Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Where to go, where to stay and why you should reconsider!

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Zephyr
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Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Zephyr » 2nd Aug, '10, 23:04

We're going on vacation soon, first to Canada and then off to Barcelona for 4 days and Madrid for three, the third week in August. So excited!! What I'm looking for are any 'must do' or 'must see' suggestions from the jet setting folks on this board. I'm also looking at Trip Advisor but would definitely welcome any personal insight.
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sluggo
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by sluggo » 3rd Aug, '10, 06:07

You must eat at Los Caracoles (The Snails) in the old city in Barcelona. The food is great and they have a a great pudding that is very close to creme brule I think they call it castilian pudding. It is out of this world. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities even though I haven't been there since 1993. ( Don't worry Los Caracoles is still there).
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JJ
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by JJ » 3rd Aug, '10, 11:59

Ahhhh Madrid. Make sure that you get a decent place to stay so you can partake of the siesta of a lunchtime :-) The best ever invention, and you will definitely need it if you are going in August as you can forget about walking around anywhere come midday in that heat!!!

My choices would be the Golden Triangle - Reina Sofia, Prado and Thyssen museums, Plaza Major and Plaza Santa Ana to just wander and take it all in... To eat, late night tapas on Cava Baja (nr Plaza Major) and try to get to Botin resto...

OK, I will admit to being just a teensy weensy bit envious... Enjoy :D
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Lili Von Shtupp
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Lili Von Shtupp » 3rd Aug, '10, 12:03

I'm envious, too! I have no advice for you Zeph, having never been, but Barcelona is tops on my Travel Dream List. Those Gaudi buildings look otherworldly.
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Burbage » 3rd Aug, '10, 13:12

Get pickpocketed on les Ramblas.
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T2K
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by T2K » 3rd Aug, '10, 13:25

Burbage wrote:Get pickpocketed on les Ramblas.
This.

No joke, the street crime in Barcelona was the most full on I've ever seen anywhere. This was a few years back, so maybe they've cleaned it up by now. But it would have to be a huge cleanup! Little Arab 12 year olds in packs of ten or so trying to grab and run with anything they can get their hands on. If it's half of what it was, it's still bad.

Other than that, the usual stuff (Guell Park, Gaudi building, Plaza de Catalunya, wandering around the city, etc) is cool.
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chocolate
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by chocolate » 3rd Aug, '10, 19:31

Barcelona is amazing - loved it.And have some sardines too :)

The Olympic stadium is there too if interested....an amazing picasso gallery , tons of stuff.
I just sent a friend a list, let me find it..

edit:
Ugh can't find it...must have deleted it....

But what T2K said - all the Gaudi stuff, or as much as you want to see, Las Ramblas, Picasso, food/drink.....the street markets....
Last edited by chocolate on 3rd Aug, '10, 19:32, edited 1 time in total.
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Tack
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Tack » 3rd Aug, '10, 20:52

Or get a brick through your car window while strolling El Retiro in Madrid! August is the wrong month to get anything repaired too. Loved Madrid though but we only did the obvious touristy stuff. Mr T loves Barcelona more but hangs on tightly to his wallet.
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Fresh Mint
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Fresh Mint » 3rd Aug, '10, 23:06

Devote at least a day to the Prado in Madrid.
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sluggo
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by sluggo » 4th Aug, '10, 06:49

Fresh Mint wrote:Devote at least a day to the Prado in Madrid.
Unless you're with my wife then it will take two days. [smilie=mango.gif]
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Fat Bob
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Fat Bob » 4th Aug, '10, 08:03

Do people regularly take your wife to Madrid on holiday?
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Monkey Hanger
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Monkey Hanger » 4th Aug, '10, 15:41

Take an early afternoon break from Goya and Velasquez and co at the Prado and head over the road (a block down from Reina Sofia) to La Plateria for lunch. Great food.
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Zephyr
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Zephyr » 4th Aug, '10, 22:51

Loving all the suggestions and appreciate them. :) Any suggestions on where to watch flamenco?
Life is comprised of infinite possibilities; some known, others a mystery and destined to remain so. And what of the vast unknown, the realms beyond which knowledge has no established boundaries or parameters? Who is to say what exists or what is possible?
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by Telboyofpeckham » 14th Oct, '10, 21:42

For a great plate of seafood in Madrid try Ribeira Do Miño

http://bit.ly/d3WToZ
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JaniceM
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Re: Spain- Barcelona and Madrid

Post by JaniceM » 12th Feb, '13, 13:23

heyyyy....even am planning for a trip to spain in march...apart from these any other suggestions are welcome...thankss!! ;)
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