By Regina W Bryan— The day has come. You’re packing a bag for your trip to Madrid, Spain’s largest city. Seeing that lugging three rolling suitcases is neither savvy nor cost-effective, you have to be choosey with clothes, shoes and accessories. So should you pack the sandals or the sneakers? Just jeans or slacks, too? » Read more

When you’re just getting to know a city it can be hard to determine if you’re paying “local” prices or “tourist” prices. Chances are if you’re in a very popular, central area of the city and the menu is translated into 20 languages, you’re paying a premium. While rates and prices vary, here’s what I » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— You want to take something home to ma and pa from your amazing trip to Barcelona. But what? Here are some ideas to replace the shot glass, refrigerator magnet and cheesy t-shirt. 1. For foodies Dad loves to cook? How about some Spanish spices to go in his next » Read more

Regina Bryan’s interesting article here on EuroCheapo last month sparked a discussion on rail fares in Spain. So we thought a few thoughts on Spanish rail travel might be in order. The hop-on-at-will culture that prevails in many European countries when it comes to long-distance rail travel simply does not apply in Spain. All long-distance » Read more

By Regina W Bryan— There’s a rivalry between Spain’s two largest cities, Barcelona and Madrid. From soccer—Real Madrid vs. Barça—to which city has better nightlife, there have been many a heated debate between locals from both sides. I live in Barcelona and love it here, but I have to admit: Madrid is pretty cool! Every » Read more

Madrid Chamartín station has little of the appeal or the convenience of the Spanish capital’s main rail hub at Atocha. Located near the city center, Atocha is extravagant and exuberant. The classic art nouveau train shed, now a superb indoor tropical garden, stands cheek by jowl with architect Rafael Moneo’s assertive late-20th century new add-on » Read more

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— Driving in Barcelona is about as fun as a root canal. There’s traffic. There’s no right on red and pedestrians jump out at every turn, sprinting across the road. And of course, scooter riders weave between cars with an insane amount of confidence. One must remain calm to drive » Read more

We could so easily have opted for the plane, taking a direct flight from Berlin to Málaga and then traveling onward to Cádiz by bus. And it would have taken 12 hours door-to-door. That would have been too simple. Why pass on a chance to catch a glimpse of parts of Europe that we had » Read more

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— AVE is Spain’s fastest, slickest and most modern train. Those who want to travel in style and comfort take Ave and pay, for the most part, a pretty penny to do so. With so many cheapo flights around Europe these days (Vueling, Ryanair, easyJet, etc.) normal train travel is » Read more