Anyone gone to Spain?

Question

We're going to spain in May and visiting Madrid and the south mostly. Any exciting places that you visited or anything exciting you did that isn't necessarily on the guide books? Anyone take a day trip to Tangiers, Morocco? We're hoping to do that too! Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I went to spain about ten years ago, took the type same trip you are planning and went to tangiers morocco. I rode a camel, had lunch, met a snake charmer. cool Take a guided tour of Tangiers. as for the rest pf spain I suggest you just walk through the shops off the beaten path. Try the small cafes. my trip was a student trip with planned site seeing so didn't get alot of choices. I enjoyed just talking to the locals. they were really friendly and good about my broken spanish. have fun

Answer 2

I lived in Spain last year; you HAVE to see La Alhambra in Granada.  Get there early (6 AM at the latest), even if you already have tickets.  It is the last Arabic stronghold in Spain and has the most beautiful, intricate architecture I've seen.  Get the audio guide; it's well worth it.  Friends of mine ventured into Morrocco, with no real trouble...except for some stomach troubles.  Closer to Madrid, Toledo is an ancient city that's worth an afternoon; they're famous for their steel and some art/achitecture.  I lived in Salamanca which is about an hour northwest of Madrid....fine to live in, but probably not on the top of your sightseeing.  If plans change, the north of Spain (Galicia, Pais Vasco, Asturias etc.) is much greener, the people friendlier towards foriegners and cheaper.  If you're traveling by train anywhere in the country; it's usually 5 euro more for first class and will be the best choice you've ever made.  The lower class cars were full of illegal immigrants, thieves and drunks, not to mention overcrowded and not enough bathrooms.  Spain is a beautiful country in so many ways, I truly hope you enjoy it!  Bien viaje!

Answer 3

I lived in Sevilla many years ago.  I just went back last summer.  

If you have time for some day trips:  the best from Madrid, include Segovia and Toledo.  You can easliy do either or both of these from Madrid, returning in the evenings.

From Sevilla, I agree with Cacahuete.  You should DEFINITELY try to get to Granada to see the Alhambra!  It is spectacular.

In Sevilla, you probably already know that you should go to the Cathedral and Giralda, Alcázar, Parque María Luisa.  You should also go stroll down Calle Sierpes, from Plaza Nueva to Corte Inglés (if you want to see a Spanish Department store...that's it.)  At that end, there is a Confitería (sweet shop) called La Campana.  Very historic.  Wonderful stuff!  Have some Trufas de Chocolate for me.  K?  But everything is good.

Also, if you're interested, the oldest bar/restuarant that I know of (older by fifty years or so than Casa Botín, which claims the record - it's in Madrid, below the Plaza Mayor).  El Rinconcillo, and around the corner from it is Las Rayas, an Ice cream shop considered the best in Seville.  Check it out on this site:  sevilla5.com  That's where I found it.  Turns out I know someone there, who knows the owners of the restaurant...same family for over three hundred years...a claim Casa Botín can't make.  

I hear the Alameda de Herculés is finished...they've been doing construction renewing it for something in the neighborhood of a year...that's worth checking out, too.

Here's something you're not going to find just anywhere...if you're interested in a unique souvenir, and you like flower-fragrances/perfumes...The signature fragrance of Sevilla is the orange blossom.  They have their very own perfume, called Agua de Sevilla, which is mostly orange blossom (very light and clean...love it).  Stand in the Plaza Nueva, with the Ayuntamiento on your right...there's a perfume shop in front of you, and at the end of that block, to your left, is a little boutique.  Both carry the perfume.  then, go around the Aynutamiento and find the bust of Cervantes.  it marks where the prison was where he wrote the first volume of Don Quixote.  

All extras, that you do if you have time.  

Have fun!  It's a blast!