My husband and I are planning our first trip to Madrid, and we need suggestions! We've bought a couple of guidebooks, and we've been trolling the internet for ideas. We've booked a seven-night stay at the Hotel Regina, and we've also booked a 3-night stay at the Infanta Isabel in Segovia.

We plan on taking one day trip to Toledo,but we are looking for any suggested itineraries within Madrid itself. I've heard that it's good to do the Prado and Retiro Park on the same day. Where would one eat on that side of Madrid? If anyone has any good day plans (what we should see that's close together, where we could eat while we're there, etc.) for either Madrid or Segovia, I'm open to suggestions!!

Thanks!

Hola Bradshawgirl

Firstly you've done everything correct in getting guidbooks and looking through the Internet and logging onto this Board.

Madrid is a wonderfull City and 7 nights in Madrid will be plenty. In addition to your already planned day at the Prado and Retiro (Sundays is the best day there) as well as Toledo, you can also plan to go to San Lorenzo del El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen (a car or tour would be best), or a day trip to Avila and amny others. Also there are the other Museums and Art Galleries, The magnificent Cathedral and Royal Palace, The Temple De Bod, the vibrant and exiciting Plaza's and just simply the streets of Madrid themselves.

Night-time is another matter as Madrid never seems to sleep with Dinner taken late (9.00pm is considered early) and an early morning finish of Churros y chocolate after a night out is mandatory. And don't forget to try to get to a Flamenco show.

7 days will pass very quickly and you will yearn for more.

3 nights in Segovia! Mmmmm I not sure about this personally but for me 1 night would suffice with the Aquaduct, Cathedral, Alcazar and old part of Segovia being seen comfortably in less than 2 days. But that's just me.

Others may have slightly different views. Whatever though, enjoy Madrid and Spain. Check out my web page and click on the link to Europe 1999 for Spanish Photos.

David

David mentioned some key things about Madrid. I say take one of those 7 days and day trip to Toledo. It�s an absolute must-see on my list of recommended places to visit.

And while I agree, 2 days is more than sufficent to see the city of Segovia, I say take the extra time to explore the surrounding areas of the Segovian Province. There is so much more to Segovia than the city (as if that weren�t enough already). Be sure to have a good meal of roast suckling pig while in Segovia. It�s known for this dish (cochinillo). The Castilla-Leon region is also known for its red meats and stews.

In the surrounding areas, be sure to visit The Granja which was the former summer residence of the Catholic Kings and Queens of Spain. The town that it is in is adorable in and of itself. I also highly recommend a visit to Coca (Segovia). It has one of the best preserved examples of the mudejar style castles in Spain. Aside from the castle, there are numerous other monuments worth a visit in this little town that sits up on a plateau.

While based in Segovia you can also side trip it to Avila (you could day trip Segovia and Avila from Madrid by the way). Avila is a wonderful city that has its original medieval wall restored and fully intact. Definitely worth seeing during the day, and absolutely breathtaking at night when it is all lit up.

What amazes me most about Spain is that this isn�t Disneyland (note, the Alcazar of Segovia was Walt Disney�s inspiration for the Disney Castle). These castles and monuments are for REAL. The history behind these buildings and cathedrals is incredible and seeing them up close and in person is even moreso!

Have a great trip!

I did Segovia as a day trip from Madrid. While that was enough time to see what I wanted, I felt a bit rushed and didn't really get a chance to explore to see what else I could find that I didn't know about before. So I agree that three nights may be too many, while one or two nights is probably perfect.

Definitely don't miss Toledo. You can (literally) get lost in that city and find so many interesting things. And El Escorial is a great day trip from Madrid, as already mentioned.

And if you go to Avila, if I remember correctly, there is one day a week when the walls are closed. I think it might have been Monday. So if you want to walk around the city on the walls, make sure you don't go that day. That's what happened to me.

Chinchon! :l: See Chinchon! TOTALLY worth the 1.5 hour drive from the city. Trust me.
Good food, good people, amazing scenery, nice drive.

quote:

and just simply the streets of Madrid themselves

I totally agree with David, I would reserve a half day at least to simply wander the streets of central Madrid.

I also agree that 3 days in Segovia can be overkill, not to detract from Chica's suggestion of discovering Segovia�s surrounding areas but how about splitting those 3 days between Ssegovia and Salamanca? You will not regret it. Salamanca is very close to Segovia, do not miss it!

Food, what can I say! Check out the "tapeando, eating and drinking" forum and sepend some time on it for great eating tips.

You (bradshawgirl) seem to be doing your homework before the big trip. Experience has shown that the more time you spend on this board before your trip, the more fun you will have here

Definitely listen to Chica and have some ROAST SUCKLING PIGGY in Segovia :l:

I am pretty sure that QuePasa is correct, Monday is the closing day for the walls of Avila (ca't go up on top of them) as well as the day that EVERYTHING in Toledo is shut down, not to mention the Museums in Madrid and elsewhere. So, Monday is a great day for just wandering around Madrid's enchanting streets and Plazas.

Saludos & you WILL be back so take it easy
jer...

p.d. David, it was about time you shared your little website with us Been keeping it a secret or just launched it

Thanks so much, everyone, for your GREAT information! The reason we booked the hotel 3 nights for Segovia is that we wanted time outside of Madrid to laze around a little bit. I hadn't considered taking a side trip from there to Avila, though. That sounds like a wonderful idea! Sooo, would a Saturday trip to Avila work?

Nicole

Hey, what about Salamanca? Did ya miss my advice above

Saludos,
jer...

Whoops! I almost missed that! Can I do Salamanca as a day trip from Segovia? Is it too much to do in one day? What method of transport between the two cities do you recommend?

Nah, you need a few days in Salamanca (at least) but you could always just spend a long day there and see what you can (Plaza Mayor, University, Casa de las Conchas, etc...).

If you are staying in Segovia, take a bus from Segovia to Salamanca and back, under 1,5 hrs. See www.multimadrid.com/practical_info/transportation.htm#travellingout for more bus info.

Saludos,
jer...

Hi Bradshawgirl and Jeremy

To Bradshawgirl. I'm pleased that you are able to take all of the suggestions given here and put them in place. I'm envious of you for your trip, however my turn will come again in about 12 months.

Enjoy the trip and please tell all of us all about your trip when you return

To Jeremy. My Website has been up for about 12 months and has been listed in my profile and the link has been on every post or reply I've done. Sorry about not telling you but I thought that you would pick up on it. I even took the liberty to put a Link to this site on my "Links" page.

David

if you finally rent a car and pay a visit to Segovia do not forget to call at the medieval village of PEDRAZA DE LA SIERRA.You�ll never fotget it,(only on weekdays)weekend is too crowded

Hey binko, I was going to mention Pedraza too but did not since they (bradshawgirl and hubby) seem to be pressed for time.

I was in Pedraza last spring with my gal (ena)and a few board members (Michael & Diana) that were visiting Spain and we loved it :l: ! See the thread HERE for the scoop.

Just added a few pics :

� The 4 of us (Jer, Ena, Mike & Di) in Pedraza Plaza Mayor

� Your's truly down in da moat!

bradshawgirl, Pedraza is WELL worth a visit. Depending on the time of year you go, bring a few extra layers. We went in May and it was chiiiiiiiiiiiilly!

Saludos,
jer...

Hmmmm . . . I was wondering about the weather. We are going in early March, so it will still be a little chilly and could rain. BUT the deal we got on our tickets was rock-bottom. Should I bring a heavier coat or just a light jacket?

Hey bradshawgirl, it will be chilly, especially in places like Pedraza, Segovia and Salamanca where the wind can cut one in half

Not sure what the weather is like in Jackson but if it is as warm to mild as I suppose it is, you may find central and northern Spain cold.

I always find that layering works well when I travel. So, instead of lugging that heavy winter coat, bring sweaters or sweatshirts, windbreakers/goretex and a lighter jacket and add & remove layers as you feel out your tolerance level and comfort zone.

Just my 2 Eurocents.

Saludos,
jer...