Good morning everyone!

[LINDA STEPHENS]

I'm new to this travel group, so I'll introduce myself.  My name is Linda Stephens and I live in Eastern Ontario in Canada.  In 2 1/2 weeks, my husband and I are traveling to Spain and Morocco to celebrate our 30th anniversary.  The only overseas travel that we've done so far is to England, Scotland and Ireland.

 

Neither of us have ever been to Spain before, so we're interested in some suggestions of what to see and do while there.  We are concentrating most of our holiday in the Andalucia area.  In fact, we've rented a villa just outside of Coin, for the first week.  We then fly to Morocco for 5 days and then fly back to Madrid for the last 4 days.  While staying at the villa, we have a rental car but not while in Madrid.  We've booked a hotel in downtown Madrid for the final days, so we'll be relying on public transit and our own 2 feet.

 

We both prefer touring around the smaller towns and villages, rather than the more populated tourist areas.  We really enjoy exploring historical sites, village life, as well as areas with stunning scenery.

 

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also, can someone please tell me what clothing we might need for that time of year?  Not quite sure how cool or warm it might be.

 

Thanks!

 

Linda Stephens
The Real Estate Book
ldste...@sympatico.ca

[brian glynn]

Dear Linda, Congratulations on your 30th anniversary! From Madrid there are a lot of great places for you to visit. Here are a few: Toledo, a definite must see. It is another Spanish testament to its rich past. Avila, home of St. Theresa of Avila is quite moving especially for those who are Catholic. Aranjuez has a lovely palace and if you are a lover of the Concerto de Aranjuez it can be a nice afternoon. Further on to the west is Santiago de Campostella burial site of St. James and pilgrimage site for many millions over the centuries. And of course to the north you may want to drive up to Asturias (the Switzerland of Spain) and home to of the most wonderful cheezes: manchego and cabrales. I think you will have a truly wonderful time celebrating your lives together. I'm sure others in the group can direct you to many other wonderful towns and villages near Madrid Buen viaje y vaya con Dios! All the best, Brian Glynn Weichert Realtors 908 507 7694 --- On Sun, 2/22/09, LINDA STEPHENS <ldste...@sympatico.ca> wrote:

[Tom Schweich]

From Coin, it's a little over an hour to Ronda, and then another 45
minutes to Grazalema. They are very different towns, Ronda is on two
hills (http://www.schweich.com/imagehtml/8294_3232_0624_28sm.html)
joined by a very impressive bridge, and Grazalema is in a valley
(http://www.schweich.com/imagehtml/IMG_1275sm.html). Both are
getting quite popular, but still very worth visiting. In Grazalema you
can buy a walking tour guide. There must be something similar for
Ronda. The tourist office in both towns is easy to find. Between Coin
and Ronda is Parque Natural de Los Nieves, a popular spot for
naturalists, but it may be a little early in the season when you visit.
One place I've wanted to go, but haven't made it yet is Setenil.
Photographs show houses built right into the cliffs.

Tom

> ldste...@sympatico.ca <mailto:ldste...@sympatico.ca>
>
> >


--
Tom Schweich ta...@schweich.com
http://www.schweich.com

[Webmaster - Conference Coordinator Spain]

It wont be very busy at this time of year so avoiding busy tourist areas certainly wont be a problem. With that in mind I would make most of visiting places like Puerto Banus near Marbella nd Benalmadena where the port area is very nice and also Pueblo Park I think its called which is lovely park with rabbits n hundreds of ducks n stuff wondering about.

Places to visit would definitely include Mijas and  Ronda. Both have spectacular views and pretty village buildings. I used to live in Coin and its quaint for a afternoon visit along with two or 3 of those little places, Monda with its castle for example..

Regards the weather, literally a mixture of warmth and cold. You will require clothing to suit both of these elements, it can be reallly nice in the daytime and really cold at night particularly up the mountain in Coin area.

Hope this helps

Clive

[Pete Clark]

In message <BLU137-DS730E85ED...@phx.gbl>, LINDA STEPHENS
<ldste...@sympatico.ca> writes

> Neither of us have ever been to Spain before, so we're interested
> in some suggestions of what to see and do while there.  We are
> concentrating most of our holiday in the Andalucia area.  In fact,
> we've rented a villa just outside of Coin, for the first week.

Which is where I live! Well, in the countryside of Cartama, 8km away
from Coin.

Of course, you can wander around Coin itself, many interested narrow
streets and small bars.

Ronda, including the drive to Ronda. The "Snowy Mountains" are on the
way, and the tops have been covered in snow for the last week or so,
drive up, take plenty of time.

The local Spanish would tend not to go to the coast in the summer, they
would go to the nearby lakes, drive up, through Alora (carefully - it's
very narrow in places), and through the gorge at El Chorro. My
favourite drive with visitors.

> Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also, can
> someone please tell me what clothing we might need for that time of
> year?  Not quite sure how cool or warm it might be.

Today, the tourists are wearing short pants, and us locals are wearing
jackets! It's been all but 20 on the north side of the house.

I would expect the weather to be changeable, as it tends to be at this
time of year. You may even be unlucky and get rain, although we would
appreciate it - the drought seems to be easing after about 3 years of
low rainfall.

And you can follow the weather in Coin on my page about Coin
http://www.hotcosta.com/Coin.info

--
Pete Clark

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