CPers going to Spain thread

[red sky]

So at what point can take off the "or maybe not" from the title? All though once that is gone it is official official.

[cmyden]

So at what point can take off the "or maybe not" from the title? All though once that is gone it is official official.

It sounds pretty solid now. Span Air has confirmed that it's all good, so I think you can change the title now.

As for me, I'll still be paranoid until I'm actually in the air

[Zarathustra]

Originally Posted by tete

The thing is, the whole island isn't a resort, right? I think there must be some great non-beachy things you can do there - the place is an ecological reserve, right? I'm holding out hope that there's stuff to do - though I'm entertaining the idea of at least going over to Majorca - I hear that there's some good siteseeing there too.

I'm really getting excited about this! Time to start planning! (As my husband starts rolling his eyes )

For a $116 CAD flight this deal is amazing and I wouldn't complain spending 7 days on a Mediterranean beach and exploring the island. But since I'll already be in the area might as well explore some historical cities (Barcelona) or see my favourite DJs in the world at superclubs in Ibiza!

[jtfrogger]

Okay, I've changed the thread title. It's probably about as official as we can get, isn't it. Woohoo, we're going to Spain!

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

I travel for adventure, not to "vacation". I'll have a lot more adventures in Ibiza and Barcelona than I will at some silly resort.

That's a bit ironic considering I think a lot of people would consider Ibiza and Barcelona for "vacation" and Menorca, the most natural island, for adventure.

[Zarathustra]

Originally Posted by icarus

That's a bit ironic considering I think a lot of people would consider Ibiza and Barcelona for "vacation" and Menorca, the most natural island, for adventure.

That's cute. Your definition of adventure is obviously different than mine.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

That's cute. Your definition of adventure is obviously different than mine.

Apparently so. Barcelona is the top tourist destination in Spain and the 4th most visited city by international tourists in Europe, and Ibiza is top party destination island in the Mediterranean, if not the world. Meanwhile Wikitravel describes Menorca as follows:

Minorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands, located to the northeast of Mallorca and is the least overrun and most tranquil of the Balearics. Due to its unspoilt beauty, it allows the more adventerous [!] the opportunity to discover new charms and experiences.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Menorca

I view adventure as getting off the beaten path. I guess your definition of adventure involves rubbing elbows with vacationers.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I am looking forward to Menorca, especially if I am only there for a week I want to make it worth my time, so my plan is to rent a scooter when I am there, go on a few hikes, see a few of the sites of the Island, go scuba diving for a little bit and go out to the local bars on the island. It seems a waste to spend a bunch of time waiting in airports or on boats.

Granted I am sure many people have different views than me about what is fun to do on a vacation, so I will keep my opinions to myself.

[Zarathustra]

Originally Posted by icarus

Apparently so. Barcelona is the top tourist destination in Spain and the 4th most visited city by international tourists in Europe, and Ibiza is top party destination island in the Mediterranean, if not the world. Meanwhile Wikitravel describes Menorca as follows:http://wikitravel.org/en/Menorca

I view adventure as getting off the beaten path. I guess your definition of adventure involves rubbing elbows with vacationers.

I'm a 20 year old adventurer who has moved to various countries by myself. I'm certainly not looking for tranquility. Maybe when I'm wrinkly, old, on viagra, and married.

For a 20 year old male, there is much more adventure in Ibiza and Barcelona, without a doubt. Especially for one who is traveling alone.

[tvp2003]

Just thought I'd post a heads up -- we got an email this morning from Orbitz saying:

A Change to Your Flight Itinerary

The airline has notified us of a change to your itinerary and they have rebooked you on the following flights.

After freaking out for a brief moment, I checked and it just looks like the arrival times for the Calgary-Toronto legs have changed slightly -- no big deal.

P.S. I've started to do some research on Menorca and it sounds like there will be enough to do to fill a week on the island. However, we're more interested in relaxing, enjoying the beaches/scenery, and exploring the island (rather than hitting up all the clubs -- just personal preference). September also seems like an ideal time to go.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

For a $116 CAD flight this deal is amazing and I wouldn't complain spending 7 days on a Mediterranean beach and exploring the island. But since I'll already be in the area might as well explore some historical cities (Barcelona) or see my favourite DJs in the world at superclubs in Ibiza!

Wait, wait, wait.


Weren't you the guy bashing the island because you like adventure? You wanted to get to the mainland to experience the real adventure of travel and not get stuck sitting on a beach because it is lame.


And you're telling me that your idea of adventure is to go to a nightclub in Ibiza? Dude, I'm not saying it wouldn't be fun because I'm sure going clubbing in Ibiza is a riot but seriously that is not adventure.

Adventure = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GR_11_(Spain) not clubbing. You can get wasted anywhere.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

I'm a 20 year old adventurer who has moved to various countries by myself. I'm certainly not looking for tranquility. Maybe when I'm wrinkly, old, on viagra, and married.

For a 20 year old male, there is much more adventure in Ibiza and Barcelona, without a doubt. Especially for one who is traveling alone.

LOL. Well, I guess since I'm 27, married, and looking for some tranquility on my 15 days of vacation that I get out of every year, you may as well just assume I'm also wrinkly and old and viagra is a part of my life. Moving on...


We were actually hoping to get to Barcelona and looking into taking a cruise from there. Not very "adventurous" I guess, but I thought that might be easier with the baby and we could see a few more places on the trip. Turns out they have age restrictions on cruises (can't be younger than 6 months) so that option is out.

Somebody else had a good point too... once you're travelled the 30 hours to get to Menorca, it might feel nice to just stay put there for 8 days. I'm still a bit undecided about what to actually do.

[flamingreen]

Originally Posted by flip

And you're telling me that your idea of adventure is to go to a nightclub in Ibiza? Dude, I'm not saying it wouldn't be fun because I'm sure going clubbing in Ibiza is a riot but seriously that is not adventure.

Dealing with all those drunk English hooligans in Ibiza will be an adventure all on its own.

[Zarathustra]

Don't want to keep arguing about insignificant definitions.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Somebody else had a good point too... once you're travelled the 30 hours to get to Menorca, it might feel nice to just stay put there for 8 days. I'm still a bit undecided about what to actually do.

Don't know if this will help, but we will most likely be staying on Menorca for the 7 nights (well, 6 when you factor in travel) that we're there. We normally like to visit bigger cities and do a lot of things while on vacation, so this will be the first time that we go somewhere sunny to relax on the beach, unwind, and enjoy the culture and everything else the island has to offer without feeling rushed.

If we had paid a lot of money on airfare I might be singing a different tune, but since we got such an amazing deal I can happily relax and not worry that I'm not getting my money's worth

[cmyden]

Everyone has different definitions of adventure, fun, it's all about what you enjoy. Arguing about what makes for a 'best' vacation will never reach conclusion, since everyone has different opinions, ideas.

I do agree about not trying to do 'too much' in such a short time frame. One rookie mistake that we made in our travels was trying to do anything and everything. You end up spending all of your time on planes, trains and automobiles instead of taking it all in.

For us, the tentative plan is first night on the island, catch the ferry the next morning to Barcelona. Cooking class / sights of Barcelona / hopefully a Barcelona FC match (if the schedule gods are kind) / tapas & drinks with friends.

It would be nice to have time for a day trip somewhere, or maybe even catch the high speed train to Madrid (3 hours) for an overnighter, but again, that might be the 'too much' side rearing it's ugly head again.

End of the week, we'll catch a cheap morning/afternoon flight back to the island. Our flight departs that evening. And then we've got 12 hours in Madrid for one final hurrah.

For me, the greatest part about this trip will be having all of my close friends gathered in a foreign country at the same time, which might never happen again.

[jar_e]

A thread about going to spain gets derailed on what's considered adventurous?! Who the hell cares when we're going to spain for a hundred bucks?!?!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

I'm a 20 year old adventurer who has moved to various countries by myself.

Dude, you're 20, stop acting like you're the Dos Equis man. The fact that you have to specify that you've moved "all by yourself" kind of says it all about where you are in the stage of life. You're young and new to independence, you're not James Bond.

It's fine if you think going to Ibiza is an adventure, but in reality it's exactly what's expected from a guy your age. At one point I remember thinking Burning Man was a good option for a trip ( I know, i know, we all make mistakes).

Go and have your fun, just don't pretend you've discovered some new secret to life and knock other people's choices for their vacations. We all go to places that make us happy, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[cmyden]

Just got confirmation from someone who has flown to Menorca and back on the same deal (yes, there were apparently June dates available, although I think they were limited to really short trips)

It was great. More of a Catalonian influence than I expected. I was there for two days; a week might be pushing it activity-wise, but connections to the other Balaerics or the mainland are frequent and cheap.

[Zarathustra]

Apparently Spanair is trying to change a bunch of people's flights to get them to get a refund. For those who have booked Menorca flights, check your email.

Originally I was supposed to be flying from MAH to MAD on Sept 28, but they changed this, and now I'm going from MAH to MAD on Sept 27 and spending a night in Madrid, and going back to Canada on the 28th. Now my itinerary is:
-1 night in Barcelona
-4 nights in Ibiza
-1 night in Menorca
-1 night in Madrid

Wow this is gunna be crazy. I'll start to book my hotels once I get some more money.