another thought....
should i just focus on madrid and neighbouring areas and save barcelona for another trip?

Four days in Barcelona will give you a feel for the city.

Madrid has world class museums and it is an excellent hub to visit many worthwhile nearby towns on day trips including Avila and Toledo.

We have never been to Sevilla for Semana Santa but it is not a day trip even with the AVE.

thanks adu.
if i went to sevilla i figured it would have to be at least an overnight, maybe 2 nights and include cordoba.

which is why i am starting to think that perhaps i should just focus on madrid and surroundings and save barcelona for another trip.
yes?
no?

With the AVE you can get between Madrid and Barcelona rather quickly and you would lose less than 1/2 day. I would save the South for another trip since there is much to see there.

It sounds like it all depends on your daughter's schedule but a few days in Barcelona would be fun.

I don't like to cram alot in on my travels so I would choose EITHER Madrid / Seville, OR Madrid / Barcelona. You might want to do a quick check on hotel availability in Seville - I think that during Semana Santa that city is packed out! The crowds associated with that would not appeal to me (but might make it a must-do for others). So I'd go for Madrid / Barcelona - both cities have pleasant day trip possibilities. I'd be inclined to add a day to Barcelona (just cause I like it more) but I know seeing your daughter is the main point of your trip.

By the way I have done Cordoba as a daytrip from Madrid and it was satisfying - I think the Mezquitia is a pretty unique site and there is also an alcazar and gardens - it's a full day but it might be an option. Enjoy!

Remember that prices in Spain will be muy caro/very expensive due to Semana Santa. Made the mistake of traveling to Seville and am paying almost double the regular rates for my last night. The budget hotels are all booked for that week.

Better to stay in Madrid/Barcelona the first week though the prices will also be higher and then go to Seville the next week when the crowds have left.

I enjoyed a week during Semana Santa some years ago and loved staying in Segovia, Avila, and Salamanca to see the various processions. You add Toledo to the mix and you have a full plate---I would stay in or near Madrid the entire time.

plane, train and hotel booked for barcelona.
woo hoo!

as a lover of architecture, i could not resist a barcelona/madrid combination.
i arrive in barcelona on april 5, 7:30 a.m. and depart for madrid by train on april 9 at 3:30.

now, to plan my days in barcelona.......

fat bike tour (love the one in paris)

top sights:
la familia sagrada
casa mila
casa batillo
guell parc and palace
barri gotic
palau de la musica catalana
santa maria del mar basilica
cathedral de barcelona

am i missing anything? i don't have any museums yet (musee picasso, montjuic and joan miro and have not accounted for rambling on la ramblas. ha ha ha)
now i need to determine all the logistics and see if i have time for a trip to montserrat.

since the main purpose of this trip was to visit my daughter, i will not plan for madrid. we may just chill and i could soak in some of her life style.
(i'm a bad mommy. she will be skipping some of her university classes while i am there.)

thanks again for the comments and advice.

Go to the tourist office in Madrid-they will give you detailed inf about all the processions in Madrid during Semana Santa-wonderful experience.

chapla,
i will be in barcelona during semana santa.
i'm trying to figure out what is planned and what will be open that fri, sun and mon.

The Joan Miro Museum is for lovers of Miro as is the Picasso Museum for lovers of Picasso as it concentrates on his earlier years.

Two things not on your list:

Go watch the Sardana in front of the La Seu (The Cathedral) usually on Saturday night and Sunday around noon. It is a traditional Catalan dance. Just put your bag in the center of the circle with the others, and join in.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/cultural/dancing/catalan-dancing-sardana.html

The article says that it is inadvisable for visitors to join in. Just look for smiling faces.

The other is La Boqueria, it is one the finest food markets in Europe. The full name is The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria. There is a tiny restuarant in the back that is sensational called El Quim.

And for the best description read Barcelona by Robert Hughes, the art critic. It is not a guide book but a well-researched, witty, historical perspective of Catalunya. Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Barcelona-Robert-Hughes/product-reviews/0679743839/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

adu,
thanks for the additional info.
the catalan dancing especially is right up my alley.

both musee picasso and miro are on my list - i just need to figure out logistics.

do you think i have time for montserrat or should i just stay in barca?
there is so much happening there that as much as i want to visit the monastery i think i should save it for another time.

Agree with adding Picasso and Miro Museums in Barcelona.
Also went to Madrid to visit my DD during her semester abroad. Did day trips to Segovia, Avila, Toledo,

If you visit the Miró Museum you will be on Montjuïc where the views are spectacular, if you do not have time for Montserrat.