My husband and I are going to Spain (leave USA July 21-return Aug.1) to celebrate our 40th Bdays. Due to FFMile tickets, we fly into Madrid and back out of Barcelona. We want to experience the culture of Spain, food, wine, nightlife. We would love any suggestions as to what route/stops/stayovers we should take from Madrid to Barcelona and how many days in each. We first were thinking Madrid/Seville/Granada/Alicante/Barcelona but ppl are telling us that is too much to fit in (even w/ trains and a quick flight) and that Southern Spain is too hot then. HELP!!!
We would also like hotel ideas in each city...luxury Spain-like...not American-like or ultra Modern. THANK YOU!!!

Hello there!

For plenty of nice hotels go to: www.notodohoteles.com

And for luxury ones check out: www.secretplaces.com

My "must-dos" would be: Madrid, Seville, San Sebastian and Barcelona.

Have a great trip!!!

(I was about to write welcome!, but realized I myself don't live there anymore!.......buaaaaaaa! )

TracGA

You have ten days in Spain and listed five places to visit; whoever is advising you to cut back on the places to visit is correct. Do not forget you will be using your valuable time to travel between city and city and you will have to travel four times to get to you next destination. This could possibility added up to becoming twos days of travel time. Do you really want to spend that time on trains, buses or planes?

I think a trip starting in Madrid, take the AVE or a flight to Sevilla, then fly to Barcelona is do able with your limited time. Each city is unique in food, culture and night life.

I good guidebook for first timers in Rick Steves Spain Guidebook. Rick Steves Website

Bill

So you'll arrive in Madrid jet-lagged the AM of 22 July. I think Andalucia (except for Coastal resorts) will be too hot. If it were me, I would take a bus to the Avda. de America Intercambiador and catch a Continental-Auto Bus north, to Santander, capital of Cantabria. Santander's annual Fiesta Xacobea should be winding down about then as Santiago approaches (25 Jul is the Feast Day of the Apostle, Santiago whom we know as St. James). After 2-days in Santander, I would continue west by bus to Santiago.

After Santiago, you could fly back to Madrid for 3 days, maybe visit Toledo or Segovia on a day trip and make your way to Barcelona by Bus, Train or air. There are frequent flights to Madrid from Santiago and Madrid to Barcelona so you shouldn't have to waste too much time travelling.

The Bus Madrid-Santander takes 6 hours stopping in Burgos and Torrelavega. Some skip Burgos and take 5.5 hours.

If you go to Santiago de Compostela, Hostal Hogar San Francisco is nice, if you can get the 'Special Room' (508. I believe). I call it the Apostolic Delegate's Room - it's a working Convent (Friars, not Nuns) and I think they reserve it for visiting Dignataries. It's named for a Carbonero who helped St. Francis build the place.

We had the same timeline on our first trip to Spain last year - flying to Madrid, leaving from Barcelona.
Here's what we did: spent a few days in Madrid, including a wonderful day trip to Segovia, then drove to Toledo, and over-nighted in the Parador. Is that the most beautiful place or what... From there we drove easily down to Andalucia (yes, it was very hot but you sorta work your way around the heat, siesta with the locals, taking things very easy...it won't be a problem..)
We started in Granada, an absolute must in my opinion, then continued to Cordoba and Sevilla, on the secondary roads, through a million acres of olive trees and lovely villages in a Van-Gogh-like scenery. From Sevilla we flew to Barcelona and spent 4 days there (not enough, I know, but that was all we had..). We all fell deeply in love with Spain, already planning the next trip!!
Buen Viaje!

I tend to agree with Eddie; skip the south. You don't have enough time to really 'do' el sur. Arrive in Madrid, spend a few days there. Use it as your start point for the obligatory day trips of Toledo, Segovia, perhaps La Granja. There's also Avila and Salamanca, that are not day trips but at least are heading north. Use the train to wend your way north east to Barcelona, where you will also want to spend a few days. As you must be gathering from these posts, there is so very much to see. I am of the mind that you should experience fewer places for a longer time. It's more rewarding and less exhausting! Don't waste your time travelling too much. You will find, like many here, that you are planning your next trip before you have even departed anyway. I wish you well! Buen viaje!

We have defn decided to go North. Should we change plans and try to fly into San Sebastian area upon arrival to Spain...spend 4-5 days in that area, then hop a plane to Barcelona (and area) for the remaining 4 days? We are trying to choose between Barcelona and Madrid...knowing we really want to do the San Sebastian area and can only pick one major city to spend time in this trip (barc. or Madrid????). Any thoughts?

Barcelona is very hip, modern, vibrant, very Catalan and not so Spanish....you will love this port city if you decide to go....but to taste Spain, you MUST go to Madrid...the heart of the country is in Madrid....you can see a bullfight, a flamenco show, drink sangria and eat tapas, visit the Prado Museum...basically do everything typically Spanish in Madrid....I would definitly recommend Madrid. (I have been to San Sebastian- gorgeous Basque Country area.....BEAUTIFUL scenery and beach), but Madrid is all about architecture, people, culture and living!

Many are telling you that you are fitting too much in. In short, I agree. However, my first trip had about 10 cities in 15 days. Yes, it was jam packed. Yes, we spent some time on the road. But it was great! For me, I like to be on the go. If this is your thing, go for it (or cut out one or two cities). If it's not, I would stick with any of Madrid, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona, Seville. Definitely choose Madrid and Barcelona and at least while in Madrid I would DEFINITELY go to Segovia. I loved it there. I don't think it would be too hot in the South but, then again, I live where the average summer temperature can get as hot as 106.

How about leaving Madrid with a rental car and drop it off in Barcelona upon arrival. You could spend four days or so on the road and appreciate the smaller villages on the way.

Does anyone know the true estimate of time based on the following. I cant seem to find it in the travel books:
~It seems pretty cheap but is it quick and easy to fly from Madrid to San Sebastian area(or do you have to get to the airport 2-hours in advance, exp. delays, etc)?
~Drive time from San Sebastian to Pamplona and what is the best rental company to use?
~Train time from Pamplona to Barcelona and what train do you take?

Thanks for all the great suggestions...I'll keep posting based on what we decide. We are leaning towards Madrid (and area), San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona (and area)...in that order.

I think personally Barcelona is a nicer city than Madrid, I was put off at first by how unkempt it can be and the traffic is horrible. Madrid takes a while to grow on you.

But having said that it is worth visiting. If you go couple of tips, avoid eating in Paza Major, very touristy and expensive, walk a short bit to find more reasonably priced food.

Secondly unlike Barcelona very few people speak English even in the touristy areas so bring a phrase book and Food glossary. Not every place has the menu tanslated.

On the postive once I figured what to order I found the food fabulous.

San Sebastian doesn't have an airport . The nearest is Bilbao, which is 100kms away.

You would have to get to the airport in advance to check in, Flights are cheap about 79 euros on Spanair and they have a commitment to running on time! or offering compensation if they leave more than 10mins late I think!

Its 81.7 kms from San Sebastian to Pamplona.

The San Sebastian airport is in Fuenterrabia (EAS/LESO), very near the French border. Driving from Madrid to San Sebastian will take about 6 hours, and it's a very pleasant drive. You could have lunch in Burgos, then head over to Bilbao.... Driving in Spain will allow you to see the smaller villages, and make some unexpected, delightful discoveries.

I say to get the real feel of Spain you should visit as many small villages as possible. The most enjoyable times I spent in Spain were not only visiting the museums, flamenco shows and cathedrals but also taking the time to sit and watch the people while I sipped on a sangria or a coffee in a village where hardly anyone speaks English.The challenge was very rewarding.

I hope all is going well with your travel plans. I've got some suggestions for you..

My wife and I have been to Europe 3 times in the last 5 years, twice to Spain and London and Paris, and like us I'm sure you feel you want to see everything. The simple fact is you just can't. Moving around from town to town every other day can be taxing. Dragging your luggage and souvenirs through train stations, subways, taxis and airports gets crazy.

With 10 days to live it up here are my suggestions. If I understand correctly, you fly home from Barcelona. With that in mind when, you get to Madrid, STAY a few days. You will be jet lagged. Stay in the Puerta Del Sol area Saturday and Sunday. There is plenty to see while you re-coup. You'll be able to walk or take the metro to The Prado, Plaza Mayor, The Royal Palace not to mention THE FOOD and WINE. Every step you'll take on the streets is like going back in time. There is so much history and culture on every block.

On Monday fly into Bilbao for your Basque experience.

The Bilbao airport seems to be the least expensive to fly in and out of. Madrid to Bilbao on Iberia is $113.00 for two people. If you fly into San Sebastian it's about $400.00.

Stay in the region till Friday or Saturday and then fly out of Bilbao to Barcelona. Once again, the Pamplona or San Sebastian flights to Barcelona will cost $460-$530.

That will give you 3-4 nights in beautiful Barcelona. It's a great city to unwind in. Just make sure on Friday or Saturday night you find yourself on Las Ramblas. It's hopping on most any summer night but the weekends are awesome.

And when it's time to leave on Tuesday you'll find it pretty easy to get the bus to BCN airport.

If there is one important thing I've learned, it's that you'll enjoy just being there. If you have to spend too much time traveling from town to town you loose the relaxing part of a holiday.

In short,

Madrid, you see the heart of the country and culture!

Basque Region, you'll get the happening party beach towns in mid-summer!

Barcelona, you'll get the modern Catalan/Gaudi experience.

You'll be in the mix of some of the best to country has to offer.

Last but not least, be prepared to cut things from your list of places to see and don't feel bad about it. It has to happen in all trips.

Be safe in what ever you choose!