Barcelona and What Else?
 

I'm trying to figure out what is the best use of my time while in Spain. I will be leaving to Spain on 3/30 from London as early as possible. I will be leaving Spain back to London on 4/4 (I don't care when I get back to London). This translates to about 4 full days of visiting cities and 2 days for travel.

The only city I want to go to for sure is Barcelona. I also was interested in going to Toledo, but that requires going to Madrid which adds quite a bit of hassle.

Two things to note:
1. The Alcazar in Toledo is closed on Monday 4/3. This looks like one of the cooler things to visit in Toledo so I'm not sure if I'd be missing out by not being able to see it.
2. The Real Madrid Football match is on Saturday 4/2 in Barcelona (this translates to a lot of people). This also means I would have to go to Barcelona 1st and another city that 2nd that flies back to London.

The other city I go to besides Barcelona does not have to be in Spain but I don't want to go too far. I have already been to Paris. Somewhere in the south of France maybe?

I had one idea of doing a Chateaux tour in Southern France. Any ideas if we have enough time to do this? I was checking out http://www.ligeris.com/usa/bus_acco.html

You seem to be all over the map on this one. With only four days, why not relax and enjoy the environs around Barcelona. Maybe take a side trip to Cardona and spend a couple of days at the Parador.

We went to a small town called Tossa de Mar after visiting Barcelona two years ago and loved it. A lovely small beach town with great restraunts and a really cool remnant of a castle wall. Maribel told us about it. She has great ideas and I understand now has her own guides and web site for spain.

With this amount of time, I think you'd be best off spending it in Barcelona with maybe a side trip to Montserrat. But really, there's plenty in Barcelona to keep you more than occupied.

depending on how in depth you like to travel, four days can easily be filled in barcelona, but if you really want to see another city, i would suggest coming down to valencia on the euromed,( meer three hours) first class (enjoy meal and drinks and... vip lounge at sants station).

you can take the tourist bus, and then wander around the old section ( one of the most extensive in europe) , and get a visual feel of the America's Cup city on this short trip.

Also go down to the port to see the teams' bases. many have shops now, and by April there may be activities going on.

Hopefully you will come back for a longer time.
You will have missd Las Fallas, but can get a good feel of what this festival is all about at the Falleros Museum across from the new Science center. Ask for the video in English, and then walk around to see the figures that have been saved from the flames by popular vote over the years.


Great shoping mall next to there, and across from the science center"El Saler", not to mention the New El Corte Inglés on the backside of Science center where most of the new hotels are.

Bar El Pilar , corner of Caballeros/Moro Zeit.
great mussels, tapas, patatas bravas, etc.etc.
This is a "throw your napkin on the floor" place.

Tables almost impossible. Stand at bar.

Sagardi ..on calle san vicente between cathedral area and plaza del ayuntamiento.

this is a new franchise with lots of tapas pre-made, you take a plate, pick what you want. Later they count the toothpicks to charge you.
Hot tapas come out and are passed around after 8.30 pm.

Lots of popular eateries for snacks and meus around the cathedral, in front of it and on the streets behind.

And if you fancy thick hot chocolate and churros, Valor chocolate is on Plaza de la Virgen, as well as Santa Catalina, both icons in Valencia.


easyjet and ryanair both service valencia.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions! For whatever reason I never thought of doing a day trip from Barcelona. That would give us 3 days in Barcelona and one day for a day trip. So far Montserrat and the Costa Brava (Tossa De Mar) are looking the most likely. Valencia wouldn't be too bad either since we could get 2 solid days there. I'll let you all know what we end up doing! Thanks again for these great suggestions!

I love both Tossa de Mar and Montserrat and think they are both wonderful, easy trips from Barcelona. At that time of year though, too chilly for beach weather, if I had to choose one I would choose Montserrat--very easy to get to and stunningly beautiful. If it's a mild to warm day go for a long hike in the hills and have a picnic of bread and cheese and wine. Doing this last April was the highlight of our Barcelona trip. In Tossa, the most beautiful thing when I was there (ten years ago now, but I imagine it hasn't changed much) was the crystal clear water on one of the small beaches. Save it for a time when you can sunbathe and swim, if you have to choose between the two.