I certainly didn't mean to offend. It wasn't clear what sort of experience you had. I also didn't want you to get your expectations too high. Whatever you do, I'm sure you will have a great time and not be disappointed.

No offense at all. It's just the problem with the internet. I just wanted to be clear in order to get the most helpful responses, which many of them have been.

Now that we're pretty much set on local guides, how important is it to know Spanish? I speak intermediate French although its been a while and a touch of Italian. My partner speaks a little German and a little Spanish, but not much. For any of you that have been there before, what level did you speak and what would you recommend?