10 days in Spain - suggestions please
 

Hi all,

This year we are going to Spain, we have 10 days only, so the time is pretty limited. This is our first visit to Spain and we have planned our first-cut itinerary as follows :

12 October - fly to Madrid, stay two nights
14 October - rent a car and drive to Toledo or Segovia, stay there one night.
15 October - drive to Zaragoza, stay one night
16 October - drive to Olot, stay one night
17 October - drive to Barcelona, drop the car and stay 5 nights there
22 October - fly back home

Now, we were fascinated with the Volcanic park area (Garrotxa) when we saw it on the internet - that's why we want to get to Olot (or Castellfollit de la Roca). On the other hand our travel agent suggested to drive there through the northern part of Spain - but the driving distances are too long for my taste, that's why we plan to stop at Zaragoza. We also would like to make a day-trip to Girona or some place near Barcelona once we get there - that's why we plan to stay 5 nights in Barcelona.

So, what do you say ? Does this plan make sense ? Any suggestions ?


Thanks in advance,
Oleg.
www.Olegis.com

Do you arrive in Madrid on 12 Oct?? If so I think you should proceed directly to Zaragoza for the Fiesta de la Virgen del Pilar. One of Spain's favotites. With any luck at all you could take in Regional Dancers performing Jotas de Aragon at the Magnificant Cathedral. While there you could see some of Goya's Frescoes in the Cathedral or even visit his birthplace (and museum) in Fuendetodos.

Otherwise I have no comment on your proposed itinerary.

Yes, we arrive in Madrid on October 12. I think that going directly to Zaragoza would be problematic - renting a car and driving ~350km after a sleepless night and after that trying to see things in Zaragoza would not be fun, I think.

is is the day of the armed forces also and one of the most spectacular spanish military parades takes place n madrid.. however, it usually is late morning if i recall.

the 12th is a holiday across the nation and the trafffic will be horrific after 5 pm on the highways. especialy accessing the larger cities.

So we are relatively lucky - our flight lands on ~9:00-10:00 in the morning so I plan that we will arrive at the hotel by 12:00. Then probably we will take a nap to recover after the flight and by 15:00 we will be ready to go find some food and start seeing Madrid. Is there any chance to see the celebrations in the afternoon ?

I would drive directly from Zaragoza to Girona and use Girona as a base for visiting Olot and the volcanic park.

There is not much to do in Castelfollit once you have seen the cliff and walked around for a while.
Make sure you take the old road from Figeras - the new one doesn't even come close to the town.

I recommend to take the hop off & hop on bus for the 2 days. This way you get a general idea of what BCN looks like
Day 1: La Rambla - go to the Tourist booth located there and purchase your tickets or purchase at your travel agent prior to leaving

I just got back 2 weeks ago and it is beautiful. The Architect Gaudi is a must see - Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia, La Pedera, Casa Batillo - must see

LaClaire & Maribel will be able to assist. Maribel has a great Cole Notes version of BCN. I will try to find the link

Barcelona is the most wonderful city I have ever visited. You can easily fill five full days there. The medieval town of Tarrogona is a very cool day trip out of of Barcelona (IF you have any extra time). Here is the link to a trip review for Barcelona I posted on epinions. Enjoy! I'm so jealous. http://www.epinions.com/content_141018828420

I would fly to Madrid and stay there, doing day trips to Segovia and Toledo. From Madrid, I would fly to Barcelona (flights are cheap), rent a car at the airport and head for Olot and other beautiful parts of Cataluyna and the Pyrennees you might like. Return to Barcelona when you wish and finish your vacation there. I think 4 nights in Barcelona would be enough, and would give you an extra to explore the pretty mountains.

Thanks for your wonderful suggestions and remarks !

More input will be appreciated. :-)

I for one would rather spend 1 night in sevilla then 2 in madrid. Just my opionion but madrid is just a big city, the prada, however, is amazing.

Thanks,

I'm afraid that our schedule will not allow us to visit Sevilla this time - but it's already planned for our next visit to Spain some day.