Vacation to spain (Full Version)

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odinz -> Vacation to spain (Jun. 12 2011 20:57:42)

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here could help me out planning a vacation im taking.

What I mean is that since I have never been on a real vacation, I have no idea where to go.

We will take a plane to malaga, but want to travel elsewhere for our stay,

Have thought of the cadiz area but, it is kind of a far trip by car.

Is there somewhere interesting to go a little closer to malaga along the sea?

Maybe about 1 hour to drive?

Thanks[:D]



rombsix -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 12 2011 21:13:33)

If you're going to be in Spain between July 6 and 14, you wouldn't want to miss out on San Fermín in Pamplona.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Ferm%C3%ADn

[:D]



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 12 2011 22:53:09)

Time period is fitting but that place is pretty far from the area we're going though.

Ive allways wanted to be beaten half to death by a bull anyways[&:][:D]



Escribano -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 13 2011 7:55:25)

quote:

Is there somewhere interesting to go a little closer to malaga along the sea?


You could try La Herradura, 45 mins. along the coast and hook up with Stephen Hill for a beer (a luthier based there) then another 45 mins. drive up to Granada.



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 13 2011 16:54:46)

thanks for the tip, looks like i am going to have to travel all over...[:D]



at_leo_87 -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 14 2011 0:52:51)

malaga gets boring after a couple of days.

head for granada or sevilla as soon as you can. you can see high level flamenco daily, there's lots to see, and plenty of good places to eat.



Estevan -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 14 2011 19:20:38)

I agree with Simon and Anthony. And I say don't drive unless you need to; you only really need to drive if you're planning to explore smaller villages out in the country. Otherwise it will be a real drag when you get to the cities with a car. The buses are good, and cheap.



Escribano -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 15 2011 8:52:05)

Good point. There is a bus from Malaga to Granada bus station (which is a little out of town to the west) , then you can get another bus ot taxi into the centre, maybe to the Plaza Nueva which is a busy hangout beneath the Alhambra.

I trust they have finished those horrendous roadworks on that route into the centre. Kate will know [:D]

A car is going to be around 100 Euros a week and very expensive to just park it up in the cities.



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 8:17:50)

So Norwegian are just like Danes... Having to drive 200km is veeeeeery long.[:D]

If you rent a car, and you want a bit of countryside, fresh air, and stay away from the supercrowded mediterranean cost and hot Granada, I would head towards Cadiz, Jerez, Sanlucar, El puerto de Santa Maria, Barbate, Vejer de la Frontera, Grazalema, Benalmaoma etc..
The Atlantic sea is far nicer in summer than the Mediterranean sea....... AAAhhhhh, The Cadiz province is so sweet and so Andaluz.....

There´s a very strong tendency on this forum to always say Granada, Granada and Granada....... Maybe some people havent been to other places and only recommend what they know?????[;)]



Kate -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 8:58:21)

Pamplona is in the North so as you are heading South I'd forget that idea. When I first came to Andalucia for a 10 day break we divided our time between the cities, Malaga, Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada, and the beach at Salobreña, or as Simon recommends La Herradura or Nerja, all nice coastal towns. I wouldnt bother with a car. The buses are excellent and cheap and cars in cities are a nuisance, expensive to park and can get broken into.

There is a Granada bias on the forum as so many of the members have come to visit and love the place, added to that there are a few foro members living here. But it is a well deserved bias as Granada is a stunning city to visit.

I'd see as much as I could and travel around, spending a few days here and there and staying longer if you feel like it. Dont plan too much and let Spain lead you whereever the fancy takes you



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 10:27:44)

I like your last sentence the most[:D]

My travelmates "has got to see the alhambra" so we will be a bit in granada.

At the same time, as this is an vacation, it means exploring and i am drawn to the cadiz area and jerez.

we decided to rent a car, but not for the whole vacation, granada by bus or train or something, then on the other side, cadiz and that area, we will use a car.

I feel Anders knows me a bit because he is from the north[:D]

so I think a mix like this, although a bit of hassle, is a way to balance it so all are happy[8D]

Thank you all for the tips so far, I love you all[;)]



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 10:52:56)

Driving in Andalucia is fun. Just stay away from the cities.....[8D]



Estevan -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 12:39:06)

quote:

There´s a very strong tendency on this forum to always say Granada, Granada and Granada....... Maybe some people havent been to other places and only recommend what they know?????

I recommend Pollença. [;)]

quote:

granada by bus or train or something, then on the other side, cadiz and that area, we will use a car.

That makes sense. God reise!



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 13:29:43)

Where are you from?O-o

Or are you maybe secretly using google translate?

quote:

God reise!


Takk for det![:D]



Kate -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 15:41:42)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Escribano

I trust they have finished those horrendous roadworks on that route into the centre. Kate will know [:D]



Sadly Simon the city is still in chaos with roadworks.

Odinz, that sounds like a good plan. Having a car hire is great for exploring the small villages and countryside as Anders says driving is great fun here.

Bus from Malaga to Granada is easy and cheap. I love taking the train from Granada to Sevilla, its a lovely journey but its a horrible drive and a car in Sevilla is a liability, parking is difficult and hire cars are a magnet for car thieves. Hire a car there then leave !!! make sure you can leave the car at Malaga Airport when you are finished so you dont have to return to Sevilla.

I definitely recommend you book for the Alhambra as it can sell out in advance but after that be a free spirit. You dont say how long your holiday is, but whatever have an excellent adventure and enjoy. And post about your experience on the forum for us all.

When in Granada Pimiento and I are usually up for tapas if we are around. Just drop us a pm.

Kate



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 17:00:01)

So are there alot of car thieves or what?[8D]

We're taking the airplane 4th of july.

I might just drop you guys a pm for tapas if it fits well too kate[:)]

Ill try to grab alot of pictures and inspiration, as i am also working on some music myself, that wont strictly be flamenco, but also classical-ish in style, but it is ment to be like a diary of what i can see around me and feel down there, i hope it goes well with the members here[:D]



Kate -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 17:21:56)

Hey you should definitely try and swing by San Lucar if you are still there during the Gerardo Nuñez course, I cant remember exact dates there is a thread about it on here somewhere, but its a great opportunity to meet up with foro members, hang out and drink loads of sherry and get a great flamenco experience.

And yea, am sure it is not only Sevilla but everyone I know who has gone there in a car has had problems, and I have seen some amazing thieves, smashing car windows, grabbing bags and escaping on mopeds while the lights are on red.

In Granada there is no need for car as you can walk everywhere and parking is expensive and the city roads a nightmare.

How long is your trip ?



Beausie -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 17:39:44)

This is my fav Flamenco festival - Reunión de Cante Jondo. It always the second week of July. Very beautiful venue. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=227511080608815

The Cordoba guitar festival is also guite good. http://www.guitarracordoba.com/index.php/en/inicio.html

If you can make it to La Puebla, It's really special. I wrote an article about after I first went. http://www.flamencokc.com/lapuebla.html



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 18:08:57)

The lenght of the trip has been decided as a couple of weeks.

I might prolong my stay for a while if something really interesting happens not way too long after.

About car thieves, my friend left his car in the city here in norway, not only was his car stereo gone, the thieves also figured it was a good idea to steal the door and the steering wheel as well.

Even though theft is bad, sometimes you see the most crazy things...
In oslo i witnessed an old lady beating a bagnapper to the ground[8D]


Its not a very long stay this time around, hopefully i will get to see some nice things in that timeframe of a few weeks(i dont know the exact date we leave back yet)

Hi Beausie, thanks for the tip, ill see what i can do.
Where is the place located? i mean on a map[:D]



Estevan -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 18:43:36)

quote:

Where are you from?O-o

England and Canada. I like languages, and have picked up a few words of this and that over the years. Meanwhile, my English gets worse...

quote:

Or are you maybe secretly using google translate?

No, first I remember or invent the words, then I search for them to make sure I remembered or invented right.
I got interested in Scandinavia when I was a kid because my father was in Norway for a couple of weeks in 1940 (Namsos) and after that they sent him to Iceland. But I haven't been to either of those places yet.

quote:

I might just drop you guys a pm for tapas if it fits well too kate

Kate is good friends with some bar owners, so if you go out with her you will get a lot of food and drink for very few € ! (And you will not want to do much the next morning [;)] )

quote:

i am also working on some music myself, that wont strictly be flamenco, but also classical-ish in style, but it is ment to be like a diary of what i can see around me and feel down there, i hope it goes well with the members here


I'd like to hear it. (You can always put it in "Off Topic"...[;)] )



Beausie -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 19:18:01)

La Puebla de Cazalla is southeast of Sevilla between Moron de la Frontera and Osuna.
Flamenco land! Let me know if you need contact info.



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 20:16:20)

Thats nice, I think language is an art really, because art is language.

The other nice thing about scandinavia is you only need to learn one language, except if you want to go to finland though..
Your father was here during the war then? and then i guess to a military base of the us on iceland?

If you are going to Norway anytime you should keep away from the big cities at all cost by the way..

Kate is lucky then... To have the power of a regular is like having all the potential in the world in the palm of your hand[:D]

Cool, I hope you will like it, there will probably be a buleria or solea as well but its more about trying to express what i see, hear and feel, so classical-ish style fits sort of better for that i think.



Estevan -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 22:05:26)

Be careful, strange things can happen - this town in Malaga province has been taken over by Smurfs:

White village turns blue
[&:]



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 16 2011 22:09:08)

Wow[:-]



Kate -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 17 2011 8:20:49)

This year La Puebla holds its festival on 9th July. Quite a few foro members who are in San Lucar for Gerardo's course are planning to be there. Do a search on Google Maps, its just outside Sevilla.



Pimientito -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 17 2011 10:48:37)

Cant really add much new to whats been written. Anders is right that driving in Spanish cities is to be avoided unless you have no choice. I think the Granada bias (apart from the fact that kate and I live there) is for 2 reasons. Firstly its because of the myth that was circulating some years ago that there is no flamenco in Granada. Completely untrue, you just need to know where to look.

Also its because there are some places in Andalucia where there is not so much flamenco. Almeria and Malaga have comparitively small flamenco scenes. Granada, Seville and Cadiz ( and other towns in the Cadiz province such as Jerez and Sanlucar) are much better if you are looking specifically for flamenco clubs and teachers. Dont forget Madrid also has a huge scene combined with all the advantages (and pitfalls) of a modern city. I have lived in Malaga, Almeria and Madrid so I dont think my opinion is just out of some random Bias. I also know seville, jerez and cordoba fairly well.

PS. Anders why dont you write a bit more about the scene in Huelva? Obviously its well known for fandangos but I dont remember seeing any photos of concerts, peñas or flamenco activity being posted here.



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 17 2011 21:24:45)

In Huelva city we have 5 peñas. We have Archangels academy with Miguel Angel cortes as guitar teacher. In Moguer, we have one of the most important 1 day summer flamenco festivals in all of Spain. we have the festival in Huelva.
There are a lot of fandangos, of course, but there are many other things.
Besides that, Huelva city is pretty boring and ugly, but the province has the 2 biggest national parks of Andalucia. And the Sierra de Huelva is maybe the prettyest rural area in Andalucia. The beaches are absolutely some of best anywhere.... So, we are different but not better or worse than others.



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 18 2011 10:37:08)

It would be nice to meet some of the members here, I hope i can get to know some of you in person before i move next year as well..

It would be nice to actually know someone who can also help guide me in the right direction(is that too egoistic?)
Although that is a totally different topic though[:D]

I really hope i can see some of the nice things andalucia has to offer on this vacation, even if i really will only have touched the surface.

Still havent decided on all the places to go and not to go, but i will use this thread and some pm's as a guidline.

And maybe other people can have use of a thread like this as well, so if anyone comes up with something cool keep posting, I will probably post here during my travel as well.

And i want to thank you guys of course again for giving me advice, the different opinions are great too, so to see both sides of a case i guess[8D]

Sorry for this very odd post, i just feel as if I have gotten alot of help and that a thanks is in place[:D]



Kate -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 18 2011 11:09:42)

You're welcome Jonas. While you are still in planning mode read this thread if you haven't already.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=170658&p=1&tmode=1&smode=1

It gives you the dates of the San Lucar course and you can see who is planning to go. If you make it to the Puebla it sort of makes sense to go on there and, you dont need to be on the the course to enjoy it, every evening there is a juerga, a party in different sherry bodegas. Harold and I spent a few days hanging out last year and enjoyed every minute.

In past years after the course many foro members have come on to Granada, to carry on the juerga in the caves of the Sacromonte, getting in more practise. Also it makes a nice change from the coast to the mountains.

There is a foro member Luke in Sevilla. I was reminded of him the other day as I am sure I saw him walking past my local bar, guitar in hand, a couple of pretty girls on each side, heading up the Albaicin. Anyway it may be worth sending him a pm as he doesnt get on the foro much. He should be able to give you some pointers as to where to hang out in Sevilla.

I am so excited for you. I remember my first trip to Andalucia as if it were yesterday. Before I came here i had always gone to Barcelona or the Basque country. It really opened my eyes to another side of Spain, and changed my life [:D]



odinz -> RE: Vacation to spain (Jun. 18 2011 12:07:04)

Thanks alot Kate[:D]

I feel like the little baby here when you say things like that[:D]
I guess i am though, I am really excited as well!
Just the thought of going somewhere else than scandinavia is insane to me, Andalucia is even more insane!

I think it will be nice to see for myself, instead of looking at alot of pictures,
the music has allready changed my life, it is the first thing that i have found for myself without anyone really telling me about it, and now i dedicate myself to it, so that i can entertain others with alot of quality one day, and i hope to record atleast one official cd before i hit the casket[:D]

How did you feel exactly the first time you came to andalucia? I understand it has changed alot but still.. curious[:D]



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