My department has a staff of 4.2 full time people. .2 is going to Spain in June, a long planned, often delayed trip. The daughter of a friend is getting married, it looks like they are really going this time. I had a little advice for her based on our experience last December.
Be prepared to be made to feel welcomed. Now we were in mostly tourist areas, but not all of our time was in tourist areas, and I always felt welcomed. I like to venture into small local shops - and never felt out of place.
The people are happy. It is an attitude - a way of life. Things are not perfect, but why fret about it? It may be the happiest place I have ever been. Certainly happier than WDW. *
The food is great. Just order it, even if you are not sure what it is, odds are it will be good. Most of it is mild, some needed a little added salt.
Breakfast is not a big meal for the locals. Lunch runs late 2:00 - 3:00 in the afternoon. Dinner is late, we were often the first to be seated at 7:30 or 8:00 PM.
The coffee is good, enjoy it like the locals and don't complain that it is not like at home. It is better.
Buy long distance train ticket ahead of time. The trains sell out. Even if the price is the same, if you want to travel when you want to travel, buy tickets ahead of time. Trains are not cheap, but they are comfortable and efficient.
At major train stations you have to clear security to get on the train platform, run your bags through the X-ray machines, I think there was a metal detector. Don't fret, it is fast and easy. They will ask to see your passport and ticket.
The long distance trains are very comfortable, and have lots of baggage space at the end. If the baggage space is full where you are, check the end of the next car.
The food and drink on the trains is okay, and not horribly priced, it is worth going to the cafe car. (Unlike British trains there is no or very little trolly service.)
The airport in Madrid is MASSIVE. Allow an extra hour (three hours instead of two for an outbound flight) and be prepared to walk a few miles. The terminal is beautiful, but HUGE!
Be prepared to walk. Most cities are very walkable.
The Taxi drivers in Madrid will take you for ride, they can turn a 10-euro into a 15-euro trip before you know it. Sit back and enjoy the ride, taxis are not that expensive, and they will show you some amazing back streets. (About half of the taxis in Madrid took us out of our way.)
Don't be silly or careless, but Spain felt very safe.
*Walt Disney World
We were so overwarned about pickpockets in Spain and I suppose with good reason, but we had no issues and always felt safe. Spain and Portugal are wonderful places for tourists, and yes, such friendly people.
ReplyDeleteI qualify that with we never went anywhere that began with Costa del...
DeleteI am always careful, but really felt safe
DeleteYour first couple bullet points applied to my recent trip to Budapest. Even with them having a lousy Prime Minster,Viktor Orban...the people there still seemed happy and welcoming and not miserable to his dismay. And he hates the West. The poor people are like us Dems here when we had to put up with he who shall not be named. I didn't feel the slightest bit unsafe anywhere.
ReplyDeleteWe need to visit that corner of the world, Vienna is calling
DeleteVienna is absolutely stunning!!!! Probably my favorite European trip to date. If you go, you could do a jaunt to Budapest...a very short drive just over two hours. We did another day while I was in Budapest.
DeleteI'm always amazed by people who travel out of the country and then complain that the food or the rooms or the whatever aren't like they are at home.
ReplyDeletePart of the fun is discovering what is not like home.
DeleteAdvice from a seasoned, experienced traveler like yourself is always valuable!
ReplyDeleteTrading emails with a local helped, I could have paid more attention.
DeleteAnd it sure does help to do your research before you travel, doesn't it? My nephew's friends are in Málaga right now and passed questions to him for me to answer. Poor things. It's all been one huge, confusing surprise. They told him they arrived in the middle of the “Easter Parade” on Sunday and they couldn't believe how many people live here. I had to explain that that wasn't THE Easter Parade, that was one of 40 religious processions this week when the population just about doubles. They were already complaining.
ReplyDeleteAnd Easter is bigger than Christmas. My advice would be join the crowd, watch the spectacle, the locals will welcome you.
DeleteYou have a lot of good advice here. I hope .2 enjoys the trip.
ReplyDeleteI think she will. She has not traveled a lot. She speaks Spanish so that will be a big help.
DeleteMore travel! Good for you!
ReplyDelete