Does travelspain still exist?

[Sandy]

Hi All,

I have not been getting messages for some time from travelspain, so I went to the website, and it looks like it may no longer exist.  Thought I’d just send an e-mail and see.  

 

Best,

Sandy

[Roger Warwick]

Hi Sandy,

Still exists here, although you're right, very few messages recently:

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/travelspain

Why don't you start is off again? Any travel tales to tell?

Roger.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Travel Spain" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to travelspain...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

[Jo Sentell]

I'm still here! ;)

Jo

Sent from my iPhone

--

[John Zumsteg]

I'm still here, too. I think the amount of information available on the Internet has reduced people's need to ask travel questions of this group, but I do miss the discussions.

On a travel-but-not-to-Spain note, my wife and I have rented a house in a small village in France and will be there for five months starting mid-May. If it goes well, we're thinking we'll try it in Spain next year. Should be interesting. 

John

John

Sent with Sparrow

[Stewart Fishburne]

I’m still here, too. John’s right about the Internet, but info from people who have actually been to a place is invaluable.

 

Where’s the place in France, John?

 

Stewart

[John Zumsteg]

I certainly agree with you on that, Stewart - I have read so much good info on this group that I would not have seen anywhere else.

We're staying in Montigny-sur-Loing, which is about an hour south of Paris, 15 minutes south of Fontainebleau. We are good friends with two couples who live in neighboring villages; that was a big factor in choosing our first extended stay location, and it was a wise choice; they have been invaluable in finding a place and getting things arranged. 

SInce this may apply to someone wanting to do an extended stay in Spain or elsewhere, I'll relate how we found the house. Our friends belong to an Anglophone group centered in Fontainebleau. (Both the couple we know are American women married to French men.) They suggested we join the organization and put an advertisement in the newsletter. We did so, and had half a dozen responses! The one we settled on is a three-bedroom house in Montigny (population: 2,800), owned by an English gentleman who lived there and now lives in England. He doesn't list the house with an agency, preferring to rent it to friends or to people like us, through the Anglophone organization. Here's the good part: €700/month! Our friends have visited the house and say it's perfect for us: it even has an enclosed backyard, perfect for our visiting 2-year old granddaughter. We are really looking forward to being there.

I suspect there are similar organizations in many places. If we decide to do this again in another location, the first thing I would do is try to find one and join it.

John

John

Sent with Sparrow

[Sandy]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.  I did check to make sure my settings didn’t say “no mail”, and they didn’t. 

 

I usually don’t post my own travel tales as we haven’t yet been to Spain.  I usually only post articles I’ve seen that would be of interest and will do that again when I see a good one. 

 

Our last trip, other than week-ends to Chicago and Nashville, where our son and family live, was to Boston and Martha’s Vineyard.  In April, we’re taking our granddaughter to Paris, so not really relevant to a Spain discussion list.  My husband and I would like to go to Spain in the future, though, so in addition to the fact that I enjoy the group, it’s research and inspiration for a future trip. I will try to contribute when it might be of interest.

 

Best,

Sandy

-----------------------------------

[Sandy]

Thanks, everyone, for letting me know that travelspain still exists J  I was beginning to wonder if the list was defunct.

 

Sandy

[Sandy]

Hi John,

My husband and I have always wanted to rent a house in a small village.  The only thing holding us back is that my mother is in poor health, and it’s easier to have to cancel a hotel, if necessary, than a house or apartment rental.  I would love to be able to go to the local markets and pick up cheese, bread, and wine and have a simple meal in our place.  We do sometimes grab a couple of croissants or a sandwich and eat in a park, but that depends on the weather.

 

Sandy

---------------------------------------------

[John Zumsteg]

My favorite lunch in Paris is a sandwich and clafoutie from a boulangerie, eaten while sitting on a bench on the Seine and watching the boats go by… 

John

Sent with Sparrow

--

[Sandy]

Hi John,

That is an incredible deal at only €700 a month and only an hour away from Paris!  I looked at the area, and it looks lovely.

 

Something to keep in mind for other locations, as you say.  Although the wonderful rate you got may not be available for other places, VRBO is a good place to look.

 

www.vrbo.com

 

Sandy

--------------------------------------------------

[Stewart Fishburne]

John

 

Not a part of France I know well, if at all. But it’s hard to find a bad bit! And the price is a steal, it seems to me. I’d keep it quiet. Or at least not let the owner see this thread!

 

I’ll be playing golf in Normandy in mid-May. I’ll raise a glass of red in your direction!

 

Regards

[Sandy]

Hi John,

Sounds good, especially with the view.  We’ll have to do more of that with our granddaughter.  I think she’d enjoy it more than a restaurant meal, as she’s only 6 years old.  Have to admit, I have never tried clafoutie….each time I go into a boulangerie I gravitate to the pain au chocolate J  My favorite is Gerard Mulot near Saint Sulpice.  I like to eat mine, sitting on a bench and looking at the fountain or walking in Jardin du Luxembourg.

 

Sandy

-------------------------------------------

[John Zumsteg]

Someone stop me if the non-Spanish content is inappropriate here! 

We visit Jardin de Luxembourg probably every two or three days when we're in Paris; it is the best place for just sitting and feeling as if we're part of Paris. The first time we went there, we took sandwiches and a bottle of wine, sat on the grass and enjoyed our lunch. Later, we were appalled to learn that in France, one does not sit on the grass!, much less eat on it. Then, even later, we learned that, for some crazy reason, that rule does not apply in Luxembourg Gardens; there, it's okay to sit on the grass (though almost no one does it). So I have no idea whether we committed a faux-pas. We haven't tried that again!

John

John

Sent with Sparrow

--

[Clara HATEM]

Hi John

No worries .. I sat on the grass and ate in Parc Monceau ... I don't think it was a faux-pas either :)

I will be in Paris tomorrow however grass won't be visible... snow will :)

Cheers

Clara

Ps/ i haven't followed the whole thread so not sure how we ended up discussing Paris here lol

Sent from iPhonito

[John Zumsteg]

I saw that it snowed in Paris yesterday! I sent my friends an email asking if they got any where they live, between Melun and Fontainebleau. I'm hoping for a great summer there; last year I understand it was not so good: gray and wet. I can stay home and get gray and wet (I live in Seattle, well-known for wet weather).

John

Sent with Sparrow

[lea...@comcast.net]

hello roger -long time member  first time writing. my sister and brother -in law and i and my wife  are spending oct6-oct 17 in northern spain(segovia,lerma, leon, santander and compostela--what would be your recommendation for cell phone s   -something to call the states and to communicate with each other in case of getting lost--i have been to spain 14 times but always south of madrid so it is unchartered waters for me and my wife---thank a lot
chuck leahan

---

From: "Roger Warwick" <ro...@gomadrid.com>
To: trave...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 10:15:46 AM

Subject: Re: [travelspain] Does travelspain still exist?

[Sandy]

Hi Chuck,

I’m sure Roger has  good recommendations, and we have not yet been to Spain.  However, when we have gone to London, Paris, and Dublin we have gone to a local phone store to pick up an inexpensive phone.  I think it costs us around 50 Euros, and during the week we add about 20 Euros to top it off. That is, for us, the easiest way to be able to keep in touch.  We also use Skype for the webcam. 

 

Sandy

--------------------------------------

[Pete Clark]

Well, that woke everyone up, didn't it!

I am still living in the hills inland from Malaga.

--
Pete Clark

http://www.hotcosta.com
The towns and villages of Spain - and what's happening there

[s.k. diamond]

Hola,   (Por favor, if you answer any of my questions, please write your answers by the questions.  It will be much easier for you.  I appreciate whatever info. you share.)      Yesterday I signed up for travelspain so I'm glad to know it exists.  My husband and I will be going to Spain for the first time on April 5.  He will be working near Madrid for 5 days.  We need to stay in an AC Hotel near Plaza Castilla.  AC Hotels are Marriotts in Spain.  Has anyone stayed at the AC Aitana or the AC Santo Mauro?  If yes, any comments?   I will be on my own while my husband is working.  Do you recommend taking the hop on hop off bus in Madrid?   I took it in Berlin for an overview of the city.  In Geneva, I took a half day guided tour of the city, same in most cities I have been to for the first time.  Any recommendations of tour companies for a half day trip in Madrid?   for  trips in Spain?     What about for overnight trips?  Any comments about the Vietor 4 day trip to Seville, Cordoba and Granada?  I love going to Museums however because of all our business travel the past three years I have been in at least 30 art museums.  Of course I will go to the Prado.   I saw Guernica in the MOMA in NY many years ago.   I remember it vividly.   Also, is there a monument or something to acknowledge the Abraham Lincoln Brigade?  If  you don't know about the ALB, I suggest you google Abraham Lincoln Brigade since it was an extraordinary group of Americans that fought against Franco in the Spanish Civil War?  I met some of these folks who died about 20 years ago.   Any other recommendations of favorite places to visit in Madrid?   Tapas restaurants?    Any comments on  having lunch around 2pm and dinner after 9pm? I hope I haven't asked too many questions in one email.   I hope that some of you will answer a few of them or at least one.   Yo hablo un pequito en espanol.   Can one be o.k. exploring in Madrid without knowing Spanish.   In Paris I spoke French and in Italy I spoke mostly Italian.  In Seoul, Korea in Sept.2011, I had a hard time without speaking Korean.  Even though English is required in Korean schools, most Koreans I tried to speak with in English were too embarrassed to speak with me.   I had a similar experience in Beijing and in Tokyo. I also have several questions about being in Barcelona.  Is it o.k. for me to ask them in another email?   Muchas Gracias for answering at least one of my questions.   I am very excited to have located this googlegroup.   I haven't had this opportunity for any of our travels in the past few years. Ciao,    Susana   --- On Mon, 3/11/13, Sandy <sandy...@mchsi.com> wrote:

Sandy

[Tom Schweich]

So my wife and I are leaving for Spain on Saturday morning to visit our
daughter and family who live in a suburb of Sevilla. We're stopping in
enroute to pick up an 11 y.o. American granddaughter, then going on to
Frankfurt and Malaga. We're flying to Malaga because it seems to be
hard to find good flights into and out of Sevilla these days. We have
plans for short trips to Tavira, Portugal, and Madrid. On the Tavira
trip we'll probably stop in Huelva to see the replicas of Columbus'
ships. We also have a 4-5 day trip to get all the child-age cousins
together in Madrid. Our daughter says the best highway route between
Sevilla and Madrid is north through Merida then turning east. (The AVE
is really expensive for 7 people round-trip.) If anyone has suggestions
for stopping places enroute, I would be interested in hearing them.
While we have plans for a big family day in Segovia, I'd also be
interested in things to do with 8-12 y.o kids in the vicinity of
Sevilla and Madrid, in addition to the usual museums. At the end of
the trip (3 1/2 weeks), we are taking the AVE to Madrid from Sevilla,
having the next full day for sight-seeing in Madrid, then flying home
from there.

Tom

[Tom Schweich]

On 3/11/2013 12:41 PM, s.k. diamond wrote:

Any comments about the Vietor 4 day trip to Seville, Cordoba and Granada?

The day trips from Madrid that stand out for me are to Toledo and to Segovia. You can go via Cercanias (local train).

If I were going back to Granada to see the Alhambra, I would plan for two nights in Granada, so that I could rest, spend as much time as desired in the Alhambra, then have some energy left over for the Albayzín.

Yo hablo un pequito en espanol.   Can one be o.k. exploring in Madrid without knowing Spanish.

Try your Spanish; they'll answer in English.

-- 
Tom Schweich KJ6BIT ta...@schweich.com
http://www.schweich.com
http://twitter.com/schweich

[LesterOR]

Tom,
I've been to lots of roman ruins around the world, and I think my favorites remain those at Merida.  Since the first time I was there in 1981 they have built a beautiful museum to house many of the artifacts.  It's a great stop with kids if driving up that side of Spain to Madrid.
Lester