Sunday, but I will indeed re-visit them on a later day,
they are only a ten-minutes walk from my hotel.
Any smart tips regarding revisiting? Do they put on some stamps on my ticket, so I can visit them another day - or do I have to buy new ones?

The next two, tourists will not be allowed to have a look inside, I guess?

7) Ajuntament
8) Palau Generalitet


Thanks!

I see (http://oficinaturismoguadalupe.blogspot.com/2009/10/2-peregrinacion-en-
bicicleta-guadalupe.html) a route Madrid-Guadalipe operated by LA SEPULVEDANA. But there is no such route in their web. I wrote them a question and they answered that it is right, they havn't such route now.

May be somebody know: this route is cancelled at all or now it is operated by another conpany?

OK, I live in a hotel "nextdoor" to MACBA.

On Google Earth, I have "walked" (streetview) from Catalunya and Universitat, the metro stops I mean.

I looks to me to be much shorter to hop off the blue airport bus at Universitat, but I can only guess where it exactly stops. Is it just in front of the Univ. main entrance. On the end of buss lane?

On Google Earth, you can see the blue airport bus, it is this lane, but has not reached the busstop yet (my q. guesswork).

Im about to "ditch" the Tibidabo trip, an ugly church and a lot of switching transports. I have to consult my Lonely Planet for a similar high altitude experience, do you have any recomm. for me?

Hi we are visiting Jerez early May before the Feria and wondered if there was any good walking around this area within easy reach.
If not how easy would it be to get to the Grazalema region.
Many thanks
Nick

I am visiting the island in early march to look at properties,i am toying with the idea of buying a motor home to live in and rent two apartments out and live there permanently,i am concerned i will not be able to park the motor home and i could get moved on quite often by the authorities, has anyone had any experiences in this area, muchos gracias t w booth [bill]p s i am looking at peurto del carmen area

We are going to Spain for the first time in June. I am thinking of going with Gate 1 14-day escorted tour but I would like to know your experience with Gate 1.

At the end of the tour in Madrid, we would like to spend a week in Barcelona. Since we also like to see other cities in between Madrid and Barcelona, my questions are:

- Is there enough to do in Barcelona for a week?
- Would you recommend driving a rental car from Madrid to Barcelona?
- Is driving with a rental car safe in Spain especially a long drive from Madrid to Barcelona?
- What would be the top five things to do in Barcelona?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello,

Our family of 5 is planning to take the AeroCity shuttle from Barajas to Atocha. Can anyone who has done this, give me their input. We are headed to Sevilla. I want to buy our train tickets in advance, I thought I would give us 3 hrs. to go through customs and travel to train station. Have I given us enough time ?

Many thanks

Ok, I am a stupid farmer, having lived most of my simple life way off cities, where I live, 5 persons is considered to be a huge crowd;-)

If any of you understand that joke, and perhaps also the serious undertone of it;

I have now at high age suddenly started to travel around Europe (I´m approx 60)

So far Berlin, London (3 times), Paris (3 times), Rome and Athens -- all since I started this travelling back in 2009 (I am a "multidisabled, I could drop dead anytime my doctors says).

The problem is that my "disbability" dont show, its my kidneys and a strange muscular problem in my head.

Thus sofar, I have only had problems in Athens spring 2011. An Albanian guy snatched my camera at Pnyx. Everytime I stopped in the city, especially in the area just south of the Acropolis -- to take some pictures of the architecture, I was approached and talked to of nice people, but alle they wanted -- was my money.

Now Barcelona. How much a problem is nice people talking to you, or for example wanting to know the directions on a map -- but in fact they are fast working thieves aimiing at your valuables?

Could Gracia or Poblenou be such "problematic" areas.

Since I am not allowed to drink any alchool, I will go to bed at ten in the evening, I also assume that La Rambla and Placa de Catalunya is dangerous and will stay clear of these areas.

Hope you understand some of my concerns, my last visit was to Athens (where I was robbed), I really should like my holiday late in February to be pleasant, not a "greek nightmare"....

How far is it to walk from the Funicular "topstation" on Montjuïc (A. Miramar) to the Castell de Montjuïc?
Im minutes/ hours please :-)

What bus number should I hop on at Catalunya to get to the top of Tibidabo (to see the church of the sacred Heart, not the amusem. park)

What is the shortest way to walk from Park de la Ciutadella to Torre Mapfre
(not using any metro, bus or taxi)

At last, a "newbie" Q:
I want to visit Sagrada Famila and Park Guell on Monday 20th of February;
These two do not close on Mondays, do they?
(alle the museums are closed, so I have to do something else this monday...)

I am travelling to Barc. at Feb 16th, staying for ten days.

We are flying into Madrid and are looking for advice on the best way to get from the airport to our hotel. The travel company we were dealing with were recommending booking a private car ahead but I thought the price seemed out of line with what I would expect to see. We are staying at Catalonia Las Cortes which is located at Calle del Prado 6. What would be the best routing for taking the subway there? How long should I expect it to take and approximate cost? If you have any other recommendations I would be happy to hear them. Thanks

We will arrive in Barcelona by Ship end of April and would like to know the price of a taxi ride for the two of us w. total of 2 suitcases from the Cruise Port to the Airport. Thank you in advance

Hi

We are a family of 4 with 2 teenage daughters driving from Nice france to Barcelona looking for any suggestions or advice.

Hi everybody,

My family (2 Children & 2 adults) are going to travel to the north of Spain in the first week of June. we are going to rent a car in the airport of Oviedo.
We planning to stay in Ribadesella. Does anybody know how much it will cost to rent a car (Is it expensive?) How does it work over there? There is anything that we'll need to know?
Welcome any advices ( places to visit, transport etc.)
Thanks,
Rose

I am looking to schedule a holiday that my kids will love. We have this habit of going to beaches in Feb & April where the water is too cold to enjoy playing in the water and hang out at the beach.

Are the Canary Islands a good choice for an early April holiday with this goal in mind?

Will be in Barcelona late April this year and looking for a hotel (3 stars), which has private parking for free or at a reasonable price (max €10/day)and is located close to public transport to down town. I do not mind a train ride of 30 min to the center, but I am not willing to pay 15-19€ or eve more for parking or search the whole city for a parking lot. Any local advice is highly apprechiated.

Traveling thru Spain in mid-late May, wanted to experience Costa del Sol. How is the weather there at that time of the month? Warm enough for beach and swimming? how about the parties?

Traveling in Spain mid to late May. What is the weather like in Barcelona at that time of the year? Is it warm enough for the beach/swim?

Hi, who can help? We'll be arriving at the Seville airport and would like to get to our hotel in Calle Paraná by public transport. Which bus do we have to take?

What kind of ticket would be advisable - I expect we will have to use the bus more than once because we will be staying for 5 days.
Is the Seville card worth buying?

Thank you for your help.

Am planning a holiday to Majorca and would like to know a couple of things regarding the bus services that serve this lovely island.(Am NOT interested in car hire!!)
In particular does anyone know of, or have a link, to the prices charged for
1) Santa Ponsa to Palma
2) Palma to the airport.
I have a link for the timetables but no idea of prices.

I also understand that you can purchase a "discount card"? that enables you a reduction for fares on the buses throughout the island.
I would like an idea how much journies will be from one destination to another
Many thanks

Hello!
Me and my wife are planing a road trip throw the Spain. We want to stay in GRANADA,MALAGA,GIBRALTAR,CORDOBA. I would like to know the prices for hotels or hostels in these cities. If there is a chance I would like a good and cheap hostels or hotels. I am interested for a rent a car in GRANADA, if you know some of this. Well, my name is Klemen and I come from Slovenia.
Thank you for your answers

by

Can anyone help me with the easiest way to get from Barcelona Airport to the centre of Girona by train please? I believe you have to go to Barcelona Sants station and then change. Do you know what trains we then have to get and how often they run. Thank you for any help you can give us as it all seems a bit confusing. Sue Chesterman

~I have booked a suprise break away for my parter, departing on the 26 Jan12 and returning on the 29th. I thought it was a brilliant idea to use lastminute.com with the hotel and flight deal. I have always travelled with a travel agent before and have just realised i don't have any transport to get me from the Barcelona airport to my hotel, Ayre hotel Caspe. I can't seem to find how much it would cost to do the journey in a taxi and i thought there might be a direct bus, but can't find one. I'm stressing out! Please help!

Where is the "best" place to stay to discover Andalucia?
East or West from Malaga?

In May we want to rent 1 house with swimming pool and we will rent a car. (for 2 weeks)
We want to stay in a relaxed, quiet area.

Where is the best temperature / weather?
The coast (Nerja) ? Or 20/30km inland (like Lake Vinuela , Ronda, )?

Hello:

My husband, 2 sons, and I will be staying in Barcelona for 4 nights in July. We have identified 4 possible apartments to stay in and are looking for input about the pro's and con's of each apartment and more specifically the locations. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!!!

apartmentbarcelona.com/en/…eur

http://www.apartmentbarcelona.com/en/gracia-holiday-1/999/description/arrival~19-07-2012~departure~23-07-2012~adults~4~children~0~babies~0/usd

www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p381963…

http://www.vrbo.com/358324

we are coming barcelona from 28.january to 4. march..
im searching hotels..i think the weather is good to see around..?
we are four and my friends want a cheap and central hotel.. its my organization so im a bit worried.. i saw apartments on the booking.com website but i dont know they are good enough as hotels.. we are looking for a max. 40 euros per person :( can we find a clean and central and cheap one?
thnx..