travelbunny

I will be in Barcelona at the end of September for a conference. I am planning to take 4-5 days of vacation after. I want 2 alternatives ..one relying on public transit the other not. I would like to stay in 1 place max 2 and do not want to spend a lot of time getting there. I read Stu Dudley's note re suggestions for driving in SW France Pau ect..which I think I may use if I rent a car but I want a public transit option. Any ideas? I have been to Nimes, Marsailles, Biarritz, Pamplona.

mmyk72

I took a day trip from BCN to Mont Serrat and highly recommend it.

It's 1 hr by train, so you can just go in the morning and be back at night.

nessundorma

Iberia airlines offers very cheap airfares if you book online. It is very convenient to get to the BCN airport, and taking trains from BCN is not very convenient.

Some destinations to check out: Madrid, with a sidetrip to Toledo.

San Sebastian, with a side trip to Bilbao.

Sevilla with a side trip to Cordoba.

I would also consider flying to Madrid and then flying to Granada. Or possibly flying to Granada and renting a car from there.

travelbunny

Thanks everyone..I will check Iberia. I have travelled extensively in Andalusia so Toledo, Seville Granada are not number 1 on my agenda. I think I am either looking at SW France or the area of Spain N and to the E as opposed to the W of Barcelona. I guess the other option if cheap fares to Madrid would be to rent a car and see Segovia, Salamanca and Avilla..staying one place..but I think I am leaning towards the first..

laclaire

That is the season for really exceptional oranges, so I would either 1) (public transport option) head down to Valencia and check out the city, possibly stopping in Tarragona on the way down. or 2) (car option) take a train to Valencia and visit pueblos, eating oranges and paella along the way.