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!