Madrid for sure
Barcelona for sure

we love food
northern spain was recommended over andulusia.

thinking to start in madrid first, then Santiago de Compostela in Galicia then to barcelona.

any suggestions? I'm planning to head there in mid september this year.

Thanks,

In Galicia, add the parador in Baoiona and on the Costa Brava above Barcelona, go to the parador at Aiguablava. We loved the Pais Vasco as well,

San Sebastian is the gastronomic capital of Spain.
See these sites:
http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

http://maribelsguides.com/mg_sansebastian.pdf

http://www.donostia.org/CAT/Home.nsf...N?OpenFrameset

You love food: you must sample Basque cuisine.
Last time I was in Bilbao I promised myself that I would find a place to stay where I could cook - this was after my tour of el Mercado, a 3-story marketplace on the rio Nervion, just across from Bilbao's Casco Viejo.

On your way from Santiago to Barcelona try a Favada Asturiana in Asturias or a Cocido Lebeniega in Liebana. Don't forget the Orujo de Liebana (a very high proof liquer that is used for the Queimada).
You'll find the best seafood either in the Barrio Pesquera in Santander or in Bilbao where it becomes part of Basque cuisine.

Actually, I thought the food in Barcelona was incredibly great this last trip too, but I"ve heard it's even better in the Basque area. Food wasn't the highlight of Andulusia for me, but it's hard to beat Alhambra for incredible architecture and Seville for overall ambience and flamenco. But with 14 days, if food is your top priority, yes, you might be best off with Basque area and Barcelona.

P.S. We thought the food at the parador at Aiguablava was fabulous and you can't beat the place for beauty and a great value.

I am planning a trip in Sept/Oct as well. The following threads present my plans and revisions along with comments from knowledgeabel posters that may be of help to you.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;keyword=153

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;keyword=153

I agree with your friends to visit Galicia over Costa del Sol.

You will get seafood in Galicia that you will get elsewhere. Try the percebes, which are barnacles and a Gallego delicacy.

While in Madrid, try the conchinillo, roast suckling pig.

There are also some a few good gallego restaurants near Botin's.

that sounds great. another quick question.

i'm traveling from Chicago (ORD). Would you recommend flying through to madrid first or barcelona?

also, i suppose that renting a car would be the way to go to galicia?

Like most Spanish ciites a car is burden in Santiago but it will be helpful to take you the coast and the other natural sites.

If you are willing to explore Galicia, some of my favourite spots are Cambados (about 50 kms. far from Santiago), the Rias Altas coastline (Muros, Carnota, Fisterra or Finisterre, Muxia...). If you go south to Vigo (the biggest town in Galicia), Islas Cies are a must. You can take the ferry and spend the day there. You can also visit Baiona and Tui from Vigo. The Parador de Baiona is the place to stay, one of the most beautiful environments for a hotel I have ever seen.
I hope you enjoy it. Be welcome to Galicia.

ok change of plans, we'll start in barcelona instead of madrid.

i might be showing a lack of surf savvy, but can someone tell me 1. where i can go to book these paradors, and 2. if there are trains that i can book (AVE?) from barcelona to northern spain?

also, i've been trying to find a flight from madrid to barcelona but haven't been able to find a site that offers that route.

thanks so much!

There is one sleeper called "Pio Baroja" from Barcelona to San Sebastian. Departure at 10pm and arrival at 07:45am
http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html
Iberia, Air Europa and Spanair fly from Madrid to Barcelona.

Via Rail Europe on the 10PM train from Sant. $69 seat is the only one not sold out on 9/18/2007. Booked yesterday.