Hello Eugene,
I am Spaniard, and although I have not been in some of the places you
mentioned (I am from Barcelona (Catalonia), in the north-east of Spain),
I think I can give you some ideas. (if someone else Spaniard is reading
this, I hope he/she will correct some possible mistakes).
As this is a photo group, my advices will be focused to this subject.
Apart from taking photos inside churches & cathedrals (what have the
same problems anywhere), the only special point is the next one:
You say you are spending 3 weeks of April. Then for sure you will stay
the 12th-15th here. This period is the "Semana Santa" (Holy Week, in
English?), what is lived with special intensity in the south of Spain
(Granada, Sevilla ...). Floats of the different Brotherhoods (like a
religious parade) go by the streets in a very religious way. Don't mind
if you are o not believer, IT IS WORTH to assist at least one day to
these "procesiones" ('parades'). But you must inform/understand very
well the conditions to be able to take good photographs there:
It is full of people (maybe I must say crowded); usually it's dark (the
most important "procesiones" are in the evening-night); there use to be
candles; the "procesion" go by the streets very slowly (it helps);
people in the Brotherhood are wearying nice coloured (usually dark?)
dresses. Well, I think you will need high sensible film, or to be an
expert with flash ;-) And I'd try also some BW film. If you still
don't have the feeling, could be a good idea to check some photos via
internet.
And, as the previous one said, don't miss La Alhambra. But wake up very
very early or you will miss it. Views of La Alhambra from El Albaicin
when getting dark, with Sierra Nevada in the background, and while
eating some 'tapas', are impressive.
I hope it'll help.
Diego
([EMAIL PROTECTED])
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 16:44:46 +0100
> From: Dieter Henkel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: EOS OT: Anyone from Spain?
>
> EK> I'll be making a trip to Spain -- 3 weeks in April... my route takes me south,
>from Madrid towards Cadiz (enroute: Toledo, Cordoba, Seville) then Malaga, Graanada
>and Jaen on the way back up.
>
> EK> If anyone has any suggestions to help me plan this trip it would be great.
>
> Hello Eugene,
>
> Although I'm not from Spain I feel inclined to give you some tips
> after travelling through Spain for many weeks.
>
> In Madrid don't miss the Gran Vía (especially at night), the Parque
> del Retiro and - if you are interested in museums - the Prado and the
> museum Thyssen-Bornemisza. In Toledo be sure to have a good map
> because you get lost there easily.
> A must on the way south are the famous windmills of Campo de Criptana
> or Consuegra. The Mezquita in Córdoba is worth the high entry fee and
> you can even use your tripod inside (at least I did and nobody cared).
> Half a day to one day should be scheduled for this town.
>
> Sevilla needs more time to be explored. Modern bridges and
> infrastructure (from the EXPO 1992) and older buildings like the
> cathedral (third largest of Europe) are well worth being seen and
> taken photos of as is Ronda which is situated on a 160m high plateau.
> You can leave out Málaga, or just visit the cathedral - the rest is
> uninteresting (noisy and dirty).
>
> Be ready to queue for quite some time if you want to visit the
> Alhambra in Granada. I waited for more than one hour and considered me
> lucky seeing the hords queuing behind me. Maybe in April there aren't
> as many people as in late September. Less than one hour east lies
> Guadix with houses that were built into the hills and are now a
> tourist attraction and really worth to be visited. You will surely be
> invited to take a look inside (leave a tip afterwards).
>
> Gear: Wide angle lenses are really great to shoot the beautiful
> landscape and monuments. I would consider at least a 28mm. Taking
> photos inside churches was allowed when I was in this area two years
> ago. A good choice would be the 28-135 IS if you want to carry only
> one lens - versatile and good quality.
> A tele is always useful to pick out some details of buildings and
> there are many details especially in the monuments dating back to the
> time of the arabic reign.
> There should be enough light to use a 100 ASA film, of course
> depending on your choice of lens.
>
> I don't know what your special interests are but email me privately if
> you want more tips or some photos. BTW, are you going by car or bus?
>
> - --
> Best regards,
> Dieter mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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