Rota, Spain?

[dfgirl]

So, my dh and I got acquainted with spacea and have since made our way to D.C., Cali, Germany, Paris, and Charleston in the past year or so. We are wanting to Spring Break to somewhere and we are having a hard time deciding where to go. Does anyone here have any good recommendations regarding Rota. It's fairly easy to get into and out of, but what is there to do while there? Also, taking recommendations for larger AFBs that might not be touristy, but still ultrafun. . . .

[Husker19D30]

I lived there for two years, but it was back in 91-92. I'm still in touch with some folks there, however, and it's still an excellent little Spanish seaside town. Beaches, close to some really excellent historical sites, right up the road from Gibraltar. I recommend it.

[Check 6]

Husker is correct. Since 91-92 the city of Rota has been significantly upgraded, especially along the waterfront, which has many "tapa bars" and "people watching" opportunities. I flew in/out of Rota from 1999-2005 2-3 times/month.

For a hotel in Rota I recommend El Duque de Najera which is on the waterfront. http://www.hace.es/hotelduquedenajera/

Unless you are stationed in Spain you aren't allowed to shop on the base due to the SOFA with Spain. Unless things have changed you will need a pass (in addition to your i.d.) to enter the base if you leave so be sure to check on that before you depart the base. It is really a Spanish base with U.S. tenants. The U.S. flag shall not be displayed there.

If you can drive to the nearby 3,000 year old city of Cadiz http://cadiz.costasur.com/en/historia.html and to Gibraltar (very expensive there). Be prepared for long delays on the Spanish side - because they can.

In Spain try Rioja wine (regional wine) if you like red wine.

[Check 6]

Husker is correct. Since 91-92 the city of Rota has been significantly upgraded, especially along the waterfront, which has many "tapa bars" and "people watching" opportunities. I flew in/out of Rota from 1999-2005 2-3 times/month.

For a hotel in Rota I recommend El Duque de Najera which is on the waterfront. http://www.hace.es/hotelduquedenajera/

Unless you are stationed in Spain you aren't allowed to shop on the base due to the SOFA with Spain. Unless things have changed you will need a pass (in addition to your i.d.) to enter the base if you leave so be sure to check on that before you depart the base. It is really a Spanish base with U.S. tenants. The U.S. flag shall not be displayed there.

If you can, drive to the nearby 3,000 year old city of Cadiz http://cadiz.costasur.com/en/historia.html and to Gibraltar (very expensive there). Be prepared for long delays on the Spanish side - because they can.

In Spain try Rioja wine (regional wine) if you like red wine.

[dfgirl]

I appreciate the info. Sounds like it could be a nice spring trip.

[mehalek]

I was stationed in Rota in '04-'05 for 7 months give or take. Best deployment ever. A buddy of mine and I took a 4 liberty trip while there and drove the coast past Gibraltar. Spent the mornings and nights at the beaches and the days in the mountains. Awesome road trip.

[dfgirl]

We ended up not doing Rota because Libya happened. We did make it to Key West and back though, which was nice, except for the flight back-I detest tiny planes and planes with windows in general (was a C-12).

Funny story-the Marines who were flying the plane were taking a group of DN civilians back to Jacksonville. There were 7 of them and they told them they could only fit 5 on the plane. They sent two of their group to go fly commericial. My dh wanted to give up on the flight, but (determine not to pay out the for airline tickets) we showed up with minimal luggage and I batted my eyes at the pilot-MC-suckas. :cool:

Rota sometime soon. I love Space-a.

[Hostile0311]

Use Space A as a stepping stone to see the rest of Europe. I took a space A flight to Sigonella back in 03. I ended up in Malta with a wife and 2 kids. Space A is the shit.

[dfgirl]

Use Space A as a stepping stone to see the rest of Europe. I took a space A flight to Sigonella back in 03. I ended up in Malta with a wife and 2 kids. Space A is the shit.

Definitely intend to continue that. Minus the family finding-got one of those. :tongue:We did Paris via Ramstein once. Quite nice. I'm always surprised by how many people don't use Space-A, but I'm glad they don't. More room for me!