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 Spain - more hotels, villas, etc.
Ever since my friend Carlos showed me his vacation pictures, I've wanted to visit Spain. As I surf the net planning my vacation, I'm finding it even more interesting than I had realized. Not only is the Iberian Peninsula the historic frontier between Europe and North Africa, it's one of the cradles of civilization. I knew about the Moorish mosques and magnificent cathedrals, but I had never realized that Spain is full of cities dating back to the Romans, Greeks, and even the Phoenicians! The geography ranges from North African aridity to Mediterranean to mountainous. And somehow all of this seems to lead to an incredible artistic tradition that combines flamboyance, surrealism and wild creativity (El Greco, Picasso, Dali, Gaudi). 

Since we'll be going in early spring (probably March), this will not be a beach vacation. Considering how close southern Spain is to Africa, I was expecting a more tropical winter temperatures. But all the climate data I have found suggests that March weather is likely to be in the 50's Fahrenheit, even in the hottest parts of the country. The interior and northern parts of the country are downright chilly and damp this time of year, so I figure the best plan is to concentrate on the hottest and driest region in the south, and then work our way up the coast to Barcelona (just because I want to see Barcelona). So the regions we'll be concentrating on are: Andalusia, Murcia, Valencia(map) and Catalunya. Murcia(map)  - 

Spain Travel Tips from Rick Steve's graffiti page - excellent travel tips - 
Climate and weather links avg temp by city charts by city climate data
Spanish Language Practice ursinus.edu Fodors Spanish for Travelers pronounce phrases 1 - 2 - 3 - 
Learn Spanish: A Free Online Tutorial $SpanishProgram WebSpanol ORlinks TylerJones
smartphrase magazines charlescity (full course) quiz Parthenon - grammar 

 
The Plan so far - bring up a map for reference and let's get started
better
map
 money
transfer		 Currency Converter Convert Fahrenheit<->Celsius Convert miles<->kilometers
Phase 1: Andalucia

Mar 13 (jueves)

 Arrive in  Madrid, stay one night in Hostal Barrerra. It's walking distance from the Atocha train station, as well as the Art Walk, where the big & famous art museums of Madrid are located: the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza  Museum and the  Reina  Sofia National  Art Museum.

Cheap Hostals in Madrid near Atocha - all with private bath. Prices for 3 in Euros. I found them all on Eurocheapo, a wonderful hotel site.
Barrera (E67) revu Gonzalo (E57)  Cervantes (E45) Astoria (??) 
email - 14 rooms friendly no triples?

MAD->Malaga:   4:30 hrs
MAD->Seville      2:30 hrs
MAD->Cordoba  2:00 hrs
Mar 14 (viernes) Take the AVE train to Seville (2.5 hrs) and spend the night there. 
 Seville -  of the big 3, Seville got the most rave reviews   Photos - 1-2-3-4-5-6 - red2000

 - Hotel Links -  -Hotels in Seville - Hostals in Seville
Hotel Simon (63-90E) Laurel (66/102) Dona Maria (106/137) Puerta d'Triana (72-119) 
18c mansion. 90E incl livrm area. March is "hi season".
Super location, gardens & SCruz.		 great location, each room unique.  Extra-nice 2* recommended by Frommer's
More modest accommodations - Hostals
San Benito (36+18) Arias (55) Zahira (T=65) Dona Feli (52E)
Santa Cruz, rooms & apts Santa Cruz/ Murillo Gardens Very pretty lobby. 4 blocks from Giralda.  17rm, modern but nice. nr Isla Magica

Mar 15-21: 
Andalusian villa (sabado-viernes)		 Take the train to Malaga, rent a car and head for the hills, where a lovely rental villa will be waiting for us. Our villa (along with most of the others I looked at), is in Axarquia, a beautiful hilly region about a few miles inland from the Costa del Sol, in the foothills of a couple of national parks. It's an area of small villages nestled into the mountains, ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand in population. There are many small rental villas and cottages here, in the price range of $250-$500/week. Most of these villages are less than an hour's drive from the Malaga airport, and within day-tripping range of most of the major tourist attractions in Andalusia. 
Axarquia (pix & overview) Axarquia map Axarquia-detailed map

Our Villa in Axarquia

  • Art of Living" (Frigiliana) - halfvilla - jacuzzi, terrace, on edge of town. Reserved 3/14-3/22
  • More Villas and Country Houses ...
    		•  Towns
  • Frigiliana - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 
  • Competa
  • Sedella
  • Salares
  • Corumbela
  • Villanueva del Trabuco
  • Benamargosa
  • Comares
  • Alora  1-2-3 - 
    		•
    From a base camp in the vicinity of Malaga, there are many wonderful day trips. 

    CLOSE BY

    1-3 HOURS BY CAR     		epinions reviews of Spain
    Granada
  • Granada 1-2-photos
  • Alhambra -
  • Alhambra at night
  •   caveats  1-2

    •  
    Phase 2: 
    Up the Coast
    to Barcelona
      sabado, March22 - lunch on beach at Caba Gada. Then long drive to Aliante/Valencia area. Stay in House Ca Provi (Alfauir).  This charming country guest house is inland from Gandi, south of Vallencia, and charges only 13Euro per person. Reserved online - no deposit required.

      domingo March23 - Up the coast to the Tarragona area, almost to Barcelona. I'd like to stay in the guesthouse in the teensy village of La Sala de Comalats. Listed price is 40E for a double room. I'm guessing it will be around 60 for 3.  Tarragona is on the way there, 60km away. There are 3 historic monasteries nearby: Santa Maria de Poblet, Santes Creus, and Vallbona de les Mongues

      Maybe... before we turn in the car we should visit Manresa. Apparently there are a lot of Tatges (or Tatjes) there. Maybe stay there instead?

      lunes March24. Drive to Barcelona (<90 miles) turn in the car, and check into a quaint little hotel near Los Ramblas. We're learning towards the Peninsular, a former convent converted to a low-cost but reputedly attractive and quiet hotel. It will be about 80E/night for 3 of us.

    On the Way to Barcelona
    Valencia 
    (map)    		 L'Hostalat (La Sala de Comalats) Castell de Castell1 - 2- 
    between Alicant&Valencia    		 Hostal Moratin (Valencia)
    22E/pp 
    Tarragona
    - 1 - 2 - 3     		 Tarragona Links La Seu d'Urgell
    		epinions reviews of Spain
  • Valencia 1 - 2
  • Barcelona - 1 - 
  • Tarragona - 1 - - -
  • Tortosa - - - 
    		•

    Barcelona    		 Judging from what I'm finding on the net, Barcelona must be the most photogenic city in Europe!  Here's some fun links with lots of pictures.
    Photo Tour of Barcelona Colin Bell's Barcelona Minisite - photos and travel diary A Photographer's Guide to Barcelona - tips & photos
    Steve Fazzio's Catalonia more photos planetware photos

    HOTELS in Barcelona  (rates are for a triple room in Euros) Eurocheapo - ricksteves
    Peninsular (E80) Lloret (E83) Hostal Fernando (E57) Lausanne (E45/60)
    Dali Barcelona (E69) Barcelona House (E84)  Hostal Avinyo (60)

    Guidebook-type Links to Catalonia
    Lonely Planet Guide Fodors Guide igougo
    Tourism.catalonia.net

    		Gaudi!
  • Postcards
  • huge Gaudi Photo site
  • Best of Gaudi Photos
  • Casa Batllo
  • Masterworks of Gaudi
  • La Sagrada Familia

    •  
    Catalunya-epinions reviews
  • Branching out from Barcelona 
  • Off the Beaten Path in Catalunya
  • Montserrat Monastery - photos
  • La Seu d'Urgell - ancient Pyrenean town guards one of the passes between Spain and France
    		•
    Departure
    Mar 26 (miercoles)
    Mar 27 (jueves)    		 Take the train back to Madrid. It's a long train ride - about 7 hours. Regular 2nd-class fare is $69/each. 1st class is $92. Couchettes are (I think) $86 and semi-private Sleeper cars are more - maybe $120?  Current plans - take the nice sleeper car (think of the extra money as a hotel stay), arriving in Madrid in the morning. 

    Fly home: US Airways - flight leaves about 1:00 pm
    Reference Links
         
    ball26.gifGENERAL INFO on SPAIN All About Spain Rick Steves Spain/Portugal Travel-Guide DonQuixoteGuides Budget Travel
    TravelingInSpain
    ball26.gifPHOTO SITES Planetware/spain
    ball26.gifTRIP PLANNING TripToSpain
    ball26.gifMAPS The main cities another simple map Regions of Spain
    ball26.gifTRANSPORTATION rail schedule  Rail Map Simple Road Map All About Train Travel rail prices
    ball26.gifREGIONS Spaintour Red2000 Regions
    Andalusia Murcia Valencia Catalunya Andorra
    ball26.gifPLACES TO SEE Axarquia Frigiliana Nerja Best Beach Hideaways Caves of Nerja
    Granada Cordoba Algeciras Gibraltar
    ball26.gifACCOMODATIONS 1001 Villas by owner "Art of Living" (Frigiliana) Frigilian cottage Competa Charming Inns
    allrural.com cheapnights.com hostelmap Eurocheapo igougo
       PARADORES Paradores Home Page Paradores w/map MargoHuston
    ball26.gifMISC Currency Converter Metric Conversions excellent travel tips SpainCard
    ball26.gifPERSONAL EXPERIENCES epinions Valencia 1  2 Granada 1-2-photos Andalucia  1  2  3  4  5 Bobbi, Dusty..
    dooyoo reviews
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    Site Last Updated  Nov 5, 2002
    By Sharon Kahn