Hello ODUguy1999! Welcome to our little message board. You're probably looking for an escape from the Mardi Gras craze right about now, correct? I see you're in
N'awllins. Great place, it is. Spent a long 3-day spring weekend down there a couple years ago. Very enjoyable. Not sure I'd want to really be there around THIS time of year, however. Every year I tune into websites like
http://www.MardiGras.com/ for live, streaming webcams, video, and photos of the event in New Orleans. Great fun for the observer.
OKAY! Now on with the show.. YOUR SHOW, that is...
Organized tours to Spain are sometimes the ONLY way some people will ever see this beautiful country and that's just fine. There are people who don't speak any Spanish and don't feel comfortable on their own in a foreign country and require the comfort of handing the reigns over to some knowledgeable, responsible party like a tour company. That's fine. NO problem. You'll see many many MANY (MANY!) things from air conditioned bus windows and will have a guide take you here and there.
If you really think this is the only way you'll ever visit Spain then that's fantastic. Really it is. Go for it. But if one can find the courage (and the time to coordinate it) to do it on your own, make your own reservations, learn a few words of Spanish, you'll know that every new day in Spain will NOT be pre-determined on a itinerary printout sent to you weeks in advance. THIS WAY it will be a true adventure because you won't know what will REALLY happen each day and you'll carry with you forever a MUCH more fulfilling and memorable experience.
Again, tours are fine for many many people. Really, they are.
I can think of several people right now who would not leave their country without it being under the scheduling and safety of a tour company. These people ARE getting out and seeing the world and this is a real point, isn't it.
Do it if it feels right. Have a wonderful time.
Saludos, MadridMan