HELP, I'm going on a vacation to Spain, what do I pack?

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Alaskagal

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 11:31 am Click here to edit this post
Okay so I leave for Spain in 5 days and still have no idea what to pack and what is a must see over there. I would love to get some info from anyone who has been there or knows anything about it. We have some tours planned but have some free time to do with as we wish... Thanks for the Help

Pcakes2

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 11:42 am Click here to edit this post
Hang on Alaskagal, I'm trying to find my Spain "travel notes". I am part of a group of friends who travel quite a bit. We all swap notes on destinations. I have only been to Barcelona, and had an incredible time! I love Gaudi's archeticture (you'll definitely be able to spot his work), also, the Cathedral, The Picasso museum is fabulous!

I'll post as soon as I find it.

Pcakes2

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 11:48 am Click here to edit this post
OK, here is an abbreviated version:


SPAIN and Travel Observations
As of June 1999

Generally, museums are closed on Mondays, except the Gaudi Museum in Park Guelle, in Barcelona, which is closed on Saturdays. I would say the Park Guelle’s a must. He designed the Park. Two of his buildings are there in the Park but I missed them because I went on Saturday. and wish I hadn’t.

Musts in Barcelona are the Picasso Museum and La Sagrada Famila (sp) . I never even liked Picasso until I went to this museum. It helps you understand how he got to the abstract art that he did. La Sagrada Famila is an incredible cathedral designed half by Gaudi and then bits and pieces by others. Very incredible. I also got lots of little gift there – like bookmarks. Good for office gifts.

A city tour is good to take at the beginning of your stay in a city; it shows you the most important things to see. In Barcelona, one thing you probably wouldn’t take a special trip to see but was really great was the Olympic Stadium. If you have any American football enthusiasts in the family, a cap from the Spanish football team can only be had here - as far as I know.


Use the Metro -- it’s simple, fast and safe. Buses are good, too, if you want to view and have the time.

Whenever you get to a city, go to the tourist office and get a city map and advice on what to do. If you want information ahead of time go to the consulate in New York.

In Barcelona, Las Ramblas is the happening street. On Saturdays, there’s a food market not to be missed( which I did, while I was at the closed museum). It is open very late and there are always people there, but watch out for your wallet or purse. Never pay full price for anything in Los Ramblas; Toledo letter openers are easily 30% off.


Get some pesatas ahead of time. When you get to the airport get change, so you can use the phones if you have to. The coin with a hole in the middle is the phone coin.

Make sure all your batteries are new, for all equipment and take alot of film.

Tipping is included in the price of the cab ride. Always check your menu for “Service Included”;
if it is, don’t tip unless it’s extra special.

If you have the stomach for it , bullfights are on Sunday late afternoons. I’m glad I went, for the experience, but I wouldn’t do it again. I left after the 3rd fight. Make sure you get tickets for the “sombre” side(shady) -- never the “soliel” side(sunny). Good tickets cost from $25 and up depending on the bullfighter.

Have the AT&T or MCI (or whatever) direct dial codes for the countries you are visiting. It makes calling home simple.

From May on, expect HOT, HOT, or HOTTER. Barcelona is muggy, too. Shorts, T-shirts, and sandals are the standard dress. The dressiest that is needed is, perhaps, a dressy pants suit or a jacket with a tieless shirt, but I can’t imagine why.

All Spaniards over the age of 25 were brought up under Franco. If you have any occasion for a dispute, just admit that you’re wrong, they’re right and everything will be OK.

Madrid is not really a special city, except that you can get to it or from it on the fast train from Barcelona. If I were to do the trip again, I’d figure out a way to take that train. In Madrid, the Prado is a must.
There is one painting that is of the royal family(at that time) and it is the first painting to show depth. Keep this in mind when you go to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. There’s a whole room of Picasso’s abstracts of that painting.

Seville is a special city. A horse and buggy ride from in front of the cathedral is a must. The Alphonso the XIII(?) Hotel for a drink is a must. Ladies room is beautiful.


If you go to the South, Toledo and Cordoba are wonderful. In Cordoba there’s a cathedral in the mosque, and the mosque is absolutely phenomenal.


Hope this helps!

Alaskagal

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 12:09 pm Click here to edit this post
Thank you so much, this will definitely get us on our way... They say the average temp is 45-60 this time of year. Is it humid or dry??

Labmouse

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 12:21 pm Click here to edit this post
Make sure you pack a set of castanets. They always come in handy.

Solidsnake

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 12:07 am Click here to edit this post
if ur big on dancing and clubbing stop by Ibizia.. full of clubs and world famous dj's

Babyruth

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 06:30 pm Click here to edit this post
Don't forget to pack the URL to TVCH in case you find yourself at a cybercafe!

Egbok

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 07:43 pm Click here to edit this post
You can pack me!! I want to go to Spain!!

Alaskagal

Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 10:44 am Click here to edit this post
I'd take everyone if I could :) Thanks everyone for all the input, now if I could just shake this cold I have before I board the plane for the first of my 18 hours of flying I will be great!!!

Oregonfire

Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 04:26 pm Click here to edit this post
Don't forget your Spanish-English phrase book.

When meeting a Spanish person "My llamo Oregonfire. Y usted? (My name is ...and you?) Encantada. (nice to meet you)

Quanto es? "How much?" Quando es "When is..."

No tengo dinero "I have no money"

Donde esta... "Where is..."

Como si dice .... en espanol? "How do you say ... in Spanish?"

A que hora? "What time is it?"

and finally--no hablo espanol--I don't speak Spanish!

or Habla ingles? "Do you speak English?"

That's about the extent of my college spanish. I hope it's all correct. Bueno suerte! (Good luck!)

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 09:12 pm Click here to edit this post
I had a really neat international sign thing, which I lost in a move. It was a laminated card that had pictures of common things on it, and you could just show it to someone, and point to the picture. I sure would like to find that. I never got to use it, but it sure looked like it would work great.