Background info: Our daughter is getting married in Ireland the first Saturday in June. For a number of reasons, my husband, our son and I had our hearts set on flying to Barcelona the week after the wedding.

My MIL and her brother are flying out of Ireland midafternoon the Tuesday after the wedding. So we were hoping to catch a flight to Barcelona around the same time. And arrive back in Dublin perhaps early evening on Friday (my husband is flying out of Dublin that Saturday).

As luck would have it, both Ryanair and Aer Lingus only have flights early in the morning and in the evening. The morning one is not really an option because we don't want to drag my MIL and her brother, neither of whom are anywhere near seasoned travelers, to the airport early in the morning when their flight doesn't leave until 2:00. We don't want to impose on anyone else to get them to the airport later. And we want them to be as comfortable as possible.

So it looks like we're going to have to fly out in the evening. Allowing for time to get our luggage, get into the city, etc., we probably won't get into Barcelona until <i>at least</i> 9:00.

The choices on flight times are pretty much the same on both airlines going back to Dublin. As much as I would like to leave in the evening so we'd have the whole day in Barcelona, I really don't like the idea of not getting back to Dublin until nearly midnight. So that leaves us with an early morning flight out.

So this is my question: Can we get enough of the flavor of Barcelona in two full days to be worth the expense, time and hassle of flying there from Dublin? Or do we go back to square one trying to find another city (has to be on the continent) where airline schedules will allow us to stretch our time a few hours on both ends?

Thanks for any insight!

Hi CAPH - you can't extend your trip by one extra day?

2 days is okay... it'll give you a taste of Barcelona. I really enjoyed my visit there last year. I'd plan the 2 days like this:

Day 1: Barrio Gotic, La Ramblas, Sagrada Familia, Barcelonata
Day 2: Casa Milo and Casa Batllo, Parc Guell, Palau de la Muscia Catalana

You'll be itching to return to Barcelona for more.

FYI, hotels are quite expensive in Barcelona.

What other nonstop flights are there out of Dublin that offer shorter flights/better times? Would you consider a different city?

Only you will know if the expense/ hassle is worth it. You don't even tell us what is the expense of flying R/T to Barcelona.

Having been in Barcelona several times, I can tell you that two full, well organized days, will allow you to see the major sights and get the flavor of the city. A good thing of Barcelona airport is that is very close to the city(at the most 20 mins.). Would I do it? No, but I don't really care for Barcelona and never had the pressing need to visit.
If your heart is set on Barcelona, I would go ahead with it. A few hours more in another city will not make a big difference IMO.

No, yk, there's really no way to extend it a day without abandoning my MIL and her brother. Not really an option!

Theoretically, we could fly back to Dublin on Saturday before my husband flies out (our O'Hare to Dublin flights have already been purchased). But I don't think the times work for that either.

As I mentioned above, we are reluctantly willing to consider another city.

Thanks for the advice on a two day itinerary!

Thanks, cruiseluv. I understand that asking whether it's worth it is poor wording. But only those who've been there can tell me whether it's possible to hit the high points in two full days. And I appreciate your input on that.

IMO, BCN is one of the world's finest tourist destinations. It is wonderful any time of year, but June is especially wonderful. It is certainly worth arranging a driver/shuttle for your MIL and her brother to have an extra 2/3 of a day there. Buy a guidebook and line up what you want to see. Hotels can be expensive, but the well-located Hotel Colon is &quot;only&quot; 290 Euros and its sister, Hotel Regencia Colon, is only 190 Euros per night. We chose the Regencia because of price. It is basic, but clean and safe. You aren't in the room that long anyway, especially with only two days to explore!

Thank you, zorrosf! Don't know about the driver, but you certainly do make Barcelona sound wonderful! I appreciate the hotel rec as well.

CAPH, I've been to Barcelona only once and really liked it. Couldn't stay longer than 3 days so I'd love to go back. I sympathize with your dilemma. Apart from the expense, these days air travel is a hassle but I still think you should go.

Is there any way you could arrange a ride to the airport for your MIL and her brother without causing offense?

I would do it. For one thing as someone said earlier the airport is close to the city AND it isn't very large. For another arriving at 9:00 may seem late for for Barecelona it's early. Dinner at 11:00 is common so you'll have that entire evening and the next day. Why not fly out at night rather than the morning on day 3? Midnight is late perhaps but you're traveling, it's safe why not enjoy the day in Barcelona before flying out? Even if you do leave in the morning I'd still do it. Barcelona is a great city with a lot to see and wonderful food!

Thank you, esm and chevre. I'm really glad to get so many positive responses.

esm, it's very possible that my daughter's in-laws wouldn't mind taking my MIL and her brother to the airport. They'll be staying there during their visit. And it's only half an hour or so from the airport. But I don't want to ask because they're already doing so much. If we could wait until we got there and see if they made the offer...But, of course, we need to buy our tickets soon.

And I'm really not comfortable hiring someone to take them. I'm afraid they'd be very nervous. As it is, we're nervous about their layover in Chicago on the way home. They're both in their 70's and have both had recent hip surgeries. And, as I said, have not done a lot of traveling. Though they're both very excited about this trip!

There's a possibility my sister-in-law may decide to go to the wedding with them. If so, I'd have no hesitation about finding them another way to the airport. But, again, we can't wait until she makes her decision.

chevre, I was wondering if there wouldn't still be things to do in Barcelona when we arrive that night. Even if we just walk around looking for a place to eat, it'll give us a chance to experience the city.

I love Barcelona. I would take the late flight back to Dublin, no matter if it is almost midnight and you would get only a few hours sleep before flight home. You would have more time in Barcelona, which you are paying for. If you can get a ride for your Mil, do that so you have most of that first day in Barcelona. If not, just enjoy the first night in Barcelona and plan on eating very late. One thing I enjoyed was getting a taxi one night and asking the driver to take us around to see Gaudi's architecture at night with lights on - lovely.

CAPH, we've faced similar concerns about in-laws so I understand about not wanting to subject them (and yourself) to stress. I hope it works out for you.

BTW, one thing that I enjoyed in Barcelona (apart from all the attractions) was seeing older couples strolling arm in arm in the evening going to the park.

Congrats on the upcoming marriage; I look forward to the &quot;trip report&quot;.

With limited time donn't even think of the Ryanair flight that goes to Girona or Reus.

I know you won't like this but ditch that idea of &quot;not dragging&quot; the non-seasoned travelers to the airport &quot;so early.&quot;

You're giving up a lot so somebody can get a little more sleep IMO.

I just got back from Barcelona and only spent a couple of days. Plenty of time to have some fun.

If you are committed to helping your MIL and brother get to the airport, then the evening flight is fine. But, is it possible that they could just take a cab on their own?

Please keep in mind what lincasanova wrote!

Ryanair does not fly to Barcelona BCN airport, but to Girona and Reus.
Both require a LONG bus shuttle: 75min from Girona, 90min from Reus!

For a somewhat relaxed 2 days, I would strongly recommend to go with Aer Lingus which fly to Barcelona proper.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the input.

Sassafras, I love your suggestion about the Gaudi buildings at night!

Thanks for the congrats, esm. If I follow my usual pattern, you'll get more trip report than anyone could possibly want!

Lin and Cowboy, we'd already been thinking about that. I knew Girona was farther out but didn't know it was <i>that</i> far. Thanks for the heads up!

Dukey, it's not about letting them sleep in (believe me, my MIL is not one to sleep past dawn!) but about not letting them sit at the airport for six or seven hours. Especially considering what a long day they're going to have.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why the travel agent (don't ask!) talked my SIL into booking them on the 2:00 flight rather than the morning one. Besides the problems it's causing us, this means they'll get into St. Louis quite late that night. And still have an hour's drive home. A very late night for whoever has to pick them up.

travelgourmet, thanks for letting me know that a short trip was still an enjoyable one!

We're working on trying to find someone else (in our family or SIL's) to take them to the airport. And definitely considering taking that later flight out on Friday. But, even if we're not able to add on to either side of the trip, thanks to the input we've gotten here, we're sure that we want to stick with Barcelona.

Not that it matters, but, to avoid confusion; the SIL who booked the tickets is my sister-in-law. The one in the last paragraph is my son-in-law.

Yes two days will be enough to get a good explore around the city.

One thing tho, if you fly ryanair you are arriving at girona airport or reus, which is an extra hour and a half on the bus travelling.

Better aerlingus, then both your take off and arrival airport are about 25 minutes from the city centre.

So what dates do you plan on being here? I will give you my best recs.

Thanks, travel_buzzing. We'll be there June 9th to the 12th.