angelsix66

Hello all,

I have had great successes with the Fodor's Forum for past trips and am back to seek out your expert advice.

My hubby and I are planning a trip to Spain for the last week in May/first in June. I have never been to Europe, although hubby has been all over except Spain. We tend to frequent places like Japan, so I suspect this will be a very different type of trip.

Our plan was to spend most of our time in and around Barcelona (hubby is a pro skateboarder and Barcelona is the rage right now). We have ff miles so have the luxury of going in and out of separate cities (although Madrid flights are very limited). We love architecture & art although lean heavily toward modern (another reason for Barcelona). We are mega foodies as well (US east coast city folk). We also love places like Buzios Brazil so I think up near Cadaques or Majorca might be nice. Not opposed to train or potentially renting a car. I should also mention that we tend to prefer the road less taken. Hidden gems, local treasures. Obviously, we enjoy the must-sees, but are slightly unconventional and tend to prefer a more authentic locals experience than anything too touristy. While we try to be budget conscious, we often blow it, so I would say that is less of a priority.

I can't seem to wrap my head around this trip whatsoever. Reading the threads here have been great, but are actually making it harder. Any and all suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Please help.

Thank you!

yorkshire

What is the question? Go to Barcelona.

annhig

hi, angel?

how long have you got?

if just a week, stick to BCN.

if you have longer, either head for one of the beach resorts in the area, or you could head inland to the rioja area - definitely the road less travelled. Even less travelled are the Picos de Europa - the mountains which run west to east parallel with the northern coast of spain. but you'd need a fortnight to do all that.

may I sugest getting out a map and looking at where you might get to and then putting your ideas into www.via-michelin.com and seeing ehat the distances and driving times are.

regards, ann

angelsix66

Thanks for you response. I will definitely check out the site you suggested.

We are going for about two weeks. I have no idea when the next time we might be able to visit will be and am worried that we will be missing out if we don't go to Madrid. I can be guilty of trying to fit in too much in too little time, so I don't want to completely over extend. Thoughts?

annhig

Hi angel,

it depends what you like to do.

after a week or so in BCN, I think I'd like to head for the hills! or the beach. or both.

IMO Madrid is really for culture buffs and is ideal in the winter. in may/june, there are so many places that are not cities that would be lovely.

why not check out the [free!] guides compiled by another fodorite, maribel - what she doesn't know about Spain, probably isn't worth knowing.

www.maribelsguides.com.

regards, ann

angelsix66

Being that we are city people, I was thinking that while the culture in Madrid is amazing, we might rather not being in another big city. For instance, we much preferred being on way up North in Australia vs. Sydney (which is lovely, but...)

I will definitely check out the link. From what I can tell from the threads, Maribel really knows her stuff.

Thanks so much, Ann.

annhig

hi again angel,

as you like art and cities, from BCN you could head via saragossa and Logrono [riojha country] to Bilbao for the guggenheim, or across the pyrenees to San sebastian - which has the most fabulous beaches and supposedly some of the best food in Spain.

good luck,

regards, ann