ttt

I've been to both Tarragona and Vic as overnights (2 nights) - the same with Zaragoza. I prefered Tarragona of these 3 places. Vic was interesting as it was basically free of tourists. Zaragoza was probably my least favorite but I had just developed a bad cold so my view may have been slightly tainted.

thanks Cathy,
one hears very little about a big city like Zaragoza
I may squeeze in 2 day trips...Tarragona is only 30 min train ride from Barcelona.

Zaragoza, the capital Aragon is interesting, a university town with 2000 years of history, but it can be rather warm during the summer months. Unlike CathyMs experience (she has to make another trip one day), we've enjoyed Zaragoza on a few brief occasions, and need to return when the weather is a little milder.

There have been a lot of improvements the last few years. You'll want to visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, considered a jewel of Baroque art, and the Catedral de San Salvador from the 12th century. There are dozens of museums to visit, including the Pablo Gargallo Museum, as well as the Luis Buñuel Metropolitan Water Park, built for the International Exhibition in 2008. And don't forget to sample the great Aragon cuisine and tapas in the Tubo district.

Zaragoza also has some decent flamenco venues, if you're interested.

thanks Robert.
I am going at the end of April, but would like to buy AVE tickets now ( discount !).
The Basilica looks wonderful ,so does Aljaferia.

Do not miss the Palacio de la Aljafería.. my goodness.. one of the most important pieces of architecture from the 11th century/muslim/Spanish. It is amazing. Sounds lie a fun trip and now with the Ave a breeze.

tanks, Lin
I have decided to stay overnight , hotel and Renfe already booked.

Wish there was a faster train Barcelona - Valencia!

We are already planning a return to your wonderful city for next spring.

The Euromed used to be called high speed... but we are getting spoiled zooming around everywhere else.

yes, AVE has spoiled us..
It has come to my attention how often Valencia has been "skipped " by Fodorites visiting Spain.
Perhaps, if there was AVE from Barcelona (as there is from Madrid) more travelers would stop in beautiful Valencia.

Danon, thanks for asking about Zaragoza, I've frequently asked myself the same question. So now I'm putting it in my short list to visit next time.

Agree about Valencia, I visited it for a few short hours as a cruise stop and have been trying to get back ever since. I really liked it.

When I return ( May) , I will post my impressions of Zaragoza.

Like many posters , we skipped Valencia for years; when we visited last October we were absolutely enchanted.

The Tubo district sounds great!
http://elboqueronviajero.com/en/trips/91-spain-tourism-zaragoza/197-tapas-route-el-tubo
http://www.spain.info/en/lugares_de_interes/zaragoza/barrio_el_tubo.html
http://elviajero.elpais.com/elviajero/2012/03/09/actualidad/1331330892_850215.html
https://sites.google.com/site/guiameporzaragoza/pagina-principal/home/de-tapas

This post is good fot us as we(a group of 8 persons) will be in Zaragoza for 1 and a half day.
We will spent some days in Barcelona(after Lisboa and Oporto), then we will go to Zaragoza; Logroño(anothe 1 and a half day) and finally Bilbao(all displacements with a car starting the moment we leave Barcelona).Any good places to lunch going from Barcelona to Zaragoza and from Zaragoza to Logroño?
Danon: all the best for you in this trip!

thanks,jelopez and kimhe