Booked Madrid and Barcelona - suggestions on day trips?
May 14th, 2011, 07:51 AM
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Booked Madrid and Barcelona - suggestions on day trips?
I booked our trip and after reading many of the posts to my inquiry and others decided to limit our trip to Madrid and Bacelona so we could spend 5 days in each city and a separate day in Bilbo. There's plenty of discussions on what to do in each city but I was wondering:
(1) What day trips to consider, and
(2) How to get to these locations - rent a car (can I do it for a day) or take a train bus. I am traveling with a family of 4 (2 teens).
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Andrew
(1) What day trips to consider, and
(2) How to get to these locations - rent a car (can I do it for a day) or take a train bus. I am traveling with a family of 4 (2 teens).
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Andrew
May 14th, 2011, 08:01 AM
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Both Madrid and Barcelona are big cities with a lot to do in town.
In Madrid, Toledo and Segovia are most popular ( for a good reason) - both 1/2 hour by train and a short ( 10 min) bus ride.
In Barcelona , Girona is interesting ( an hour by train), if you love Dali, his museum in Figueres ( another 1/2 on the same train line).
Sitges is a resort 45 minutes by train ( you might like some beach time in July)
Another attraction near Barcelona is Montserrat ( about an hour by train).
In Madrid, Toledo and Segovia are most popular ( for a good reason) - both 1/2 hour by train and a short ( 10 min) bus ride.
In Barcelona , Girona is interesting ( an hour by train), if you love Dali, his museum in Figueres ( another 1/2 on the same train line).
Sitges is a resort 45 minutes by train ( you might like some beach time in July)
Another attraction near Barcelona is Montserrat ( about an hour by train).
May 14th, 2011, 10:28 AM
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We went down to Sitges on my last two day layover in Barcelona and loved it! It was a very short train trip and the city overlooking the ocean reminds me of a mini Nice France. There were some great restaurants and cute shops there along with a wonderful walkway overlooking the gorgeous beaches!
May 14th, 2011, 11:51 AM
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I would not recommend a day trip, or an overnight, to Bilbao on this trip.
Please note that there are many threads on the day trip topic.
For starters, see these:
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...drid+day+trips
Please note that there are many threads on the day trip topic.
For starters, see these:
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...drid+day+trips
May 14th, 2011, 09:46 PM
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Thanks. I will check the link for past posts. ekscrunchy - why do you not recommend a day or overnight trip to Bilbao. I was thinking of stopping there on the way to or from Barcelona. Andrew
May 15th, 2011, 02:22 AM
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Are you planning to drive from Madrid to Barcelona with a stop in Bilbao?
If so, it is far off the course. I would never consider it with such a limited time frame; I would leave Bilbao for a time when you plan to visit the other wonders that the northern coastal region offers. You have such a limited time as is and there is so much to explore within the two main cities in your itinerary. Adding a couple of day trips to places like Segovia, Toledo, Sitges (see above) and I think your plate is full.
If so, it is far off the course. I would never consider it with such a limited time frame; I would leave Bilbao for a time when you plan to visit the other wonders that the northern coastal region offers. You have such a limited time as is and there is so much to explore within the two main cities in your itinerary. Adding a couple of day trips to places like Segovia, Toledo, Sitges (see above) and I think your plate is full.
May 16th, 2011, 06:51 AM
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agree with eks. Bilbao is a bit out of the way for a short time you have .
If you really wish to see it, you might fly Vueling from Barcelona ( there is a flight at 7:00 AM about 40 E pp,and take a train from Bilbao to Madrid the next day).
If you really wish to see it, you might fly Vueling from Barcelona ( there is a flight at 7:00 AM about 40 E pp,and take a train from Bilbao to Madrid the next day).
o AM train M-B ( almost 5 hours, 50E pp)
May 18th, 2011, 12:21 AM
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Hi there
With just 5 days in Barcelona I don't believe that you will need to take a trip away from the city unless there is something specific that you want to see.
Some of my must-dos in Barcelona include:
Parc Guell
Camp Nou Tour
Tibidabo
Montjuic
Magic fountain
Casa Mila and Casa Battlo
A shopping & tapas day
The Cathedral
The beach
& I think your 5 days will be filled
Have a great trip!
Andrew
(Oh-Barcelona)
With just 5 days in Barcelona I don't believe that you will need to take a trip away from the city unless there is something specific that you want to see.
Some of my must-dos in Barcelona include:
Parc Guell
Camp Nou Tour
Tibidabo
Montjuic
Magic fountain
Casa Mila and Casa Battlo
A shopping & tapas day
The Cathedral
The beach
& I think your 5 days will be filled
Have a great trip!
Andrew
(Oh-Barcelona)
Jun 9th, 2011, 12:11 AM
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I believe that teenagers can appreciate the comparison between the Main Cathedral , la Seu, in Barcelona, huge gothic cathedral and near by huge Church also Gothic called Santa Maria del Mar.There is a fascinating book about the later in case you wish to reaad it, called the Cathedral by the Sea.
Both were built duing the XIV Century, it is amazing though that Santa Maria was built in a record time of
54 years while it took several hundred of years to built the Main Cathedral.
Santa Maria was bullt by the people,the local people contributed money and time during its construction.
In particular the guilt of the Bastaixos contrbtute its free labor, bringing each one of the stones for its construction. The bastaixos was a poor guilt , they were the ones who load and unload the ships. The King gave free the stone from its quary located in Montjuic , out of love for the Virgin Mary they proudly carried the stones wiithout any pay.You can see by the door a figure of a bastaixo.
The Main cathedral was bult up by the powerful Church and by the King.
I feel it is a living proof of what the people can achieve versus what the Government can achieve, in this case the Government being the King and the POwerful Church.
I that society here and there is tempted to rely on the Government this Church touched a cord in me and I hope will impress teenagers should they learn its history.
Both were built duing the XIV Century, it is amazing though that Santa Maria was built in a record time of
54 years while it took several hundred of years to built the Main Cathedral.
Santa Maria was bullt by the people,the local people contributed money and time during its construction.
In particular the guilt of the Bastaixos contrbtute its free labor, bringing each one of the stones for its construction. The bastaixos was a poor guilt , they were the ones who load and unload the ships. The King gave free the stone from its quary located in Montjuic , out of love for the Virgin Mary they proudly carried the stones wiithout any pay.You can see by the door a figure of a bastaixo.
The Main cathedral was bult up by the powerful Church and by the King.
I feel it is a living proof of what the people can achieve versus what the Government can achieve, in this case the Government being the King and the POwerful Church.
I that society here and there is tempted to rely on the Government this Church touched a cord in me and I hope will impress teenagers should they learn its history.
Jun 9th, 2011, 12:31 AM
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Following up, there is also a difference in style between both Churches, Santa Maria is more austere in style the Main Cathedral which is more elaborated and ostentatious.
Santa Maria ' inside columns seem to want to touch the sky like in any other church and to reach to heaven and apparently have inspired Gaudi in doing the Sagrada Familia.
Have a great time, I agree that although there are very nice places to visit nearby , you will be too busy in Barcelona for a day trip. Barcelona is a marvelous city.
Santa Maria ' inside columns seem to want to touch the sky like in any other church and to reach to heaven and apparently have inspired Gaudi in doing the Sagrada Familia.
Have a great time, I agree that although there are very nice places to visit nearby , you will be too busy in Barcelona for a day trip. Barcelona is a marvelous city.
Jun 9th, 2011, 01:48 AM
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You should consider Alcalá de Henares just outside Madrid. The birthplace of Cervantes (today a museum) and candidate to be the 2016 cultural capital of Europe. A World Heritage site since 1998. The University of Alcalá, founded in 1499, is one the best conserved Renaissance university complexes in Europe. And in Alcalá, even the McDonald's on the main square looks classy.
The Madrid terror bombings of 2004 ocurred on three commuter trains from Alcalá when arriving at Madrid Atotcha station in the morning of 11th of March (11M). Monuments to commemorate the victims have been raised in both the Alcalá de Henares and the Atocha train stations.
Informative website about the town:
http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/h...ite_language=4
The Madrid terror bombings of 2004 ocurred on three commuter trains from Alcalá when arriving at Madrid Atotcha station in the morning of 11th of March (11M). Monuments to commemorate the victims have been raised in both the Alcalá de Henares and the Atocha train stations.
Informative website about the town:
http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/h...ite_language=4
Jun 9th, 2011, 01:53 AM
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... info about Alcalá de Henares (the previous link seems to be broken): http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/p...p&codigoArea=3
