About a year ago, while walking down the Hilton Head Island beach, Katybug announced she wanted to see the Great Wall of China. Months later we were there on a ten day tour we’ll never forget. Three days ago came the latest announcement. Spain and a bullfight?

I’ve never considered a bullfight, but Spain sounds like fun. We had a great time in Barcelona several years ago while Katy was working on the cruise ship. It was just a day, but LaRambla was a blast and the Gaudi Temple amazing. But a bullfight? Interestingly, Barcelona has outlawed bullfights, although a integral part of Spanish history. What I want to know is: Is it really a fair fight or is the bull doomed from the moment he enters the ring? Katy seems to be interested in the pageantry of the event, but I may need to pass on that one if it is an unfair fight. It has been suggested we see a Flamenco Dinner Show while in Madrid and we’ll for sure make that happen. The recommendation was for the Corral De La Moreria dinner and show.

In any event, I started looking for upgrades on ExpertFlyer a couple days ago. Remember, I need to get to that 100K EQM miles to maintain my Executive Platinum status on American. If the price is right in the swing, spring season it could be a great use of my existing EVIP certs. I’ve booked two coach tickets to Manchester England and returning from Barcelona using our upgrades to business class. The ticket cost was $850 each. Originally I had on hold in to Manchester and out of London Heathrow at a massive $1,458 per ticket. The difference for NOT departing from Heathrow, was $600 per ticket. It also happens to be a better routing for us.

This is how our travel planning starts. We either score a mistake fare or one of us comes up with an idea and we go from there. Katy said Great Wall and we made a three city trip of if. So this time, it will be several days in Spain. There is a terrific looking Westin right in the center Madrid and we’ve got the SPG points for a freebie there, and one in Barcelona as well.  It doesn’t have to be all Spain but in May, it should be southern Europe I think. We find Europe so easy to get around. I’m not afraid of using the low cost carriers in Europe and our jumping off airport, Manchester, has flights to 180 destinations. Maybe we can spend a bit more time in Italy, Portugal, and the south of France. We’ll stay out of Greece on this trip.

We love people watching and the old European city centers are always fun. But we have been to many of them. Something different this time? The planning has started. Your input is always welcome and appreciated. May in southern Europe?