I usually post on the Italian forum, but I am planning a trip with my boyfriend to go to Spain for 10 days at the end of September. We are flying into Reus airport late on Ryanair and were thinking about taking the bus or a taxi to either Tarragona or Reus. I can't seem to find any information on how much a cab from the airport might cost to get to Tarragona.
I'd like to book a hotel for the first night and last night and then find an apartment to rent in person as we work out an itinerary on the go. I found that in Italy, I could often negotiate a discount from the regular rate if I paid in cash upon arrival. I'm wondering if any of you have thoughts on winging it with apartment rentals and/or hotels in late September.
Among the areas we would like to see is Basque. (I've been told that my ancestors (Garays) are likely from that region.) If anyone has any recommendations on a first time trip to Spain, please let me know. We plan to see Barcelona and are wondering if we ought to try to squeeze in Madrid on this 10 day trip or wait on that city.
When I planned a trip to Spain, I found asking questions the Fodor's website message board very helpful because there seemed to be a number of people posting there who had traveled extensively in Spain for years, or who are ex-pats now living in Spain.
I hope it is not against the rules of this message board to talk favorably of another website's travel board!
I visited San Sebastian and Bilbao in the Basque country, but that is the extent of my knowledge of that region. San Sebastian is extraordinary, and I hope you can make a visit. I was unimpressed with the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao.
I have seen pictures of Reus and it looks very, very fascinating, but I have not been there. Sometimes if you look up the website of a Spanish airport, you will find information about the cost of transportation to the towns nearby.
One thing I will say is that it is very often quite inexpensive to fly in Spain, so always check out the Iberia website and Vueling Airlines to see how much it costs to fly between cities rather than take some other form of transport.
I once traveled by car through the foothills of Catalonia and found innumerable places to stay, and outside of August, I think this would also be true of much of the Basque country. If you do internet searches for "rural houses Spain" or "rural houses Basque," that would be a start.
I think you probably need to book yourselves a good hotel in Barcelona and not leave it to chance.
It is hard to advise about Madrid. I love the city and actually prefer it to Barcelona. The Prado is to me one of the most exciting museums in the world. It is very easy to get in and out of Madrid from the airport. On the other hand, many people don't like Madrid because it is rather formal and imperial, and does not have really gracious or romantic architecture. Also, some of the oldest parts of the city are among those the most visibly compromised by prostitutes and petty thieves, so there is that to consider (but one sees that in Barcelona, too). And the best things in Madrid -- like fine restaurants -- can be quite expensive.
As I am sure you know, the Alhambra is one of the genuine wonders of the world, so there is that to consider as well! From Barcelona, one could fly west to Granada and then take a bus to Sevilla (with a side trip to Cordoba), and then take a fast train to Madrid to depart. But that would leave out the Basque country.
Or from Barcelona, one could fly to the Basque country and then fly back to Madrid. Another consideration would be to rent a car in Barcelona and drive up to the Basque country through Zaragoza and the foothills of the Pyrneees to San Sebastian and other points in the Basque region. You could drop off the car there and fly back to Madrid.
Cheap air fares in Spain make a lot of things possible.
just love it; will be in San Sebastian for my summer vacations. I am of Canary islands descend;and yes Garay is Basque RUFINA. If you ask they can tell you the meaning,usually they have a meaning. this is my best site:unfortu is in Spanish;if questions you can tell me on the ones you like http://guipuzcoa.lanetro.com/
the site is good for all of Spain:just choose the region. on accomm yes if you pay cash on the spot you get discount as much as 15% negotiable; nobody likes to pay taxes in Spain!! do not blame them.
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