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Am I trying to do too much? Valencia, Barcelona, and more

Am I trying to do too much? Valencia, Barcelona, and more

Old Oct 6th, 2013, 01:29 PM
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MKT
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Am I trying to do too much? Valencia, Barcelona, and more

I need advice please! We have 2 weeks over Christmas and New Years. We're flying into Madrid and taking the train to Cordoba to pick up our daughter. 1-2 nights in Cordoba. Then we are heading toward Barcelona (we've been to Andalucia before and would like to see another part of Spain). I was initially thinking of taking the train straight to Barcelona spending several days there with day trips to possibly Montserat, Terragona, wineries. Then spend a few nights in Girona with day trips to Cadiques (renting a car) , possibly Ripolli, Viic.

Now I'm wondering if we should go from Cordoba over to Valencia and then head our way up, still staying in Barcelona and Girona. I know we are going to be limited with some things being closed over the holidays. Would this be too much? What should I cut out and what should I absolutely not cut out?

Thanks for any advice!
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Old Oct 6th, 2013, 01:41 PM
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There may be snow in the mountains over the holidays. We will only know closer to the date.

There is no easy connection from Córdoba to Valencia. The AVE goes from Sevilla to Valencia
The AVE seats for that route are not up yet for after Xmas, but you have one train a day, almost everyday that takes under 4 hours Sevilla-Valencia.

It's hard to say where you should go. Every place you have mentioned would be a nice trip. But the weather up North of Barcelona might be more unpredictable than the coast.

I think if you want to add Valencia to your itinerary, ( 3 nights) it is very simple, just taking away some of those day trips from Barcelona. You can play part of that trip by ear closer to the date.
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Old Oct 6th, 2013, 01:55 PM
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We would probably head out of cordoba on Dec 22 or 23 and I do see one train from Cordoba which takes a little over 3 hours. I guess I will look to book a hotel in Valencia and then play it be ear until we get closer. I do have a place booked in Girona. We don't mind being in a little snow for a few days, if it doesn't preclude use from doing/seeing things? How harsh does the weather get there? Would it still be worth going there and tripping it to Cadiques, maybe skipping Rapolli, Vic?

Any recommendations for lodging in Valencia?
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Old Oct 6th, 2013, 02:07 PM
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I really can´t tell ypu about those villages up North. If you come by train to Valencia I'd stay in the old section.

There are lots of nice hotels in the center. if you want a small apartment, 2 bedroom, two bath for about 100E I visited these the other day and they are practically across the street from the central market. really cute.

http://www.orangevalencia.com/post-with-gallery/

The photos are bigger when the website is in Spanish for some reason. Cute. New and the people who run it have a small tourist office downstairs with bike rental and all sorts of info. Great location. Or take a look at hotels for triple rooms in the price range you want to spend and I will give you my opinion.
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Old Oct 6th, 2013, 04:14 PM
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Those apts you recommended look very nice and affordable! Thank you for the recommendation.
I also found a pretty good deal at the Hospes Palau de la Mar. What can you tell me about that hotel?

I have hotels reserved in Barcelona and Girona. Can anyone give me advice about the north and whether we may have weather issues as lincasanova indicated?

If weather isn't an issue, will we be doing too much to include Valencia

I'm thinking:
2 nights Cordoba
3 night Valencia (Christmas)
2 nights Barcelona
3 nights Girona
4 nights Barcenlona (New Years)

Or rather than staying the 2 nights in Barcelona, would your recommend a place to stay somewhere toward Tarragona and the wineries? We could just spend 1 night there, then head straight to Girona and then spend the last 5 nights in Barcelona.

Thanks in advance for help!
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Old Oct 6th, 2013, 07:05 PM
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The one thing you need to consider is the shorten days, the sun sets very early in late December/early January. Sunset in the area is around 5:50 pm (17:30). Sunrise isn't until after 8:00 am.

We've been to Vic in late December and Begur in early January. It was rather cool in Vic, a little snow but very nice. The weather in Begur was very comfortable, blue skies and sunshine, but it's difficult to predict the weather along the Costa Brava in the winter.
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Old Oct 7th, 2013, 01:54 AM
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Hospes .. I met some people who stayed there when it opened and it did not have the 5* level service they were expecting. I have no idea of room sizes but lobby is tight. Maybe they can tell you the size of the room which is the only thing that might make that stay more or less comfortable with three in a room.

I assume it is a nice hotel .. I can only share what I was told and I have only been in the lobby trying to solve a problem for a client..but this was YEARS ago. have not been back

So many places have resorted to interns that at times you do not get the feedback you are expecting.
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Old Oct 7th, 2013, 07:47 AM
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Hi! I'm from Valencia. I don't know the hotel you mention, but I've looked up its location in Google maps. It's an OK area, close to the city center but not in the center. Have you checked the Astoria hotel? It's just in the center, in the middle of everything, and close to all underground and bus lines. I've not stayed there myself, but I've heard good reviews. (No idea about price).
On the other hand, you should bear in mind that EVERYTHING will be closed on Christmas Day, a lot of things will also be closed on Chirstmas eve's afternoon. In the Barcelona area, December 26th is a holiday as well, so many things will also be closed. Just make sure to check the net before you do your planning.

Have a nice trip!
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Old Oct 7th, 2013, 10:09 AM
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The 5-star rating on the Hospes Palau de la Mar is a little bit of a push, but it's better than most. We stayed there a few years ago, in one of the Dreamer rooms. The family rooms are larger at 50 square meters (538 SF). The location is fine, but a taxi ride from the Barrio del Carmen.
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Old Oct 12th, 2013, 03:32 PM
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Thanks for the input. I will check out the Astoria hotel.
Looks like i will have to see what is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then work our trip around that. That is kind of why i was originally thinking of being in Barcelona that time -- only because i figured that we would be able to find something -- and we have an apt there so we would have a little more flexibility with meals.

But I then i thought we could hit Valencia and go up the coast. I just don't know if that is too much and if it will be an issue if everything is closed in Valencia etc. I guess i need to do more homework!

Does anyone know anything about the Majestic Hotel apts in Barcelona?
We also have reserved the Hotel Historic in Girona -- any input on that?
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Old Oct 12th, 2013, 04:30 PM
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The Hospes is three blocks from the beginning of calle de la Paz. A very nice quiet location.I do see they have some amazing deals there. Hotel Astoria is very nice as is the Vincci on Calle de la Paz, itself. Also, SH Inglés. None are 5 star but are quite acceptable.
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