lifelist

Hello all,

Was hoping to get some comments on my itinerary to Spain. I'm headed there to attend a conference in Barcelona. The conference lasts 5 days, and I was going to arrive the week before to do some sightseeing. Here's what I'm thinking, so far:

8/30: Arrive morning into Madrid
8/31: Madrid
9/01: Madrid
9/02: Madrid
9/03: Toledo
9/04: Cordoba
9/05: Seville
9/06: Seville
9/07: Depart Seville for Barcelona
9/08-9/12: Conference in Barcelona
9/13: Depart Barcelona for Madrid
9/14: Depart Madrid (early morning) for US

My tourism goals are pretty low key. I'd like to hit the highlights, but leave time for hanging out and wandering. I'm also interested in doing a bit of photography, so I figure I'll want to be in some fairly scenic spots around sunrise/sunset for best light.

1) For Toledo and Cordoba - is it worthwhile to stay overnight at each, or would it be sufficient to do them as day trips and stay in Madrid/Seville respectively? (i.e. day trip to Toledo from Madrid, and stop over in Seville between Madrid and Seville) I'm thinking that the primary advantage to staying over would being able to catch each place in morning/evening light. Secondary advantages would be being able to avoid the crowds of day trippers.

2) Given that I'm in a conference from 10-4 every day in Barcelona, will I have enough time at the edges of the day to visit the main tourist sites? I've also got an afternoon and a morning in Barcelona (arrive from Seville, depart to Madrid)

3) Intent is to fly from Seville to Barcelona. Had intended to fly from Barcelona to Madrid, but would the AVE train be a better option?

4) 4 days in Madrid - too much/too little relative to the rest of the itinerary?

5) Any events/holidays/complications I need to be aware of?

6) Conference organizers have not yet announced the venue for the conference. My assumption is that it will be held at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. I'm not sure which campus. Recommendations for a location to book a hotel that makes transportation fairly easy?

7) I wanted to take in a bull fight. Best city to do this in given my itinerary?

kja

Hi, lifelist -

> For Toledo and Cordoba - is it worthwhile to stay overnight at each, or would it be sufficient to do them as day trips and stay in Madrid/Seville respectively?

If you are not averse to overnight stays, I think these are both wonderful places to spend a night. As you say, it is nice to see them after day-trippers have left and in different lights. In addition, both places have some great restaurants.

> days in Madrid - too much/too little relative to the rest of the itinerary?

Whether to shift one of your "Madrid" days to one of your other destinations really depends on what you want to see and do. If you enjoy art, you can easily spend 2 or 3 days just enjoying Madrid's museums. But there is PLENTY to see in each of these places.

Enjoy!

Aduchamp1

Sounds reasonable. You must be on the wrong board.

NEDSIRELAND

Be advised that it may be very hot the 2st week of September in Madrid & Sevilla. Some 3-star hotels have air conditioning, most 4-star hotels have.

You can do Toledo as a daytrip from Madrid. I try to avoid the hassle of checking-out and checking-in because most Hotels have 11:00 checkout and maybe 13:00 checkin.

A Festival Bienal de Flamenco begins in Sevilla around the date you plan to depart that City. Do a Google search on those keywords for dates and venues.

Corrida de Toros: probably better in Madrid, if only because temps could be in the high-90's in Sevilla. You'll probably have to fit that into your itinerary for Sunday, August 31

lifelist

I'm aware of the potential temperatures for my visit, but that's when the conference is. I think the hotels on my list all have A/C: Hotel Plaza Mayor (Madrid) or Best Western Carlos V (Madrid); Hotel Alminar (Seville); Barcelona - unknown.

I think I'll probably do Toledo as a day trip since the train schedule allows for early arrival and fairly late departure. And, it's only a 30 minute ride. Cordoba sounds worthwhile as an overnight since I will have already checked out of Madrid.

re: time in Madrid
I try not to hit more than 1-2 museums a day to avoid "museum-fatigue". After a while, it all starts to blur together. I usually go for two major sites a day; and fill in the rest of the day with wandering or spontaneous activities.

re: bull fight - assume that these only happen on Sundays? Should I book tickets ahead? If so, how far ahead?

lifelist

Looks like the Festival Bienal de Flamenco goes from 10 Sep 2008 - 11 Oct 2008, so I'll miss it on my trip, which is unfortunate.