Possible Spain trip - what would you do?
Jul 18th, 2013, 05:11 AM
#121
I just received this Groupon for horseback riding in Seville:
http://www.groupon.es/deals/sevilla/..._0_0_199&a=140
http://www.groupon.es/deals/sevilla/..._0_0_199&a=140
Jul 18th, 2013, 05:38 AM
#122
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Joannnyc -thank you!
We are still very excite
I went back to work ft and am in 2summer school classes - so my planning has taken a back seat... Dd and I might chsnge the tail end of the trip and sty a little longer.. Talking through what that might look like
We are still very excite
I went back to work ft and am in 2summer school classes - so my planning has taken a back seat... Dd and I might chsnge the tail end of the trip and sty a little longer.. Talking through what that might look like
Jul 22nd, 2013, 05:16 AM
#123
Just received this Groupon for horseback riding near Madrid... same place as I posted on July 6.
http://www.groupon.es/deals/madrid/p..._0_0_203&a=133
http://www.groupon.es/deals/madrid/p..._0_0_203&a=133
Jul 22nd, 2013, 08:28 PM
#125
Hi Dawn,
Just had a chance to read your thread.
My husband and I took our girls to Andalucia a few years ago. They were around your daughter's age at the time.
I have also been to Morocco with one daughter.
I guess my opinions would differ from some.
Alhambra was the highlight of the trip for all of us. We had night and daytime tickets. I did not find it so much like Alcazar (which was my favorite thing in Seville). I would highly recommend the night tickets. It really is fascinating and beautiful.
I was honestly underwhelmed by Seville. But, I'm kind of a spoiled traveler. To us, it had a bit of a "spring break" feel. Lots of young kids hanging out in the street and food and alcohol on the ground etc. We actually left early and headed to the beach for a few days. (The beach was nice - we stayed in a lovely hotel - but it did not have a feel of being in Spain. Much of the beach area is filled with tourists from England so it feels very British rather than Spanish. We were not traveling so far and wanted the sun so it didn't matter.) My husband and daughter went to the bull fights in Seville but my other daughter and I skipped. I'm pretty sure that event scarred the daughter who went, but you know how teenagers just have to do some things...
Ronda was lovely.
I've not been to Madrid, but my daughter loved it as did my husband.
Fes? It is other worldly. I believe I wrote a trip report about it here on Fodor's. Fascinating. But you need a guide and stay in a nice place. Not somewhere women go off walking around alone. I spent a lot of time debating Marrakech versus Fes and made a very good choice. My daughter and I loved it.
Whatever you decide I wish you a wonderful trip!
Just had a chance to read your thread.
My husband and I took our girls to Andalucia a few years ago. They were around your daughter's age at the time.
I have also been to Morocco with one daughter.
I guess my opinions would differ from some.
Alhambra was the highlight of the trip for all of us. We had night and daytime tickets. I did not find it so much like Alcazar (which was my favorite thing in Seville). I would highly recommend the night tickets. It really is fascinating and beautiful.
I was honestly underwhelmed by Seville. But, I'm kind of a spoiled traveler. To us, it had a bit of a "spring break" feel. Lots of young kids hanging out in the street and food and alcohol on the ground etc. We actually left early and headed to the beach for a few days. (The beach was nice - we stayed in a lovely hotel - but it did not have a feel of being in Spain. Much of the beach area is filled with tourists from England so it feels very British rather than Spanish. We were not traveling so far and wanted the sun so it didn't matter.) My husband and daughter went to the bull fights in Seville but my other daughter and I skipped. I'm pretty sure that event scarred the daughter who went, but you know how teenagers just have to do some things...
Ronda was lovely.
I've not been to Madrid, but my daughter loved it as did my husband.
Fes? It is other worldly. I believe I wrote a trip report about it here on Fodor's. Fascinating. But you need a guide and stay in a nice place. Not somewhere women go off walking around alone. I spent a lot of time debating Marrakech versus Fes and made a very good choice. My daughter and I loved it.
Whatever you decide I wish you a wonderful trip!
Jul 23rd, 2013, 06:37 AM
#126
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Perhaps things have changed, but I had a friend who knew someone whose teen daughter was kidnapped on the street in Morocco and they never saw her again (they were tourists). That was about 20 years ago, though. So women really cannot be casual or walk around alone. I've only been to Egypt and when it was much more "liberal" than now, and was harrassed quite a bit by Egyptian men for no reason, they are very abusive to women, and especially Americans who they think they can do anything to.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 08:27 AM
#127
but I had a friend who knew someone whose teen daughter was kidnapped on the street in Morocco and they never saw her again (they were tourists)>>
oh really. Christine, did you miss the recent news story about the 4 girls who escaped after years of captivity? IN THE US? or Austria, or....
nothing the OP has said would lead you to think that they were about to go wandering around alone in Fez.
oh really. Christine, did you miss the recent news story about the 4 girls who escaped after years of captivity? IN THE US? or Austria, or....
nothing the OP has said would lead you to think that they were about to go wandering around alone in Fez.
Jul 29th, 2013, 04:46 AM
#128
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Thank you for the feedback everyone! I have not done much planning lately - but we have our airfare booked, our hotels and one apartment set, car rental booked - watched Rick Steve's Spain (help us all!), and are excited - May seems like a long time from now!
As far as Morocco, I would pass for a variety of reasons but my 16 year old and husband really want to go - so for their sake, I will do the research and we will most likely go - the good news is that the first 5 nights are at the beach, more relaxing, getting over jet lag etc. If we want to go - great - if not? No big deal.
As far as Morocco, I would pass for a variety of reasons but my 16 year old and husband really want to go - so for their sake, I will do the research and we will most likely go - the good news is that the first 5 nights are at the beach, more relaxing, getting over jet lag etc. If we want to go - great - if not? No big deal.
Jul 29th, 2013, 06:14 AM
#130
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Ann - naaawwwhhhh I mean we did pass on Bangkok as a possibility for this trip due to the fact that I would not feel safe with my daughter walking out on the street alone at 17 so I am a bit of a nervous traveler in general... but if we keep our daughter with us at all times in Morocco (I cannot imagine not doing that) it will be fine. We just don't want to visit a place where for 14 days we have to keep our eyes on a 17 year old at all times. (that might not be coming out right in a message board post).
Jul 29th, 2013, 09:29 AM
#132
<no more at risk in Morocco than you are in Vienna, or NYC or>
That may be true, but for different reasons. Random crime in NYC or Chicago, some violent.
But in Morocco, American's could be targeted. I would check with the State Department Travel Advisories.
Then decide.
That may be true, but for different reasons. Random crime in NYC or Chicago, some violent.
But in Morocco, American's could be targeted. I would check with the State Department Travel Advisories.
Then decide.
Jul 29th, 2013, 09:55 AM
#133
If you really want to go to Morocco, I'd also drop over to the African threads. While Fez is ok I still think Marrakech is the best. But both these cities in July are going to be seriously hot. The roses will still be blooming in Marrakech but I suggest you may wilt. If you still want to go follow my name back to the odd write up.
If you want to stay by the coast Essouira is pretty good (and cooler), pretty small the old own is still walled and it is pleasant to sit in an upstairs restaurant on the balcony looking out to sea. I think some flights have opening up to here and Agadir from southern Spain. If not it is a big schlep over from Marrakech (about 4 hours by bus and 2 by grande taxi).
If you want to stay by the coast Essouira is pretty good (and cooler), pretty small the old own is still walled and it is pleasant to sit in an upstairs restaurant on the balcony looking out to sea. I think some flights have opening up to here and Agadir from southern Spain. If not it is a big schlep over from Marrakech (about 4 hours by bus and 2 by grande taxi).
Jul 29th, 2013, 01:37 PM
#135
That may be true, but for different reasons. Random crime in NYC or Chicago, some violent.>>
Iris - i was referring specifically to Christine's post which seemed to imply that there was some sort of white slave trade going on. I was referring, perhaps obliquely but I believe relevantly, to cases of young women being held against their will for many years in both Austria and the US.
yes, there are potential dangers, but then you can get run over by a car at home, or be on a bus that crashes, or a train, or.....
IME the biggest problem is that you tend to get treated as a walking wallet and the words for "no" and "go away" are very useful.
Iris - i was referring specifically to Christine's post which seemed to imply that there was some sort of white slave trade going on. I was referring, perhaps obliquely but I believe relevantly, to cases of young women being held against their will for many years in both Austria and the US.
yes, there are potential dangers, but then you can get run over by a car at home, or be on a bus that crashes, or a train, or.....
IME the biggest problem is that you tend to get treated as a walking wallet and the words for "no" and "go away" are very useful.
Jul 30th, 2013, 10:48 AM
#139
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Joann - do you think those ares are fine for two women traveling alone?
Pardon the question, I recently had a trying time in Mexico - which resulted in a hospital stay, possible surgery (I was able to make the flight home & had surgery upon arrival) and have become a nervous traveler..
I am hopeful my courage will return but am sort of nervous now about being in Spain alone with dd.
My schedule had opened up - and I can stay the extra time.. My husband cannot. My daughter and I are exceptionally close -and she is leaving for college in August..(2014) so it is a special time.
Pardon the question, I recently had a trying time in Mexico - which resulted in a hospital stay, possible surgery (I was able to make the flight home & had surgery upon arrival) and have become a nervous traveler..
I am hopeful my courage will return but am sort of nervous now about being in Spain alone with dd. My schedule had opened up - and I can stay the extra time.. My husband cannot. My daughter and I are exceptionally close -and she is leaving for college in August..(2014) so it is a special time.
Jul 30th, 2013, 11:04 AM
#140
Oh, yes, very safe! I always travel solo (female) and spent a few (or more) nights in these towns. I never felt uncomfortable at all. These are some of the places that I visited in Spain last year.
