Nope, smoking doesn't really bother me. I just keep reading about it in guidebooks and such and was surprised they emphasize it so much. The books make it sound like 99% of the people smoke, which is interesting.

I'm guessing I'll have the smokie smell on my clothes that I have after a night at a dance club. Nothing a hot shower and a washer won't take care of, lol.

I'll definitely try to eat outside anyway so I can people watch. Thanks for the tip.

I've just come back from a week at the Englishtown in Valdelavilla, near Soria.
It was great!
I was very worried about the smoking issue, since, being from California, I haven't been around smokers for a looong time. But though a lot of people were smoking (not just the Spaniards) it truly wasn't bad. Most of the people were very thoughtful about it, and most of us spent most of our time outdoors there anyway.
I wish the program would consider suggesting no smoking during meals, but that was the only time it ever bothered me.
One thing about the Valdelavilla location, it is VERY remote. No towns nearby, no cell phones or computers, nothing to do but participate in the program. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to do in the program, I was never bored. But just keep in mind, it's kind of like being at summer camp, you're there and you can't really do anything else. Also, for people that haven't ever been to Spain, it might be a tiny bit frustrating to be in this lovely but remote spot and not see anything else. Luckily the fantastic conversations you'll have with the interesting people you meet makes up for it!
The scenery was beautiful, the food delicious, the people interesting and fun. I hope I can do it again sometime!

I'm happy to share more, if people have questions.

Martha

Martha-
Glad to hear you had a great time. I'm really looking forward to my trip and its nice to hear all this feedback.

I'm going to take you up on the questions offer.

Where did you stay before/after the program?
Did you do any daytrips/tours from Madrid that you'd recommend?

Hi aurorajinx-

All the Englishtowners in my group were asking each other the same thing! Where to stay in Madrid since we had to be there a day before the program actually starts.
I stayed in 3 different hostals in Madrid, 2 before Valdelavilla and one after. Probably should post this on the Hostals board instead of here? Maybe Madridman will move it if he thinks it should be there.

I first stayed at Hostal Chelo, which has been reviewed very positively and frequently on this message board, my first night in Madrid. Great location, pleasant room with bath for 30 euros, but there was some confusion about my reservation and though I'd booked for 2 nights, the management said I might have to move for the 2nd night into a tiny room with no bath, because a couple was possibly going to check in.
Hmmmm. I didn't think that was really very hospitable, so since other Anglos who were on their way to Valdelavilla as well were staying just 2 blocks away, I moved the next day to the hostal where they were staying.

Number two was the Casa de Huespedes Dolcevita, Calle de San Bartolome, 4, and it was pretty fun. Three flights up, no elevator, comfy lobby with internet available (2 euros per hour). My room was tiny but cute and, strangely, had toilet and shower both in the room (not in a separate room at all), but it was fine and only 25 euros, continental breakfast included.
When we got back from Valdelavilla (the bus brought us back to Madrid around 7 or 8 pm) I stayed at the Dolcevita again (booked it before we left on the program) but the next night moved with another Englishtowner to a great place just one block away. This was a nice byproduct of the program, that I met someone I liked enough to share a room with and do some sightseeing over the weekend.
We stayed at the Hostal Vazquez Mella, right on the Plaza Vazquez de Mella, fantastic location with restaurants all around and little kids playing soccer in the plaza. Our double was 48 euros, and the room was lovely, two double beds and a very nice bathroom. There were little sitting rooms throughout the hostal too, like personal living rooms. Very nice.
I didn't do any daytrips or tours from Madrid, though I had thought I would. Ended up just spending the weekend with my Valdelavilla buddy, walking around and seeing the sights. Meant to go to Toledo and other places, but just took it easy instead!

Martha

I just returned from Englishtown in Valdelavilla and would echo some of the things already said. There was LOTS more smoke than I am use to being around, but you get use to it and I didn´t notice it after awhile. You get so involved in the conversations that you do not care, if it get´s too much you go outside, and it´s BEAUTIFUL scenery there!

We had such an amazing mix of people at our program, I cannot imagine having the same experience again. It was truly a "life changing" experience to some degree. In conversations with the other Anglos and Spaniards the feeling was universal. In a group of 35 people there is usually SOMEONE you don´t like or get along with, there was NO one that fit that bill here.

I would highly recommend Valdelavilla as the choice if you like rustic, authentic Spanish charm. A number of the Spaniards commented on the location and how you cannot find villages like this in Spain very easily. The village was restored about 9 years ago. It retains all it´s rustic charm but has all the modern ammenities you would want. If you are looking for more of a hotel/resort expeinece go to Gredos. Valdelavilla is REMOTE, although cell phones did work most of the time for those that brought them, but that is not guaranteed. There is TV if you HAVE to know what is going on in the world, but I rarely saw them turned on except to check out the royal wedding. Also if you have knee or leg problems, Valdelavilla may not be the right choice for you. Rough cobblestone streets, LOTS OF uneven stairs and hills. Now if you are adventurous and like the real deal, Valdelavilla is it!

I would also tell you that it is no picnic. We all came away from the program exhausted. You are talking or interacting for 12-16 hours per day for 7 days! Now in our program they added a special "award ceremony" for the Stayed Up Later awards. There were a number of people that stayed up into the wee hours of the morning with enough time to shower and get to breakfast. This certainly contributed, but the interaction was so great it was hard to cut down, and it did not interfere with the learning environment.

As for my lodging in Madrid, I chose Hostal Adriano and have not been disappointed (except for the 5 flights of stairs at the end of a long day) For 43 euros a night, private bath, refridgerator, safe and DSL internet connection in room, you cannot beat it for the location. It´s about a 3 minute walk up the street from Puerta del Sol and a 5 min walk from Plaza Mayor. Convenient Metro connection at Sol. I also used the Aerocity shuttle from the airport (due to being tired from multiple connections to reach Madrid)and I would recommend them. Other Anglos used the Metro and found it very convenient and easy.

Off to Toledo today!
Diana

Excellent information to have, thank you.

Hopefully some of the participants in my group will have time to hang & play tourist together afterwards too.

One more thought for this summer, since you're not going until September.
You might consider contacting the other Anglos in your group ahead of time.
We did that, and it enabled some of us to meet the day before the official meeting time. Just a jumpstart on the week to come.
Also, we shared what we found out about hostals and hotels, and it was because of those early emails that several of us ended up staying in the same place or at least neighborhood.

I had the same thought.

I contacted a few, but so far only one person responded. I'm guessing the others are either thinking 'who is this stranger contacting me' or 'is she kidding..September is too far away', lol.

I'd love to get to know some people early, but I'm sure they're busy with 'real life' right now.

Aurorajinx, hi.
I was interested in getting in touch with my group before I go in July. If you go to www.vaughanvillage.com and click on Anglo sign in, you can get a id and password, and if you been accepted to the program already, it creates a page for you.
Then, you can go into your program page and find out everyone who is supposed to be in your program week. You can create a profile, and read about what's happening. It's cool. Hope you'll check it out.

kmax

Hi kmax- I did that a while ago, but when I went back to the site it wasn't working properly. (it wouldn't let me log on) The one time it let me in inititally was great though, lol.

Maybe its a glitch and has been fixed by now. I'm off to try again now...

Update--it's working! Thanks so much for reminding me to check on it.