Spain 2012 Guidebook
Guidebook 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 just purchased Spain 2012 from my local book store and I am very disappointed to see that there is absolutely no mention of or information about Valencia, the 3rd largest city in Spain. We are planning our trip to Spain in March 2012 and Valencia is one of the stops that has been recommended to us. I can't believe there is no information on Valencia and would not have paid $25 for a guidebook that did not include Valencia. I wish I had discovered this prior to my purchase but I never dreamed that the third largest city would not be included in what I expected to be a comprehensive book. I have used and own several other Rick Steves guidebooks and have never been disappointed before. I am actually wondering if I possibly purchased a book that was misprinted and should have included Valencia. Please respond asap as my travel days are drawing near and I would like to plan and book my time in Valencia.
Nancy Cavanaugh in Watsonville, CA USA 01/17/2012
The closing time of the Royal Palace in Madrid was 5:00 pm, not 7:00 pm.
Aaron in Edmond, OK USA 01/16/2012
1. p. 431, regarding the bus to Toledo from Madrid Plaza Elipitca station: the actual cost is 3.95+4.93 euro round trip. (not exactly 5 euro one way). 2. Price of the Madrid Metro: one ride is 1.50 euro as of Nov 2011 3. Price of ten rides on Madrid Metro: is now 9.30 euro 4. Prado museum, as of 11/2011, admission is now 12 euros during regular paying hours. This includes the special exhibition (the Hermitage). You cannot enter the museum to look at the store without a ticket. (This was not the case before- you could see store without going to museum). 5. the Alhambra Palacios Nazaries map on p. 528 is not quite accurate because the Courtyard of the Lions is under renovation (they are retrofitting the piping for the fountain from the lions' mouths) so they have re-routed the viewing walk. Can't see the Hall of the Abencerrajes and the Hallof Kings/Secrets Room b/c they are closed off for construction. 6. p. 639 Cordoba map: the Ronda de Isasa street (to the east of the Roman Bridge) is not immediately accessible from the Roman Bridge due to construction wall/fenced-off barriers. One has to go to the Mg. G. Frances street or further east to access de Isasa.
Christine in San Jose, CA USA 12/01/2011
No, the book is well laid out and well made. The construction is sturdy but not bulky. The paper used for the pages holds up quite well; does not become damaged with extensive use.
Ronald Reitenauer in Yucca Valley, CA USA 11/26/2011
We had great seats at the Tablao El Arenal Flamenco show in Seville and didn't get the dinner, however our hotel, La Casa De Juderia did call to reserve our tickets for us. We thought this show was one of the highlights of our trip.
Susan Novak in Mt. Prospect, IL USA 11/14/2011
I have more of an addition, than correction. I arrived in San Sebastian on a Sunday, and only spent one night there. When I arrived around 11 a.m., the city was partying as if there had been some huge soccer game on that day. All over the streets, in the rain, the people were drinking heavily in & out of restaurants, there was trash EVERYWHERE and crowds that you had to fight at every turn. Even up on Mount Urgell! There were drunk teenagers with broken lawn furniture up there! I kept asking what the occassion was, and it turns out that that's just a typical Sunday there. I really had hoped to bar hop a bit, and try some of the pinxtos, but not amongst the frat party taking place over the city. I would just suggest including this advisory tip in the book. Even old people strolling through the drunken teenage wasteland alongside the town's cathedral didn't think anything of the it. And I made friends with a Belgian girl who echoed my sentiments, so I have reinforcement that I'm not being a sensitive, puritanical American :)
Lisa in San Antonio, TX USA 10/29/2011
No, but I did suggest possibly making a travel guide with removalable pages so you don't have to carry the entire book while in different cities.
Barbara Pearce in Freeport , NY USA 10/17/2011
No, but I did suggest possibly making a travel guide with removalable pages so you don't have to carry the entire book while in different cities.
Barbara Pearce in Freeport , NY USA 10/17/2011
The Renia Sofia has reorganized its galleries. On page 43 in the Madrid & Toledo book, it describe the layout of the museum and how to directly to the Guernia. This has changed as the museum has organized the galleries/rooms by movement if you will. Just wanted to let you know! Not sure they they re-stacked the rooms.
David/Lakeview in Chicago, IL USA 10/15/2011
Spain, 2010 edition page 515 list Andalusian Minibus Tours. Guide Paul McGrath no longer owns or runs minibus tours due to his legal troubles with the local authorities. If you phone him, he will tell you that but will offer to take you on a two city tour in his private car for 120 Euros. Beware! Don't book him as you will only get what amounts to a very expensive taxi ride with little to no information on your surroundings and no stop at a olive mill or swimming stop. What was an OK deal at the book's listed price of 53 euro is now a rip-off! You should remove his listing in your next edition
Furman Neeley in Yelm, WA USA 10/12/2011
Barcelona - Sagrada Familia - elevator tickets now must be purchased at the entrance and by the time you want to go up. If you've already gone in you can knock on the window of the ticket booth to buy one. Elevator tickets are not available at the ServiaCaxia machines (at least not in Sept 2011).
Madrid - Royal Palace - Open every day until 20:00 (no limited Sunday hours) at least through Sept.
Madrid - The free hours at the Prado and Reina Sofia are awesome, at least mid-week in late September - not crowded at all and enough time to see a good amount of amazing artwork before hitting the late night dining scene.
Wayne Rudiger in Pleasant Hill, CA USA 09/30/2011
I had an earlier feedback, but i must have hit the feedback button too soon.
Maria P. Chan in SF Bay Area, CA USA 09/29/2011
RS 2010- Madrid, Spain-Centro de Arte Reina Sofia-Picasso's "Guernica" is not in Room 7, but in Room 206
Maria P. Chan in SF Bay Area, CA USA 09/29/2011
I am trying to book train travel from madrid to Ronda and then from Seville to Madrid. On page 406 of the 2011 Spain guide it says tickets can be purchased via the renfe website. I have tried various approaches and always make it to the credit card payment stage only to get an error code g001 and have the transaction terminated. I checked with my visa credit card concierge service and they say that renfe tickets cannot be purchased on line from the US. They speculate it is for security reasons. They say we must wait till we get to Spain to purchase.
Chuck cruit in Media, Pa USA 08/09/2011
We never did find the Arabian Baths in Granada! We tromped around with map and Guidebook in hand and were totally unsuccessful. It might just have been us, but I mention it in case it's not just us.
Mary Byrne in Victoria, BC Canada 07/24/2011
Barcelona. Casa Mila rooftop concerts in July are 25 Euros, not 13 Euros. This includes entrance fee to Casa Mila.
Kris in Bellingham, wa USA 07/18/2011
This is not a correction but rather a warning. We made reservations to stay at Hotel Opera. When we got there we were told that we'd be staying at another hotel, around the corner- the same owner and level of hotel, since a large group had come. We were surprised but ok about this. The room was small but we were ok with this, too. When we returned in the evening, there was a distinct plumbing smell in the hallways and in our room. We lived with this and told them about it in the morning. When nothing had changed when we returned in the afternoon, I asked if we could be moved to another room. We were moved to another floor and given a lovely suite. I believe that we were initially on the 3rd floor and then moved to the 4th or 5th floor.
Sharon in Sharon, MA USA 07/15/2011
Barcelona, Montserrat day trip: Rick's tips were great with one exception - at the end of the day we caught the last returning cable car at 6:40, to catch the 6:48 train, but the operator held us up until about 6:43 and we missed the train. There were about 20 people, all had arrived on time, and no reason was given nor apparent. The operator just seemed to not be in any hurry. So don't count on making that train unless you take an earlier cable car.
Rich in Chapel Hill, NC USA 07/06/2011
El Tamboril bar in Sevilla has been closed now for a few years, tho the others you mentioned were great
Barry in Barnes, USA 07/05/2011
The Tio Pepe sign in Plaza del Sol is no more...at least during what appear to be major renovations on the building on which it sat. It's still easy enough to figure out directions based on where it used to be, but it's not there as a landmark. Also, I can recommend a small laundromat on Via Barco, about 3 blocks north of Gran Via on the western edge of Chueca. I did not get the name (it was recommended by the staff at Hostal La Zona, on via Valenica) but it was 8 euros to wash and dry a fairly large load, with about a four-hour turnaround. Also many paintings in the Prado are not where the self-guided tour indicates; they've moved a lot of Goya's work, among other things. It's still there, but not easy to find using the published tour.
John Barcus in Fort Worth, TX USA 07/05/2011
I don't have the 2011 edition so maybe you know this, but Barcelona's Maritime Museum is mostly closed for a major renovation. I visited in June 2011 and from Rick's description had been eager to see this. A fraction of the museum remains open for €2,50, but it is not worthwhile at the present time. The exhibit is very small and the English captions are either terrible or nonexistent. I believe this continues through at least 2011.
Meghan in Delft, Netherlands 07/01/2011
Yes
Cameo Jones in San Francisco, CA USA 06/21/2011
Yes I have a correction that needs to be made for the Spain 2011 book. The Andu Blu laundromat in Madrid is not named that. It was closed when we were there.
christine in San Francisco, CA USA 06/19/2011
Nerja --free parking near "Balcony of Europe" is NO LONGER FREE effective late April 2011. There is now a parking gate & attendant with the rate being approx. 18 Euros per day (still the cheapest in town -- unless you find parking on the street).
Kelly Baughn in Boulder, CO USA 06/19/2011
This is a correction to a correction posted previously. Concepcion Delgado's Sevilla Show and Tell walking tour price was not reduced for 2011. I took the tour 2 weeks ago and was charged 15 euros.
Bill in Phoenix, AZ USA 06/11/2011
Gibraltar - With regards to the recommended restaurants, I would suggest stating that it would be easier to get a table if dining slightly earlier than the locals. We were unable to get into any of the restaurants for lunch. Also of note, restaurants do not have a non-smoking section.
Teresa Hopgood in Cape Coral, FL USA 06/11/2011
Hotel Granvia in Barcelona does not honor the "rates promised" in your 2011 Spain book when "you reserve direct by phone or e-mail" and mention Rick Steve's name.
Gail M. in Trabuco Canyon, CA USA 06/09/2011
Am currently in Seville and planned my time thinking that the Alcazar was not open on Mondays - now it is!!
Ruth Morrow in Wichita Falls, TX USA 06/07/2011
The Toledo tourist bus is not 5 Euro to hop on, hop off. That requires an 8 Euro payment. Make sure the driver gives you a receipt to allow you back on. Insist on it! And it leaves from the corner uphill from Plaza de Zocodove.
Ronald Gottesman in Anaheim, CA USA 06/05/2011
How did you happen to have no mention of Valencia, the third largest city in Spain in your Spain 2011 guidebook? You have discussion of many tiny villages.
Walter Everett in Evansville, IN USA 05/29/2011
Prices for some sites and transporation were slightly higher than in the guidebook.
Greg in Ventura, CA USA 05/17/2011
The tourist bus in Toledo is now 5 Euro for one ride and 8 Euro all day, and it should not be considered on-off as there is only one stop for a photo op and if you get off you could be stuck there for 2 hours. There are 3 two hour gaps in the daily schedule.
Ron in Anaheim, CA USA 05/11/2011
We had to pay 16 euro rather than 6 to park in Fo Cona parking deck in La Linea; we were there for about 7 hours.
Rich Zayatz in Asheville, NC USA 05/03/2011
Tourist bus in Toledo is 6 Euros and is not round trip. You get a map if you board the Tourist bus so don´t buy the 2 Euro map
Bill Strehl in Fulton, MD USA 04/19/2011
No
Rafael Soto in Idaho Falls, ID USA 04/10/2011
the barcelona guidebook is out of date. the picasso museum has been redone, and, inexcusably, there is no index. It is very difficult to find things.
art castagno in edmonds , wa USA 04/02/2011
Spain 2011: Toledo hotel (p. 468) Hostal Nuevo Labrador has changed its name to Hostal ALCAZAR. The main street sign still lists the old name, and my taxi driver recognized it, but the hotel itself has the new one. Phone number is the same, but fax and e-mail have changed. fax: 925 22 93 99 / hostalalcazar@movistar.es / www.hostalalcazartoledo.com
Nicole Lavallee in Milton, VT USA 03/27/2011
This is regarding international calling cards. We got one last year and it worked great! We used it at two different hotels I believe, no issues. This year, not so lucky! We stayed at Hotel Preciados in Madrid and could not use our calling card. We were told that this hotel does not negotiate with the internat'l card companies and that's why we could not use the card from our hotel. We spent alot of time and energy (read: frustrating!!) trying to find a phone to use the darn card with. There was a public phone in the basement of the hotel, alas, it was broken. We did finally find one that worked so it did work out. But, had I known ahead of time that the card might not work, I might not have bothered. Or, I'd have been less frustrated trying to find a phone that actually worked. we loved the hotel otherwise, would stay there again.
Toby Oberg in Roseville, MN USA 03/23/2011
2011 Snapshot Barcelona: Until April 8, you cannot purchase the Trans Montserrat or Tot Montserrat tickets at the TI at Placa de Catalunya or the FGC La Molina office. You must buy the tickets at the Placa de Espanya metro station because there is work being done on the funiculars at Montserrat. Prices to enter the various tourist sites in Barcelona have risen 1 Euro. A one-journey metro ticket costs 1.45 Euros but the Aerobus ride from the airport to Placa de Catalunya is still 5.05 Euros. When visiting the Sagrada Familia, you must buy a ride on the elevator to view the Passion or Nativity Facade when you buy your ticket to get into the church; You cannot buy a seperate ticket for the elevator once you go inside the church.
Thomas Elliot in Nom de Plume, TX USA 03/09/2011
Admission to the Royal Palace in Madrid was 10 euros. Train from Granada to Madrid is 4:25 (less than the 5 hours mentioned in the book) and looks like it will soon get faster as more AVE lines are finished. Train from Seville to Cordoba is up to 11.10 euros. Hotel Inglaterra in Granada's free Wifi is only 30 minutes a day and only in the lobby.
Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 03/04/2011
Add 1 Euro to each sight.
Dale in Fairfield, OH USA 03/03/2011
On page 500 you describe the Hotel Guadalupe in Granada as "big and modern". I think you are confusing it with a place up the street. The Guadalupe is all dark wood wainscotting, comfortably worn lobby bar chairs, tiled rooms with carved wooden furniture. it is old world and cozy, not at all modern. We loved it.
Joan in Maurertown, VA USA 01/29/2011
The prado Museum walking tour is out of date. the Art didn't match the tour hardly at all.
Sara Kinsey in Redmond, WA USA 01/12/2011
Dear Rick I know it was on my recomendation that you tood my trips to the white villages from Seville, out of the 2011 Spanish Guidebook. I have been able to reinstate the trips in a slightly different format that I think may interest travellers who come through Seville.
Paul McGrath in Seville, Spain 12/04/2010
The Plaza Mayor in Madrid no longer offers free WiFi. They do have 2 internet-connected PC's available to the public although they have a 15-minute limit and do not allow facebook connections.
Fred Taub in Seattle, WA USA 11/29/2010
The walking tour of the Barri Gotic in Barcelona does not leave from the TI at Placa de Catalunya. It leaves from the TI at Placa de Sant Jaume.
Holly Kennedy in Barre, MA USA 10/21/2010
All the prices have gone up which you have no control over.
Carmelita Stone in Plattsburg, MO USA 10/13/2010
We used your 2010 guide and found it to be a great resource! Here are a few updates:
Granada: When you pick up your reserved tickets (page 467) at a ServiCaixa terminal, you do not need your pin, just the card used when the online reservation was made. However, you do need a pin when using either a credit or debit card to purchase tickets at a ServiCaixa terminal. We did both.
Sevilla: The building housing Taberna Torre de la Plata (page 557) is completely gutted. Major renovation underway.
Gibraltar: Parking at the Fo Cona underground parking lot (page 647) in La Línea is an excellent recommendation, but the rate is no longer a maximum of €6/day. On a Sunday, the ticket machine charged us €9 and change.
Bob in Alameda, CA USA 10/09/2010
Valley of the Fallen was closed for renovation when I was there.
Jim Mahoney in Irvine, CA USA 10/07/2010
The Madrid Tourist Information Point does NOT have the Mapa de Comunicaciones de España, so please stop directing people over there. It only has information for downtown Madrid.
TI in Madrid, USA 09/21/2010
Barcelona: Casa Mila now 11 euros, audio guide not included 4 addl Euros Articket Card: 22 euros but I think that you should put in BOLD that you can skip the line with this. Important since today (8/17) the line was an hour long! Sagrada Familia: Can by ticket online at ServiCaixa and there is a special door so no wait! Transit Pass option - based upon days - this plus articket is better deal. Most of the recommended restaurants in L'Eixample are closed in August - would be helpful to note which ones are closed.
Katy in New York, NY USA 08/18/2010
Yes the restaurant Faustino is open. 14 Aug we went and enjoyed a delicious lunch per your suggestion.
m in DC, Dc USA 08/14/2010
Yes the restaurant Faustino is open. 14 Aug we went and enjoyed a delicious lunch per your suggestion.
m in DC, Dc USA 08/14/2010
P.16 Picture is of a bank, not El Corte Ingles. P.32 No longer a restaurant in Picassso Museum, only a small snack bar. p. 42 Casa Mila ticket is 11Euro, with audio guide 15 Euro. Not included as mentioned in guide.
Ron Benton in Spring, TX USA 08/14/2010
Sevilla: pg 549 map does not have Hotel San Francisco in the correct location. We walked around for hours trying to find it using this map. Madrid: pg331 Salon La Mallorquina was closed when I went (July 2010) Barcelona: pg 109 Granja La Pallaresa Hours of operation listed are incorrect
Melissa Lozano in Lakewood, CO USA 08/11/2010
(1) Barcelona Aerobus costs 5.05 Euros, not 4.25 Euros (Page 39). (2) Barcelona Metro costs 1.40 Euros per ride, not 1.35 Euros (Page 42). (3) The audioguide at the Catalan Art Museum in Barcelona is not included with price of ticket; it costs 3.50 Euros (Page 87). (4)Typo on Page 481 under "Plaza de Bib-Rambla": "then than". (5) Typoe on Page 482 under "Royal Chapel Square": "because" should be "became".
Lindsay in New York, NY USA 08/03/2010
Paul McGrath no longer does the Spain White Hill towns tour. I e-mailed him about it and here's his reply:
Sorry Calvin I no longer do that trip, the trip I do now is on my website www.theotherspain.galeon.com . If you are interested in seeing flamenco in Seville I make bookings for the best shows without commission. Regards Paul
Calvin Hilton in Jacksonville, FL USA 08/02/2010
It would be very helpful if all these entries were pre-sorted by location. To find information about, e.g., san sebastian, one must read through pages of stuff on other towns. Should be easy to sort.
Jack in Newtown Square, PA USA 07/29/2010
The Museum of Frederic Mares is closed until Spring 2011 for renovations, but the courtyard in the back is open.
Jason in Heil, OH USA 07/25/2010
Metro connection from Sagrada Familia to Parc Guell: The Sagrada information kiosk suggested we take Linea 5 from the Sagrada Familia stop to Diagonal. Then connect to Linea 3 and go to the Vallcarca stop. This is one stop beyond Lesseps, which Rick mentions in the Barcelona 2010 book. There is still a hill to walk up in order to reach the Parc, but half of the hill...the really steep upper half is served by escalators.
Sharron Stevens in Oberstaufenbach, Germany 07/10/2010
You write that you stand a good chance of getting robbed in Barcelona. You need to put that in Bold and put neon flacking lights. It is shameful the professional thieves in Barcelona. We were triple teamed and after reading your warning, I immediately grabbed my wallet but the acomplice got my camera bag. I went to the Police station and there were many people (not just Americans)there reporting that they were robbed. When I went to the American Consulate to get another passport there were six of us just from the previous night. Would I avoid Barcelona? No! Would I strongly recommend avoiding the Ramblas? Absolutely Yes. Barcelona has a lot to offer and the Ramblas is disgusting!
Jim Carr in Ridgecrest, CA USA 06/23/2010
The majority of the entry costs have risen.
Amanda in Montreal, Qc CANADA 06/22/2010
The price of the Prado Museum in Madrid was 8 euro, not 6. The times of the Palacio Real in Madrid were incorrect.
Jen Guinan in Chicago, IL USA 06/13/2010
The Alhambra clearly does not reserve 1800 tickets for same day entry! We were there at 6:10 and there were only about 100 people ahead of us. We actually thought we should have slept in a bit! However, at 8:20 we were told all tickets were gone! Our disappointed line neighbors had been told there were 2000 tickets were held, as did our hotel. It was a tremendous disappointment and we had to pay about 30 Euros each for a tour company. (However, the live guide we had as a result was excellent!)
Shannon Gardiner Collins in Alexandria, VA USA 06/09/2010
Stephen Drake Jones of the Wellington Society was a great disappointment. We paid a lot of money for Bull Fight tickets and received very little in return.
Teddie Lohmeier in Nicholson, GA USA 05/31/2010
(p.82) Directions to Barcelona's Parc Guell via metro/bus may be incorrect. Bus #24 never stopped near Lesseps metro station where book said it would, just drove by, despite my waving.
(p. 465.) "The Alhambra and the Generalife" guidebook is described as having a great map, but the foldout map in "The Alhambra and Generalife In Focus" is better. Also, "The Alhambra and the Generalife" costs 8 euros. "In Focus" comes in 8 euro and 10 euro versions (more money for more pictures).
Nicole in Bayonne, NJ USA 05/31/2010
p.642 concerning travel to Malaga from the airport. There is a convenient local train every 30 minutes to & from the airport into town and the RENFE train station (which is beside the central bus station). The trip was 17 minutes and the cost March 2010 was 1.35 Euros . The same train continues from the airport past the resort towns of the Costa del Sol to Fuengirola in 50 minutes stopping along the way.
On p.392 concerning travel to El Escorial by bus. Note that to find the bus at the Intercambiador de Moncloa metro, one should follow the signs to Isla #1. Then the appropriate gate can be found by looking for the bus #s (664 or 661)per the guide.
Robert Kenna in Ottawa, ON Canada 05/29/2010
Page 328: I did the all day Toledo tour with Julia Travel and we did stop at Artensanias de Toledo after lunch, which was a shopping stop, in spite of how interesting the Damascene process was. The tour itself was good but your book actually told me more than the guide did!
Zander Westendarp in Seattle, WA USA 05/28/2010
Spain 2010 book, p.39. Barcelona:Airport to Barcelona by Aerobus has changed. There is now Aerobus 1 and Aerobus 2 and they serve different airports. We arrived by plane from Germany and looked all over for Aerobus 1 unsuccessfully. We asked (it was Sunday evening and no problem) and were told to take Aerobus #2. When we left from Placa de Catalunya there was a booth and they were very carefully screening people so that they got on the right bus as British Air departs using Aerobus #1. Both buses only make 2 stops in Barcelona: Placa d'Espanya and Placa de Catalunya. Cost is now 5 euros. Page 123: TransMontserrat ticket does not include Metro ride in Barcelona. TI sold us the ticket and said it did, but it didn't work on Metro and a different TI said no, never did and never will even though the ticket says it does. Great place though.
Gloria Kraft in Redmond, WA USA 05/25/2010
More of a clarification regarding entrance to the cathedral in Santiago. Waited in line for 1 1/2 hours at the back and finally got to walk behind St.James and that's the extent of the cathedral experience. Waited in line about 45 minutes at the side entrance and was able to go into the cathedral for mass and the Botafumeiro wow experience. The Leon TI has moved but don't have the new address.
D Kronus in Bradenton, FL USA 05/19/2010
In Sevilla, the recommended hostel "Buen Dormir" is closed, as of May 17, 2010. A neighboring hotel employee said he thought it might be changing ownership, so it might be opening back up. But it's closed indefinitely for now.
Sarah Johnson in Waco, TX USA 05/16/2010
- In May 2009, lot parking or convenient street parking were unavailable anywhere close to the ferry landing in Tarifa--missed the ferry because of this. - Then, too, luggage storage was nonexistent at the train station in Cordova and very minimal at the adjacent bus station--wasted an afternoon because of this.
John in Durham, NC USA 05/16/2010
Taberna Torre de la Plata in Sevilla on page 557 of the Spain 2010 Guidbook is closed.
Sheri in St. Louis, MO USA 05/14/2010
Easier way to get to Park Guell in Barcelona: Take the metro line L4 (yellow) to the Joanic stop. Walk around the corner to the 116 bus (it's a smaller shuttle-van size bus). It will drop you nearly in front of the park. One stop is a quarter block before the park entrance (you'll see the signs for the park in front of you). The second stop is a quarter block after the park entrance.
On the return, ask the driver to tell you when the Lesseps metro stop is (L3, green).
Also, if walking, take the L3 (green) to Vallcarca metro stop and follow the signs to the park. Part of the climb is via escalator. This does drop you off at the top of the parc, not the main entrance. But, the climb is much easier and faster than the walk from the Lesseps metro stop.
Paul in Chapman, WA USA 05/12/2010
Hotel Los Tilos, Granada -- The guide book should be updated to warn travelers to not attempt to book a hotel in central Granada if they will have a car. We could not find Hotel Los Tilos--or a parking spot--after 3 hours of circling the pedestrian-only central city. Finally gave up and left the city.
Paul in Chapman, WA USA 05/12/2010
Just a tiny heads up. Casa Mila now costs 10 euros, and the audioguide isn't included (costs 3 euros). Thanks for all the knowledge!
Daniel in New York, NY USA 05/11/2010
From the 2010 guidebook (Sep09 printing date): Reina Sofia renumbered all their rooms. Prado rehung most of the art on the first floor(possibly because of ongoing renovations). Second and ground floors were fine. We were able to find correct room numbers on the map they hand out, however. In Barcelona: the Gaudi sights have raised their prices. Casa Pedrera was 10 euros each, Casa Batllo was 17 euros (possibly 16.80), and Sagrada Familia was 12.
Paul Danko in Arlington Heights, IL USA 05/04/2010
Spain 2010, p. 726 -- Ebctravel.com is listed as one of the car rental companies to contact. In their drop-down list of countries, Spain and Portugal are missing, so I assume they no longer provide rentals there.
Janet Schmitt in Redmond, WA USA 04/29/2010
The guidebook said nothing about toilets=asesos and aseos seems to be universal in Spain. Looking for a toilet... Look for the sign for aseos.
Tom Matteson in Fairfield, CA USA 04/27/2010
The hotel in San Sebastian, Pension Anorga. The name is mispelled (as Pension Angora). This is the only mistake I have ever found in any of your books.
Ryan MacDicken in Auburn, WA USA 04/23/2010
Still in Madrid. Thanks,I use your 2010 Spain book. Entrance fees for Prado. Royal Palace & Thyssen are all 8 euros now instead of 6. Reina Sofia is still 6 euros. Ya, the picture in guide book El Greco's Burial of Count of Orgaz in Santo Tome in Toledo is reversed. Also,Santa Cruz museum in Toledo now only has 2 El Grecos instead of 15.
Susanna W in San Diego, CA USA 04/12/2010
Alhambra tickets: On Oct 31, 2009, we used a Canadian Visa card in the ticket machine, no PIN. We had a reservation. This is contrary to what it says on the reservation (that says we could not use the ticket machine to check in). This is also different from your guidebook - we did not need a PIN.
Frances West in Toronto, Canada 04/08/2010
On Page 126 of the 2010 Madrid & Toledo guide book, the photo of El Greco's painting in Santo Tome is reversed. The description is correct, but the photo needs to be flipped. Since this guide is excerpted from the 2010 Spain guide, the same error may exist.
Jodie Padgett in Carlinville, IL USA 04/06/2010
Sevilla - Eating - Mercado del Arenal - entry mentions the Taberna del Alabardero as though it is in the Mercado - it isn't. Its at Zaragoza 20. The finer fish resto in the market is the Marisqueria Arenal
Joel Beane in St. Catharines, On Canada 04/03/2010
Bar El Tamboril - page 545 in 2010 guide is closed.
John Osgood in New York, NY USA 03/31/2010
No.
Lara in Denver, CO USA 03/14/2010
On a recent visit to Madrid my wife and I discovered that the current price of the 10 ride metro card (T10) is 9 Euros not the 7.40 advertised in the book.However, the book was a great help to us in our brief stay in this wonderfull city.
Gary & Catherine Hinds in Fort Worth, Te USA 03/02/2010
There is no category for this comment: I used Rick's recommendation for a Barcelona Hotel, Gran Via, and followed his direction to contact the hotel directly. There has been no problem but the response from the hotel has been rather unconventional. First J. Gomez sent me an e-mail (with the signature line of Jose Luis Garcia Picazo, General Manager) quoting me an excellent price and asked for my credit card number. I thought it unwise to send my credit card infomation by email so I declined and asked if I could send it to them by fax. I received an answer with the hotel's fax number. No problem. I faxed my information to the hotel and received a one-line reply via email saying my reservation has been confirmed. I certainly don't want to rock the boat but my experience so far with hotels in Spain has been to fill out a form on-line and provide all my info in a secured format. Then, I receive a formal conformation re-stating the dates and the price. Not so here.
Does my experience with Gran Via square with what Rick knows about the hotel and should I count on the reservation being there when we show up?
Rocco Cappeto in Seattle, WA USA 02/15/2010
Spain 2010. page 456. Granada orientation should say the cathedral etc are "to the southwest" not southeast.
Dave in Calgary, AB Canada 01/25/2010
Don't have book with me. Not sure you cover all of northern Spain. Want to recommend a wonderful guide in Oviedo, Spain, which is the capital of Asturia. Elena Borchers is a private guide, speaks excellent English and is knowledgeable about anything you would ever want to know about Spain. Mobile phone 0034 667 510 332. E-mail elenaborchers@gmail.com
Marty in Tod, FL USA 01/16/2010
Barcelona....pg 108 Spain guidebook... Maoz Falafel is not at placa de saint Jaume 7. That is Wok to Walk. This is a wonderful inexpensive hot meal. You get to chose the ingredients and in 3 min your meal is ready. One meal is plenty for 2 people. For 11 euros my husband and I walked away stuffed. We asked the cook wher Maoz was located and he directed us to Calle Ferran 13. We became a fan in Madrid. There is on located just down the Calle Alcala from Puerta del Sol.
Patricia in Miller, WA USA 01/12/2010
Barcelona....pg 108 Spain guidebook... Maoz Falafel is not at placa de saint Jaume 7. That is Wok to Walk. This is a wonderful inexpensive hot meal. You get to chose the ingredients and in 3 min your meal is ready. One meal is plenty for 2 people. For 11 euros my husband and I walked away stuffed. We asked the cook wher Maoz was located and he directed us to Calle Ferran 13. We became a fan in Madrid. There is on located just down the Calle Alcala from Puerta del Sol.
Patricia in Miller, WA USA 01/12/2010
NO. LOVE your books. We live by them when we travel.
David MacKenzie in Lafayette, CA USA 01/04/2010
FGC has made changes on the combo tickets to Montserrat. Now you can get two Metro rides with the combo ticket (RS book says one ride) and you can use is in Metro anytime. Therefore you can buy the ticket at the station and still take advantage of the metro rides (RS book says you have to buy it in a TI office). I used the combo ticket to go back to hotel in the evening and go somewhere else the following day by metro. Although now it is stated that the funicular trips are limited (RS book says unlimited), but the driver doesn't make any marks on your ticket. So in fact you can have unlimited trips.
Helen in Chicago, IL USA 12/21/2009
No
Catherine in Edmonds, WA USA 12/15/2009
The bus to El Escorial is in Terminal 1, gate 11. The book said terminal three.
The basic admission to Casa Mila is now 10 euros, audio guide is three euros extra.
Helen in Chicaogo, IL USA 12/14/2009
As previously noted, the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen was closed, seemingly for a long time. Definitely now not worth a visit from El Escorial if you don't have your own car (even if admission is free). BTW, unlike a previous post, I liked El Escorial, but probably not worth the trip from Madrid unless you're continuing on to other destinations like Segovia.
Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 12/01/2009
Not really a correction, but we visited El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen today and they indicated that the Basilica at the Valley of the Fallen was closed for restoration. I assume this was not just a one day closure, but we did not inquire about how long it might be closed. Since the basilica was closed, it was free to enter the park.
Kirk Willingham in Brussels/Atlanta, Belgium/USA 11/29/2009
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