Madrid-Travel

[Tuerto]

Thinking of going there end of April for three days, people's thoughts please on almost anything and everything. Warts an all, food, culture, atmosphere etc... Cheers in advance.

[Rjk]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Thinking of going there end of April for three days, people's thoughts please on almost anything and everything. Warts an all, food, culture, atmosphere etc... Cheers in advance.

same question but for Barcelona, as I'm going there for 3 days end of April

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Madrid is a more down-to-earth capital city than many in that it didn't used to have rip-off prices (although I haven't been there for a few years). The Prado art museum used to be free on Sundays. Oh, and try the churros con chocolate!

Barcelona is a different kettle of fish. Much more touristy and watch out for pickpockets and the tricks that are a precursor to them. Well worth a visit though but do book tickets in advance for Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia (church) as you won't get them on the day. A stunning and very original piece of architecture. The Nou Camp lacked atmosphere when I attended a game as everyone seemed to be neutral and who made their appreciation evident by polite clapping.

[Rjk]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Madrid is a more down-to-earth capital city than many in that it didn't used to have rip-off prices (although I haven't been there for a few years). The Prado art museum used to be free on Sundays. Oh, and try the churros con chocolate!

Barcelona is a different kettle of fish. Much more touristy and watch out for pickpockets and the tricks that are a precursor to them. Well worth a visit though but do book tickets in advance for Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia (church) as you won't get them on the day. A stunning and very original piece of architecture. The Nou Camp lacked atmosphere when I attended a game as everyone seemed to be neutral and who made their appreciation evident by polite clapping.

thanks - you should bring out a travel guide :)

[Tuerto]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Madrid is a more down-to-earth capital city than many in that it didn't used to have rip-off prices (although I haven't been there for a few years). The Prado art museum used to be free on Sundays. Oh, and try the churros con chocolate!

Barcelona is a different kettle of fish. Much more touristy and watch out for pickpockets and the tricks that are a precursor to them. Well worth a visit though but do book tickets in advance for Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia (church) as you won't get them on the day. A stunning and very original piece of architecture. The Nou Camp lacked atmosphere when I attended a game as everyone seemed to be neutral and who made their appreciation evident by polite clapping.

Madrid for three days is long enough? I'm not massively into the tourist stuff, I like to dip in and out, but the person that I am traveling with is.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Madrid for three days is long enough? I'm not massively into the tourist stuff, I like to dip in and out, but the person that I am traveling with is.

For me, three days in Madrid would suffice. However, others on here may think differently, of course :-)

[dembethewarrior]

Re: Madrid-Travel

I had Barcelona/Madrid pencilled in for November..flight to Barca train to Madrid. Other things came up so had to cancel. Pretty gutted.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Dembe, you may be interested in a small carry-on (free of charge) piece of hand luggage that converts to the differing dimensions stipulated by Ryanair and easyJet, whether you use it as your sole piece of luggage or a supplementary reticule to a cabin bag that you pay for.

As the two airlines are charging as much for baggage as for passengers it's worth a shout. Just got one myself.

https://amzn.eu/d/9HGV0T4

[islandblue]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Madrid is a more down-to-earth capital city than many in that it didn't used to have rip-off prices (although I haven't been there for a few years). The Prado art museum used to be free on Sundays. Oh, and try the churros con chocolate!

Barcelona is a different kettle of fish. Much more touristy and watch out for pickpockets and the tricks that are a precursor to them. Well worth a visit though but do book tickets in advance for Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia (church) as you won't get them on the day. A stunning and very original piece of architecture. The Nou Camp lacked atmosphere when I attended a game as everyone seemed to be neutral and who made their appreciation evident by polite clapping.

Went to Barcelona last October and you're right about La Sagrada, it was heaving although well worth the visit. The bus tours are good value. you can hop on and off as you please and it's well worth stopping at Montjuic where you have great views of the entire city. One word of warning,avoid a company called Suntransfers for travel to and from The Airport. Didn't show up for our return and only a frantic dash for a taxi meant we caught our flight.

[Rjk]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Went to Barcelona last October and you're right about La Sagrada, it was heaving although well worth the visit. The bus tours are good value. you can hop on and off as you please and it's well worth stopping at Montjuic where you have great views of the entire city. One word of warning,avoid a company called Suntransfers for travel to and from The Airport. Didn't show up for our return and only a frantic dash for a taxi meant we caught our flight.

thanks, I'd definitely be interested in the Sagrada familia, but I doubt the Mrs will want to go, she's mostly interested in eating and shopping

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Madrid-Travel

thanks, I'd definitely be interested in the Sagrada familia, but I doubt the Mrs will want to go, she's mostly interested in eating and shopping

Get her to buy a wafer and candle at LSG.

[Des Parrot]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Piggy backing the thread, I’d appreciate any feedback on Berlin, Prague, Vienna or Budapest? I’m doing a tour in a couple of months. Cheers in advance

[Tuerto]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Piggy backing the thread, I’d appreciate any feedback on Berlin, Prague, Vienna or Budapest? I’m doing a tour in a couple of months. Cheers in advance

We should actually have a dedicated Travel thread, like the Glammy or Academy ones.

[Tuerto]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Dembe, you may be interested in a small carry-on (free of charge) piece of hand luggage that converts to the differing dimensions stipulated by Ryanair and easyJet, whether you use it as your sole piece of luggage or a supplementary reticule to a cabin bag that you pay for.

As the two airlines are charging as much for baggage as for passengers it's worth a shout. Just got one myself.

https://amzn.eu/d/9HGV0T4

That's a seriously good shout their TBG, the times i've sweated on hand luggage with those two Charlatans.

[islandblue]

Re: Madrid-Travel

Piggy backing the thread, I’d appreciate any feedback on Berlin, Prague, Vienna or Budapest? I’m doing a tour in a couple of months. Cheers in advance

Went to Berlin five years ago and found prices to be much more reasonable than say London or Paris. The city is surprisingly compact and most of the main sights, Brandenburg gate , Reichstag and checkpoint Charlie are easily walkable. My personal highlights were The Naturkunde museum which housed a large collection of dinosaur skeletons including a T Rex and a very moving visit to The Topography of terror which is built on the site of the former SS HQ and documents Nazi persecution in those terrible times. A large section of The Berlin wall is nearby as well. You can do a city tour in a Trabant if the mood takes you.