karmasalad

We're trying to make our final decisions on a last minute honeymoon in Spain & Paris. We're due to fly out 10/28 for 2 weeks.

Our original plan was to actually just keep it to Spain and do Madrid, Granada (Alhambra), and Barcelona. However, we've been talking it over, and given that this is likely our last trip to Europe for many years, we thought it would be good to try and include Paris as it's one of my favorites in Europe. (I've been to Europe a few times, this is her first.)

I think it might be too much to fit 3 locations in Spain + Paris in just 2 weeks. We don't want to constantly feel like we're running around. (It's our honeymoon, afterall!) However, we can't decide what to cut out to make Paris fit.

I think we're set on Madrid, so we're thinking either Barcelona or the Alhambra. I've heard from several people that the Alhambra is a must-see, but it's going to eat up a better part of 2-days of a limited number of days. Is it worth going out of our way to see?

For reference, our interests are historical sights, nature, architecture, and good eats. We're not big museum goers, but we do want to visit and see the famous pieces.

Thanks for any help and advice!

kelbo

I really really think you need to add Paris. Did you check Easyjet for a quick flight connection? I can't comment on Alhambra but Paris over Madrid any day IMHO!!

Aduchamp1

After we got married we spent time in Europe including Paris, Madrid, and Barcleona before honeymoons were invented. And we spent my 50th B-day in Paris and Barcelona. (We have made many trips to Europe especially Spain.)

A week in Paris and a week in Barcelona is perfect. We are inveterate museum goers but still prefer Barcelona over Madrid. There is joie de vivre in Barcelona you rarely find elsewhere.

iberiantraveler

You leave in two days? What are your current hotel reservations, or do you have anything planned at this late date?

I take it you don't have tickets to the Alhambra? That may be difficult.

karmasalad

@iberiantraveler: We're actually leaving in a month.

I think it's clear that we need to add Paris to our itinerary. The question we have no is what do we cut out of Spain to make time for Paris?

iberiantraveler

Okay! You arrive in one month, so you still have some time to make a final decision. With only two weeks, and a desire to spend time in Paris, I'd forget about Granada and possibly consider spending the rest of the time in either Madrid or Barcelona but not both.

www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
www.barcelonaturisme.com/

karmasalad

Thanks for the advice, iberiantraveler. Is there any particular reason you advise us to do either Madrid or Barcelona but not both?

mamcalice

Are you flying into Spain and out of Paris? If so, I think with two weeks, you can do both Barcelona and Madrid and still have time for Paris. Four days each in Barcelona and in Madrid, a travel day and 5 days in Paris.

jkbritt

Do open jaw, as mamcalice says. I would do Barcelona and Paris. A week in each is perfect. I have been to Madrid this summer, and Barcelona a couple of years ago and Barcelona beats Madrid.

easytraveler

karmasalad: CONGRATULATIONS!

As for your trip: Cut out the Alhambra. You should do Moorish Spain as a separate trip and not just visit the Alhambra.

iberiantraveler

Spending only three days in Madrid and Barcelona may be fine for some people, that's the way they see the world, but you would end up seeing very little and experiencing next to nothing, except being on the move. Remember, you'll loose the better part of the day whenever you travel, even if it's only from Madrid to Barcelona.

Again, it's fine for some people, but aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon.

Christina

I don't agree, I think that is exaggeration. Of course you can see a lot in a city in 3 days. There are lots of cities where that was about as much time as I wanted to spend there and I saw all the main things I wanted to, and I was not frantic about it. I'm going to three cities shortly in only 12 days, doesn't bother me, it's what I want to do.

I think Madrid, Barcelona and Paris in 2 weeks would be fine. I would knock off the Alhambra, though, it isn't convenient to go there, anyway. There is plenty of time in 2 weeks to see 3 cities.

easytraveler

Two weeks is more than 3 days in 3 cities - no? Help me with the math here.

Nikki

There are no wrong answers, all your choices are good. Look at the logistics and see which combination works best for you. The alhambra is very different than the things you will be seeing in the cities you choose, so that might be a reason for keeping on your itinerary. But Barcelona is also a great destination and home to a different language and culture than Madrid, so that would also add variety to your trip.

karmasalad

Thanks, everyone, for all your helpful replies.

We've decided to cut out the Alhambra and stick to Barcelona > Madrid > Paris (works out better for flights). We'll have 13 days available once we arrive in Europe.

Right now, we're thinking of splitting these days up as follows:

3 days Madrid + 3 days Barcelona + 5 days Paris + 2 travel days between cities.

Does that sound like a good breakdown for the three cities?

Christina

yes, that sounds real good to me, since you like Paris so much

Aduchamp1

I am gald you provided for travel time. There will be some found time.

kimhe

Some Madrid honeymoon suggestions:

Have lunch at emblematic Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes in down town Calle Alcalá, 42. Grab a window table and watch Madrid life on bustling Calle Alcalá. Take the lift up to the roof topp terrace (the azotea) for the most spectacular views of the city. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarApl...ntificador=179
photos/videos: http://11870.com/pro/circulo-bellas-artes

Watch the sunset over the Guadarrama mountains from the terrace at El Ventorrillo in the Vistillas park. Great pollo al ajillo, some say the best in town. Map, video and some pictures: http://11870.com/pro/restaurante-ventorrillo

Have lunch or some tapas at Casa Granada, on the 6th floor of an apartment building just off Plaza Tirso de Molina. Hard to find and a great terrace. http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ada-Video.html

Café Central, just off bustling Plaza Santa Ana, is a fabulous jazz venue with live performances from the best artists every night at 10. Entrance 15€. Good food also. Populart, a little further down the street, is also a great place.

Experience world class flamenco at one of the best tablaos. Madrid is arguably the flamenco capital of the world. Although the art form comes from the South (Andalucía), everybody has to conquer Madrid to get to the top. On their way there, or as an opportunity to try out new things and get an up close audience, many of them work the top tablaos. I recommend Casa Patas and Corral de la Morería, some of the finest artists perform here on a regular basis.
http://www.casapatas.com/
http://www.corraldelamoreria.com/

Medina Mayrit, an Arab bath-house just off Plaza Mayor in Calle Atotcha, 14. (Mayrit is the old Arab name (from the 9th century) of Madrid, meaning running water and referring to the water sources beneath the city). http://www.medinamayrit.com/

A stroll in the beautiful Retiro Park. http://www.aviewoncities.com/madrid/parquedelretiro.htm

Txirimiri in Calle del Humilladero, 6 gives you an idea of why the Basque kitchen is considered among the best in the world. In the midst of one of the best tapas/restaurant districts in town, in and around Calle Cava Baja in the Latina district.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html

I never leave Madrid without having had the famous cod at Casa Revuelta, also in the same district.
http://11870.com/pro/casa-revuelta

What's on in Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/whats-on-madrid

kimhe

Another fabulous Basque restaurant in Madrid: http://www.pinchosudaberri.com/