We are starting to plan a trip to Spain (2 weeks) for Aug. 2005.
Places of interest include Marbella, Malaga, Valencia, Zaragoza,
Barcelona and Madrid. We are 3 and would like to travel on a relative
modest budget. We intend to rent a car and move through the listed
cities visiting the sites and enjoying the people and the local food.
We speak the language but don't have contacts in Spain. Can someone
tell us the best way to secure decent and reasonably priced
accomodation at the various cities. You assistance would be very much
appreciated.

Following up to [email protected]

    >We are starting to plan a trip to Spain (2 weeks) for Aug. 2005.
    >Places of interest include Marbella, Malaga, Valencia, Zaragoza,
    >Barcelona and Madrid. We are 3 and would like to travel on a relative
    >modest budget. We intend to rent a car and move through the listed
    >cities visiting the sites and enjoying the people and the local food.

Are you sure they are the places you want to visit? That's not
far from my places not to bother with! OK, maybe an exaggeration.
I would choose something from Grenada, Toledo, Cordoba, Cadiz,
Sevilla, Barcelona maybe, St Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela,
Segovia.
--
Mike Reid
Walking in Spain & Spanish regional cooking at
"http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"

Following up to The Reids

    >I would choose something from Grenada, Toledo, Cordoba, Cadiz,
    >Sevilla, Barcelona maybe, St Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela,
    >Segovia.

and of course southern Spain gets pretty hot in August. Marbella
with be packed with Brits and Germans on holiday.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Hello
Perhaps I can help you as I have many contacts in all areas, please e
mail me at
[email protected] or [email protected]
I can help you
[email protected] wrote:
    > We are starting to plan a trip to Spain (2 weeks) for Aug. 2005.
    > Places of interest include Marbella, Malaga, Valencia, Zaragoza,
    > Barcelona and Madrid. We are 3 and would like to travel on a relative
    > modest budget. We intend to rent a car and move through the listed
    > cities visiting the sites and enjoying the people and the local food.
    > We speak the language but don't have contacts in Spain. Can someone
    > tell us the best way to secure decent and reasonably priced
    > accomodation at the various cities. You assistance would be very much
    > appreciated.

Unless you want some beach time, I'd recommend Madrid, Barcelona,
Seville and Granada for a 2 week trip. Try to fly into Barcelona and
out of Madrid so you don't have to backtrack. And take trains or buses
- you don't need a car in Spain unless you really want to get off the
beaten track.

Unless you want some beach time, I'd recommend Madrid, Barcelona,
Seville and Granada for a 2 week trip. Try to fly into Barcelona and
out of Madrid so you don't have to backtrack. And take trains or buses
- you don't need a car in Spain unless you really want to get off the
beaten track.

"The Reids" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Following up to The Reids
    > >I would choose something from Grenada, Toledo, Cordoba, Cadiz,
    > >Sevilla, Barcelona maybe, St Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela,
    > >Segovia.
    > and of course southern Spain gets pretty hot in August. Marbella
    > with be packed with Brits and Germans on holiday.

Seville in MAY was 96F a few years back. I couldn't imagine how hot and
humid it gets in August. The coastal regions will be cooler. Marbella,
whether packed with people or not, is a beautiful place. Our next trip will
include at least 3 or 4 days there. On our last trip, we never actually
made it into the city proper, which I'm sure is very cool, but on the
outskirts along highway N340 (IIRC). Once we checked into our hotel, after
seeing the views, we immediately extended our stay a couple days longer to
enjoy the relaxation.

I would skip Malaga because from what I understand it is an old commercial
port city --- not necessarily catering to the tourist as much as other
cities in the Costa Del Sol region. There aren't alot of attractions,
restaurants, nightlife, etc. For what it's worth, for a couple years,
Malaga was listed on the Travel Warning Sheets put out by the State Dept. as
having some of the highest crime statistics in Spain. When we did research,
we also found more than one place that listed Malaga has having a high crime
rate.

Keith
Pittsburgh

Following up to [email protected]

    > you don't need a car in Spain unless you really want to get off the
    >beaten track.

This is true but I would take advantage of Spa ins quiet roads
and take in some small unspoiled places, not just the major
cities served by trains. But of course don't try driving some big
car into the old quarters! Just park and walk.
Extremadura is a good place to tour by car. Theres some really
"unspoilt" places and wildlife.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Following up to Keith

    >I would skip Malaga because from what I understand it is an old commercial
    >port city --- not necessarily catering to the tourist as much as other
    >cities in the Costa Del Sol region. There aren't alot of attractions,
    >restaurants, nightlife, etc.

It has a castle and an old quarter, but yes its also a port and
YES largely free of foreign tourists!
"http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/fell-walker\malaga1.htm"
"http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/fell-walker\malaga2.htm"

There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the old quarter and a
good shopping centre if you want it. But I agree its not a top
target destination.

    >For what it's worth, for a couple years,
    >Malaga was listed on the Travel Warning Sheets put out by the State Dept. as
    >having some of the highest crime statistics in Spain. When we did research,
    >we also found more than one place that listed Malaga has having a high crime
    >rate.

I wouldn't worry about the crime, pickpockets etc targeting the
unwary and thefts from cars. I wander the city centres of
Andalucia without problem. Madrid and Barcelona have more crime
IMHO. But crime in Spain isn't bad enough to deter anyone from
going.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

"This is true but I would take advantage of Spa ins quiet roads
and take in some small unspoiled places, not just the major
cities served by trains."

For someone who's never been to Spain before and only has two weeks to
travel, I'd recommend sticking to the major cities.

www.paradores-spain.com
Excellent website with map of all parador accommodations in Spain and a
detailed page for each, listing prices.


"The Reids" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Following up to [email protected]
    >> you don't need a car in Spain unless you really want to get off the
    >>beaten track.
    > This is true but I would take advantage of Spa ins quiet roads
    > and take in some small unspoiled places, not just the major
    > cities served by trains. But of course don't try driving some big
    > car into the old quarters! Just park and walk.
    > Extremadura is a good place to tour by car. Theres some really
    > "unspoilt" places and wildlife.
    > --
    > Mike Reid
    > Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can
    > email us@ this site
    > Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a
    > spamtrap

[email protected] wrote:
    > We are starting to plan a trip to Spain (2 weeks) for Aug. 2005.
    > Places of interest include Marbella, Malaga, Valencia, Zaragoza,
    > Barcelona and Madrid. We are 3 and would like to travel on a relative
    > modest budget. We intend to rent a car and move through the listed
    > cities visiting the sites and enjoying the people and the local food.
    > We speak the language but don't have contacts in Spain. Can someone
    > tell us the best way to secure decent and reasonably priced
    > accomodation at the various cities. You assistance would be very much
    > appreciated.

For (relatively) budget accomodation in the places you are mentioning
in August I can just reccoment one thing: start booking now, and don't
get surprised if the best value hotels are already taken at this time
of the year. I personally always stay at one of NH different hotels,
but in August they are far from cheap.

Car rental is a good option as long distance trains in Spain have
compulsory reservation, and tend to be quite full. Moreover, while
connections to/from Madrid are generally OK, it's more difficult to
move between other towns. Finally having a car means you will be able
to deviate a bit from the beaten path, something to consider as the
best known parts of Spain are extremely crowded in August. Getting a
cheap flight ticket in August is something unheard of, and
international airports have a very heavy flight schedule so delays are
also possible.

If you finally take the road, be very careful of speeding and alcohol,
although you will see the locals seemingly ignoring most traffic rules,
we know where the police/guarcia civil is usually waiting and you do
not. Number of fixed-mobile radars and alcohol controls doubles or
triples every year.

For 1st timers I (personally) would spend at least a whole week or even
10 days in the south: fine beaches (take anyone you prefer, there are
plenty) plus Seville, Cordoba and Granada, full of moor and medieval
charm, what many people consider the best food in Spain (although do
NOT eat paella there, please) and small charming villages. Then I would
go for a completely different thing: Barcelona and surroundings, which
is well worth 3 or more days (Barcelona itself, Girona, the Emporda -
Dali's birthplace, and some fine beaches too).

Madrid has a definitive must: the Prado museum. If you are into
painting it has one of the world's best collections. Near Madrid is
also Toledo, with a beautifully preserved old quarter and walls.

Valencia has some fine spots and beaches, and the original paella. And
the Spanish Central and Northern regions have distinctively beautiful
places, food, etc. which shouldn't be missed, but it takes a lifetime
to know them all.

Hope this helps,


J.

"The Reids" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > It has a castle and an old quarter, but yes its also a port and
    > YES largely free of foreign tourists!
    > "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/fell-walker\malaga1.htm"
    > "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/fell-walker\malaga2.htm"
    > There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the old quarter and a
    > good shopping centre if you want it. But I agree its not a top
    > target destination.

In the event that the OP does end up going to Malaga, take note that their
yearly fair celebrating their reconquest is held in August. Narrowing it
down to a date is tough -- it appears its 9 days, but it seems each year it
takes place in a different week.

Google Feria de Malaga for more info.

Keith
Pittsburgh

"The Reids" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Following up to [email protected]
    >>We are starting to plan a trip to Spain (2 weeks) for Aug. 2005.
    >>Places of interest include Marbella, Malaga, Valencia, Zaragoza,
    >>Barcelona and Madrid. We are 3 and would like to travel on a relative
    >>modest budget. We intend to rent a car and move through the listed
    >>cities visiting the sites and enjoying the people and the local food.
    > Are you sure they are the places you want to visit? That's not
    > far from my places not to bother with! OK, maybe an exaggeration.
    > I would choose something from Grenada, Toledo, Cordoba, Cadiz,
    > Sevilla, Barcelona maybe, St Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela,
    > Segovia.

I like your list better as well. As long as Barcelona and Santiago de
Compostela are on it (and we love Barcelona), I'd add a stop as Santillana
del Mar.


    > --
    > Mike Reid
    > Walking in Spain & Spanish regional cooking at
    > "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"

Following up to PTRAVEL

    >, I'd add a stop as Santillana
    >del Mar.

Yes, A lovely place, as are so many smaller spots!
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap