steviedeluxe

My current work contract finishes mid January, and I'm considering getting away for a few days. First instinct is to go to Madrid, to take advantage of the sales, fine wining and dining, and catch up with old friends. However, it can be cold (I suppose that's true of most places in January though). Where would you recommend?

guesswork

I do not know about Madrid but I just take the view that the coast is a minimum 10 degrees warmer than the UK

HBG

If you’re looking for guaranteed coastal sunshine and four blue flag beaches, right next to each other, a multi-cultural environment, served by two airports less than half-an-hour away, then I can recommend a place.

It’s T . . ., I can’t write the word down, what’s wrong with me? To . . . , no it’s no good, it won’t work. One last try – Tor . . .

I give up, I can’t tell lies this early in the morning.

licinius

If you want sun in January head to the Canaries

steviedeluxe

Well yes, you're probably right in this respect. However I'm not really a beach and sun-bathing type of person. So long as it isn't freezing and there are museums,architecture or historic quarters to explore, I'm happy. I'm just concerned that in many places it can be too cold in mid-winter to walk around.

WomBatt

Malaga city (and with only a few days certainly at least a day trip to Cordoba by train).

steviedeluxe

I was thinking about Malaga, I must be honest. Trouble is, Jackytoo keeps telling me that area is really bad, and I'm beginning to believe her

Given that I won't be taking a long trip, I may just force myself to put up with the cold air and go to Madrid. I know where the good places are, I can meet up with old friends, and there are bound to be some great bargains in the sales to be had. If I get bored of the place (very unlikely) or need a change of scenery I can always have a day trip in Toledo or Segovia,

Casa Santo Estevo

I think Madrid is an excellent choice especially if you have contacts there. You don’t need warm weather to enjoy bars, tapas and restaurants etc.
There are other cities to consider; the first two that spring to my mind are Barcelona or San Sebastian. However the choice is really going to be down to what you want. I think it sounds as if you want to just chill and hang around a bit, am I right?

Casa Santo Estevo

Are you the wombatt that posts on TA?

steviedeluxe

Well I want to take in some places of interest too, but yes, it's going to be a fairly restful stay I hope. Normally I'd search out some country walks, but that's unlikely at that time of year. Plenty of museums in Madrid to peruse too. It's funny, I currently live in London but I never currently take the time to visit its museums - it's never the locals but always visitors who do this - I'm no exception.

Casa Santo Estevo

I added my post at the same time as your one. But I have to admit on a short trip to Madrid earlier this year opened up our eyes to just how nice it was. We loved Barcelona and thought Madrid would not be a patch on it. However they are both very different and have their own positive features.
Maybe you will get a bit of snow and then a walk in the hills is really nice. I assume you will not havea car on this trip?

missile

Inland spain gets very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Climate on the meditranean coast is ..... well mediteranean

We had a bbq on new years day last year

ross-shire

we went to girona last january. lots of interesting places and history. salvador dali and the old fortres in girona..the fortress was one of the most interesting i have visited. and the weather was very pleasant.

WomBatt

steviedeluxe,

Hard to tell what is meant by 'that area is really bad' when referring to Malaga, could I have some explanation of this?

Casa Santo Estevo,

Yes, I can be found on several forums. Any reason for your interest?

Best wishes.

steviedeluxe

It's just one particular poster who posts a barrage of negative stuff about the region. Not only is the unemployment high there (which we knew about anyway) but all (yes all!!) the food there is rubbish and overpriced, crime is rampant and all the Spanish hate all the Brits. To be fair she doesn't like the Brits down there either - none of them bother to learn Spanish you see.
May be best if I avoid that area - supposing she's right?