Greetings :o )

I will be in Spain (Madrid & Barcelona, 24th Mar till 5th Apri)

Wondering if there are any comments on the side trips from Madrid/Barcelona

I am definite on :

1)from Barcelona, 1 day trip to Monsterrat.

from Madrid,
1) Cuenca, overnight at Parador
2) Day trip to Segovia

I've still got another 3 days to spare in Madrid.
Therefore, planning to spend 2 days on excursions.

Wondering which 2 are the better choices :

a) Toledo
b) San Lorenzo el Escorial
c) Avila
d) Salamanca (was wondering if it wld be too far out)

tOLEDO AND sALAMANCA, I think Salamanca is 2 hours and a half by bus, I normally go for a whole weekend but it's beautiful.
There are plenty of threads about this if you make a search.

I agree about going to Toledo and Salamanca. I have done both, and the two cities are beautiful!!

Excellent choice! Salamanca is a lovely medieval university city, and Toledo is undeniably one of Spain's most historic city.

Toledo is closer and one can make it a one day tour, however, the scenery from the historic parador is worth an overnight stay.

Salamanca is also worthy of an overnight stay. There's nothing lovelier than seeing the sun set bathing the oncient stones of the Catedral. The Plaza Mayor is monumental, and while not as large, in my opinion as opulent as the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. You may be able to take in a quick look at Avila since it is on the way to Salamanca.
Buen viaje!

As you can tell by my name, i would HIGHLY recommend a trip to salamanca. its super easy to get to from madrid. Just hop on a bus, cost is under 30 euro round trip..and its only 2.5 hrs away. salamanca is a great walking city. the plaza mayor has been said to be the most beautiful in all of spain. the university is amazing, i mean how neat is it to walk the same stone streets that people such as Fray Luis de Leon, Unamuno...even colombus walked many many years ago. From a historical perspective, salamanca is fascinating. The architecture will take your breath away, esp at sundown when it seems as if those ancient walls are glowing. NOT a trip to be missed!!!! Pasate muy muy bien!