groylance

I'm heading to Europe next march for 7 full days. I'm flying into London on the 2nd and then flying out on the 8th from Madrid. My plan right now is to do London > Paris > Barcelona > Madrid. But i'd also be open to some French wine country, or other cities that i could get to without spending a ton of money. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

janisj

You do not have 7 full days. You have 5.5 days.

Half a (possibly) jet lagged day on the 2nd, then the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 March and fly out on the 8th. You also lose half a day each traveling from London to Paris, from Paris to Barcelona, and Barcelona to Madrid leaving you 4 days free for London (the largest city in Western Europe) + Paris + Barcelona + Madrid.

Not even close to possible

thursdaysd

As janisj says. You just about have time for London and Madrid, flying between the two (use skyscanner.com for budget airlines). That's it.

Sassafrass

Into London, out of Madrid is already booked? That is your trip. No time for anything else. It will be rushed, but those two cities will give you wonderful variety. They will make a great trip.
Fly between them. Try to spend one very full day sightseeing in Madrid and see Toledo as a day trip from Madrid.

groylance

I've done a lot more with less time. Also... those are the cities we'll be traveling through, not necessarily spending a lot of time in each.

janisj

>>I've done a lot more with less time. <<

Then have at it -- though I doubt that is true unless you were on one hellacious coach tour.

>>Also... those are the cities we'll be traveling through, not necessarily spending a lot of time in each<<

Then why are you traveling through them?

I think you are on your own on this one . . .

thursdaysd

"I've done a lot more with less time"

And what did you actually visit, as opposed to just seeing the outside?

"traveling through"

By train? You're going to have a grand tour of train stations.

"without spending a ton of money"

You will be spending money just to keep moving, not very cost-effective.

But go ahead, and please come back and write us a trip report.

Sassafrass

Why bother if you are just traveling through and not stopping to see any of the great things these places have to offer?

Paris is an absolute feast of art, culture, food, architecture and history: several world class art museums (including The Louvre), cathedrals (including Notre Dame), cafes and restaurants, iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, etc., etc.

Barcelona is a Mecca for Gaudi fans, plus music, parks, etc.

London can occupy one for days. Madrid is beautiful and has great day trips. Why not actually see those things.

Less time traveling, more time seeing.

danon

It seems, some( new) people post just to annoy the " regulars" .

janisj

>>It seems, some( new) people post just to annoy the " regulars" .<<

So why don't <i>you</i> help him?

ssander

If you are not a troll, then this is my advice (based on the assumption, since you are posting from Europe, that you are arriving in London on the 2nd, and not departing USA on the 2nd, and thus arriving on the 3th):

March 2 - fly to London, half-day sightseeing
March 3-4 London
March 5 - fly to Madrid, half-day sightseeing
March 6-7 - Madrid
March 8 - fly home

2.5 days London
2.5 days Madrid

You'll have fun if you do your research beforehand and plan your time there efficiently.

Anything more than that makes no sense IMHO. You will be subtracting instead of adding anything.

ssander