By way of introduction, I'm Denise, from Ontario, Canada. It's snowing here tonight and the temperature is expected to go to -20C tonight. I'm dreaming of the summer - and a vacation to Spain in September.

I've just started our (hubby and I, 54 and 53 yrs young)planning and have a large Spain map on the bulletin board in the office, Frommer's book on Spain (which steered me to this site, BTW, MadridMan) and a host of internet sites bookmarked.

Our method of travel is to fly to Malaga, rent a car for some sight seeing of Cordoba, Seville, Grenada and Gibraltar. From Cordoba, I think we'll take a train to Madrid and stay a couple days with side trips (escorted? trains?) to Toledo and Segovia. From there, it's a train to Barcelona. Once there, again, we'll do some local sightseeing in the area (Pyranees, Montserrat. etc). Depending on our time, I was thinking of taking a drive to Valencia, with a return trip the next day. Our return flight would be from Barcelona.

WHEW! I'm already tired! We have two weeks to get it all done. I'll be looking for advice on reasonably priced accomodations (nothing fancy, but decent). I'd love to stay in one of the castles/convents etc, but at E206 a night, I don't think it's in my budget. I'll also be looking for discounts on anything of interest, neat places to eat (that don't want my first born son in trade!), the best things to spend our time on, and general info/advice you want to share with me (in other words, spill your guts!).

So far, I've just been reading the forums and learning my way around the site. I'm still confused about hotels vs. hostels (I get the youth hostals - we are a bit too old for them).

This is our real first trip to Europe. We opted for a land trip self organized vs. a cruise or escorted trip. We've done Alaska, the coast of Oregon and Washington and many other trips in the US and Canada (usually tent camping, but RVing too). We aren't fancy people at all. So any help would be greatly appreciated!! I have lots of time to get this planned!!

Denise

Hello and welcome to our ALL SPAIN Message Board, Denise 2009! We're honored to have you as one of our newest members. And I'm thrilled you found us through the Frommer's Spain travel book - and that they're still listing MadridMan.com as a "Useful Travel Source". They obviously know what they're talking about. hehehe...

Yours is a common want, going to Spain for the first time and hoping to do A LOT in the vacation you have. We have loads of information already posted in the searchable categories but feel free to post your questions if you don't find it. Please ask lodging questions in its category, transportation in its category, and city-questions in the "Favorite Places" category, and dining and entertainment questions in the "Food, Drink, & Entertainment" forum category.

A quick tutorial about "hotels" versus "hostels" is this; hotels are hotels. Everyone knows this one. "Hostels", the English word, is unfortunately an abbreviation of the full term "Youth Hostels". I say this is unfortunate because the Spaniards translate their Spanish word "Hostales" to the English word "Hostels". Again, it's unfortunate because the Spanish word "hostales" refers to budget hotels, quaint, usually family owned and operated, usually no-or-few-frills - and these are not youth hostels. "Hostales" are a great way to stay in basic lodgings and save a lot of money.

There's little discussion here about "YOUTH hostels" (called "albergues juveniles" in Spanish) but there IS a lot of discussion about Spain's "hostels" (or again, "hostales" in Spanish - the word "hostals" doesn't exist except in the Catalán language, even though it's often an incorrectly, Spanglish-ized translation from Spanish to English).

You have A LOT of planning to do, Denise 2009, so we'll give you a hand as we can.

Once again, welcome to the message board. My sincere hope is that we can help to fill-in-the-blanks where guidebooks may fall short (but Frommer's really is very complete).

Saludos, MadridMan

Denise , I think you might be getting a lot of advice from this site ! And I have to say that I´m so pleased you opted out of the cruise or guided tour !! I´ll certainly be posting some suggestions . You´re going to LOVE Spain .. España ! Steve

I just want to add that you shouldnt really plan TOO much, as you will want to spend more time than you plan on doing in some places - allow yourself that luxury!

Oooh Denise, forgive my terrible manners, I forgot to say WELCOME!!! You will love Spain.

Now, my quest can begin in earnest! Thanks for the WELCOMES!
I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Welcome aboard Denise!

You've found one of the most helpfull message boards in cyber-space. I've learned so much and met some wonderfull people over the years.

A word of caution, as Sallyanne mentioned, I would be carefull to not plan too much in such a short amount of time. However, if you feel you can manage it, go for it. After all, it is your holiday.

Good luck

Last things first: Many Hotels fall short of being able to meet the requirements for listing as 3-or-4-Star Property and they don't want listing as a 2-star (i.e., no A/C, no elevator, no full service restaurant, etc.). They prefer to be listed as a Tourist Hostal. That's often the only difference.

Peak Tourist season in Spain is from 16 jul (la Virgen de Carmen) to 15 sep. Prices may still be pretty high when you are visiting

Dining: I usually make the midday meal the main meal of the day when in Spain. Restaurants and Taverns often have a Menu del Día that they serve from about 13:30 to 15:30. The Menu includes wine (or beer), Pan & dessert. You will see chalkboards outside Taverns advertising their midday Menu. That's usually the best value unless you want something more formal.
BTW
Welcome to the board!

You guys are great! I've learned that I should check prices for after Sept 15, to make lunch the main meal and to maybe reconsider my itinerary! I'm off to check air flight ticket prices and Hostales in Malaga. Thanks!

Also Denise... just to let you know.. Delta has a direct flight to Malaga from JFK.. I *think* it is the only direct route from the US to Malaga.. it is a new route and the prices are pretty reasonable.. I just found a ticket for $551 round trip for April - I would try their website first.. although Sept is still usually a little high.. the prices for airfare anyway seem to get better in Oct.. Welcome!

allo Denise, welcome to this wonderful forum, hope you enjoy it as well ::)