lvnatlpk

I would appreciate your suggestions and comments -
My 7-day cruise from BCN - BCN, from July 6 - 13, with my 2 sisters at healthy age of 70ths..
I was planning to take AVE from BCN to MAD (Madrid) immediately after the cruise which ended in the early morning of July 13. Now I found out that AVE round trip is quite costly, and
we have to fly out fro BCN. air ticket back to USA can't be modified without a fee.
I thought 3-day in BCN and take Hop-on-hop-off bus.
I have booked Hotel room at Renaissance Barcelona Hotel, which is a good location for
go places.
May be I should drop the trip to MAD, just spend ( July 13 - Jul 18 PM -leave BCN )
About 5 full day in BCN go to most tourist points and may be take a day to outside the town -
Montserrat ?
So we can take ease, not rush around.

Thank you so much !

Sassafrass

Even though I am a huge fan of Madrid when combined with Toledo, your own interests should dictate. Cost and heat are also factors. Madrid can be scorching inJuly. The big draw for Madrid, IMO, is the Prado. If museums, especially the Prado would be very special to you, then strongly consider it. If museums are not that important, then there is plenty to see in/near Barcelona and it is not quite so hot.

You might also look into the cost of a flight to Granada instead of Madrid for a couple of days. Two days would be great for Granada, but Madrid is so perfect for day trips, I would want more time there.

San Sebastian for a couple of days might also be nice.

xyz99

My personal choice would be all five days in Barcelona. But a day trip to Montserrat would be fun, too.

jgg

I would recommend all 5 days in Barcelona with an option of a daytrip to Montserrat or Girona. We had 5 days and kept it open with a possibility of daytrip to Girona, but were enjoying Barcelona so much decided to just stay there. Here is a link to my trip report if you are interested: http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/06/barcelona/

kja

Much as I love Madrid, I think you should wait until you can give it and the places near it more time. Good luck!

lvnatlpk

Wow, I am so touched with all the great suggestions, and so quick! also, jgg's link to your trip report. Thank you !

Now I've stronger feelings of staying in BCN and a daytrip to
Montserrat..
I did check the airline tickets from BCN-MAD round trips, the fare is actually cheaper than AVE. but 2 days or 2.5 days in MAD including my initial plans of going to Toledo and the other one -
Segovia.., just too much.
Because by then we have seen Italy's Rome, Vatican, Florence,-Pisa ( cruise excursion ..), Cannes and the "Mallorca" island.
So, I think 5 days in BCN and nearby should be a choice.

Thanks for all the comments. I sincerely appreciate it !

kimhe

You've gotten good advice. Barcelona is a fabulous city and has plenty to offer for five days.

Some suggestions:

Lunch or dinner at Barcelona classic 7 Portes from 1836. An institution in town: http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
From the 175 years anniversary a couple of years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujDIsGzDO38

A concert in the quite spectacular Palau de la Música Catalana: http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/

The Muntjuic park (Jewish mountain) with the castle, the museums, the 1992 olympic arenas, and fabulous views of both the city and the sea. Lots of Barcelona history connected to the hill: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...SJpH1t4T6vJumh

La Boquería, one of the finest food markets in the world: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market

Of course all the Gaudí buildings, especially La Sagrada Familia: http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/?lang=0

Carmen Amaya (1913/17-1963) from Barcelona is the greatest flamenco dancer of all times. She is celebrated almost all year in Tablao Cordobés right on La Rambla, one of the best reputed flamenco venues in Spain. Often her grand-niese Karime Amaya dances here, her career is taking off right now: http://www.tablaocordobes.es/en/

Here Karime Amaya dances on the Catalan National day in Barcelona September 11 2013. Strong regional identity up here, and the national day is commemorating the loss of Barcelona to the king of Spain on 11 September 1714. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohLeFR20avc

Updated and comprehensive info about Barcelona: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/

lvnatlpk

Hi, Kimhe - Thanks so much ! lots of info for me to study, good thing is that I still have plenty of time before the trip.

Hav a good one !

Robert2533

Actually, you don't have that much time as July is very busy in Barcelona, a few million or so tourist converging on the city. You need to tie down what you'd like to do. You can take a day trip to Girona and Tarragona, and possibly spend one day at the beach in Sitges.

lvnatlpk

Hi,Robert2533.
Excellent idea too!
I certainly like to listen to you all experts.
After all, this is my very first trip to any European country.
for the last few years, most of my annual vacations were staying inside USA, , visited most western states National Parks,and back East coast New England area.

Thanks so much !