Barcelona and where without a car
 

We will be flying and and out of Barcelona in late December/early January, staying for 10 days.

We cannot rent a car so we are at the mercy of the trains and buses. We really just want to wander around and explore and have some great food and wine, possibly take a cooking class and go wine tasting.

We figure we'll do Barcelona for 4-6 days with day trips to Monterassat, Girona,and Figures and someone also also suggested a day trip to the Cava region but I cannot find any info on what train or bus to take there.

After Barcelona, where should we go in northern Spain (we are saving southern for a separate trip)? We've looked into Haro for the wine, but I was told on tripadvisor that Haro is a long way to go just for the wine. We were also told the Basque region is nice, but where? And how do we get there? I can only find a train to San Sebastian that take forever with multiple connections. I also saw that Laguardia looks nice but there appears to be no way to get there.


Is it really that difficult to rely on trains and buses in Spain or am I missing something?

We just want another location to spend 3-4 days in where we can wander around, eat good food, possibly arrange a wine tour (we can hire a driver for the day for that) that we can get to fairly easily from Barcelona (either overnight direct or in under 6 hours or so with connections) where once we get there we won't feel like we are trapped without a car. Does such a town exist in northern Spain?

And if so, please tell me how to get there (websites and station names would be especially helpful).

Thanks!

"Is it really that difficult to rely on trains and buses in Spain or am I missing somethin"
not at all

trains:


www.renfe.es/ingles

buses:

http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa

cheap airline:

http://www.vueling.com/

I have traveled via bus and train in Madrid and Barcelona. I had ZERO problems with the systems. As for Barcelona walking around is the only way to go. I did get lost one afternoon, but I just hailed a cab, showed him my hotel's name and address and I was back in no time. I can't say it's the first time I've been lost or turned around.

And the train system in Spain was excellent IMHO. And the Spanish people are incredibly friendly and out going. Good Luck and have a blast.

Theresa in Detroit

The public transport system in Spain works wonderfully and you can get Anywhere either by bus or by train.

Barcelona is very well linked to the Basque country and bus would be the most sensible option. It takes long, though, around 8 hours. If I were you, I´d go to San Sebastian, probably the most beautiful city in Spain, easily manageable on foot, by the sea, great food (the highest concentration in the world of Michelin stars is in the Basque Country) and from where you can get to the wine region of Rioja in just a couple of hours, or take a guided tour.

two good train trips from B. To the Cava town, Freixenet right on the station and the rest all walking distance.

You can also take a train to Torres. Its about a 3 km walk to the winery or take a taxi.

Spanish trains pretty good

Barcelona is indeed perfect without a car.

Spain has many wine regions, some of the best are very close to Barcelona (including Penedes).

http://www.espavino.com/spain_wine_r...ne_regions.php

Near Figueres, there is Castillo Pereleda winery with excellent (and inexpensive) wines, including a good sparkling wine:

www.castilloperelada.com

Thanks for all the info. Apparantly I am an internet moron....I kept putting destinations in the train webpage and getting no results. Turns out I was selecting dates too far in the future and I didn't know that's what it said (obviously I am working on my spanish..).

So a possibly itenerary is this:

Dec 27, 28, 29 – Haro – wine tasting (3 nights, 2 full days)
Dec 30, 31st – New Years Eve in San Sebastian (2 ½ days, 2 nights)
Jan 1st take overnight train to Barcelona
Jan 2– 6th – Barcelona (4 nights, 4 days) with day trips for wineries, Monterassat, Figures and possibly Girona

How does that sound? Is that enough time in Girona? Should we skip Haro and just base ourselves in San Sebastian and Barcelona only?
Would it better (for a 29 and 30 year old married couple who like good food, wine, and the occaisional nightlife) to spend New year's Eve in San Sebastian or Barcelona?

"How does that sound? Is that enough time in Girona?"

I meant, is that enought time in Barcelona?

Instead of Haro, I´d no doubt stay in Laguardia, a much nicer town and with a mediaeval atmosphere.

San Sebastian is a jewel (small, 200.000 inhabitants), but Barcelona is also great (big, 3 million people). NOthing to do one with another, difficult choice. From SS you can take a excursion to Laguardia and stay one night.

I wouldn´t miss the chance to visit the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, either.

You are planning 4 days in Barcelona with 3 day trips.
Barcelona is a beautiful and unique city with so much to see - we stayed a week and never left town.

I am not sure if I would go to Haro. It is pretty far away from any other destination. Penedes is an equally good wine region. I would skip Haro and add two more days to Barcelona. And, yes, see the Guggenheim in Bilbao. A half day's trip from Donostia (San Sebastion) will do.

mikelg, I looked into Laguardia but I can't seem to find a train or bus there - can you tell me how to get there? Also do you have a hotel reccomendation there?

I´d check www.maribelguides.com for more info on the area, just follow her advise.