I've been waiting for the 2001 edition of The Rough Guide to Spain (ordered from amazon.com) which arrived yesterday. It has loads of practical information and covers lots of the towns/countryside largely overlooked by the other "greats," i.e. Fodors, Frommers, etc. It also seems to be geared more for the independent traveler seeking a more "natural" experience.

In addition to sightseeing info, there are many suggestions for hiking, etc. And for those not interested in renting a car, the authors cover the options for getting around by bus and train. There's a not-very-extensive list of hostales and restaurants but it generally includes a few in every price range (with more in the budget category and some agroturismo/casas rurales recommendations).

Although you may not agree with the authors' opinions of some of the towns and cities, I findit refreshing to have someone say things like "Onati is without doubt the most interesting inland town in Gipuzkoa..." or "Unquera itself is fairly dire, its only bright spots being the restaurants Riomar and Granja..." (Sorry, Unquerans, the authors' words, not mine!) or that "Santillana del Mar, an outrageously picturesque village, 26km west of Santander, has been prettified beyond belief for tourism."

I really think this guidebook is going to be very helpful in planning our trip to central and northern Spain.

P.S. I wasn't sure where to post this so feel free, madridman, to put it wherever.

(I've moved your posting to this forum... )

Thanks for the info!!! The Rough Guide people were also milling about Madrid when I was there in 1999 from what I heard.

And SO(!). You ordered your copy from Amazon.com, eh? Well then (who all knows what's coming next??), I CERTAINLY hope you at least ordered it through MadridMan's ALL Spain Market as any self-respecting MadridMan.com visitor would, right?

Saludos, MadridMan

Oops--Sorry, MadridMan. I had "pre-ordered" and was waiting for publication of the 2001 edition before I was even familiar with your website, message board, etc.

Heheehee.... Okay. I won't hold it against you then. Remember all, you can order everything that Amazon.com carries through MadridMan's ALL Spain Market . If I don't list it, just click on the Amazon.com icon to go through their site, find what you need, and do the deed. Thanks for remembering MadridMan! (oh, brother!

[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 02-22-2001).]

Hmmmm, this sounds like a plug to me...


Helping each other out as much as possible, is what I say! Have a great weekend all!