Scouting trip to Spain

[Monster]

In the end of October early November my wife and I are going to Spain! It's been a couple years since we have gotten to go on a vacation and this one is partly celebrating our 20 year anniversary.

I'm planning to go to at least one ACB Spanish league basketball game maybe more depending on how it fits into the schedule my wife has been working on. I looked at going to a soccer game but at this point ticket prices are a higher price than I care about the experience.

Is there any recommendations for things to see in Spain or tips for travel there? We are flying into Madrid and going a few places in Spain and doing a day trip to Morocco.

[Q-is-here]

Have fun!

[60WinTim]

I've been to Spain a couple of times, but always as a part of cruise, never a "stay-and-explore" venture.

We did a Segway tour in Cartagena that I really enjoyed (first time on a Segway). I am not a "big city" guy, but Cartagena had a really nice feel to it.

I never did run into Ricky...

[Monster]

I just got a ticket for BARÇA VS LEYMA CORUÑA in Barcelona. I'm kinda excited about going to this basketball game. It should be fun to see the basketball played there, see the arena and take in the vibe of basketball in Europe.

For the rest of the trip we are planning to fly into Madrid stay there for a couple days go to Barcelona be there for a few days then fly to Marakkesh Morroco. We will stay there for a few days then fly back to Madrid for a few days before flying out. In Marakkesh I believe we are planning to utilize a guide at least one of the days.

Let me know if there is anything I should go and see in any of these places. I need to do more research. Of course my wife has been planning for hours upon hours since we bought the plane tickets. Lol

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I've been to Spain a few times (I live in Germany), but only for a week or so at a time, so take this for what it's worth.

Barcelona's pretty cool. The old city centre feels almost medieval and some of the architecture they've got there is pretty interesting. It was fairly touristy and there was a lot of shopping, but it was cool. A friend of mine got robbed there, so don't keep your wallet in a big loose pocket in a thick crowd!

Bilbao is rough around the edges, but I really liked it. Eat lots of Pinxtos. They've actually got some good beer there too. If you like eating and drinking and checking out cool stores and stuff, it's pretty nice. The Guggenheim museum was fine, but the building is the real attraction there. Guernica is not far away, but I didn't have time to visit it. There's a ton of history in Spain and I'd like to visit more sites like that in the future.

I also spent some time in Galicia, in Santiago and then on the coast this past summer. It was nice. Pretty green compared to other parts of Spain. Santiago is the destination of a lot of Catholic pilgrimages, so that was kind of cool to see all these groups arriving there. The seafood on the coast was really freakin' good. That might be more of a summer vacation spot, but it was great. The coast is rocky and really fun for hiking, and then you'll come to all these random nice sand beaches, some with people, some not. Some of the people were wearing swimsuits, some not. A not insignificant number of the women were topless, and it was just totally normal there. Just making observations!

I haven't been anywhere else in Spain, but I'd still like to get to the far south someday, and I'd also really like to go to Lisbon, which is not too far away (by American standards).

Good to see you're going to a basketball game. If I go again, I'd definitely like to check out some sports. European fans are generally really rowdy at live events, and the Spanish are nuts about sports. LaLiga would be the dream, but even a lower-level soccer game would probably be crazy. In Germany, the Bundesliga soccer games are crazy, but even like, the equivalent of minor-league hockey games feature extended chants, mass singing, large fan-based drumming groups, and yes, copious use of flares indoors. Bring earplugs just to be safe.

Have a good time!

EDIT: Whoops, just saw now where you're going, so never mind about Bilbao and Galicia (unless your trip is flexible). Still, I'm definitely going to try to go to Lisbon on my next trip over that way. Everybody I know who visits says they love it.

[Monster]

I've been to Spain a few times (I live in Germany), but only for a week or so at a time, so take this for what it's worth.

Barcelona's pretty cool. The old city centre feels almost medieval and some of the architecture they've got there is pretty interesting. It was fairly touristy and there was a lot of shopping, but it was cool. A friend of mine got robbed there, so don't keep your wallet in a big loose pocket in a thick crowd!

Bilbao is rough around the edges, but I really liked it. Eat lots of Pinxtos. They've actually got some good beer there too. If you like eating and drinking and checking out cool stores and stuff, it's pretty nice. The Guggenheim museum was fine, but the building is the real attraction there. Guernica is not far away, but I didn't have time to visit it. There's a ton of history in Spain and I'd like to visit more sites like that in the future.

I also spent some time in Galicia, in Santiago and then on the coast this past summer. It was nice. Pretty green compared to other parts of Spain. Santiago is the destination of a lot of Catholic pilgrimages, so that was kind of cool to see all these groups arriving there. The seafood on the coast was really freakin' good. That might be more of a summer vacation spot, but it was great. The coast is rocky and really fun for hiking, and then you'll come to all these random nice sand beaches, some with people, some not. Some of the people were wearing swimsuits, some not. A not insignificant number of the women were topless, and it was just totally normal there. Just making observations!

I haven't been anywhere else in Spain, but I'd still like to get to the far south someday, and I'd also really like to go to Lisbon, which is not too far away (by American standards).

Good to see you're going to a basketball game. If I go again, I'd definitely like to check out some sports. European fans are generally really rowdy at live events, and the Spanish are nuts about sports. LaLiga would be the dream, but even a lower-level soccer game would probably be crazy. In Germany, the Bundesliga soccer games are crazy, but even like, the equivalent of minor-league hockey games feature extended chants, mass singing, large fan-based drumming groups, and yes, copious use of flares indoors. Bring earplugs just to be safe.

Have a good time!

EDIT: Whoops, just saw now where you're going, so never mind about Bilbao and Galicia (unless your trip is flexible). Still, I'm definitely going to try to go to Lisbon on my next trip over that way. Everybody I know who visits says they love it.

Thanks for all the info. I haven't even gone yet but I'm sure I would like to go back and see more. I prefer to see a couple places for longer periods of time than see a whole bunch of places for a little time.

I had looked at going to a Real Madrid Soccer game as a coworker mentioned there was a big time match when we would be in Spain but by the time I looked and was more serious about getting tickets they were around $200 and that was before fees on stub hub. My wife wanted to try and help me go but I honestly didn't want to go That bad and there are probably legit fans that are REALLY wanting to go so I'll let them. Lol I also didn't want to keep trying to plan around that possible date. I was pretty happy with going to the Spanish league basketball game and as you said I'll probably get some of the flavor of what other sports will be like. I'm really excited.

[Monster]

Sorry I've been absent after getting back from Spain I was exhausted. Not sure if I had something or it was still leftover allergies from Morroco or what. I definitely don't bounce back from travel like I used to. Then it was the holidays and there was a lot going on. I intended to catch up on some games but I really haven't.

Anyway my trip was good except the allergies in Morroco. I ended up wearing a mask most the time even while sleeping. Who knows what it was there but it did kinda suck. It was a good experience probbaly the most culture shock I have had but it was interesting to visit.

We both loved Barcelona. One of my favorite parts of the top was going to the FC Barcelona basketball game. It was everything I was expecting a great atmosphere and my seat ended up being right in the middle of the court so it was great I spend the few extra dollars. If I went again I woukd be tempted to spring for the seats that put you almost Courtside just for the experience. They are like $50. There were plenty of former NBA players on Barca's team. Jabari Parker Justin Anderson (the one that played for the Mavs) Satoransky, Metu, Willie Hernagomez, Vessley and Alex Abrines.

Jabari Parker had a nice game making a bunch 3's but I can see reasons why he isn't in the league despite having some real talent. First of all he doesn't stand out that much athletic ally. He doesn't look like a guy that's hungry to play in the league in terms of what his body looks like. Compare that the what I have seen of Jalil Okafor who is trying to get back there is no comparison. Okafor looks ripped and lean. Parker...does not look like that. I'm not gonna say he is out of shape. He was playing hard looking like he is enjoying himself over there. When I was walking around after the game I saw the kid that he gave his shoes to and he was beyond thrilled.

Justin Anderson looks like he could come back an guard in the NBA. His offense? Yeah idk but defense he was guarding PGs all the way down to some PFs. The athetism and strength still showed bigtime.

The arena is really cool looking and I really want to go to more games. They are building a new soccer stadiun right across from the basketball arena. I also visited the soccer stadium in Madrid and it was pretty impressive.

Overall I loved Spain and would love to go back. One thing that was different was the streets and sidewalks were more walkable/smoother than in other European countries. As always I loved going to various grocery stores and trying out various things. I'm probbaly good on doing any international travel for a while since it took a lot out of me again. I'm planning to do more domestic travel the next few months.

[Q-is-here]

Sorry I've been absent after getting back from Spain I was exhausted. Not sure if I had something or it was still leftover allergies from Morroco or what. I definitely don't bounce back from travel like I used to. Then it was the holidays and there was a lot going on. I intended to catch up on some games but I really haven't.

Anyway my trip was good except the allergies in Morroco. I ended up wearing a mask most the time even while sleeping. Who knows what it was there but it did kinda suck. It was a good experience probbaly the most culture shock I have had but it was interesting to visit.

We both loved Barcelona. One of my favorite parts of the top was going to the FC Barcelona basketball game. It was everything I was expecting a great atmosphere and my seat ended up being right in the middle of the court so it was great I spend the few extra dollars. If I went again I woukd be tempted to spring for the seats that put you almost Courtside just for the experience. They are like $50. There were plenty of former NBA players on Barca's team. Jabari Parker Justin Anderson (the one that played for the Mavs) Satoransky, Metu, Willie Hernagomez, Vessley and Alex Abrines.

Jabari Parker had a nice game making a bunch 3's but I can see reasons why he isn't in the league despite having some real talent. First of all he doesn't stand out that much athletic ally. He doesn't look like a guy that's hungry to play in the league in terms of what his body looks like. Compare that the what I have seen of Jalil Okafor who is trying to get back there is no comparison. Okafor looks ripped and lean. Parker...does not look like that. I'm not gonna say he is out of shape. He was playing hard looking like he is enjoying himself over there. When I was walking around after the game I saw the kid that he gave his shoes to and he was beyond thrilled.

Justin Anderson looks like he could come back an guard in the NBA. His offense? Yeah idk but defense he was guarding PGs all the way down to some PFs. The athetism and strength still showed bigtime.

The arena is really cool looking and I really want to go to more games. They are building a new soccer stadiun right across from the basketball arena. I also visited the soccer stadium in Madrid and it was pretty impressive.

Overall I loved Spain and would love to go back. One thing that was different was the streets and sidewalks were more walkable/smoother than in other European countries. As always I loved going to various grocery stores and trying out various things. I'm probbaly good on doing any international travel for a while since it took a lot out of me again. I'm planning to do more domestic travel the next few months.

Sounds like a great trip Monster, thanks for sharing and welcome back to the board!

I hear what you are saying in terms of recovery. I travel in the U.S. quite a bit and I have to recover from moving around just a time zone or two!

[Monster]

Sorry I've been absent after getting back from Spain I was exhausted. Not sure if I had something or it was still leftover allergies from Morroco or what. I definitely don't bounce back from travel like I used to. Then it was the holidays and there was a lot going on. I intended to catch up on some games but I really haven't.

Anyway my trip was good except the allergies in Morroco. I ended up wearing a mask most the time even while sleeping. Who knows what it was there but it did kinda suck. It was a good experience probbaly the most culture shock I have had but it was interesting to visit.

We both loved Barcelona. One of my favorite parts of the top was going to the FC Barcelona basketball game. It was everything I was expecting a great atmosphere and my seat ended up being right in the middle of the court so it was great I spend the few extra dollars. If I went again I woukd be tempted to spring for the seats that put you almost Courtside just for the experience. They are like $50. There were plenty of former NBA players on Barca's team. Jabari Parker Justin Anderson (the one that played for the Mavs) Satoransky, Metu, Willie Hernagomez, Vessley and Alex Abrines.

Jabari Parker had a nice game making a bunch 3's but I can see reasons why he isn't in the league despite having some real talent. First of all he doesn't stand out that much athletic ally. He doesn't look like a guy that's hungry to play in the league in terms of what his body looks like. Compare that the what I have seen of Jalil Okafor who is trying to get back there is no comparison. Okafor looks ripped and lean. Parker...does not look like that. I'm not gonna say he is out of shape. He was playing hard looking like he is enjoying himself over there. When I was walking around after the game I saw the kid that he gave his shoes to and he was beyond thrilled.

Justin Anderson looks like he could come back an guard in the NBA. His offense? Yeah idk but defense he was guarding PGs all the way down to some PFs. The athetism and strength still showed bigtime.

The arena is really cool looking and I really want to go to more games. They are building a new soccer stadiun right across from the basketball arena. I also visited the soccer stadium in Madrid and it was pretty impressive.

Overall I loved Spain and would love to go back. One thing that was different was the streets and sidewalks were more walkable/smoother than in other European countries. As always I loved going to various grocery stores and trying out various things. I'm probbaly good on doing any international travel for a while since it took a lot out of me again. I'm planning to do more domestic travel the next few months.

Sounds like a great trip Monster, thanks for sharing and welcome back to the board!

I hear what you are saying in terms of recovery. I travel in the U.S. quite a bit and I have to recover from moving around just a time zone or two!

Yeah I probbaly wouldn't be as willing to drive as long distances as I used to even 10 years ago. On this trip it also didn't help that I ate terribly when I got back. We didn't get groceries basically just eating whatever was still around the house from when we left and what I brought back from Spain. Trying to be healthier in 2025.