Sept. 16-27, flying in and out of Madrid

[herrbert]

Jun 17, 2009 14:14:29 GMT -5 WillTravel said:

Also, if going to Toledo, is it best to take the train or the bus? My friend said the bus, which surprised me.

The bus is slower (1 hour), and therefor cheaper. But the trainstation of Atocha is closer to the city center. All in all I would take the train. (well I the last time I went). It get's you there in 30 minutes, the only thing is that you need to get to the station on time to buy your tickets. which can take some time.

[herrbert]

Jun 17, 2009 10:56:31 GMT -5 WillTravel said:

I'll think about this some more, but I'm tending more to staying in Madrid, and doing a daytrip to Toledo. I really want to have time to do the rounds of the art museums again, and that requires enough time to absorb. I am definitely interested in seeing some musical performances.

I saw an article about hanging out late in Lavapies, but from my recollection this is not the safest-looking area. What is your opinion?

It might be better to stay in Madrid, and to do one or two daytrips closer to the city. (Toledo and Segovia are both perfect daytrips.)

For musical perfomances check www.kedin.es and www.nvivo.es Kedin is focussed on much more than music, but it is pretty complete. Nvivo is focussed only on music.

Lavapiés is not as unsafe as it looks. I know people that avoid it in the evening, but I think it's more a feeling that it is unsafe, than that it is unsafe, although I would not wander the small streets on a wednesday-evening at 4 a.m. But I think that is common sense in every part of the city, in every city. Besides that it was decided last week that there will be surveillance camera's in Lavapiés. I just don't know when they will be placed.

[WillTravel]

Herrbert, those sites were very helpful.

What is your opinion about the location of the Hostal Salamanca, at Jose Ortega y Gasset, 89? I'm considering doing one of my stays in the barrio of Salamanca (not to be confused with the town), because I haven't visited it at all. Is it worth seeing?

[herrbert]

Salamanca is the "posh" shopping area. It's not the most exiting part of the city, in my opinion. The good thing is that you have a couple of metrostations in the area. You would be only a few stops from Nuevos Ministerios, which is good when you come from the airport (only one stopover, if you take the circularline = 6, grey. to Manual Becerra.) At that same metrostation you can get to the center easy aswell. it's 6 stops to Sol, which should be just over 10 minutes. (At Sol you can change to the number 1 line (light blue), when you want to go to Toledo, and need to go to Atocha Renfe.)

I am not sure that there is a lot to see. The Ventas arena is pretty close, and you will be half a mile from the entrance of Rerito Parque.

But you are close to the calle de Alcala, which is a good street for eating and drinking. It's one of the main streets, leading towards the center. All in all I think it's not bad, if you don't feel the need to stay in the center, to be able to go out until late. (well there are always the nightbusses or taxi's, when it get's late.)

I have bookmarked the hostal, as it looks pretty good, in case people want to visit.

[WillTravel]

Yes, that hostal does look pretty good, and seems to have better reviews than the more central ones. I still haven't decided, though. I was reading about the high-end designer shopping in Salamanca, which is not so much my interest. On the other hand, it seems to be quieter than all the other hostales right in the center.

[rileysb]

how far in advance did you book your flight? i wish i could find a flight that cheap!!!

[herrbert]

Time for an update:

Did you make a choice for your hostal/hotel?

When you arrive I will be in Santander and after that off to the Netherlands, and return on the 21st in the night. So the meet up must be near the end of your visit. I am looking for another quick visit to somewhere else in Spain, as I have added some extra days to my vacation.

greetz,

Herr Bert

[WillTravel]

Herr Bert, I did make my choices. I'll send you a PM later tonight. If it works for you, any time on Sept. 26 in Madrid will work for me.

[WillTravel]

Back from my trip. Meeting herrbert was a highlight. He really loves Madrid and showed me some great spots. I enjoyed Toledo a great deal (more about it if I write a trip report). Although I liked Madrid well enough from my last visit to return, it was definitely better to visit in September when the high temperature was around 27C (81F), than in August when it was more like 39C (102F). I had a great time in the UK as well.

I stayed at 8 different places in 12 days (including the night in Seattle at the start and the end) and had 6 flight segments and six train segments and two bus segments in total, which I would definitely advise anyone against, but the fact is that it did all work out well for me although I never got much of a chance to relax. I slept on the flights though.

[herrbert]

It was nice to meet you too and I hope you have had a good trip back to Canada.

And you are right in July and August the temperatures are a bit too high. September is better, but in my view May and June are even better, as everything is still green.

[WillTravel]

Yes, thanks, I did have a good trip back.

First, I felt reassured enough to walk to Sol before 7:30 AM, and save ~40 Euros on a taxi. It was semi-dark out, but there are people out and about at that time. Some looked like it was definitely the end of the night for them, but I peeked in some cafes, and saw people who seemed to be happily chatting away like it was the start of their day (unless they are like that at the end of their day!).

Second, the entertainment system on the first flight had to be rebooted several times and apparently never worked quite right. So everyone on board was entitled to a $100 USD Delta voucher. Not bad, considering the total cost of the flight was $275 USD. Hopefully I can find a use for it.

If the late spring is better, I will have to make it to Madrid sometime then!