Dumb American in Europe Part II....SPAIN!

[samhussey 0]

Hey, that IS flash! I'll have to remember it next time I go...

[Vallerina 2]

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I stay at hostels whenever I'm traveling in reasonably safe countries. I travel alot by myself(because everyone else is broke or lame) But I have never had trouble meeting people of like interests and traveling companions when staying at hostels.

That actually sounds really neat!

Ha! Thanks for the phrases, Sam! Those were about the only phrases I remember from high school. Oh! I also remember "No hablo espanol," "Tengo hambre," "Estoy ardiendo," "Me gusta," "Besame mucho," "Donde esta el bano," and "Me llamo Val. Soy de Chicago." Some of the phrases I don't think I'll use.

Thanks everyone for the tips! It sounds like such a neat country. If anyone wants to go with me, just let me know! Dz.commers take over Spain! That'd be fun!

Also, is it cheesey that I want to go to Valencia because of a song?

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[riggerrob 643]

Try visiting Granada while you are in Spain. They have restored some awesome Moorish (pre-1492) buildings like the Alhambra and the Generalife (sp?).
Also forget about renting cars. The first few weeks of learning European driving styles wil be way too stressful.
Travelling by train is far more relaxing.

[Jib 0]

In order, I liked Toledo; it's like a medieval city on a hill that blends religions and has some cool architecture (lots of sword shops too). I second Granada for the Alhambra, but I'm not sure how pretty the gardens will be that time of year. I hit the art museum in Madrid twice, the square and the castle. Sevilla was okay, but I was there on a Sunday; so, I'm not sure I have a fair opinion. Salamanca was a college town on the way to Portugal (5am train really sucked!) zzz. Consider taking the night train and getting a cabin; some of the trips are rather long.

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[mgrossnic 0]

Barcelona is fab. Just walk up Las Ramblas and around the old quarter. Look at the Gaudi architecture - Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila and the other Gaudi house just off Las Ramblas (which i reckon is better than the Casa Mila) also there's the Parc Guell. If you like art, Joan Miro museum a bus journey from the centre, Salvador Dali museum a couple of hours away in Figueras.

Around Barcelona the locals mostly speak catalan, but everyone understands standard US high school spanish, and most of them english, certainly in the touristy spaces.

don't waste your time visiting ibitha or any of the beach resorts for the english and german sunseekers, but madrid and grenada (and lots of other places, as well) are all worth exploring.

[marcandalysse 0]

We were in Granada for my birthday a few years back, very nice....and Sevilla is the greatest!

But best to me were all the hill towns, white villages surrounded by fortress walls with great places to stay....ones near Portugal/Spain border from Sevilla. Loved Ronda, Arcos de La Fronteira, others in that area.

By the way, Rick Steves has some good info in his book about Spain, I stayed in several of his suggestions and they were all reasonably priced and pleasant.....

[lazyfrog 0]

HOW LONG WILL YOU TRAVEL ???
anyways, Barcelona is already a 1 week stay to really enjoy.
Visit the Zoo (even if Copito de Nieve is dead now)
the Mare Magnum
the Tibidabo
if you need I can give you phone numbers of friends who can show you around
go to Montserrat
when in Empuria, go to Figueres at the Dali Museum

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Fumer tue, péter pue
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ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579

[vt1977 0]

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when in Empuria, go to Figueres at the Dali Museum

Definitely - the Dali museum in Figueres is really cool and when the Tramontana blows, you will find half the DZ there!

Another "must see" near Empuria is the Greek and Roman ruins at Empuries. It is across the bay from the DZ and about 10 miles away by road and it is just about the most breathtaking landscape I have ever seen. There are signs in English next to all the ruins and that is fairly interesting but I would go again just for the absolutely beautiful views over the bay.

More details here:
http://www.cbrava.com/empuries/empuries.uk.htm

Cadaquez, which is on the north side of the bay (although a good half hour drive over some mountain roads) is also worth a visit if you get a bad weather day. There are some gorgeous coastal walks and more beautiful scenery.

Finally, the old town of Castello d'Empuries is also well worth a vist and it is only a short distance from Empuriabrava. It has a beautiful old Catalan cathedral and loads of history tucked away. More info here: http://www.castellodempuries.net/index_a.htm
and here: http://www.castellodempuries.net/ang/vila/home.htm

hth!

Vicki

[yardhippie 0]

Ive been to Europe twice and spent most my time in Germany (my dad lives there). Spent a little time in Switzerland too, its all really beautiful. My wife and I are dying to go to Spain (shes go a degree in Spanish)
Ive found that Europeans are very friendly, especially if your making an attempt to follow their culture, language. I can order food, and beer in german, and seem to always find someone who speaks some english to help me out.
Ive found that travelling alone, is lonely, hope that doesnt discourage you.
try to make some contacts before you leave, but being a skydiver, you should be able to make some friends once there.
the friends you make (locals) always know the better places to see, eat, and stay. usually of the beaten path, and away from tourists. Real Europe.

Good luck and have fun.

Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD
"What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me
"Anything you want." ~ female skydiver
Mohoso Rodriguez #865

[Vallerina 2]

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HOW LONG WILL YOU TRAVEL ???
anyways, Barcelona is already a 1 week stay to really enjoy.

Yeah! I've never been there, but I can already tell that by everything I've read! I'll be there for about 10 days is my guess.

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Visit the Zoo (even if Copito de Nieve is dead now)
the Mare Magnum
the Tibidabo
if you need I can give you phone numbers of friends who can show you around
go to Montserrat
when in Empuria, go to Figueres at the Dali Museum

Thank you very much for the suggestions, and I may take you up on that (your friends' numbers!)

I appreciate all the suggestions! Thank you so much!

My best friend said that she probably will go with me, and she's all excited now, too! She's messing up my plans, though! She's too excited and throwing out names of all sorts of countries to go visit! She wants to go to the Greek Islands!

Thanks again, everyone! I'll let you guys know what my definite plans are when it comes to that, and I'll probably be asking for more opinions on where to eat, where to stay, etc.

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[Nightingale 0]

http://www.ricksteves.com/books/spain.htm

hehe... listen to Rick. I promise he won't steer you wrong.

He also does a "spain and portugal" tour that you might want to consider. A friend of mine went on it and had a wonderful time. She didn't speak spanish, so she wanted to go with a group.

http://tours.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&id=675

[Botellines 0]

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Ha! Thanks for the phrases, Sam! Those were about the only phrases I remember from high school. Oh! I also remember "No hablo espanol," "Tengo hambre," "Estoy ardiendo," "Me gusta," "Besame mucho," "Donde esta el bano," and "Me llamo Val. Soy de Chicago." Some of the phrases I don't think I'll use.

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Have fun!!!!

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