An October 2005 trip to Spain by islandgirl83
Quote: I traveled for the first time on my own around the country of Spain by train. I visited seven destinations in Spain, including: Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, and Valencia. I did this trip over the course of 3 weeks, staying in youth hostels and cheap hotels.
Overview
Hotel
Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 3, 2005
Hostel New York Calle d'en Gignas 6 Barcelona, Spain +34 93 315 03 04
Hotel | "Lolo Urban House- Enjoy San Sebastian"
Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 3, 2005
Lolo Urban House Boulevard 26 San Sebastian, Spain +34 943428154
This hostel was OK. It was pretty clean, but there weren't enough lockers for the amount of people staying in the hostel. The area was a cool area, though. Kind of arty, right close to the gay district. Not far from the major shopping area, and not far from the Puerto del Sol, where there's tons of things to do. I was booked for a four-bed, but was put in a six-bed. But I think it was better that way, because I saw the four-bed rooms and they're very cramped. The six-bed is more spacious and I got to meet a lot of people.
It is an OK place. The staff are friendly and helpful, so that was great (except for the cleaning lady who kicks you out at midday)!
Member Rating 2 out of 5 on November 3, 2005
Barbieri International Hostel Calle de Barbieri 15 Madrid, Spain 2800 +34 91 531 0258
I didn't stay here, but a friend of mine did, and I went to visit his place and it seemed so much nicer than the place I was staying! It was clean...it had a bar and common area and serves all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). I think from what I saw and what my friend told me that this place is a great place to stay in Madrid. Only down side is it's a little further from all the sights, but I think everything makes up for that.
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 3, 2005
Mad Hostel 24 De la Cabeza St Madrid, Spain 28012 +34 (91) 506 48 40
Hotel | "Albergue Juvenil Cordoba"
Albergue Juvenil de Cordoba Pza. Judá Leví Cordoba, Spain 957 290166
Hostal Buen Dormir Calle Farnesio 8 Seville, Spain +34 95 421 74 92
Funky Backpackers Hostel Cuesta de Rodrigo del Campo, 13 Granada, Spain +34 958221462
Home Youth Hostel C. Lonja 4 Valencia, Spain
Attraction | "Museu Picasso"
Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) Montcada, 15-19 Barcelona, Spain 08003 +34 93 3196310
Attraction | "Surfing San Sebastian!"
Surfing (General) San Sebastian, Spain
Attraction | "Parc Guell"
Park Guell Montana Pelada, Gracia District Barcelona, Catalonia
Attraction | "Old town San Sebastian"
I went to a bar called Zebibo Bar (Plaza Sarriegi 8), which has really good sangria and good music (hip-hop and dance-hall reggae). It has a good vibe, but doesn't pick up until after midnight (as all bars do in San Sebastian).
I also went to Mendaur (St Fermin Calbeton), which has a dance floor and plays house music. Then I went to Amabost Rock Bar, but I don't have many memories of what the place was like, as I was pretty drunk by this point! Hehe...
Zebibo Bar & Mendaur Old Town around Plaza Constitucion San Sebastian, Spain
Attraction
Dancing Madrid Puerto del Sol Madrid, Spain
Attraction | "La Carboneria"
Carbonería Levíes, 18 Sevilla, Spain 41004 +34 95 4214460
Attraction | "Radio City"
On Tuesday nights, there are flamenco shows. If you are staying at the Home Youth Hostel, you can get coupons for free drinks. Monday nights, the youth hostel throws a party there. When I went Tuesday night, the place was packed with not only tourists but locals as well.
The flamenco dancer was a guy... first time for me to see a male flamenco dancer. The energy of the place was charged as the show went on. There were several encores, and at the very end, four other men came on stage and performed flamenco. After the show was done, these four men continued to show off their skills on the dance floor. Then they played reggae and people continued to dance.
Radio City Bar Santa Teresa, 19 Valencia, Spain 46001 +34 96 392 2061
This is a lookout point that will leave you in awe. Just getting there is an adventure in itself, climbing up the steep, narrow, winding cobblestone streets that go up the hillside clustered with small white buildings. When you get up there, not only can you see the whole of Granada, but the mountains encircling it and the valley, and on the other side, the Alhambra. It's breathtaking.
Tip: for the Alhambra, you need to book in advance - at least a day. So buy a ticket for the following day so you can get in!
Mirador San Nicolas Near Cjon San Cecilio Granada, Spain
Attraction | "Ciudad de las Ciencias"
The most amazing thing about the Ciudad de las Ciencias is the architecture. After passing the Palau Musica you get to the new opera house, which is yet to be opened to the public. Its futuristic design is amazing. It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Then there is the Imax theater, the Science Museum, and the oceanography building, all of which are incredibly designed architecturally. I would say if you don't want to spend a lot of money, the building that is most worth visiting would be the oceanography building where they have a large aquarium and an Antarctica exhibit. Also, you must try the horchata stands... this is a drink that looks like milk, but is much sweeter and made from some kind of bean. Delicious!
City of Arts and Sciences Avenida Instituto Obrero de Valencia, s/n Valencia, Spain 46013 +34 902 100031
islandgirl83 Smith's, Bermuda