Spain 2010Guidebook corrections:Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.  I do have an older (2006) edition so this may have been addressed already but under Practicalities, it says that you just need a passport, but actually that passport has to be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay for non-Europeans. I know people who have been tripped up by this becausetheir passports expiring less than three month after their stay in Spain. Pat Rathbun USA 11/20/2009 You probably know this, but Mercado del San Miguel in Madrid has indeed reopened (we were there in September 2009) and is a fantastic place to graze for lunch. Gorgeous sandwiches and desserts, excellent cheeses, and a spotlessly clean ambiance. Nancy Zeilig in Denver, CO USA 11/14/2009 Spain 2009, page 428, Olive Oil Tour: For the morning tour, lunch is optional. The site is very historic, featuring some beautifully preserved 15th century pressing equipment -- no longer in use! Presentation was very well done. Nancy in San Carlos, CA USA 11/06/2009 p 342 Paseo del Arte combo-ticket now 17.60 Euros; p 343, 354 and 355 regular admission price now 8 Euros Wendy in Washington , DC USA 11/04/2009 Spain 2009, page 375 says for arriving in Segovia by car to see route tips on page 358. I think you mean page 385. Sharon in Anaheim, CA United States 10/28/2009 Yes. Kay Kershaw in Portland, OR USA 10/26/2009 Guidebook was excellent, especially helpful for transportation decisions we made. George in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/10/2009 To get to Toledo by bus one now has to go to the bus station above Metro Plaza Eliptica about 4 stops east of Mendes Alvaro on the same grey-6 line. You buy your ticket at a somewhat obscure window on level 1 (just out of the Metro) and then the bus stop is situated at Anden #7 on level 1 - two floors above Susan Sulic in Vancouver, BC Canada 10/07/2009 No Jean Brubeck in Santa Cruz, CA USA 10/06/2009 To save you some frustation do not plan to pay anywhere close to Rick's estimates on Taxi's. In each city costs were about double the estimate. Also do not let a hotel call a Taxi for you. Go to the street and hail one. They will tack on a 6.00 Euro charge for the door to door delivery. Hank Smalling in Aiken, SC USA 10/06/2009 2010 Spain guidebook page 457 for Arrival in Granada section. The book say to catch bus #3 through #9 to get to the cathedral needs to be corrected. I took this advice and hopped on bus #5 and it does not go to the cathedral, I had to eventually hike the trip up the hill. Nick in Everett, WA USA 10/04/2009 Barcelona- Chocolate shop Fargas is closed on the "Sweet Tour." Picasso Museum entrance on Sept 24 Holiday was FREE. MA NY USA 09/25/2009 Yes, the Ingleterra hotel recommendation for Granada was a disappointment. The main desk was not manned continually, the attendants often returned from outside the hotel, the keys were accessible in cubbyholes to anyone who wandered in, and we lost more than 100 English pounds which were well concealed within two packages and placed in a closed suitcase. They were in our room in the morning but not when we returned that afternoon. No resolution or response yet from the hotel. They were the only ones to require pre-payment, and they this local branch did not respond to our e-mail request for confirmation. In addition, you recommended walking through the Arab area to enjoy seeing the Alhambra from a distance, at night. That did not appear to be a safe or inviting area, and I would not have liked anyone to have acted on that recommendation without accessing the area in daylight, at least. In addition, the info. about the hotel at the foot of the Arab baths needed updating. They no longer serve dinner and are located so far out of town that they would not serve the typical Steves' backpacker. You'd need a car. Put stress on negotiating on the mountain roads. Many of the entrance fees were out of date. This book needs some editing. Mary in New Haven, CT USA 09/19/2009 Barcelona - directions to Parc Güell from Lesseps subway station to Bus #24 stop are very confusing. The subway exit has been redesigned. Simpler to exit and stay to the right and catch the #24 at Verdi. Craig Sale in Brookfield, IL USA 09/08/2009 Tapasbar Maremagnum commented on in the "Out to Sea, at the bottom of the Ramblas" portion of Barcelona is closed permanently Mila Felder in Chicago, IL USA 08/20/2009 Hotel El Bandolero is not in Vejer as noted on pg.576; Josip from Hotel La Botica de Vejer was very disappointing (I will spare you my tale of woe), his behavior was frankly dishonest. I would think twice about continuing to recommend him. Steve Richards, M.D. in Spokane, WA USA 08/17/2009 Hotel El Bandolero is not in Vejer as noted on pg.576; Josip from Hotel La Botica de Vejer was very disappointing (I will spare you my tale of woe), his behavior was frankly dishonest. I would think twice about continuing to recommend him. Steve Richards, M.D. in Spokane, WA USA 08/17/2009 Nope Daphne Weaver in Bremerton, WA USA 08/03/2009 1. On page 355, the Casa Toni is closed. 2. Please note that the Giralda Tower (climb) on page 485 closes at 16:30. Bryan in Seattle, WA USA 08/01/2009 I went to the Palacio Real in Madrid today. I used the self-guided tour in the 2009 Spain book. There is a room out of order. The China room is after the Silver room, and you don´t get to the Strativarius room until after the Chapel, which as you mentioned is closed for renovation this year. Ann Rupley in Woodinville, WA USA 07/23/2009 Suggestions Carmen in Los Angeles, CA USA 07/15/2009 Yes - you need to mention (snd maybe you do and we didn't see it) that seniors over 65 should always ask at museums if there is a special admission fee for seniors. We got a reduced fee many times and even got in free at a couple of museums. William Campbell in Ottawa, ON Canada 07/10/2009 The 2009 Spain Guidebook states that the cost of the AeroCity shuttle bus in Madrid from the airport to downtown is E19 for up to three people with one piece of luggage and one carry on/person. This was not the case. We were charged E45 for the trip on 05/21/09. We took a cab back to the airport from the downtown hotel and the cost was only E18 total before tip(a much better deal). Jed in Denver, Co USA 06/10/2009 South and west entrances to the Prado in Madrid were limited to people who purchased tickets ahead of time. We stood in line for about 45 minutes; if you want to skip this suggest reserving ahead of time. Russ Lorber in Westminster, MD USA 06/06/2009 The airport bus to/from San Sebastian Airport to San Sebastian only runs about once an hour on Saturdays and Sundays - not every 12 minutes as stated in the book. Also mention that the air conditioning doesn't come on at the Hotel Europa in Madrid until May 1st. spainfan in Washington, DC USA 05/08/2009 Purchasing Alhambra tickets on line can take you in circles and some parts are only in Spanish. And the directions for using pre-purchased tickets to the palace did not correspond to our experience. In general the directions provided by the ticket booth entrance were either lacking or confusing. Plan to ask a lot of questions. Gerald L. Rose in Iowa City, IA USA 04/30/2009 You book advises people to not drive to the Alhambra. When in fact it is a very easy drive and well signed from the road around Granada. (The circumnavigation?) The signs use standard roads outside the city to deliver you to the Alhambra parking. There was also sufficient parking. We almost did not go because of your book but a local explained the easy way. Please update your book. Bill in Williston, VT USA 04/27/2009 I tried to email dttanger@menara.com for a tour of Tangier and it bounced back. I can't find enough information in your book to search for this service in another way. Marilyn Lading in Chicago, IL USA 04/19/2009 The buses from Madrid to Toledo do not leave from Estacion Sur de Autobuses as of Oct. 15, 2008, but now leave from Plaza de Elliptica (a few stops away on the subway line 6) Pete in Boston, MA USA 03/31/2009 Most attractions/transport/restaurants in Barcelona have raised their ticket prices about 10% above the levels stated in your 2009 book, making the expense even more crushing! Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/31/2009 Rick, the guidebook and the Spanish dictionary leave out the most important word in southern Spain - ASEOS Note: the admission to the Alcazar in Seville is free for those over 65. Marvin Schwalb in Livingston, NJ USA 03/26/2009 Taxi from Toledo to train station was closer to 6 euros than 4, and the walk, which is said to take a half hour and be ugly, was only ugly for five minutes and took only ten. Steve in Princeton, NJ USA 03/24/2009 Just a quick correction about the website for Hostal Las Vegass Centro in Salamanca: The correct address is www.lasvegascentro.net (The book says www.lasvegascentro.com). Ang in Brooklyn, NY USA 03/14/2009 Jerez - The map of Jerez indicated that el Cortes Ingles department store is in a building right next to the train station. It's not there - there is only a Cortes Ingles Travel Agency (not the department store). The rest of the building is a grocery store and then all apartments. David in Rockville, MD USA 03/09/2009 Yes. The internet cafe located in the Ramblas, that is listed in the Spain 2009 guidebook is no longer open. There is a a location called Locutorio Internet that has excellent rates for internet use and it is open 24 hours.It is located on the Ramblas, 88-94 08002 Barcelona. navegaweb_bcn@hotmail.com( Hostal Neutral told us to go to the internet cafe located 3 blocks from their place and this is the place that is closed.I assume this is the same one mentioned in the 2009 Spain guidebook). 30 min= 1 euro, 45 min. =1.50 euro, 1 hr=2 euro,2 hrs. = 3.50 euro, 5 hrs.=7.50 euro. The front of this internet facility says something about computers and there is also an arcade with video games, etc. Dina in Seattle, WA USA 03/08/2009 Continental buses to Toledo leave from Plaza Eliptica bus station!!! They now cost 4.67 euros each way. Metrobus 10 ride ticket in Madrid up to 7.40 euros. Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 03/06/2009 Many of the prices were off! I was very disappointed as some were off by a couple of euros and I was traveling in a family of 4, so it adds up. Almost all the hotel accommodations were off by at least 5 euros if not more. To name some: BARCELONA -T10 card is 7.20, not 7 -Sardana Dances did not happen -Sagrada Familia is 9 euros, not 8 MADRID -Taberna Casa Patas was 31 euros on a Monday, not 28 -Terrible directions for Giangrossi Helado Artesanal -AeroCity minibus wanted to charge me 47 euros to get to the city, not 19 euros. ended up taking a taxi SEVILLA -Museo de Bellas Artes was NOT free, 1.50 euros to get in! -Casa de la Memoria de Al-Andalus was 14 euros, not 13 Jennifer Chen in Fremont, CA USA 01/03/2009 Enaxebre restaurant in Santiago de Compostela was described as offering an easy-going tavern vibe and lower prices - at least in the 2007 book. That was not the case in late-December 2008, as the place seemed to fit the description for the stuffier, pricier Libredon restaurant much more closely. And we checked the sign for the place several times to make sure we were in the right place. So we chose not to eat there. Jon Strebler in Chula Vista, CA USA 01/03/2009 Spain 2009 Just wanted you to know Hotel Gran Via, Barcelona is not honoring your quoted rates of 130 (DB) with guidebook. Contacted Joe Luis Garica Picazo twice by email and he quotes 133.75 Euro/nite and 11.77 for breakfast.. even though I informed him of your name and guidebook agreement. Thanks Pat Pat Krantz in Black Mountain, NC USA 12/21/2008 Getting from the Airport to downtown: All bets seem to be off on Sundays. While you recommend the AeroCity shuttle as cheaper than a taxi, with no surcharge for luggage, this is not what I was told at their airport desk for my Sunday 2008 arrival. They quoted a price of E42, while a taxi was a relative bargain at E25. There still seems to be a feeling that they should not be working at all on Sundays, so are doing you a big favor to take you then, and you can expect to pay considerably more. George M in Lakewood, WA USA 11/25/2008 Opening/closing hours and prices were different than stated but I would expect that. C Rathfon in Oakland, CA USA 11/04/2008 Yes. website for hotelanacapri does not work. Keep getting the Pop message. Cheryl Magnuson-Giese in Mendota Hts, MN USA 10/27/2008 Madrid: Julia’s guide to El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen was weak. In Seville, we sought out the recommended Concepcion Delgado tour. Her colleague Alphonso gave the tour. He was very good. Toledo: Consider improving the directions from the Toledo train station to the bus to the town. Exiting the station, go straight to the street, turn right and walk to the bus stop Granada: the Cicerone walking tours do not meet at Plaza de Carmen. They meet at Plaza Bib-Rambla. Tickets can be bought at the Cicerone kiosk at the Plaza.
Mike Soltis in Ridgefield, CT USA 09/20/2008 Hotel Los Tilos Granada, Spain is no longer including free breakfast with the 2008 RS Book. We made reservations via email and received a confirmation that stated free breakfast was included. At check out we were advised this was a mistake, but the hotel would make an exception in our specific case. Everything else as in guidebook. Lots of construction (underground pipe being installed/ looks like water or sewer pipe) in atreets/squares around hotel. Tim English in Atlanta, GA USA 08/12/2008 1. Madrid: The Royal Palace Sunday summer hours are 9 am-3 pm, not 4 as stated. We missed seeing it as we arrived at 3:20! 2. Tarifa: Hostal Alborada had a tour to Morocco only, not individual tickets. 3. Seville: El Faro de Triana restaurant was awful. Pushy and overpriced, and the view wasn't that amazing. 4. Roundtrip tickets to Morocco were 70 euros. 5. Morooco: The section on Tangier needs a lot of work. We went off on our own, and weren't accosted too many times. But the maps are very confusing. Asking for directions was tough because no one knew the names in English. I would recommend an Arabic translation on the following page for some of the major streets. The port is more than a 15 minute walk from town. We couldn't even find the TI when we asked for directions multiple times. We couldn't find La Saveur Medeterranee restaurant following the book's instructions. Hard to find a safe looking place to eat; we didn't want to eat the junk along the beach as suggested. El Minzah Hotel has a beautiful garden by the pool, but the drinks are 4 euros and snacks 10. Their restaurant is 18 euros and up. Jennifer in Boston, MA USA 08/07/2008 Barcelona, Montserrat: You did not give clear directions how to find the FGC La Molina Office to buy the Trans Montserrat Pass. (It wasn't on the map on page 90.) I would suggest either don't give directions (we had to ask, after only getting to Placa Cataluya with your directions) or have the next guidebook researcher clarify them. Even adding the cardinal directions (I think SE section of the Placa, but don't quote me!) would help. Secondly, the Trans Montserrat pass DOES NOT COVER the cable car! If you get off at that first rail stop, thinking it does cover the cable car, you'll either need to buy a separate ticket for the cable car, or wait about an hour for the next train that will take you to the second stop to catch the train that will take you up to Montserrat. By the way, the whole trip, starting out at Placa Catalunya and getting up to the Monastery, will take a good hour and 15 minutes to 90 minutes, so don't plan on a quick 45 minute trip, as the guidebook states. Our agent at the FGC offices seemed to think the cable car was covered, as well. I'm wondering if your researchers have actually taken this trip , or they are just getting the info from the TI or FGC office. We filed a complaint with FGC and have heard back from them acknowledging, more or less, the misinformation, but we really hope you make this correction in the guidebook. If you are taking a train from Barcelona to France: We bought our tickets right at Estacio de Franca, and they will only sell tickets as far as Montpellier. We asked (in Spanish, my husband's first language) and were told that they cannot sell tickets all the way to Arles, our final destination. Montpellier is as far as the Spanish trains will go and sell tickets for. Then you must catch a French trian to Arles. (This is correctly stated in your French guidebook.) Perhaps most importantly, the train from Barcelona will NEVER stop at Passeig de Gracia, as I read somewhere in the guidebook. Luckily, we assumed that info was false and just took the metro to Barceloneta and walked over to Estacio de Franca to catch the train. Sheila in Albuquerque, NM USA 07/14/2008 We were not able to find La Pallaresa Granja-Xocolateria in Barcelona. Also the directions to Cafe La Colonial were unclear and we ended up having a confusing time at Rodilla Restaurant in Segovia. Linda Cramb in Jaffrey, NH USA 07/08/2008 Correct e-mail address for Hotel Atlantis in Barcelona (page 81) is inf@hotelatlantis-bcn.com Natalie in Vancouver, BC Canada 07/04/2008 Madrid: I couldn't find the cable car, does it still exist?
Madrid: Julia Travel tours have changed. No floodlit tour now (check their website.) Gibraltar: You state that private cars cannot drive to the upper rock - not true! I did. I wished I hadn't, but I did. I couldn't find the parking you mentioned in La Linea, and I was at the border before I knew it. Then in Gibraltar, I couldn't find a place to park so I just kept going - first to Europa point, and then eventually I saw a sign to the upper rock. Language: This is more of a correction to your Spanish phrasebook; everywhere mushrooms are called champinions (like the French); sandwiches are "sandwiches" often, bocadillas seems to mean sandwich on a subway-type bun, rather than bread. David Truman in Langley, BC Canada 06/21/2008 Segovia-- there are now lockers to stow your luggage at the bus station in Segovia. Very handy for a day trip. Stephanie Kosel in Ann Arbor , MI USA 06/15/2008 Prices have all gone up from listings in Spain 2008. Along with the low value of the US dollar museums are expensive - select what you really want to see! Sally Hirschheim in Baton Rouge, LA USA 06/13/2008 It would be helpful to emphasize the decreasing value of the dollar. Everything is very expensive and nobody wants to take US dollars. Marcia, Jaime, and Two Children in Rochester, NY USA 06/07/2008 Toledo: The El Greco collection that had been shifted from Museo El Greco (undergoing renovation) to Museo Victorio Macho nearby is now on display in Valencia and will be there till Aug '08 (as per Macho museum staff). Granada: The Alhambra bus (#30, #32) leaves from the SE end of Plaza Isabel La Catolica since Cuesta Gomerez is closed for construction. Granada: Veg Hotel Naturi Albayzin, #10 Calle Caldereria Nueva doesn't exist any more. Ashwin Honkan in Pune, India 06/05/2008 Seville - Internetia Internet cafe mentioned on pg 375 of the 2008 book is closed and the space is for rent (as of 01 June 2008). There are other Internet cafes open on the weekend in the city. One in the main post office (with locutorio, on Avenida de la Constitucion across from the cathedral). The other is across the side street from the post office (c/Almirantazgo?) and upstairs; it's run by an amiable British fellow; buzz and he'll come down to let you in. Justin R Ervin in Greensboro, NC USA 06/04/2008 It would be a very difficult walk to Parc Guell--uphill, as the guidebook states, but also a very long walk. There is road construction also which would make for a dangerous trek. Susan Jennings in Atlanta, Ga USA 05/31/2008 Admitedly, we used the 2006 book, so u already may have caught that POM Restaurant at top of La Ramblas is a rip off, with E2/person cover charges. We paid ~$30 for a cheese omlette, crock of watery onion soup, & bottled water. All your other recommendations are right-on!! Lynda Wiseman in Langhorne, PA USA 05/27/2008 Not necessarily a correction, but make sure you check your train schedule before purchasing a Eurail pass. We purchased a four day pass thinking that we'd use it for four legs of our trip. Come to find out, you cannot use the pass for the trip between Madrid and Toledo and back. Plus keep in mind that you cannot go from Toledo to Seville via train without going back up to Madrid. Dale Peterson in Stillwater, MN USA 05/10/2008 Guide prices in Tangier too low - maybe .... Ellen Canada 05/09/2008 In Sevilla it is mentioned that you can get "Nun-baked Goodies" at "El Torno" Pasteleria de Conventos. While the place is still there, shopping is no longer done via lazy Susan but rather via a "non-nun woman" who runs the counter. In Madrid you can get into the Prado for free if you are teacher with a picture ID at any time. However, this seems to be dependent upon who is sitting at the ticket window, as my mother could not get in with her non-picture ID but a traveler friend who is also a teacher got in without the picture on another line. Most prices are indeed one or two Euros higher than mentioned. Lisa in White Plains, NY USA 05/04/2008 Ronda- In your 2008 book it says that Hotel Ronda offers twin rooms and breakfast for 65,00 euros. But they do not serve breakfast! 65,00 is for the room only. madeleine in Utrecht, The Netherlands 04/23/2008 The Prado -- Photos are NOT permitted! Addition: The new addition greatly increases the space in the museum. A "must see" is the cloister at the top of the new addition. Hand held guides are 3.50 euro and 5.00 euro (I believe), depending on the number of sites that are described. A definite need to appreciate the exhibits. Also, the food court is good, although, as with all of Europe, not inexpensive. H J Thomask Jr. in LaGrange, Ga USA 03/31/2008 Rick Steves Spain 2007: Granada Accomodations: Hotel Los Tilos: Book indicates they offer a 20% RickSteves discount. I asked for the discount (May 8,9,10). They replied: "With the guide Rick Steves Book 2008 you have breakfast for free; during 2008 we won´t offer discount because we will have special and more advantageous, depending on the dates." Rate charged for a double was 80E/night. Deane Bell in Lake Forest Park, WA USA 03/29/2008 The 2008 guide was already out dated on cost of public transportation, admission fees and these kinds of expenses -in Portugal and Spain the charges were 1 to 3 euros more for these basic items. I think it is important for planning a trip to know this. Sommer in Santa Rosa, CA USA 03/26/2008 I'm not sure what could be done. The Prado museum guide wasn't much help because of the renovations and changes. For example, the north entrance is now closed. A new entrance is around the side to the east. Perhaps a continuing update on your website would help. Gregg Maxwell in Grapevine, TX USA 03/21/2008 A reader wrote "clarify the direction the Reina Sophia Museum is from the Atocha Metro stop. Several of us got lost trying to find the [Reina Sophia] museum, which is not directly across from the train station, as implied." The Reina Sophia IS directly across the "big" street from the ATOCHA RENFE stop - which is the train station, not the ATOCHA stop, which is (you guessed it) one stop away from the train station. The book is correct. Bob Franks in Dallas, TX USA 03/20/2008 Yes, the prices of the attractions in Toleda were a little off. The Santo Tomas Iglesia is 2.30 Euros now and the Cathedral is 7 Euros and change. (don't remember exact but not 6) I could not find the self guided tour Entrance you mentioned for the Prado. None of them were named Goya entrance but it was easy to find room 50 anyway.Of course you were right to mention moving displays many of the paintings were in different rooms. Mary Spangenberg in PHOENIX, Ar USA 03/19/2008 The order of the El Escorial tour was messed up. Matti in Chicago, IL USA 03/19/2008 Spain 2008 page:516 Sleeping in Tarifa Outside the City Wall Hostel Alborada Website listed as www.hotelalborada.com, but this will get you into Hotel Alborada located in Portugal. I never imagined to check the address but luckily hotel asked me to send credit info by fax rather than online. That is when I discovred the mistake. Please change it ASAP. E-mail address is ok. I guess you can cancel but the headache and worry is not fun, specially if you are trying to book all the hotels, trains, etc. We have not left yet (plans May 2008) so if I find any more mistakes, I will let you know. Sincerely Mimi D. Mimi Dixon in Seattle, WA USA 03/18/2008 The website for Alhambra tickets (www.alhambra-tickets.es) is not entirely reliable. I entered all the requested info, including credit card #, and the site then took me to pages offering tickets to other events. I did not receive purchase confirmation or details of my ticket/admission time and am now tracking my credit card activity. Nina in Maryville, TN USA 03/16/2008 Hotel Europa in Madrid, the best hotel at any cost in my traveling experience, has changed their email address from www.hoteleuropa.net to www.hoteleuropa.es. Virginia Lindsey in Sisters, OR USA 03/16/2008 Arcos: there's no longer an attendant at the parking area in the old town - it's been replaced by a machine. We always managed to get a space if we were willing to wait for awhile. Cordoba: The Hostal Alcazar is mislocated on the 2006 map. It's actually inside the wall, only about half a block from the TI by the Alcazar. The hostal and the TI are on the #16 route from the train/bus station (I think it's the 16) as well as the long ride on the #3. Madrid: the times for the museums have changed; free hours at the Prado are only a couple of hours late on Sunday, etc. There seems to be only one long line for Prado tickets. If you buy the three-museum ticket (good for one entry to each), you can buy it at the Thyssen without a long line; when you want to go to the Prado later, you can go directly to the ticket window without waiting in the long line. Dick and Marjy in Fiddler, WA USA 03/08/2008 In Santiago, Hotel Costa Vella has problems with their web-site, also the e-mail didn't work. I Faxed them finally. Here is another e-mail: hotelcostavella@infonegocio.com. I am quoting from their Fax to me. Single Room - 51.Euros + 7% tax. Liz in Boerne, TX USA 02/19/2008 A few - in your 2008 guidebook to Spain: 1. the Prado in Madrid is NOT free on Sunday - just free after 4 pm. on Sunday. (Though we loved it!) 2.the Hotel Los Tilos in Granada: breakfast is NOT included because the desk-people said that not enough people were staying at the hotel to warrant their providing it(in December) - no reduction in cost, either; and the hotel tax was also NOT included in the stated price, as your book says. It was tacked on to the total room bill. 3. Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca in Toledo was E3.60, or not E1.90, to enter, and they allowed you to shoot one photo inside! Everything else seemed to be pretty much as you said it would be! Lorne in Calgary, Al Canada 02/10/2008 These corrections are for the 2008 guidebook: Julia Tours in Madrid has moved, and there is no note at the old address to indicate where they've gone. New location is Plaza de Espana 7. Also, the all day Toledo trip has changed, so that you have the afternoon on your own in Toledo. Other entrances at El Prado that you suggested are only open to groups now. However, you can save time by buying the ticket ahead of time -- times were posted outside the museum for this purpose. The textile museum across the street from the Picasso Museum in Barcelona has moved to a new location.
Kathy Koegel in Madison, WI USA 01/16/2008 Hotel Don Juan Salamanca does not have parking anymore. Because the bathroom was so dirty, I don't think you want to recommend it. Marian Quirk in Chicago , IL USA 01/08/2008 The Alcazar in Seville is closed on Christmas Day. The guidebook states that it is open on holidays. Richard Bendix in Newcastle , WA USA 01/03/2008 The luggage storage lockers were not working in Cordoba train station, but were working in the adjacent bus station. I guess readers would be advised to check both places. Uma Murthy in Blacksburg, VA USA 01/03/2008 Casa Batllo in Barcelona is incredible yet you dismiss it as not worth the $13 (now 16.50) Euros. Its expensive but it includes the audio guide and is just incredible. Robert Perry in Hingham, MA USA 01/01/2008 Reina Sofia Museum- Some of the signs of the paintings and artworks are in small print, occasionally I used a finger to pinpoint the exact artist, dates, or title. The Museum security yelled in Spanish very loud not to touch the title sign. She followed me around. The Reina Sofia is closed on Tues. karen in san francisco, ca USA 12/28/2007 The stop for the airport bus in Sevilla is no longer on Avenida Roma as indicated in the guidebook. We could have easily missed our flight. We got three different explanations from the locals. We finally found the bus stop, after 45 frustrating minutes, on Avenida del Cid between the Jardines del Prado and the University. The stop was on the Jardines side and was not at all well marked. The only reference to the Especial Aeropuerto bus was on a small schedule directly behind a bench--which had someone sitting on it. Luckily for us, that someone was an exchange student from California who had already experienced the shell game the Sevilla bus junta is running and spoke up when she saw our apparent frustration. She said the explanation she got was that Sevilla moved the stop as part of the construction of their inner-city train (a local joke). Philip in Tempe, AZ USA 11/15/2007 It may not be a correction, just us, but I couldn't find the Casa Labra Taberna restaurant. larry in richmond, va USA 11/05/2007 No corrections--just one big thank you for making our trip outstanding. I think my husband got jealous of all the time I spent with "lil Ricky" -- our name for your guidebook. By the end of the trip, before we headed out to sight-see, he would always ask, what does "lil Ricky" say today --- out of respect and great leads as to what to see and not see. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We enjoyed the intermittent humor too!. Renee Jones in Clinton, Wa USA 10/18/2007 Self-service laundry on p.164 is not there. My husband and I were able to use a full service laundry not far from there, however. Continue on Avenida de Rosalia de Castro,turning left (south) onto Avenida de Romero de Donallo, #23 (We only wanted wash, dry and fold,so are not sure if they iron.) Also, we stayed at the Hostal Giadas (misspelled in your book as Gaidas) at 47Euros p/night. Rebecca W. Sheppard in Fort Worth, Tx USA 10/15/2007 The laundry service mention in Madrid is self-service. They do not offer to wash and fold your clothes. Joe I in Bartlett, IL USA 10/15/2007 There is a WC in the Cathedral in Toledo. It's actually in the Sacristy off to the side! Robert Turner in San Francisco, CA USA 10/13/2007 2007 Spain Guide Page 260--Numbers for pub crawl do not correspond with those on map or in text Donald Rosier in Arvada, CO USA 10/08/2007 Inform readers more strongly to expect higher rates than what you quote. I'd say every single museum, hotel or whatever had raised prices by 3-10% for 2007. Also maybe mention that those hotel room finding services only deal with certain hotels, not all of them or even all the ones RS recommends. Nick Warner in Palo Alto, CA USA 10/03/2007 There is no audioguide for the Valley of the Fallen. You cannot take pictures in any sight that has paintings including the Prado, all the museums and most of the other sights. It seemed like the only places we could take pictures were in the Cathedrals. Bethany USA 10/02/2007 The cathedral in Seville is NOT free on Sundays. Tiffany Harris in Birmingham, MI USA 09/25/2007 The little map on page 317 of the 2007 Spain book has a non helpful note on it. It says "not to scale-Plaza Zoc. to Pension Lumbreras is a 5 min. walk". Unfortunately, Pension Lumbreras is not on the map so the timing is of little use. [Editor's Note: Thanks for your comment. You'll be happy to hear this has been fixed for the 2008 edition.] Virginia Lindsey in Sisters, OR USA 09/23/2007 Regarding Toledo, I just returned and have a correction (actually a change). The great Cathedral has changed the entrance location. It is no longer at the front entrance with tickets available at the shop across the street. It is now located in the back, between the Cloister and Sacristy as shown on your map on pg 305 in the Spain 2007 book. They have portable ticket booths outside the iron gates there. Also the new policy now (which is printed on the ticket) is photos are allowed but no flash. Unfortunately, the Sacristy, and the paintings themselves, are so dark you need a more steady hand then I have to get good results. Some of the other spaces are well lit so it's easier to get good pictures. Virginia Lindsey in Sisters, OR USA 09/23/2007 Barcelona; "Agut d'Avignon Restaurant" Closed LYNN BURGIN in DALLAS, TX USA 08/05/2007 You can make reservations for the Alhamba on line at their website www.alhambra.com. It worked flawlessly for us prior to leaving the states and we got out tickets without a hitch. Also Rick recommends taking the red minibus #30 to the Alhambra from Plaza Nueva, €1 fare. The bus actually picks up outside the gate to the Royal Chapel on Gran Via de Colon (down from the Plaza Nueva) and is actually a large city bus, not a red mini-bus. Jody Hunter USA 07/31/2007 I would NOT recommend Hotel Jardi in Barcelona. Although it had an excellent location, the size of the bathroom was so "tight" that I'd bruise myself each time I entered, exited, or turned.Exiting the shower required me to turn sideways to squeeze through the narrow space. My husband couldn't even shower without turning off the water, so he could open the shower doors and have space to maneuver! We are NOT obese Americans, either!!!! Maybe, we got a dumpy El Jardi room---though we booked 6 months in advance. bj Kukawka in Agoura Hills, Ca USA 07/26/2007 Well, more of a warning. In Toledo: After walking over an hour trying to find Taverna de Amboades, having asked shopkeepers and other locals for directions (near the Bisagra Gate doesn't quite do it; no one seemed familiar with the address or the restaurant) we finally found the place -- closed. On Sunday night, not Monday, as mentioned in the book. The next day we recounted our tale to Juanjo, our wonderful guide, and he rolled his eyes, saying Miguel (the tavern owner) was a "character" who opens when he feels like it. Marcy Nicklas in Frederick, MD USA 07/23/2007 The line drawing map of hotels in Granada is very misleading as to the Hotel NH Inglaterra. James in Baton Rouge, LA USA 07/16/2007 Posada de la Villa, a restaurant recommended in Madrid, does not serve suckling pig. They act shocked when you suggest that maybe they ever did. "NO! The specialty is LAMB." Debra Iles in Boston, Ma USA 07/08/2007 In Granada, on our recent Rick Steves tour, we planned to have an independent main meal at Restaurant Sevilla. When we arrived at the spot, we found that it was not open at midday and that it was a nightclub. James B. Ellsworth in Caldwell, TX USA 06/30/2007 I was in Southern Spain from June 17-26, 2007: Tarifa - Hotel La Marada: there is a loud bicycle/scooter gang that hangs outside all the windows racing their scooters until around midnight. Don't expect quiet until then. They were there every night we stayed there. Granada - Need to put in BOLD print that if you are driving to a hotel inside the city, to give your license plate number to your hotel. I just happened to find that tip in the middle of a paragraph and I am glad I happened to see it. Seville: 1. Casa de la Memoria Flamenco - although RS only says reservations are "welcome," MAKE A RESERVATION!! We were lucky to get on the waiting list after 2 nights of sold out shows and there were many Rick Steves followers that were very disappointed that night. 2. The Cathedral is NOT free on Sundays. 3. Bullfights are NOT on "most" Sundays like Rick Steves says. We were greatly disappointed. I recommend finding some sort of website telling you the schedule and I recommend Rick Steves provides a website in his book. 4. Alcazar - the audio tour is rather boring compared to other audio tours we had at other locations. Lindsey in Arlington, VA USA 06/29/2007 For Aziz Begdouir tour (of Tangier Gran Tour), the rates in the book is listed in USD. It should be in Euros. Walikng tour is €18/ 18€ or 18 Euros. The Gran (without the "D" according to Aziz) Tour is 34€. Instead of going on the ferry, Aziz can arrange for you to go on the catamaran for 54€. Spain 2007, page 520 Christine Nguyen in NYC, USA 06/24/2007 The launderette for Santiago de Compostela is no longer there. A nearby one is LAVANDERIA LOBATO, Santiago de Chile 7, 981599954, 9 a 2 & 4 a 8:30; and Avenida de Villagarcia 32, 981524290, 9:30 a 130 & 4:30 a 8:30 Bill USA 06/19/2007 Paella Real in Madrid is not open on Sundays. Michelle in A, NY USA 06/10/2007 Some distances in the map are inaccurate: Granada - Nerja is 75 miles (not 50) Nerja - Gibraltar is about 120 miles (not 70). Pullmantours now offers a day trip from Madrid to Toledo that does include cathedral. The price is 60 EUR (49 without lunch) and it leaves Madrid (plaza del Oriente - across from the Royal Palace) around 9:30, returns around 6 pm. In the month of May, the best view of Alhambra (from the St. Nicholas viewpoint) is late afternoon - around 6 pm. As the sun starts going down the view is less and less spectacular. Maybe it is different in the summer? John Petrovic in Portage, MI USA 06/06/2007 The Aerobus connecting the Barcelona airport to Placa de Catalunya is now 3.90 euros (up from 3.75) and it runs every 6 minutes (up from 3 per hour). Also, there was nowhere in the Barcelona airport to buy a T10 metro Card. I was told they can only be purchased at metro stations. Lea Galigani in Cross Creek, FL USA 05/25/2007 The e-mail address for the Catalonia Hotel Albinoni is incorrect. It should be albinoni@hoteles-catalonia.es (the one in the book listed albinoni.reservas@hoteles-catalonia.es). [Editor's Note: Accoring to the Hotel Albinoni, both emails are correct but they prefer you use albinoni.reservas@hoteles-catalonia.es when making reservations.] Tricia Mack in Seabrook, TX USA 05/23/2007 For the Julia Tours you cannot just show up for the night time tour, you have to purchase your ticket much earlier in the day - no exceptions. Yvette in Silver Spring, MD USA 05/22/2007 On April 13th in Madrid on our visit to the Prado there were long lines so we made our way to the south entrance as recommended in the Guidebook but that was closed to the public except for educational groups. G. McKellar USA 05/10/2007 In Madrid there are only two bus lines for the double decker buses and not three. L. Chen in Pacific Palisades, CA USA 05/06/2007 Clarify in which direction the Reina Sophia Museum is from the Atocha Metro stop. Several of us got lost trying to find the museum, which is not directly across from the train station, as implied. Melissa in Hart, OR USA 05/01/2007 The one-day Cordoba Card is no longer available; there is only a 7-day card for 47euro. The TI closest to the Alcazar is the only one that sells the cards and the bus tickets to Madinat. Also, the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid (along the "Welcome to Madrid" walking tour) is no longer operational. We were there at 11am on a Friday; it was completely closed up, and didn't look like it had been used as a market in quite some time. There were also some fairly aggressive homeless folks who did not appreciate our presence. Katie in Belmont, MA USA 04/24/2007 No, not a correction, but a highly suggested recommendation. "Museo Sorolla" is a welcomed respite from the big museums and bustling fabulous Madrid. It is the home of famed early 20th century Spanish impressinist artist, Joaquin Sorolla. Do Not Miss this museum! His home, studio and gardens are magnificent. Small and intimate and beautiful. Scenes in his paintings are often scenes of his gardens and children. Iglesia Metro Stop. www.museosorolla.mcu.es. ENJOY! Dan Stoddard in San Diego, CA USA 04/23/2007 You cannot feed the apes on Gibraltar. The Immaculate Conception means that the Blessed Virgin Mary was excmpt from all stain of original sin. She was not conceived as Our Lord was. Thanks. Regina PA USA 04/17/2007 More content needs to be provided with regards to Sevilla and Holy Week (Semana Santa). There is only a blurb about how hotel prices double, but more info should be given regarding the processions and even the mass street closings, which makes it very difficult to get to and/or find your hotel (especially during the processions) in the Santa Cruz neighborhood. To clarify Jennifer's post (3/12/07) about no direct, non-stop train from Granada to Madrid. There are two trains daily, at 06:50 and 18:50, that have stops (notably at Cordoba), but no change of train is required. She is correct about the travel time of 4.5 hours. CH in Tampa, FL USA 04/16/2007 FYI, photos in the Prado are not allowed, despite what the latest guidebook says. After getting scolded by a museum employee, I confirmed the no-photo policy in the fine print on the museum map. Jeffrey Han in Chicago, IL USA 04/04/2007 Yes-NERJA, HOSTAL MIGUEL is now owned by a new couple (also British), Ian and Jane since March of 2007. Very nice, very polite, clean. chris in PORTLAND, USA 04/04/2007 Emphasize more strongly the almost excruciating amount of walking that has to be done. Often there is no other way to efficiently get around(unless you can afford to take taxis everywhere). LL in Levittown, pa USA 03/29/2007 things are more expensive than thought so be aware of that. o'brien in everett, USA 03/28/2007 Sevilla - Entry to the Cathedral and the Giralda Bell Tower is no longer free on Sunday afternoons. It costs 7.50 euros, like every other day. Michael McDaniel in Atlanta, GA USA 03/25/2007 I'd like to make a correction to a correction, correctly! Spain 2007, lists the website address for the Hotel Gonzalez in Cordoba as www.hotelgonzalez.com. A reader corrected the address as www.hotel-gonzalez.com. After many attempts with various Spanish websites, I found the corrected correct email address as hotelgonzalez@wanadoo.es This should work for anyone attempting to contact this hotel in Cordova!! Cathy Girgen in Lander, WY USA 03/16/2007 The stuff you have about what you can see before/after 14:00 at the Alhambra does not exist. My husband and I had an argument about it. Your description is very vague and we argued about how to interpret your wording. Then we later found out that it was irrelevant. We scheduled our palace visit at 13:30 and we were told we could enter all the other places until 20:00. Naturi Albayzin in Granada no longer exists. It was replaced with a tea and narguile place. Unless you confused this place with Kasbah. There are no more direct, non-stop trains from Granada to Madrid. But good news: I believe it goes to Seville then Madrid. Altogether it now only takes 4.5 hours. The ice cream place in Granada was closed in March! Jennifer in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/12/2007 The Parador de Ronda is considerably more expensive than stated in the brand new Spain 2007 book. For March 25, 2007, they quoted: "Standard room: €183 + 7% iva, superior room with views: €206 + 7% iva, incl. breakfast for two persons." David Ginn in Walnut Creek, CA USA 03/03/2007 Three months ago I made lodging reservations for Sevilla Abril Feria for April 25. I really panicked when I saw the Feria dates you give for 2007. I believe you are wrong. I have seen different dates on several sites by googling. I don't want to quote dates, because I don't know what the official Feria site is. Sylvia Powell in Suquamish, WA USA 02/18/2007 I would like to note a small factural error in the 2006 Spain Guide book (I assume this error is also in the 2007 version). On page 329 of the book the article about the "Washington Irving Room" states that Washington Irving lived in the Alhambra in 1829 during his tenure as US ambassador to Spain. Mr. Irving was infact NOT the US ambassador at the time. Alexander Hill Everett was. Mr. Irving was not appointed ambassador until February 10, 1842 and his credentials were presented on August 1, 1842. He served untill July 29, 1846. Richard Lee-Berman in Portland, OR USA 02/16/2007 On page 428, the website of the Hotel Gonzalez is stated incorrectly. The correct web address is: www.hotel-gonzalez.com
Steve Swartz USA 02/15/2007 Avila bus station does have lockers for luggage storage. The books needs to be clearer as to exactly where St. Teresa's finger is located. It is not in the museum where you have to pay to get in, but in the shop. This isn't clear in your book. After the description of the museum, the books states that no photos of the finger is allowed. This makes people think that her finger is in the museum and paid to get in in order to see it, only discovering afterward that it was elsewhere. The train from Salamanca to Madrid is at times a very small commuter train and handling large luggage is difficult. If you have large luggage and a number of pieces, it would be better to take the autobus, which takes the same amount of time as the train. Patricia Branson in Kodiak, AK USA 01/21/2007 Driving to Pileta Caves is not "easy" and it should be stated that it takes quite while to get there b/c of the distance plus the winding, narrow roads. (But certainly worth the drive!) Stephen in Lausanne, VD Switzerland 01/12/2007 |
