Hey everyone! I am taking a month long trip to Spain this july & am taking suggestions about where to stay. I was in Spain three years ago to study in Salamanca. Of course, I fell in love with the city... It was the perfect mix of small-town and cosmopolitan lifestyles. I am looking for something similar & wanted to be in the South. I traveled the Northern parts pretty extensively during my last trip, but didn't get to the south at all. I am currently thinking about Granada... wanting to aviud the beach towns due to the huge influx of foreigners (like me!!!)

Ok, I'm rambling... I would love some suggestions as all I know about Spain is Salamanca.... Thanks all! Lindsay

I'm always going on about this, but if your "beach towns" include the Andalusian provincial capitals Cadiz, Malaga and Almeria, then they don't get a "huge influx of foreigners" (except maybe Malaga during Feria - beginning of August - but then it has a huge influx of Spaniards as well).

Granada looks like a good choice to me. Be warned, inland Andalucia gets very hot in summer. Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada are all like ovens from around 12am upto 7 or 8 pm (or later). Try and get air conditioning!

Thanks Boqueron! I had not really considered any of the cities that you mentioned... should I? What do you think about Sevilla? I had wanted to stay away from really large cities (Madrid & Barcelona), but I am not sure how Sevilla fits into this picture. Truthfully, I had such an amazing experience in Salamanca that I can't imagine a city that would compare & I am looking for that same small town feel... I would like to be somewhere where I can actually get to know the city & the people... maybe see the same face a time or two. Ok, thanks again for the time & advice. Hope you are having a good day! Lindsay

I also studied in Salamanca and enjoyed its size. Granada and Sevilla are bigger, but I doubt you will find them unmanageable. Cordoba is perfect and lovely, but I would imagine it would get a little dull after a few days (anyone have thoughts on that, I am definitely not an expert). Part of what was so intriguing were the silences there. It was so peaceful. You get that in Sevilla, those cool, quiet streets where you can just make out a few echos of cooking and conversation sounds through the courtyards, but then you also have the option of hanging out and meeting the freindly couple seated next to you at the restaurant. I found the people in the south to be more warm/friendly initially than those of Castilla y Leon - typical of any country with a noticeable climatic difference between the north and south, I guess. Which made it fun as a traveler.

the breakdown - Salamanca has a/o 150,000 people; Granada - 250,000; Cordoba -300,000; Sevilla - 700,000. Eachof those cities have a different feel to them. I also thought Cadiz was interesting.

Are you planning to stay in one place for some time or travel around a bit?


[This message has been edited by Nicole (edited 03-26-2001).]

Nicole, I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that Northerners are less friendy and warm than Southerners...
I agree that Córdoba is a wonderfully peaceful place. It won't be crowded with tourists. It's one city in which it's actually FUN to get lost! But as Boqueron said, it's VERY hot in the summer.

No. I didn't mean to imply that. What I meant is that they seem a little more reserved initially, but wonderful when you get to know them. Just an observeration, not a judgement. that is of course a huge generaliztion, so... It all depends on the traveler and the individuals he or she meets in the process of exploring a place

[This message has been edited by Nicole (edited 03-26-2001).]

My never-to-be-missed choice would be Granada. I think it's one of the most romantic cities in Spain, especially if you visit the Alhambra and Generalife around dusk, when the crowds disperse. It's filled with fascinating little nooks and crannies to explore, for shopping or for visits with history -all within walking distance. I never worried about turning my students loose for awhile. It was easy on the budget, clean, and friendly. Don't miss it!

I have never been to Salamanca but the pictures of the plaza mayor look beautiful. But the 'allure' of visiting a Spanish town full to the brim of American students (partying at night) spending their parent's money on a semester abroad doesn't appeal at all to me. Why would I want to go to Spain to see that? I want to be around Spanairds and go to the places that they go and not be bothered by roving groups of American students/tourists. Is this a valid concern for visiting Salamanca?

Leche

There are a lot of foreigners (I didn't meet as many Americans studying abroad there as Scandinavian, German, and Italian students), but don't forget that the university there is for Spanish students, and there are many there, as well tons of people that grew up and raised their families there. The evening paseo is made up of older spanish couple or young families, dads with their kids in tow, enjoying an evening stroll.

The first semester I was in Salamanca I hardly ever went out dancing, etc., and I had a great time! Just enjoy the architecture; sit in the Plaza Mayor and read the newspaper or a book at a cafe and watch everyone - it just makes you happy to be alive! The city is a living museum.

Actually, at our Los Angeles dinner Calibasco told me something really cool that he and some friends had done there, and now I am dying to try it. They bought these big candles at the religious store and took a "travelogue" that had been published in the 16th century (?) and followed the writing/ sites in the evening, admiring that everything was still there so long afterward. I am sure he could give you the name of the writer; I immediately forgot of course. I was so impressed with him! What a cool thing to do, and such a great way to explore the city.

Also, if you are interested in smaller places, There is one particular village a little ways outside Salamanca that is amazing. La Alberca. I have some beautiful pictures of a dreamy, sunny afternoon wandering around the old, old streets and the countryside.

[This message has been edited by Nicole (edited 03-26-2001).]

Lindsey - the main reason for considering the "beach towns" I mentioned is that they are somewhat cooler in the summer than the inland cities, and, well, have beaches (almost entirely occupied by Spanish)! I don't think any of them can compete for architectural splendour etc.

I have a thing for Granada, and it's close to the Sierra Nevada where you can escape the heat a little if you need to (also the direct bus to Malaga takes only about 1 1/2 hours). Cordoba is a quieter place, but is a joy to walk around (in the shade!)

Nicole- If my memory serves me, the book I was referring to was "El Estudiante de Salamanca" by Jose de Espronceda...It was a donjuanesca tale...the words escape me, but the midnight ambience, the cool night air of the casco antiguo salmantino, topped off by an appearance by the world-renowned tuna universitaria made the evening perfect!

I need to get into my literature at home and verify that book (actually a long poem). I'll report on it at dinner next month.

I would highly recommend Granada. I found it to be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places I have ever been (not that my travels are all that extensive). La Alhambra was gorgeous!!! I'd say to truly appreciate it, look into it's history, and you'll understand so much more when you see it. The city definitely has a romantic feel. I didn't do much there in terms of nightlife, but I've heard that its a lot of fun. Good luck with your trip!

I agree with Nicole--Salamanca is fabulous, foreigners or no. I do notice more foreigners there than in other small Spanish cities, but SO MANY people who clearly live and work in Salamanca as well. And the architecture and sights would be worthwhile even if they were FULL of foreign students, which they are not. In fact, when I was a student there, I didn't do most of the touring I have done since...I think I was too broke and too busy meeting people (mostly Spanish) to wander through convents or cloisters. I think I had only seen the cathedral before my subseqent (non-student) trips...but there's San Esteban, Las Dueñas, Casa de las Conchas, etc.!

I do think the feel of the city is influenced by the foreign students there, and I can't say I love the concentration of them on the Rua Mayor, but most of the time, you feel like you're surrounded by Spaniards. You'll hear more other languages than in other towns (but not more than in Madrid, I think), and you'll see people dressed in a wider range of foreign-looking clothes (gotta love those Birkenstocks and wool socks in winter--never saw a Spanish person in those!).

I do feel a bit intimidated by the nightlife in Salamanca--being 31 (eek!) and 10 years past my student time there, I didn't feel like going out to the clubs and seeing a bunch of giggly 20-year-old American girls (I am allowed to say that, since I was one!).

And I have to admit that we did run into a group of students (sadly, Americans) who were not at all happy with Salamanca, thought the food was horrid, the people were unfriendly, etc. But they had been there through two solid months of rain, so perhaps their attitudes were a bit dampened as well---or maybe they just didn't get it. They were SO happy when we gave them a packet of American Raisinets--they were all craving something from home (and there I was stocking up on Lacasitos to bring home to the US!). And the girls expressed great shock when I told them that I had dated a Salmantino 10 years ago--they seemed to be scared of Spanish men, or scared of what they THOUGHT Spanish men would assume about American girls.

But that shouldn't keep anyone from appreciating the amazing beauty of my favorite city in the world--it cast a spell on me that I never want to lose.

My thoughts on Salamanca...

If you are going to be there in the summertime, you are more likely to find American students partying all night & spending their parents money... I know because I was one of them just four short years ago. And, it was wonderful.

I had an amazing time and experience there, but I was slightly disappointed at the number of Americans... I was also not trying very hard to meet people outside of my group. It seemed that many of the local Spaniards (especially the students in what is, essentially, a college town) had gone away on holiday... I could be wrong, but this is the impression I gathered. I would imagine that if you traveled to Salamanca after the summer-students had left, you would not find one thing to complain about. It is a charming city with beautiful culture and people... You will love it & I highly recommend it.

Lindsay
(who spent twenty nights too many in Cum Laude & La Biblioteca...)

aww. two of my favorite places, among all the others we frequented far too often (second semster, anyway)...

Nicole... did they have Cara o Cruz when you went to Biblioteca? I couldn't believe that deal! The bartender flipped a coin & if you guessed right (cara o cruz), your drink was free. It made for some late, wild nights in Salamanca. I still keep in touch with some friends from my trip & we constantly reminisce about that summer & the wonderful things we experienced. I truly think that has been (thus far) the best time of my life...

We'll see if my summer trip competes with that. I have decided to go to Sevilla for six weeks this summer. I was up in the air about where I should go, but I think SEvilla it is... I have a few friends that studied there & loved it, so I am taking their advice & heading over. If anyone knows anything about the language schools there, some advice would be greatly appreciated. I am most interested right now in the programs through Don Quijote and Living Spanish... any word on either of those? Thanks for listening & have a great day! Lindsay

they did have Cara o Cruz! When I did it, the guy flipped the coin 3 times. I got three in a row right and treated 2 of my friends to a cerveza. the bartender didn't look pleased

Leche, don't let our musings turn you off from the city. It is quite lovely, and you can avoid the craziness of foreign and spanish students going out, simply by not going out to the same places. I don't know if you are much of a late nighter, but revelers aren't really out until 12 a.m., and are easily avoided until then. Besides, we aren't THAT bad. If it hadn't been for my amazing parents' support and generosity, I wouldn't have had the chance to fall in love with Spain the way I did.

Lindseywaymore, I think Sevilla is a fabulous choice for a triumphant return to Spain It is a beautiful city. If I can manage it, next summer I would like to do some language courses either there or in the north.


[This message has been edited by Nicole (edited 03-31-2001).]

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[This message has been edited by Nicole (edited 03-31-2001).]

Hola Lindsay,
I spent 4mths in Malaga Spain last year. It was fantastic. The people were friendly, not to many tourists and pretty inexpensive with lots to see and do! Malaga is on the southern tip of Spain. It is on the beach but fortunetly it seems to go undescovered by the masses. Hope this helps. e-mail me if I can help further.
WEC

Hi WEC,
My 17 year old daughter will be taking a language course in Malaga this summer for a month. Is it a safe city? I am dropping her off there-would you recommend staying in Malaga City Center or at the beach? Anything I shouldn't miss-resturants, beaches, tapas bars, etc?
Colleen

I will also be in Malaga at a language school for close to a month this summer. I went last summer also. I found malaga to be pretty safe overall although I think the beach area is a little safer then el centro. Most of the schools are in el pedragalejo which is a 5 minute bus ride from the city center. In my opinion, Malaga gets a bad rap. People always say it is a town to be skipped and granted there is not a whole lot of sightseeing opportunities there but as far as a place to live for a while I think it is great. The people are friendly, the city is easy to get around, it is inexpensive and a short bus ride to many of the must see cities in Spain. Do you know what school she will be at?

My daughter wil be at the Malaca Instituto which sounds very nice and the staff has been very helpful. It is actually located in Benalmadena. Any thoughts on your experience last year that might be helpful to her? Any suggestions for favorite resturants etc.?
Thanks,
Colleen