42 Days in Spain

[Platemaker]

Hi, everyone!

I have plane tickets to Madrid for June 5, 2013 - July 17, 2013. Originally, I was going to enroll in a Spanish language school for university credit here in the US. However, plans have changed, I'm transferring to another university, and deadlines for accepting this trip as credit for my new university have past.

Now, I have 42 days on a non-refundable ticket and am seeking a little advice of what to do with that time. I lived in the Azores, Portugal for three years as a teenager (I'm 32 now), and this will be my first trip to mainland Europe (outside the Lisbon airport haha).

While traveling around the Iberian Peninsula sounds exciting, I was really beginning to like the idea of living in Madrid for a month and a half and getting to know that city well (and, of course, include some weekend and day-trips).

What do you all think of settling in Madrid, renting an apartment, and living a madrileño for awhile? Or... would you consider that a "waste of time" when I could be taking a "whirlwind" adventure around the peninsula?

[Platemaker]

I'm assuming you're referring to Casey Cornett? I haven't posted in awhile and some names are foggy.

[andrew3077]

I lived in the Madrid area (Alcalá de Henares) for about 4ish months as a study abroad and I absolutely love the city. One of the most livable places I've ever been to and always exciting 24 hours of the day. Let me know if you have any questions! Prepare for heat though because AC is not as prevalent! I'm very jealous of you right now!

[Dubya61]

I loved living in Spain, but a whirlwind tour is no way to enjoy it. Put down (temporary) roots in one interesting metro and experience it in depth. I loved Madrid, but also keep in mind Sevilla, Barcelona, Granada or Cordoba. I'm not too familiar with the northern cities, though.

[lasomeday]

My brother and I visited Spain in November. Madrid was cool, but Barcelona was so much better. You really should look at living there. We stayed in the Gothic region and walked all over the city. Its such a beautiful city and on the beach!

[HangryHippo]

I lived in Madrid for a year and then moved to Barcelona for a year. I like your plan.

[Platemaker]

I think I'm going to do combo trip.
Rough draft. I will be taking some courses in Salamanca, so those days are fixed.
flight
1 Madrid
2 Madrid
3 Segovia
4 Ávila
5 Salamanca
6 Salamanca
7 Salamanca
8 Salamanca
9 Salamanca
10 Salamanca
11 Salamanca
12 Salamanca
13 Salamanca
14 Salamanca
15 Salamanca
16 Salamanca
17 Salamanca
18 Salamanca
19 Salamanca
20 Salamanca
21 Salamanca
22 Salamanca
23 Salamanca
24 Salamanca
25 Toledo
26 Toledo
27 Seville
28 Seville
29 Granada
30 Córdoba
31 Madrid
32 Madrid
33 Madrid
34 Bilbao
35 Bilbao
36 Barcelona
37 Barcelona
38 Barcelona
39 Barcelona
40 Valencia
41 Madrid
42 home