I will be in Spain for 6 (possibly 7)days in mid-November, flying into Barcelona and out of Madrid. Can anyone give me suggestions for how best to spend my time there?

Depends on what you like to do. I would do 3 days in Barcelona, 3 in Madrid with a daytrip to either Segovia or Toledo.

whats the best way to get from barcelona to madrid? how about cuenca as a day trip from madrid?

Cuenca is lovely!!! We went there to break a long drive on our way to Madrid and decided to spend the night. Ever since I have encouraged people to go there. I think that it is perfectly doable as a day trip.

We stayed in a wonderful hotel in the hanging houses. The parador looked wonderful as well.

There are many cheap flights, you can chech with Iberia or with Spanair. I never went with the train.

The new rapid rail train is about 2/3 complete from Madrid to Barcelona. It still takes about 5 hours to make the trip, but you go downtown to downtown.
The scenery isn't terribly beautiful or interesting, but at least you get a feel for the land.
Leave at 7 am and in other city by lunch at 1 or 2. Cost. Probably the same for rapid rail or air, but no taxi or transportation back to the center of the city is necessary.

Check vueling.com for cheap flights.
I am flying seville to barcelona for 10 euro. they fly madrid to barcelona.

I wish I knew where all these cheap airfares were hiding . . . vueling is showing me 140 Euros each way, nowhere near the ten you paid . . .

I don't know your exact dates, but have you tried

www.spanair.com

see also
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34691148

October 21 and October 25. Most flights are 146 Euros each, but I found a few that are 63 each, which would be close to $180 US round trip after taxes . . . a lot more than those 10 Euro fares!