SPAIN |
| Spanish History - it helps to know |
| Practical Information: | ||
| Nunez Navarro Hotels | Really beautiful hotels in Barcelona ranging from €70 - €250 per night per room | |
| Paradores | Historic buildings (castles, fortresses, monesteries, convents) all over Spain - €100 - €200 per night per room | |
| Hospes Hotels | Historic, beautiful and exceptionally comfortable - €160-€250 or more for suites | |
| Spanish Airport Guide | what terminal is where |
| MADRID | ||
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: | ||
| Hotel Urban | Popular modern hotel a shart walk from the Prado and Plaza Mayor | $$-$$$ |
| Paradores | Beuatiful historic buildings now converted into historic hotels | $$-$$$ |
| Quo Puerta del sol Hotel | Avant garde contemporary design near Plaza del Sole | $$ |
| Hotel de las Letras | On the Gran Via; new, modern and close to the Prado and Plaza Mayor | $$ |
| Museums and Destinations: | ||
| Prado | ||
| Thyssen-Bornemiska |
| Guided Tours: | ||
| Food and Wine walking Tour | 50€ per person but there is a lot of food and wine included | |
| What's on and where: | Restaurants and Food: | |
| BARCELONA, COSTA BRAVA and CATALONIA | ||
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: | ||
| Hotel 1898 | on the Ramblas but very quiet and VERY beautiful | $$-$$$ |
| Paradores | Beuatiful historic buildings now converted into historic hotels | $$-$$$ |
| Hotel Soho | Modern design near Plaza Catalunya | $$-$$$ |
| Hotel Jazz | On the Passeig de Gracia | $$-$$$ |
| Hotel Neri | beautiful historic hotel in the Barrio Gotic | $$$-$$$$ |
| Hotel Casa Fuster | Restored masterpiece of design by Modernista architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner | $$$$ |
| Can Bonastre Wine Resort | 12 rooms, winery and spa about 35minutes south of Barcelona | $$$ |
| Museums and Destinations: | ||
| Palau de la Musica Catalana |
| Guided Tours: | ||
| Fat Tire | bike tours of the city | |
| NORTHERN SPAIN | ||
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: | ||
| Paradore in Hondarribia $$ | close to the French Basque border on the coast; very pretty old castle | |
| Paradore in Santillana Del Mar (Gil Blas) $$ | in the middle of the old historic town. it's charming but it can be a bit touristy | |
| Hotel San Roman de Escalante $$ | a Relais&Chateaux property between Bilbao and San Sebastian; great location |
| Museums and Destinations: | ||
| Guggenheim Bilbao | Yes, it's worth the trip |
| Guided Tours: | ||
| Altamira Caves | On the original site in Santillana Del Mar but its a reproduction; a very good reproduction | |
| Tito Bustillo Caves | Near Ribadesella; this is an original and well worth the visit | |
| Caves near Puente Viesgo | Multilevel caves. El Castillo is the largest. There are a few of them all in the same area near Altamira | |
| Restaurants: | ||
| Arzak Restaurant | Without a doubt, one of the best meals in the world |
| CENTRAL SPAIN | ||
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: | ||
| Museums and Destinations: | ||
| Guided Tours: | ||
| SOUTHERN SPAIN | ||
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: | ||
| Hospes Palacio del Bailio | Renovated 16th century villa in Cordoba. A beautiful hotel in a wonderful city. | $$-$$$ |
| AC Palacio de Santa Paula | Renovated 16th century convent built around a very beautiful cloister | $$$ |
| Hotel La Fuente de la Figuera | Up in the mountains near Ronda. Quiet, Charming and a great staff | $$-$$$ |
| Hacienda San Rafael | 45minuste south of Seville, 30mins northeast of Jerez. A magnificent country villa | $$-$$$ |
| Museums and Destinations: | ||
| Cordoba | The Mesquita is the big draw but there is so much more |
|
| Granada | The Alhambra and The Albayzin district | |
| Seville | The Alcazar, the Giralda, the Catedral | |
| Ronda |
| Restaurants in Granada: | ||
| Restaurante Arrayanes in Granada for very delicious and authentic Morrocan food | $-$$ | |
| Restaurants in Seville: | ||
| Cerveceria La Giraldo - TAPAS; part of the 10th century Moorish baths across from the Giraldo - Calle Mateos Gago 2 | $ | |
| Bodeguita Casablanca - TAPAS; always crowded but worth the wait - Calle Adolfo Rodriguez Jurado 12 off Av. de la Constitucion | $ | |
| El Riconcillo - TAPAS; oldest (from 1670) and most famous Tapas bar , also a great restaurant - Calle Gerona 40 in Barrio Santa Cruz | $-$$ | |