Monday, December 30, 2013

TRAVEL SPECIAL .........................TRIP PLANNER SPAIN



TRIP PLANNER SPAIN 

With its architecture, rich culture and sumptuous cuisine, Spain has a lot to offer to discerning travellers. Here’s all you need to know to plan a trip 


TRIP TRAIL
“Travellers should spend at least seven days in Spain, but 15 days is the ideal duration,” says Arturo Ortiz Arduan, tourism counsellor and director, Tourism Office of Spain. He suggests three popular circuits—Madrid-Barcelona-Valencia, Barcelona-Tarragona-Costa Brava with Cadaques and Figueras, and lastly, Madrid and the Andalusian circuit (including Sevilla, Cordoba, Cadiz, Granada and Malaga). Let’s consider the first option. On day one, check out the local sights in Madrid. Begin the next day with museum hopping—the Prado, Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are all within walking distance of each other—and then, head for the Barrio de los Austrias, a part of the city built by the Habsburg monarchs. On day three, take a day trip to Valencia, where horchata, paella and bull fighting await. The next day, visit Barcelona and take in The Sagrada Familia, Picasso Musuem, Santa Maria del Mar, Parc de la Ciutadella fountain, etc. Reserve the next day to walk around the city admiring the architecture and indulging in retail therapy. Fly home from Barcelona on day seven.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Spring is the best time to visit Spain. Another good option is autumn, but keep in mind that the Atlantic coast experiences rains in October.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
FREE

• Prado Museum, Madrid (Monday-Saturday: 6-8 p.m.)
• Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid (Monday-Friday: 7-9 p.m.)
• Museo Tiflologico, Madrid
• La Almudena Cathedral, Madrid
• Museo Taurino, Madrid
• Platja de Sant Sebastia, Barcelona
• Barri Gotic, Barcelona
• Magic Fountain of Montjuic, Barcelona
• Jardins del Turia, Valencia
• Bull-fighting Museum, Valencia
PAID
(Approximate per adult rates)
• National Art Museum of Catalonia, Madrid: 1,000
• Royal Palace, Madrid (free on Wednesdays): 838
• Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid (free on Mondays): 754
• Corral de la Moreria (Flamenco show and dinner), Madrid: 2,680 onwards
• The Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Madrid: 587
• La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona: 1,131
• Park Güell, Barcelona: 670
• Picasso Museum, Barcelona – 503

SAVING TIPS
• Purchase a combination ticket/ pass, which lets you use various mediums of transport (bus and/or metro) for a specific number of journeys. This is not only userfriendly but also economical.
• “Foreign tourists can bag discounted rates under the special foreign tourist tariff for the highspeed train network (AVE).
• Many museums/attractions offer free entry during the week or on a specific day. Ask the hotel concierge to make the most of this.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE...
AIR FARE
Return flights between Delhi/Mumbai and Madrid start at 43,000-46,000, but be prepared to pay more than 58,000 for those with short stopovers. Flights to Barcelona are slightly more expensive, starting at 45,000-48,000.
EXCHANGE RATE
The currency in Spain is the euro. Currently, 100 will fetch euro 1.19.
VISA
Indians need to apply for a Spanish visa through the VFS counter in their respective cities/regions. The applicable visa fee is 5,060 for adults and 2,952 for children (6-12 years). Applications must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the proposed date of travel.
TRIP EXPENSE
For a backpacking traveller, the average, per day expense would range between 2,300 and 2,600, covering food, stay and sightseeing. “A midlevel travel budget vacationer will spend approximately 6,700 per day, while a luxury traveller will spend over 25,000 daily,” adds Arduan.
ACCOMMODATION
According to the Hotel Price Index report released by
Hotels.com, the average hotel tariff in Spain is 8,818. A four-star hotel would typically cost around 8,375 per night for two persons.
LOCAL COMMUTE
Buses and the metro are the best options for local commute. The average rate for a short distance bus/ train ride would be 168 per journey, while a 5 km taxi trip would cost around 1,000.


DON’T MISS...
... the country’s famous Flamenco dance show. You could take in the spectacular show held at Corral de la Moreria in Madrid. If you want to see the entire city in a dance frenzy, try to time your visit with the Festival de Flamenco Caja Madrid, which takes place at Teatro del Canal and other venues around the city in February.


 Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal. ETW131216


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