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Post by Adrienne on Nov 30, 2016 18:23:24 GMT -5
So I'm not sure anyone will see this, but felt this is the best place to post this question:
My husband and I are going to Spain in March and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas for us? We will be 3 days in Barcelona and 3 in Madrid. It is our first time in Spain (or Europe for that matter!). I'm so excited!!! Our going to Spain is definitely because of my love of Grand Hotel, Velvet and El Internado. We have talked about going to Europe for years, but these shows are what tipped us toward Spain. (It helps that my husband speaks Spanish, too.)
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alfi
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Post by alfi on Dec 1, 2016 14:15:00 GMT -5
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alfi
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Posts: 171
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Post by alfi on Dec 1, 2016 14:29:20 GMT -5
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Post by Adrienne on Dec 1, 2016 18:54:09 GMT -5
Thanks Alfi!! Loved the videos. It looks like it will probably be warmer than where we will be coming from, but definitely still a little cold! |
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alfi
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Post by alfi on Dec 1, 2016 19:45:15 GMT -5
The same guy on Madrid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSoTAtnz-BEBarcelona: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OflWdkI09qAAbout pickpockets, have in mind that Spain is the third most visited country in the world (after France and USA), so wherever tourists are, pickpockets follow. So be careful, take precautions, the guy is on point with this, Barcelona and Madrid are especially bad. www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3423066/The-five-European-cities-likely-pickpocketed-avoid-victim.html This is not going to be very PC to say, but most of them are not Spanish, most are eastern Europeans or North-Africans, so be careful. In general if you take the same safety precautions that you would take in your city, you will be ok. The good thing about coming in March though is that you are not coming on high season so you will enjoy Barcelona and Madrid better without big agglomerations of people, and the fact that your husband speaks spanish is going to even better the experience. If you are accustomed to treat with latino-americans in the States, just remember that not only the language is different (like english is different in USA and Britain), the treatment is going to be different as well. Many Anglos, latino-americans and northern europeans consider us not very polite, but we really are... on a Spanish way. But at first it may be like we are a bit rude or dry if you don't understand some aspects of our behaviours and idiosyncrasy. |
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Post by Adrienne on Dec 1, 2016 22:28:10 GMT -5
The same guy on Madrid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSoTAtnz-BEBarcelona: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OflWdkI09qAAbout pickpockets, have in mind that Spain is the third most visited country in the world (after France and USA), so wherever tourists are, pickpockets follow. So be careful, take precautions, the guy is on point with this, Barcelona and Madrid are especially bad. www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3423066/The-five-European-cities-likely-pickpocketed-avoid-victim.html This is not going to be very PC to say, but most of them are not Spanish, most are eastern Europeans or North-Africans, so be careful. In general if you take the same safety precautions that you would take in your city, you will be ok. The good thing about coming in March though is that you are not coming on high season so you will enjoy Barcelona and Madrid better without big agglomerations of people, and the fact that your husband speaks spanish is going to even better the experience. If you are accustomed to treat with latino-americans in the States, just remember that not only the language is different (like english is different in USA and Britain), the treatment is going to be different as well. Many Anglos, latino-americans and northern europeans consider us not very polite, but we really are... on a Spanish way. But at first it may be like we are a bit rude or dry if you don't understand some aspects of our behaviours and idiosyncrasy. I had my husband watch the videos, too. He is so excited to get to use his Spanish! He learned Latin American Spanish and loves finding the differences between what he learned and how it is in Spain. He loves watching my Spanish shows just to see what he can understand. Certain actors are easier for him to understand. He was so excited about the fact that Spaniards will be excited to talk with him. |
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Post by jodgrl on Dec 2, 2016 0:08:15 GMT -5
I went to Barcelona in the 80s when I was stationed in Germany. The ocean was so beautiful and warm. I saw the Flamenco dancers that was awesome. I was only there for 2 days. I'm sure there are more places. Does your hubby watch Velvet and tell you what's going on? 😉
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Post by Adrienne on Dec 2, 2016 1:10:17 GMT -5
I went to Barcelona in the 80s when I was stationed in Germany. The ocean was so beautiful and warm. I saw the Flamenco dancers that was awesome. I was only there for 2 days. I'm sure there are more places. Does your hubby watch Velvet and tell you what's going on? 😉 He hasn't seen any of this season, but I talk to him about what's going on and what we talk about on the boards. He did help me know what was going on in the Christmas special scenes that I found on YouTube. He likes hearing about the drama. 😉 |
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alfi
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Post by alfi on Dec 2, 2016 10:39:31 GMT -5
A couple of things: * The catalan language thing, by whatever the reason, foreigners like that touristic guide speak always taking the independent movement for granted, like most people in Catalonia want the independence and they only speak Catalan. That's false, most people are not into politics, and everyone is going to speak to you in Spanish. Indeed the main language in Catalonia is still spanish. *Don't ask for sangria, we don't drink sangria in Spain, that's something more for parties in the towns to have cheap drink, they are going to rip you off, and they are not going to even serve you sangria either, but a cheap "tinto de verano" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinto_de_verano . Sangria is just the most cheap wine with old fruit pieces like oranges and a lot of sugar to make it taste good and get drunk fast, not healthy at all. Spaniards drink beers, matadornetwork.com/nights/order-beer-spain/ usually you ask for "una caña" , the short glass, it's the cheapest and also the best to drink if you want to take your time, because if you ask for a "Jarra" www.google.com/search?q=jarra+de+cerveza&biw=1920&bih=960&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJxuKj59XQAhXLXhoKHd22DfUQ_AUIBigB well, you only ask that if you are really thirsty, if not it gets warm really quick, warm beer is a big nope in Spain. In some places you can ask for a cold jar though, they have them in the freezer, but that's more for the summer. So it's better to ask for "4 cañas" that "1 jar". Or also wine www.google.com/search?q=copa+de+vino&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYr4206NXQAhWL1hoKHUdgBvQQ_AUICCgB&biw=1920&bih=960 "tinto" (red), "clarete" (claret) or "blanco" (white). If you are not into alcoholic beverages you can also ask for a "mosto" which is grape juice, very spanish as well. Of course you have all kind of carbonated soft drinks and juice drinks. *You can't leave Spain without tasting jamon www.youtube.com/watch?v=3axai5zjRfs , tortilla de patata www.youtube.com/watch?v=JceGMNG7rpU , patatas bravas en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patatas_bravas and i would add calamares (calamari) either in a sandwich/bocadillo or as a racion (plate) www.google.com/search?q=calamares+espa%C3%B1a&biw=1920&bih=960&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvtrTT7NXQAhUGMBoKHaNBDN8Q_AUIBigB |
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alfi
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Post by alfi on Dec 2, 2016 11:14:28 GMT -5
Also take care with buying food in Spain and sending it to USA, because with american Custom regulations on food from foreigner countries they will probably confiscate it.
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alfi
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Posts: 171
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Post by alfi on Dec 6, 2016 9:31:01 GMT -5
She is Sara Baras, one of the best if not the best spanish flamenco female dancer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNcKVJsUkUIThis is not my thing, but well, flamenco comes from the south of Spain, it's a mix of Spanish gypsy and southern culture. In Madrid and Barcelona there are many flamenco shows for tourists, but if you can book for a show starting Sara Baras or another big flamenco show done in theaters you will watch something Spaniards really pay for watching though. I supposed you may like watching something like this. |
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Post by Adrienne on Dec 6, 2016 19:47:34 GMT -5
She is Sara Baras, one of the best if not the best spanish flamenco female dancer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNcKVJsUkUIThis is not my thing, but well, flamenco comes from the south of Spain, it's a mix of Spanish gypsy and southern culture. In Madrid and Barcelona there are many flamenco shows for tourists, but if you can book for a show starting Sara Baras or another big flamenco show done in theaters you will watch something Spaniards really pay for watching though. I supposed you may like watching something like this. Thank you for all the info, Alfi!! I didn't think it was possible to get more excited for our trip! |
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Post by IrisV on Dec 6, 2016 21:38:46 GMT -5
I travelled to Madrid in October and highly recommend spainselect.com for wonderful apartments.
My favorite restaurants are Taverna Laredo, Vinos de Bellota, Gastromaquia and Casa Benigna. Carmencita Bar has a wonderful American style brunch. And you must go to Mercado San Miguel for a wonderful eating experience.
For drinks, the Hotel Ritz has wonderful mojitos and is located conveniently right across from the Prado.
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Post by Adrienne on Dec 7, 2016 23:45:46 GMT -5
I travelled to Madrid in October and highly recommend spainselect.com for wonderful apartments. My favorite restaurants are Taverna Laredo, Vinos de Bellota, Gastromaquia and Casa Benigna. Carmencita Bar has a wonderful American style brunch. And you must go to Mercado San Miguel for a wonderful eating experience. For drinks, the Hotel Ritz has wonderful mojitos and is located conveniently right across from the Prado. Thank You!! |
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