Advice for first trip to spain
 

Spending two weeks in Spain for the first time. What should our itinerary be?

It's your decision. I would recommend starting with guide books. Member's preferences and quirks will offer suggestions to what you have decided from your readings.

trommon,

I have no idea of your previous experience or if budget matters.

From whatever guide source, you should recognise this is no small country to travel. Recognise transport is key, (if you try to see too much a large amount of time will be spent travelling)and probably focus on two regions or two areas that are easily linked and what interests you. Your itinerary also depends on where you enter and exit the country.

http://www.maribelsguides.com/ - perhaps

Best wishes.

Read this;
http://www.spain.info/

Do you prefer cities, villages or countryside? Are you more interested in museums and churches or nightlife and beaches or outdoor activities? Do you want to drive or stick with trains? What time of year are you going? Do you have tickets purchased already?

Why did you choose Spain?

Where are you from? What time of year are you going? Since most Americans want to experience the "old Spain" of books and movies I usually recommend Madrid, Seville and Granada as a perfect first trip to Spain. For a second trip I recommend Barcelona area and for the third the North coast.

I agree with Egbert - generally for a first trip to Spain I recommend Madrid and Andalucia (assuming you have at least 2 weeks). However, it is hard to advise not knowing your particular interests. For example if you are a big food & wine lover I may steer you to La Rioja and the Basque country. If you like modern art perhaps Barcelona. And as others have mentioned the time of year is also important.

What do you think about when you think of going to Spain. Your question is vague, and it's something any guide book can answer.

We are thinking of going in October and will be spending two weeks. I was thinking of starting in Madrid and then drive down in Andalucia. I was a Spanish major and speak spanish fluently. I've never been to Spain but certainly studied it!
We like to see the big cities, museums, etc, but we like to visit the small towns, meet the people and get a real taste of a country. Budget wise, we like moderate-luxury hotels.

It takes at least 5 trips to see Spain---Andalusia is a good start. With 2 weeks you can add Madrid/Toledo.

A basic 2 week trip for a first time visit to Madrid and Andalucia could go something like this:

Madrid: 4 nights (daytrips: Toledo & Segovia)
Sevilla: (Ave from Madrid); 4 nights (daytrip to Cordoba)
Pueblos Blancos: 2 nights (rent car when leaving Sevilla; return when arriving in Granada); explore area by car
Granada: 2 nights

This is 12 nights. Depending on your travel time 2 weeks generally means 12-14 nights so you may have 1-2 additional nights.

Here is a sample 2 week itinerary:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tober-2010.cfm

Thanks everyone for your input. Well, we didn't go in October and are now looking to go in Feb or March. Is that time of year okay to go?
Thinking of this itinerary:
Madrid: 3 nights
Sevilla: 3 nights
Pueblos Blancos: 2 nights
Granada: 2 nights
Barcelona: 3 nights

Any input would be appreciated

3 nights is about 2 days.. it will give you " a taste" of places, but not much museum time.
March would be my choice.

The year has almost gone by and we didn't get to go to Spain as we planned. Now we are looking to go this Sept or October. Is one month better than the other?

September would be just excellent, both in the north and in the south. In the north, it is still warm enough for a swim, in the south, the summer heat is gradually loosing the grip. October is more uncertain, can be just fabulous, at least in the south, but fall is coming and there might be some storms. I've gone to the south (Andalucía) several times in November and excperienced mostly warm weather and more tranquile atmosphere than during the more tourist-intensive season (May-October).

Great. Thanks for your input.
We travel alot, but this is our first trip to Spain. My original itinerary that we were thinking of was:

Madrid: 3 nights
Sevilla: 3 nights
Pueblos Blancos: 2 nights
Granada: 2 nights
Barcelona: 3 nights

Are we trying to cover too much? Would you recommend that we take Barcelona out of the plan?

Also, i would love some hotel recommendations -- moderate to luxury.
Thanks!!!

I keep asking questions before anyone has time to respond -- but if we skipped Barcelona, would you recommend we spend time around Jerez de la Frontera and the pueblos blancos? It doesn't look like those are day trips from Sevilla.. should we stay somewhere around there? We would rent a car between Granada and Sevilla and explore the region.