One Man Trip To Madrid (1 Viewer)

[John Bender]

Since this is a spur of the moment decision, I can plan this trip for later in the year if you all think it's beneficial to do so.

I have 3 damn weddings in October to attend, 1 as best man, 1 as a groomsman, 1 in Atlanta, 1 in Rhode Island, 1 in Los Angeles... I need to get the travelling well out of my system before then because October is going to suck more than anything that has ever sucked before.

 

[jamny]

Since this is a spur of the moment decision, I can plan this trip for later in the year if you all think it's beneficial to do so.I have 3 damn weddings in October to attend, 1 as best man, 1 as a groomsman, 1 in Atlanta, 1 in Rhode Island, 1 in Los Angeles... I need to get the travelling well out of my system before then because October is going to suck more than anything that has ever sucked before.

Oh, c'mon. You can't go changing the specs now!If weather isn't an issue? yes, Amsterdam.

 

[rail]

Man if only I had done stuff like this when I was younger, single.

ETA - on that note, screw the damn weather. Go where you think you'll have the best time, potentially hook-up with the hottest chicks. One day, when you're a bored, married, old man, you'll have awesome memories of that one time you went to Amsterdam, got high, and nailed several different Danish/Swedish/Nordic women.

Enjoy.

 

[bierfiend]

Since this is a spur of the moment decision, I can plan this trip for later in the year if you all think it's beneficial to do so.

i did a 4 week trip to germany, switzerland, and austria in march/april of 99. we got some snow and rain, but we were in the mountains. i have no problem with it (and happen to love snow), but understand that others may be looking for something else. if you are in a larger city, i would not let weather hold you back...plenty of indoor stimulation (museums, restaurants, bars, bier gartens, etc). if i were in paris and got some snow or rain, no big deal. if i were in any wine country or the south of france and got either i would be a bit disappointed.

 

[John Bender]

I guess the thing holding me up about just booking the Madrid trip right now is that it's right in the middle of the country. Doesn't look like if I get restless, it'll be very easy to just travel to another city.

And that may be swaying my decision a bit.

 

[bierfiend]

I guess the thing holding me up about just booking the Madrid trip right now is that it's right in the middle of the country. Doesn't look like if I get restless, it'll be very easy to just travel to another city. And that may be swaying my decision a bit.

how about making a list of your top 4 spots and do some staunch research on them? also, if you decide to go somewhere other than spain, just grab some language cd's or an intro text book for that country. you have a couple of months to learn some basics, and a decent flight (and possibly train rides).less worry...more excitement!

 

[John Bender]

I understand the urging of Amsterdam but it's really not my scene. I have no interest in smoking ganja.

I'm looking for more of a cultural experience

I guess top 4 would be

Madrid

Paris

Ireland/Wales

Rome

 

[tommyboy]

i would go to amsterdam

 

[Slapdash]

I guess the thing holding me up about just booking the Madrid trip right now is that it's right in the middle of the country. Doesn't look like if I get restless, it'll be very easy to just travel to another city. And that may be swaying my decision a bit.

This shouldn't really be a concern. Trains are very convient in Spain (Renfe is the company). There are high speed lines between Madrid and other large cities. Also, there are several very worthy smaller cities nearby like Toledo, Segovia, Valladolid, and Salamanca you could visit.

 

[wikkidpissah]

I understand the urging of Amsterdam but it's really not my scene. I have no interest in smoking ganja. I'm looking for more of a cultural experienceI guess top 4 would beMadridParisIreland/WalesRome

There are 2 Europes - the Pieta, Chartres, Mont Blanc, Parthenon, Prado, Danube, Stonehenge, Bordeaux & Kremlin Europe and the Irish pub, Greek ferry, Italian parade, Turkish gypsy camp, Balkan nudist colony, Portuguese Lentan celebration, Swiss skilodge party, Spanish village fiesta, French cafe Europe. I've crossed the pond 20+ times and i remember the 2nd Europe a LOT more and more fondly. I've had fistfights over backgammon games where the vanquished fed/drank me for several days afterward culminating in his taverna actually crowning me king of their little island, sung Brahms Lullaby to a naked German girl on a Greek beach, cried watching Pirandello performed in his hometown in a language i dont understand etc etc etc and it's much more of a consolation in my old age than the rock&roll wastoso stories i tell around here. I get cards & letters from Marseille, Bremen, Nafplion, Killybegs, Dubrovnik, Sciacca, Lagos from people i havent seen in 20+ yrs. That first Europe is wonderful and one cant help but find it, but 90% of Yank tourists never see that 2nd Europe and i implore you, Bender - if youre young and set enough to go over there regularly, find the Europe of which i speak and Mille gracie me when youre my age. nufced

 

[otb_lifer]

There are 2 Europes - the Pieta, Chartres, Mont Blanc, Parthenon, Prado, Danube, Stonehenge, Bordeaux & Kremlin Europe and the Irish pub, Greek ferry, Italian parade, Turkish gypsy camp, Balkan nudist colony, Portuguese Lentan celebration, Swiss skilodge party, Spanish village fiesta, French cafe Europe. I've crossed the pond 20+ times and i remember the 2nd Europe a LOT more and more fondly. I've had fistfights over backgammon games where the vanquished fed/drank me for several days afterward culminating in his taverna actually crowning me king of their little island, sung Brahms Lullaby to a naked German girl on a Greek beach, cried watching Pirandello performed in his hometown in a language i dont understand etc etc etc and it's much more of a consolation in my old age than the rock&roll wastoso stories i tell around here. I get cards & letters from Marseille, Bremen, Nafplion, Killybegs, Dubrovnik, Sciacca, Lagos from people i havent seen in 20+ yrs. That first Europe is wonderful and one cant help but find it, but 90% of Yank tourists never see that 2nd Europe and i implore you, Bender - if youre young and set enough to go over there regularly, find the Europe of which i speak and Mille gracie me when youre my age. nufced

Wisdom spilling from every word. Fantastic post ... more excellence in that paragraph than any freakin' 200 page travel guide.

 

[jamny]

There are 2 Europes - the Pieta, Chartres, Mont Blanc, Parthenon, Prado, Danube, Stonehenge, Bordeaux & Kremlin Europe and the Irish pub, Greek ferry, Italian parade, Turkish gypsy camp, Balkan nudist colony, Portuguese Lentan celebration, Swiss skilodge party, Spanish village fiesta, French cafe Europe. I've crossed the pond 20+ times and i remember the 2nd Europe a LOT more and more fondly. I've had fistfights over backgammon games where the vanquished fed/drank me for several days afterward culminating in his taverna actually crowning me king of their little island, sung Brahms Lullaby to a naked German girl on a Greek beach, cried watching Pirandello performed in his hometown in a language i dont understand etc etc etc and it's much more of a consolation in my old age than the rock&roll wastoso stories i tell around here. I get cards & letters from Marseille, Bremen, Nafplion, Killybegs, Dubrovnik, Sciacca, Lagos from people i havent seen in 20+ yrs. That first Europe is wonderful and one cant help but find it, but 90% of Yank tourists never see that 2nd Europe and i implore you, Bender - if youre young and set enough to go over there regularly, find the Europe of which i speak and Mille gracie me when youre my age. nufced

Wisdom spilling from every word. Fantastic post ... more excellence in that paragraph than any freakin' 200 page travel guide.

We just spent a long New Years weekend in Rome, our third time there. I did something similar to what we did in Paris on my wifes 40th birthday. I just learned the map of the city and as much of the language as I could and we just walked the streets. Nothing planned, not many pics and barely looked at the map. Just got lost in the city.

 

[pittstownkiller]

Amsterdam. Gotta be the best place possible for a guy on his own in Europe.

Out of the many places I've been in Europe, I found Amsterdam a little boring; I did like Heineken's in country brand though.

 

[jamny]

Amsterdam. Gotta be the best place possible for a guy on his own in Europe.

Out of the many places I've been in Europe, I found Amsterdam a little boring; I did like Heineken's in country brand though.

I've never liked Heineken, always found it to be too bitter, but loved it in Amsterdam.

 

[bierfiend]

I understand the urging of Amsterdam but it's really not my scene. I have no interest in smoking ganja. I'm looking for more of a cultural experienceI guess top 4 would beMadridParisIreland/WalesRome

There are 2 Europes - the Pieta, Chartres, Mont Blanc, Parthenon, Prado, Danube, Stonehenge, Bordeaux & Kremlin Europe and the Irish pub, Greek ferry, Italian parade, Turkish gypsy camp, Balkan nudist colony, Portuguese Lentan celebration, Swiss skilodge party, Spanish village fiesta, French cafe Europe. I've crossed the pond 20+ times and i remember the 2nd Europe a LOT more and more fondly. I've had fistfights over backgammon games where the vanquished fed/drank me for several days afterward culminating in his taverna actually crowning me king of their little island, sung Brahms Lullaby to a naked German girl on a Greek beach, cried watching Pirandello performed in his hometown in a language i dont understand etc etc etc and it's much more of a consolation in my old age than the rock&roll wastoso stories i tell around here. I get cards & letters from Marseille, Bremen, Nafplion, Killybegs, Dubrovnik, Sciacca, Lagos from people i havent seen in 20+ yrs. That first Europe is wonderful and one cant help but find it, but 90% of Yank tourists never see that 2nd Europe and i implore you, Bender - if youre young and set enough to go over there regularly, find the Europe of which i speak and Mille gracie me when youre my age. nufced

absolutely! best memories are of the little out of the way places vs big draws. will say that it is worthwhile hitting some sights, but living in the moment heightens the experience.

 

[Major]

Amsterdam. Gotta be the best place possible for a guy on his own in Europe.

Out of the many places I've been in Europe, I found Amsterdam a little boring; I did like Heineken's in country brand though.

I've never liked Heineken, always found it to be too bitter, but loved it in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a great city and much more than just weed shops. Bender, if you're only gone 7-10 days, I'd probably just hit Paris and Amsterdam or Paris and Barcelona. Both not that far from each other. Or just go somewhere awesome like Instanbul and get your Islam on.

 

[John Bender]

Ok - I have enough Amex points to stay at quite a few hotels for free...

Looking at the Axor Barajas which gets good reviews on trip advisor.

It's also just me - I don't need anything too fancy, I'll be spending most of time out and about.

I need everything you've got on Madrid at this point. I'm looking at the week of June 16th.

Flights look to be around $1300.00 from Philadelphia.

Let's say I'm staying 6 days, 7 nights. Give me all you got.

What to do, what to see, where to eat, what to drink, etc etc.

Rent a car? I'm inclined to just cab it around.

Is going alone just a terrible idea? I like being on my own schedule, I speak spanish fluently....but friends of mine were worried it might get a little depressing being there alone.

How much cash to bring with me? / I have an Amex and Visa as well - do I need to let them know ahead of time I'll be in Spain so they aren't calling me re: fraudulent charges?

Complete Europe novice here. Thanks.

 

[McGarnicle]

That fruity Rick Steves on PBS does a really good job giving you tips on what to check out that is away from the touristy areas. Try to find his Madrid shows online, I guarantee they will be insightful.

As for going alone, only you can say if it will suck or not. Some people get depressed by themselves, others relish those times. My advice would be to stay busy and see as much as you can soak in, and obviously try to hook up with some Spanish chicks.

 

[Slapdash]

Ok - I have enough Amex points to stay at quite a few hotels for free...

Looking at the Axor Barajas which gets good reviews on trip advisor.

It's also just me - I don't need anything too fancy, I'll be spending most of time out and about.

I need everything you've got on Madrid at this point. I'm looking at the week of June 16th.

Flights look to be around $1300.00 from Philadelphia.

Let's say I'm staying 6 days, 7 nights. Give me all you got.

What to do, what to see, where to eat, what to drink, etc etc.

Rent a car? I'm inclined to just cab it around.

Is going alone just a terrible idea? I like being on my own schedule, I speak spanish fluently....but friends of mine were worried it might get a little depressing being there alone.

How much cash to bring with me? / I have an Amex and Visa as well - do I need to let them know ahead of time I'll be in Spain so they aren't calling me re: fraudulent charges?

Complete Europe novice here. Thanks.

I don't see any reason to rent a car. Yes, you should call ahead of time. Yes, you should get drunk munchies at San Gines. That hotel looks a little out of the way IMO.

I did some traveling around Spain alone, but I stayed in hostels. There were always other Americans or English speaking people down to go party on the town.

:jealous:

 

[Rick James]

Bender, how was your trip? I'm going to Madrid in two weeks.

 

[Rick James]

Bump for bender