FAQs

Question

How do I get to Salamanca and the Wedding Venue?

Answer

The most direct route to get to the venue will be to fly into Madrid then take a train, bus, or drive to Salamanca. The regional airport of Salamanca does not offer regularly scheduled flights but we will be offering a courtesy coach bus between Madrid and Castillo del Buen Amor before and after the wedding weekend. If you're looking to travel independently, there are roughly a dozen trains that run daily from Madrid to Salamanca, including a few express trains that make the journey in about 1h45m but the majority take around 2.5h. From Salamanca, the Castillo del Buen Amor is only a 15-20min ride by taxi or rideshare away! More information on coach bus transport will be shared as we get closer to the big weekend.

Question

How do I get around once I'm in Spain?

Answer

For short distances or areas where public transit routes aren't readily available, we recommend hailing a taxi or utilizing a rideshare service such as Bolt or Uber. Trains are a very efficient and reliable way to get around Spain and the rest of Europe. Depending on the length of your trip, you may want to consider a rail pass if you plan to do much traveling. Madrid boasts one of the top 10 public transit systems in the world and apps like Google Maps and Rome2Rio can make finding you way from Point A to Point B a breeze! Simply type in your destination and you'll be provided with pedestrian, bus, and train routes! Buses and day-long bus tours are also a great way to get to and from smaller towns and cities. Bonus: access to interesting sites and attractions are often included with your bus tour ticket. Pretty much every major airline offers flights from major cities directly to Madrid. We recommend that you arrive in Europe a few days early to allow your body to adjust to the time change. There are also a number of small and discount airlines that offer low-cost flights between major and mid-sized cities throughout Europe.

Question

What should I expect from Spanish culture?

Answer

MEAL TIMES The Spanish are well known for their easy-going lifestyle and later meal times than what most Americans are used to. Breakfast often isn't served until after 8am or even 9am and typically goes until 10:30 or 11am. Lunch is normally served between 1-3pm and it's common for dinner not to start until 9 or 10pm and last until well-past midnight. SIESTAS The "siesta" can refer to the nap itself, or more generally to a period of the day, generally between 2–5 p.m. This period is used for sleep, as well as leisure, mid-day meals, or other activities. You'll find that many shops close down during these hours to give their employees a chance to rest. TAPAS Rather than indulging in large meals or dishes, "tapas", are small plates that can be eaten individually or shared amongst family and friends. You'll find that regions, towns, and even restaurants take pride in specializing in one or two specific tapas but will continue to offer a variety of options nonetheless. Tapas may be finger food or can be eaten with a fork or toothpick, they can served hot or cold and pair wonderfully with Spanish beer, wine, and Sangria.

Question

When should I RSVP by?

Answer

To keep it short: THE SOONER THE BETTER! For those that are "Definitely" attending, please respond by no later July 15, 2024. If you're what we call a "hard maybe" but have some questions - please ask us! We're more than happy to assist and answer your questions. We want all of our friends and family to be able to stay with us on our wedding weekend and will do our best to send out reminders as fewer rooms become available.

Question

Do you have any hotel recommendations?

Answer

WITH US (duh!) at the Castillo de Buen Amor! We've blocked off all of the rooms for the weekend so we can spend as much time as possible with our friends and family. Check the Venue & Accommodations page for more information. Once rooms are filled, we will gladly assist guests with alternative lodging options in the nearby city of Salamanca.

Question

Q: What can I do to maximize my trip?

Answer

We'll be providing some recommendations and opportunities to rendezvous for those who will be arriving early into Madrid. If you have questions or would like advice on what else to do while in Spain, please contact either Eric or Ben directly! In the meantime...consider checking out the nearby city of Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage City and was founded before the Roman Empire so there's no shortage of history to be taken in while visiting. In addition to a number of museums and cathedrals to explore, Salamanca is also know for its universities and architecture. Spain offers a phenomenal array of history, food, wine, culture, and attractions that are well worth exploring and quite affordable. Major Spanish cities like Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao all have their own unique cultures, customs, and notable sites! Ben and Eric are happy to help and provide recommendations if you have any specific questions or interests.

Question

Q: What if I don't speak or read Spanish?

Answer

A: No worries! You'll find that many Spaniards are proficient or passable in English and many restaurants offer English menus. Airports, train stations, as well as many shops also have both Spanish and English signs. Just to be safe, be sure to download Google Translate onto your phone, just in case.