Using the internet, we found excellent self-catering accommodation throughout South Africa. In Cape Town, we had a splendid flat, sleeping a maximum of 6, in Tamberskloof, overlooking Table Mountain for £40 a day.

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Apparently the world's oldest restaurant - you've got to try it for the ambience and the suckling pig.

Calle de la Cuchilleros 17

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A cheap trip by rail to an interesting town, the former capital, with medieval buildings and good restaurants.

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Take the metro from Barajas airport to central Madrid for 1 euro - and every single trip costs the same. We bought a weekly card and did not use it. Everything in central Madrid is so close that we walked - from the Palacio Real to the Prado is only 20 minutes, provided you can avoid the bars!

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Great views over the city and remarkably quiet. Better than El Retiro, we think, especially during the eclipse.

Near the Palacio Real

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You HAVE to visit the Museo del Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Goya, Picasso, El Greco, Dali etc etc, but there are superb works from many other artists who are less well-known. The Prado is mainly 16th/17th century, the Thyssen gives an excellent history of art (the 12th/13th century 'religious' art is amazing, as is the Van Gogh, Mondrian and Degas)and the Reine Sofia has splendid modern art, including 'Guernica'. Cheap entry without special cards.

Prado, Passeo de Prado; Thyssen, Passeo de Prado 8; Reine Sofia, Calle Santa Isabel 52.

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This looked a good thing, but we found that by walking and judicious visits to attractions, it was not cost effective. I can appreciate families may have youngsters, but we oldies can walk and we spent far less than the card in our week in Madrid.

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A bar which serves only sherry. Try all five varieties - in small quantities! - and you will be pleasantly surprised how different they are outside Spain. The bar also does a great beef tapas.

Calle de Echegaray 7

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Cheap and good value. Every restaurant has one. On our last day, the Opera restaurant charged us 22 euros for an excellent three course meal, with a bottle of wine, water and coffee, with tax and service included.

Opera Cafe and Restaurant, Plaza de Isabella II

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We spent a day birdwatching within an hour of Madrid with Santiago Villa. It is amazing what can be seen in the area and we were delighted to see magnificent views of Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture and Eagle Owl amongst the 50+ birds we saw in the day. Santiago is a great guide and a very congenial companion. A great day.

Santiago Villa
www.spainbirds.com

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James Fraser or Will Leonard will take you on a tour of out-of-the way and non-tourist tapas bars. We had a fantastic Saturday night. Six of us were on the tour. We had Andalusian cider, Sherry, some amazing liquors and great tapas, including several varieties of chorizo, beef tapas and splendid octopus. After James left us (at yet another bar), we finally ended up at Chocolateria San Gines to prevent the hangover. The chocolate and churros is superb. For some it will be expensive, but we 'oldies' would still recommend the experience. And, no, we are not their agents!

www.adventurousappetites.com (James Fraser/Will Leonard) 00 34 639 331073

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We got a great deal in this 4* hotel (in October) at about 30 euro B & B. It is near the Opera (Teatro Real) and the Palacio Real and only 10 minutes walk from Sol. It is a 'business' hotel but was friendly and very helpful - and we had a huge room.

Cuesto de Santo Domingo

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