How does this look for a trip?

You are thinking of some wonderful destinations, but aren't leaving yourselves very much time to see them. It might help to know what it is about Spain that most intrigues your wife.

It is certainly not too much time, anywhere! I would seriously reconsider. If you just have to be in more than one city, I would split it between London and Paris OR Madrid and Barcelona.

What most intrigues her is the beauty of the country, it has has always been a place she has wanted to go to. This is her second time in europe. we went to Italy last year and she loved it. This time she wanted to see as much as she could with most of it in spain, she has always just heard great things about the country. She also speaks fluent spanish. I have already been to London and Paris, so can show her around there pretty good for only spending 2-3 days in each. We would be willing to cut days off in Spain for my time other places if there is not much to see in Spain, instead of 7 days there, maybe only 5. Maybe 3 days in Madrid is just too much?

another vote for less.
you have 12 days. pick 3 locations and have a blast...

The beauty of Spain is not only in the two largest cities. There is a lot to see, only you can decide how much of it you want to see and how fast, but the general consensus here will be that this is too much is too short a time.
If I had a Spanish speaking spouse, I would take advantage and spend the entire time in Spain.

You can take an overnight train from Paris to Barcelona - no need to go to Madrid first. BUT I would suggest if your wife wants to do Spain - do Spain! It is easy and interesting to do several parts of the country - I would suggest Barcelona, Madrid and Cordoba / Seville. Andulasia has the moorish heritage and sights which makes it quite different than the north. But London, Paris, Barclona makes a great trip too - certainly a variety of cityscapes.

We just got back from Barcelona. We spent a week there, and I still didn't hit everything on my wish list. We've been to Madrid also and a few days there is enough. Paris and London also need substantial time.

Did you already book your flights (into London and out of Madrid)? I agree with the others that it's just too much jammed in. You'll by spending half your time traveling and settling into hotels. Not a relaxing vacation.

To save some time, you may consider flying from Paris to Barcelona. Going to Madrid for 1 night then to Barcelona, is wasting time. There are so many cheap flights within Europe (Easyjet, Ryanair to name a few).

I also strongly recommend you cut out at least 1 of these locations. Paris, London and Barcelona each need 4 or 5 FULL days just to scratch the surface. Madrid, 3 is adequate.

ok, so a week in spain is ok then? we already bought the plane tickets, landing in London and leaving from Spain 2 weeks later. So spensing a couple days in each London and Paris (she just wants to see the major sites) and then a week in spain is cool? We plan to see as much of Spain as possible, hopefully round the outside, hit north and spin around to the south, end up in Madrid before leaving. I don't know, maybe pop into Morocco if possible?

ok, sound great everyone for your insight. I know it is a lot to do, but she has never seen any of these places and is afraid that with chirlden coming soon, we might not get back for some time. so I guess we'll just do a couple days in London and Paris (I know not much time to see nearly everything, but she just wanted to major points of interest) and then most of our time jumping around Spain. Maybe most in barcelona it sounds, with just a couple days in Madrid. I think the smaller cities and outer areas about Spain sound more interesting.

I spent 3 weeks in Spain a few years ago. In that time, I barely scratched the surface of central Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca) and barely scratched the surface of southern Spain (Cordoba, Granada, Ronda, Seville). I didn't even try to visit Barcelona on that trip, much as I would like to see it. If you only have a week or two for Spain, you might want to consider picking just one area.

2 days in London, 2 days in Paris, 3 days in Barcelona, 2 days in Madrid, and perhaps 2 days up north in San Sebastian or 2 days south in Malaga or Seville, thats a very doable itinerary. sounds like my kind of traveling actually. But to be honest with you, I dont think you will have time to "pop" over to Morocco. Unless you concentrate your Spain "tour" in the south and cut out Barcelona and/or Madrid.

Vueling airlines might save you some traveling time.

"Not much to see in Spain"???

Then why go in the first place?

I don't really see "a couple" days in London or Paris, nor "2 or 3" - more like 1.5 days. Considering the time and expense of going there, this really seems like a waste.

I realize you're concerned about when you'll get back, but all those places will still be there when you're ready. Just how much are you really going to see with a day here and a day there?

Well, it's not my style of traveling, but if it suits you then go for it!

Don't even think about "popping over to Morocco." You'd only be able to race around Tangiers, which is such a far cry from what Morocco is really all about that it's a waste of effort.

I think we've been had, folks.
If ... "then a week in spain is cool? We plan to see as much of Spain as possible, hopefully round the outside, hit north and spin around to the south, end up in Madrid before leaving. I don't know, maybe pop into Morocco if possible?" isn't a troll, I'll eat my hat.

"We want to see as much as we can but do not want to be overwhelmed with running around to too many places not enjoying what we do get to spend time at."

OMG. I'm old. Even your re-evaluated itinerary makes my head spin. IMO you can actually see MORE by going to fewer places. You will see more when you spend less time in train stations/airports/trains/planes and more time sightseeing and soaking up the atmosphere of each location. Travel time from city to city and getting to each hotel in each new city then getting settled takes longer than people remember. I'm planning a trip to Barcelona and I'm freaking out that I only have five full days to sightsee there.

You've already got your flights so I'd probably do 2 days in London, 3 in Paris, 4 days in Barcelona and 4 in Madrid with a day trip. Actually, I'd skip Paris on this trip altogether. I would fly straight to Spain from London (ask fodorites for advice on cheap airlines like Vueling and Ryanair) allowing more time in Spain.

Then you can look forward to planning a romantic trip to Paris when the child is a year old. Its good to take grand vacations even when you have kids and many grandparents (although I realize not all) LOVE taking care of baby.

We spent a week in Spain along the southern coast, and it was not even close to enough time. We stayed in one spot-a villa- and took day trips from there. The best part was traveling on twisty roads through the mountains/highlands and stopping in little villages for great meals and seeing beautiful old castles and churches. None of us in our group spoke much Spanish. It will be wonderful for you since your wife knows the language. I say skip France this trip. We stopped in London on our way back and stayed centrally located near Trafalgar Square so we could see a lot in a short time.
Enjoy~!

I agree with the idea of skipping Paris. A couple of days in Paris and London is hardly worth it. As soon as you get settled, you'll be leaving, not a recommended approach to seeing a city. Fly from London to Barcelona (there are so many cheap flights within Europe). Then train or fly from Barcelona to Madrid. You can take easy day trips from any of those cities if you want to see something else (like some of the smaller historic, towns such as Toledo or Girona). I would spend more time in London and Barcelona than Madrid. 3 days in Madrid is enough, and around 5 each in London and Barcelona. But don't try to see all over Spain. It's impossible.

I'd also recommend hop on/off bus tours in London and maybe Barcelona, just becasue they give you a good overview and from their you can go off on your own.

And don't worry, you can still go to Europe with kids, I've done it 3 times, and most recently I went without kids (they are both now in college).

Looks awful to me. Looks exhausting and stressful. 10 days is just enough time for Madrid and Barcelona or Madrid and Andalucia. Good luck.

Well I am sorry that you all feel this is not enough time, but we just want to see some things and if it means only a couple days in each, we are happy just to be in the culture. We are the kind of people who travel for the culture factor, not having to see this and that. Sure we would love to stay longer in each place but don't want to limit ourselves, so we try to see as much as possible. It more about just being there then HAVING to see everything in these cities. We love the culture, food, experience, more than anything. TROLL, what is that? (I guess you are eating your hat). such kind words from everyone for a site I was told was great and helpful, thanks for the lovely experience and I am sorry that we don't have tons of time to travel but want to see as much as we can, that's all my wife wanted, was to experience each place, not so much about seeing everything. I know it's not your type of travel, but it works for us. We are just excited to be there, not everyone can. FYI, we are only doing a region of Spain now as talking to friends who have been there, they said just to concentrate on an area, so this is when the trip will slow down for all those who think it is too much. Also, have added a day to each Paris and London and are flying to Barcelona, all decided before I came back to ready all these lovely thughts from some of these posts. The initital post by myself was jsut an idea, that's why it is being asked, what you thought? I have been to London and Paris many times, but my wife who has never, just wants to take it in quick, that's all she cares about, that's why 8 days in Spain is the real part of the trip. I was asking if that was enough as I have no clue about Spain and she counts on me to get us around. I have never been there or researched it so didn't know if the whole country is possible. I just wanted ideas from people who have been there, regarless if you take more time of not, that has nothing to do with it. For those of who who gave some great suggestions, I thank you, and hope there are more.

Spain is probably the most heterogeneous country in western Europe. There are several languages spoken (not just Spanish), many different cultures, foods, architectures, habits, looks, landscapes. And, after Switzerland, is the most mointainous country in Europe. The north (I live in the Basque Country) is distinctly wet, green and mountainous, and you won´t find almost any flamenco or paella on this area. One of the most (if not the most) beautiful cities in Europe is here, San Sebastián. And there are more Michelin starred restaurants per head than in any other part of the world.

In Galicia (northwest) they speak Galician and in the BAsque Country BAsque is also spoken (apart from Spanish). There are 17 autonomous regions, each with a strong personality.

Andalucía is the most known worldwide because of flamenco (with so many variations) and paella (which, btw, is NOT an Andalusian dish, but Valencian).

So, Barcelona and Madrid, the two top cities in Spain, may give you an impression of Spain. Go ahead and visit them. You´ll like the atmosphere of both towns, so far from that in US cities. And there´s plenty of things to see and do, don´t worry about that.

We can´t pretend to show you all of Europe in a few days...

So should we go North or South? vote? I have heard great things about the south, and after reading one persons post about their trip she and DH(?) took to seville and up to Barcelona sounded very nice. But now this post above makes the north sound very good. I don't think we are going to spend much time in Madrid anymore as we want to spend more time in Barcelona or also another smaller town in the north or south instead of Madrid. Where is a good spot for vineyards? Spanish wine is so good, or does this not matter as it can be anywhere?

Please be mindful when replying to people's questions. People come to this site for advise on travel and share experiences. Not be judged and made fun off. Replying with sarcastic comments is very rude... and you know who you are. Please be kind to our fellow travelers.

From Barcelona you can take day trips by train or bus, easily on your own, to wineries, girona, figueres, etc.

When it is all said and done, exactly how many days/nights are you going to have in Spain? I believe you started out with 8 but if you added days in London & Paris does this mean you only have 6?

So you are flying to Barcelona, from Paris? now how many days for Sapin? and you must leave from Madrid? you could just do Barcelona and Madrid with day trips to see more rural areas OR fly down south to Granada or Seville. Seville had good train connections up to Madrid. Granada, you may want to add another flight.

T&V, you're very welcome here - obvious not trolls at all.

[troll = someone who posts a "cod" thread in the hope of winding people up]

i like the way that you are looking at this in an easy to see format - that always helps.

This is what I think you have now:

March 24, 09' – arrive London at 10am, afternoon in London
25th – London
26th – London
27th - train for Paris – afternoon in Paris
28th – Paris (most of the day) – overnight train to Madrid leaves at 7pm
29th – Paris
30th – Paris - head to Barcelona in the afternoon or morning
31st – Barcelona
1st – Barcelona
2nd – Barcelona - head to Madrid in the afternoon
3rd – Madrid
4th – Madrid
5th – leave at 11a 

somewhere I think that I would try to find another night for Barcelona - i think that you will love it - but otherwise this is a much better trip, and does everything you said that you wanted to do.

I would try to sort out the spanish end very soon - Easter falls on the 1st weekend in April in 2010 so the hotels in Barcelona and Madrid will be filling up fast. were it not for this, I might have suggested you go to Andalucia instead of Barcelona and Madrid but Seville will be terribly crowded for Easter.

Good luck with your trip,

regards, ann

PS - have you found the guides of fodorite maribel yet? they are really good - see www.maribelsguides.com.

two totally different worlds, northern and southern Spain. Lush green, mountains, beaches, cold water, unexplored areas, local taste everywhere, great food, not as many tourists (by far) as in the south. The south is sunny, more your idea of Spain, flamenco, bulls, sherry, long beaches, lots of tourists, moorish atmosphere in Cordoba, Seville, Granada,...

annhig's schedule is a good one.

actually MFNYC, i think that it's the OP's schedule.

credit where credit's due!

Spain is absolutely fantastic. There is more to do and see and experience than you can possibly imagine. I have been three times and not even been North yet. I love Southern Spain and keep going back. Madrid is great, not just for itself (though I find Madrid interesting and fun), but for the places close by: Toledo, Segovia, etc. One thing about your trip that I feel might not be so good is that, especially in Spain, you get more a feeling of "being there" by sitting in a plaza someplace and just letting life move around you. If you are the one moving around, I think you actually experience less.

Annhig's trip plan does seem much better for your needs and desires.

Don't feel this is your last hurrah. Traveling with your children someday and seeing things through their eyes will probably be as much fun as your trips now. Come back to Fodor's and you will see that people take even very young children to Europe all the time. I loved taking mine to Paris and Italy when they were little (mine were age 5 & up), and they loved it.

Not exactly, he's skipping that Madrid train in the middle which adds a day in Paris and will get to Barcelona faster by flying.

From Vanessa: Thank you so much for all the wonderful suggestions! I will make sure I forward all this great information to Trav. We are both surprised and disappointed by some of the not so nice remarks from some people. We will certainly take into account a lot of the great information a lot of you have provided. Trav just wants to make the best of our trip no matter how short or inadequate it may seem to some. Different people have different traveling styles. We will certainly revisit the site for future trips.

Nicely said Vanessa.

do come back and tell us about your trip afterwards.

have a great time,

regards, ann

I would consider spending the 6 nights in Spain (assuming it is March 30 through April 5) in Madrid and Sevilla, leaving out Barcelona. Although it will be crowded in Sevilla it is quite a remarkable time to visit. The architecture of Southern Spain will be very unique and different from anything you've seen in London, Paris or Madrid. (Not that the architecture in Barcelona is not unique and beautiful, it's just completely different).

With 3 nights in Madrid if you are still in a mood to just see as many things as possible you could possibly do Toledo and Segovia as daytrips. With 3 nights in Sevilla you could visit Cordoba or if you really wanted to push it Granada (with 2 hours one way traveling I wouldn't personally do it) as daytrips. By this time in your trip you may have decided it's best to see less and enjoy more - but you'd have options for daytrips if you wanted.

Whatever you decide with Spain, I'd choose to base myself 3 nights each in 2 of these cities: Madrid, Barcelona or Sevilla.

I doubt you'll get concensus from everyone on this board
I'd spend the next couple of weeks researching these 3 places and see which best appeal to you.

I do apologize if feelings were hurt, but I can only react to what I read, and when someone says they will see "north and south of Spain and add an excursion to Morocco," all in a few
days, then I think maybe it is a joke.
You have plenty of time to spend a few days each in a handful of great places (as in annhig's itinerary). As I said before, it is not the amount of time, it is how you spend it. I wish you happy travels!