Comments on: Help a New Solo Traveler on her trip to Spain

By: Hostels Nest Valencia

Hostels Nest Valencia — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:23:26 +0000

Hi Alisha!
I´d also recommend you to stay in hostels whenever you´re in Spain! It´s a lot less expensive as in many countries of Europe, and (at least in the Nest hostels, where I work) it´s worth, you can make a lot of friends – specially in high season!
Wish you all the best!
szilard

By: brian

brian — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:54:00 +0000

@Liz
Agree with everything you say. The market is fantastic. The food there is so colorful and fresh. You can buy items there and cook it yourself.

@Stephen
Pack light is right. If there is nothing else Alisha will take away from this is to not overpack and do not take two carry-ons. I can only imagine the headaches.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:30:23 +0000

Solid advice. Pack light. Pack light. Pack light. And couchsurf!

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:18:41 +0000

Hi Alisha,

Good luck and have fun on your adventure in Spain! Just a few more tips from my many travels there: I'd definitely recommend taking buses between cities. Might take a little longer, but in Spain they are cleaner, cheaper, and more comfortable than trains in my experience. They tend to fill up a bit faster than you would expect, so go to the station and reserve your ticket a day or two before you want to travel. Hostels in San Sebastian fill up quite quickly in the summer season, but it's a wonderful town worth the visit. I used the hostelworld website to book my hostel (Kaixo Backpackers) last time I visited. For saving cash on food, be sure to eat lots of tapas – know as pintxos in San Sebastian. Plenty of delicious little bites means you never need to have a sit-down dinner. Often, in the evenings there you will find people handing out fliers for bars, often promising your first drink for free, or buy one get one free. In Barcelona, avoid eating anywhere on Las Ramblas (way over-priced) with one big exception – the Boqueria market. Outstanding covered food market when you can put together a great picnic lunch of fruit, fresh salads and made-to-order tapas.

By: brian

brian — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:54:59 +0000

@QLittle*
I stressed the fact about pickpockets, especially in Barcelona. I like the backpack just for that reason, to keep your hands free.

@Adam
I stayed in the Barcelona Mar hostel right off of Las Ramblas. Decent place, free breakfast, centrally located.

@Jade
Alisha, Jade agrees. Backpack!

@Suzanne
So the airlines are forcing you to take ONE carry-on or you're going to be paying a surcharge. Thanks Suzanne.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:28:33 +0000

I live in Barcelona. Ok first up. Traveling BCN-Madrid pr vice versa via train is hugely expensive now that the route is only serviced by the AVE (a high-speed train). Try booking ahead (www.renfe.es) for good deals or instead book a flight with http://www.vueling.com,but sooner the better (they have a 'sale' on now). Only bring one carry on! European flights will only let you take ONE carry on on these days, unless you want to pay an extra and hefty fee. There's only bus connections between Madrid/BCN and San Sebastian but they are cheap and you can get a ticket when here.
oh yes, and do be aware of pickpockets. Have fun!

By: Jade

Jade — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:18:39 +0000

I completely agree with the backpack idea and also bringing a smaller bag that can fold up inside your backpack but if you buy things, food, or whatever you have the option for more storage. Good luck, have fun- I loved Spain, esp. Madrid.

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:10:56 +0000

One of the best hostels I stayed in was in Spain. It was in Barcelona (sorry, I don't remember the name!) and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Definitely stay in a hostel in Spain.

Also, take the trains to get from city to city. They're efficient. On my train from Madrid to Barcelona I met a very large Italian family (there must have been 15 of them) who I chatted with on the ride up. When I ran into them outside of Casa Mila we got to catch up on our visits so far.

Other suggestion would be to just hang out in some of the plazas - maybe drinking a beer, or if you make a friend, share a paella. Delicious!

By: QLittle*

QLittle* — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:08:19 +0000

I also have a daypack that I use as my purse that never leaves my body. In it I keep, my travel documents, money, my camera and my inexpensive jewelry. If my backpack is stolen, I can still carry on with my trip having a great time.
Also, join couchsurfing.org, hopitalityclub.org and virtualtourist.com. Even if you don't do a homestay, many people will show you around their city or meet for a meal and offer some cultural exchange. I know I will do more when I am with someone, so I arrange to meet someone so I get first hand knowledge from someone who knows the area.

By: QLittle*

QLittle* — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:01:31 +0000

Hi Alisha
IXNAY the 2 bags. I lived a comedy sketch with all the things I attempted to bring on my round the world trip. I ended up sending 5 boxes from my first destination. A year later and I really only wore a couple of outfits and one pair of shoes. With a backpack, everything is easy on and easy off, especially on the trains. Another word: pickpockets! A friend that had too much baggage had a young woman snatch her watch, she turned around and waved it at her knowing my friend would not leave her bags to chase her. You want to be able to be agile and quick and with a backpack, it moves with your body.