Antonio and I would love to have you join us on May 31, 2014 here in Granada, Spain to help us celebrate our marriage. I also understand that traveling internationally is a big deal and something that needs to be thought through and planned well. So that`s why I am here to help you get the best price on flights, look for hotels and plan your travel. So don`t just think of this as coming for our wedding but look at the bigger picture, this could be a vacation of a lifetime!!!!!!
DOCUMENTATION
To come to Europe you do not need any specific vaccinations or visa, in fact all you need is a current up to date passport. There is also no need for travelers checks (as they get you the WORST exchange rate) or to exchange cash before arriving in Spain. At any airport or within any cities you will have ATM`s galore and that will probably get you the best exchange rate. Here we do pay for a lot of things in cash so it is good to always have some €€€ on you. Also if you want to have cellular service or at least be able to use the WIFI here make sure to contact your cellular service to see the best way to get that turned on before coming.
FLIGHTS
In my opinion the best time to look for flights is after New Years. After the holidays are over the airlines seem to focus on spring and usually you can get spring sale prices. A standard flight from Chicago (for example to Madrid) is about $1,300. If you find a flight for $800 or $900 that is a killer deal, don`t hesitate. Also as for where to fly into, most international flights will fly into Madrid (MAD) and then you can connect to a Granada (GRX) flight or take a bus (which here in Spain are very comfortable and frequent).
Some of the websites I use to search from flights are;
http://www.lastminute.com/
http://www.travelzoo.com/supersearch/?catid=990
http://www.iberia.com/?language=en
TRAVEL WITHIN SPAIN
Again like I said the bus is a great way to travel in Spain as it is frequent, fast (sometimes faster than trains), cheap, comfortable, drop off within the city and you don`t have to worry about parking. If you plan on visiting some of the larger cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville then train travel is also an option. You can use the high speed AVE train but make sure to get tickets ahead of time as it can be almost or as expensive as flights. You can also fly within the major cities but the airports are located outside of the city and I feel that this isn`t a great option. If you are adventurous, travelling in a group or looking to get off the beaten track then renting a car isn`t a bad option (you can use your USA driver`s license). But remember here in Spain gas is VERY expensive there is very little street parking and public parking lots are very expensive and most parking in hotels are at an additional cost.
http://www.alsa.es/en/ (Bus website)
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/ (train travel in Spain)
http://www.rentalcars.com/en/ (car rental)
http://www.easycar.com/car-hire/spain.aspx (car rental)
ACCOMMODATION
Here in Spain we have all the major hotels like Marriot, AC, NH etc but we also have good smaller family run hotels or B&B`s. For hotel deals I usually use a website consolidator like;
http://www.trivago.com/?
I would also suggest websites like;
www.airbnb.com
where you can rent out people`s homes or apartments for a great price and it is more comfortable and personal than a hotel.
I will update this section with more information for local accommodation as the dates get closer. Also the night of the wedding we will have accommodation offered on sight for those who would like to stay with us at the venue.
MUST DO`S in GRANADA
Coming and visiting Granada without spending a morning or afternoon in the Alhambra would be unforgivable. Once you know your dates, make sure to buy your tickets as it books up quickly.
http://www.ticketmaster.es/nav/landings/en/mucho_mas/entradas_alhambra/entradas.html?utm_campaign=ALH-weboficial&utm_source=alhambra-tickets.es&utm_medium=link&canalMB=ALH
Watching a Flamenco show is also a nice evening event and here in Granada most are held in the caves of Sacramonte which is the area where the gypsy's live. This is something that you can buy on your arrival here in Granada
www.cuevaslostarantos.com/
Arabic bath houses makes for a nice and relaxing few hours after walking around the city and is something very typical to Granada.
http://www.aljibesanmiguel.es/
RECOMMENDED TOUR (SOUTHERN SPAIN)
When friends and family come to visit I always recommend that the visit places which are within a distance of a few hours from each other, that way you don`t spend your whole vacation travelling. Since you will be coming to Granada I would suggest that you stick to Andalucia (southern Spain) by including some of the nearby cities like, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda and then relaxing on one of the many beaches here. Andalucia has so much to offer the tourist; culture, great food, beautiful beaches and lovely villages in the mountains.
http://www.andalucia.org/en/ ( a great overview of what Andalucia has to offer)
FESTIVALS
Spring and early summer is a great time to be travelling through Spain as the weather is nice and there is usually some kind of festival in the cities or villages. Some examples are the following;
4-15 MAY
PATIOS DE CORDOBA
CORDOBA
PATIOS DE CORDOBA
CORDOBA
This is the central part of the annual May festival, which also includes the Battle of the Flowers (1 May), and coincides with two romerias (see below), closely followed by the Feria. See the patios decked out with thousands of colourful scented blooms, as well as mosaic decorations. Many cultural events too, including top flamenco performers.
28 MAY - 2 JUNE 2013
FERIA DE LA MANZANILLA (FERIA DE SANLUCAR)
SANLUCAR DE BARRAMEDA, CADIZ
FERIA DE LA MANZANILLA (FERIA DE SANLUCAR)
SANLUCAR DE BARRAMEDA, CADIZ
Sanlucar’s feria is made all the more enjoyable by being able to partake of its very own tipple: manzanilla, a light, dry sherry, which is only made in the town. The feria ground is along the seafront – a top spot for appreciating some chilled manzanilla with some famous Sanlucar prawns.
20 - 26 JUNE
FERIA DEL CORPUS
GRANADA
FERIA DEL CORPUS
GRANADA
Granada’s spring feria, which is timed to incorporate Corpus Christi on 23 June (see below).
Find more information in English on this website;
Bullfighting
Year after year, ritual and skill join hands to stage Spain´s bullfighting season, which stretches from April to October. The most important bullfight ferias - week-long events which feature a corrida every afternoon - are held to coincide with the yearly fairs of Sevilla, Córdoba, Jerez, El Puerto de Santa María, Algeciras and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, with others such as Ecija, Granada, Málaga, Almería, Antequera, La Línea, Priego, Cabra, Pozoblanco, Villacarrillo, Ubeda, Baeza, Jaén, Aroche, Almonaster la Real and Campofrío, Higuera de la Sierra and Huelva.
Ronda holds a very popular type of bullfight known as a "corrida goyesca" in early September, in which the fighters dress in the costumes shown in Goya's famous 18th century engravings.
BEACHES AND GOLF
¨Enjoying the sun and golfing in Andalusia twelve months a year is a reality. With close to 120 golf courses, you can enjoy your favourite sport in any of our community's eight provinces, and in world-class courses designed by legendary players and the world's most prestigious designers.
Andalusia is Europe's leading golf tourist destination due to the quality of its courses located in privileged areas, with beautiful landscapes and near idyllic beaches.¨
WEATHERhttp://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/SPXX0040
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