I live for FC Barcelona and have Clásico fever. Barça and archrival Real Madrid are set to play a record seven times in 2011 and quite possibly four times between April 16 and May 3. This is without precedent in the history of the legendary clubs and the perfect opportunity for me to pull up stakes and fly to Spain to catch my beloved team in action for the first time. Whatever the cost, whatever the obstacles, I will do what it takes to snag tickets to all four contests. All I need is a little assistance in the hotel department. Help this Barça fan live his dream!
Keith U., Milwaukee
Fans pack Camp Nou, Barcelona – Photo credit
What a tasty time to be a Barça fan or, indeed, fan of European club football. You hit it on the nail Keith – 2011 is a special year for avid observers of El Clásico. Arguably the best (certainly most glamourous) non-derby rivalry in Europe, the intermittent clashes between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid lure global television audiences in excess of the Super Bowl. This year is set up beautifully, all because of the Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League and La Liga fixture schedules. With talent like David Villa, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta for Barcelona and Sergio Ramos, Emmanuel Adebayor, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká for Madrid, even passive football fans will tune in. And who ever tires of the quote machine a.ka. Real manager José Mourinho?
Though Barça and Real still technically have to dispense of Shakhtar Donetsk and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions quarters, it looks about done. With that, the Clásico schedule looks like this:
Saturday, April 16
La Liga Fixture
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Wednesday, April 20
Copa del Rey Final
Estadio Mestalla, Valencia
Wednesday, April 27
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Tuesday, May 3
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final
Camp Nou, Barcelona
This is your dream football schedule Keith. Four Clásico match-ups in 18 days. You basically need a list of Madrid hotels, some for Valencia and hotels in Barcelona as well.
Madrid
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is central-ish and about 5 km from the Prado up Paseo de la Castellana. As a result, you can select from a wide pool of convenient hotels. My picks include the Holiday Inn Madrid, which is a mere 1.5 km walk to the stadium. No need to arrange transport to and from, just stroll on out. Clean, spacious and affordable.
Another solid bet in Madrid is the Espahotel Plaza Basilica Aparthotel. Within the same vicinity of the Bernabéu as the Holiday Inn, the hotel is more like a home away from home. If you plan to stay in Madrid between the fixture and Champions semi match, this could be your top option.
Valencia
Home to the annual Falles festival and the spectacular modernist Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Valencia is a wonderful city. But your mission is to take in the Copa del Rey final at noisy Estadio Mestalla. Which is why I recommend The Westin Valencia. A luxury property but well worth the splurge.
Barcelona
The Champions semi on May 3 promises to be epic, with a surefire electric atmosphere at mythical Camp Nou. You could bunk near the stadium but take my advice and check out the Tryp Condal Mar Hotel Barcelona. Though 9 plus km from the stadium, the hotel is a good bang for your buck. To get to Camp Nou from the hotel, simply take the Metro from El Maresme | Fòrum Metro to Cornellà Centre. Fifty minutes tops.
If you absolutely want to stay as close to Camp Nou as possible, the Princesa Sofia Gran Hotel Barcelona is definitely the way to go. A comfortable, affordable five-star mere minutes from the stadium.
Good luck and enjoy your football pilgrimage.
