Paula

Iam landing and leaving from madrid and have only days not including travel time... I would love to know the best path to take and i will have to rely on public transportation. Also, i would love to include Bilbao.<BR>Thanks...

goaway

We are NOT your personal travel agent!I am so tired of people expecting others to do their planning-that is not the purpose of this forum!

PW

Hi Paula,<BR><BR>Disregard the above post -- I (& many others) are happy to give our advice.<BR><BR>I spent time in Spain this summer and managed to see quite a bit. The public transport, both buses & train, are excellent and very inexpensive. You can get to almost anywhere you'd like via public transport. <BR><BR>Where you should go really depends on your interests. I'm guessing that since your're interested in Bilbao you're an art/culture person (as am I). You're probably going to have to concentrate on northern Spain and leave the south/Andalucia for another trip (although I highly recommend Granada and if you're at all interested, try to go). Madrid is fascinating w/great museums (Prado, Reina Sofia) and sites -- try for 2-3 days here. I'd also recommend seeing Toledo, which is close to Madrid and easy to get to. North of Madrid (maybe see on your way to Bilbao?) I liked Burgos - pretty town with a great cathedral; in fact it's considered Spain's finest. I wouldn't plan on spending more than a day in Bilbao; not much to see besides the Guggenheim.<BR><BR>Please let everyone know what your interests are so we can give more specific advice. <BR><BR>Best, PW

Maria

Paula,<BR><BR>What time of year are you visiting? Do you like museums, beaches, hiking, big cities or small towns? Do you speak any Spanish? Will you have a rental car or depend on trains and buses? Are you travelling alone or with a companion? Do you like independent sightseeing or do you want to connect with a tour group at any point?<BR><BR>This information will help interested persons to give you information for your trip!<BR><BR>Maria

xxxx

It really sounds as if you are not familiar with the size of Spain! Why make a trip from Madrid way north to Bilbao? Most groups have their itinerary planned BEFORE they present a school trip-Oh Canada or are you trolling?

Andy

Paula, <BR>Disregard the note from the Sour Grapes person. Don't know why he bothered to respond at all. Public transport is the best. Locals are great! Try to learn a few Spanish phrases. This always helps

FSURN

#1- See Toledo. Easy day trip from Madrid by bus.<BR>#2- If you are going north, see Segovia and La Granja (summer home of the Borbon kings). Stunning gardens! Will need a car for these.<BR><BR>#3 If you decide to go south (and I would!), take the AVE to Cordoba, then on to Sevilla. You can get a bus to Granada, which is a day trip from Sevilla. The Alhambra is not to be missed!<BR>Have a fabulous time!<BR>

what?

So you're saying it really makes sense to go to Madrid and make a trip to Bilbao-there goes 3 days? Let's not mention visiting Madrid, Toledo Segovia,El Escorial,Granada,Seville, Barcelona. Let's throw in a visit to Gibraltar and a trip over to Morocco!<BR>I thought we had graduated from the theme of the movie 'If it's Tuesday it must be Belgium'.

xxx

Paula- Visit these sites for helpful information: www.madridman.com and www.multimadrid.com. Good Luck.