Barcelona in March
 

My husband just learned that he is traveling to Barcelona in March on business. I have decided to go along for the trip. We are going to add a few days to our trip for a total stay of about seven nights. I have traveled to Italy, but never to Spain, and I don't know where to begin.

We must stay in Barcelona for at least 3-4 days for my husband's business conference. After that, we are free to travel. Any suggestions? Should we spend the entire week in Barcelona with some day trips? Or is a week in Barcelona too long? We enjoy all sorts of cultural activities, but most enjoy experiencing the cuisine! Is adding a few days in France at all possible?

Any help would be appreciated.

I do not think a week in Barcelona is too long....there is a lot to do and see. Day trips are a good idea if you want to get out of the city, but you wouldn't have to.

Well I do not think a week in Barcelona is too long but if you want to visit France you could go to Carcassonne in France - about 4.5 hours by train. To be honest I have not been to Carcassonne (yet!) but it is high on my list of "maybe next time". But there really is plenty to do in Barcelona or nearby for a week. Daytrips to Girona, Figueres, Monserrat(sp?) or down the coast to Stiges and Tarragona - all depends on your interests! Have a wonderful trip!

Barcelona in a week is fine if you just concentrate on the principal sites of the Gothic area, La Sagrada Familia, Casa Pedrera, and Casa Batllo, and or Park Guell. However few people travel the relatively short distance from BCN to Colonia Guell which is a fantastic place to see and has the finest technical architecture by Antoni Gaudi y Cornet.
If travelling by hired vehicle with a guide you have two options open to you when visiting Colonia Guell, travel the same day to the Vineyards of Torres, arguably the finest producer of wines in the world at present (they have a bagful of gold medals from 2007 competitions) or combine with a trip to Montserrat and its fine Basilica.

A 20 minute trip by train (very cheap ticket costs) will take you to Sitges or stop off at Castelldefells (station before Sitges) for wonderful beaches and a castle open to the public.

Girona is full of cobbled streets, has a super university campus to visit, wonderful Jewish Quarter, and in the near region an extinct volcano.

If you like Dali then a trip to Figueres is a must. Travel by train (the cheapest and quickest way to travel to Figueres) to Figueres and the museum is easy to locate.

For a list of cafes restaurants in BCN look at www.disabledaccessibletravel.blogspot.com a new blog about BCN or for tours www.geocities.com/bcn_tours

Happy vacation.

A week in Barcelona is not too long, but if you want to travel somewhere else to see somewhere new, that sounds good too.

For ideas on spending a week in Barcelona, you might be interested in my trip report from last February:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34955177

Photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-o3uxdp

Thanks everyone. All the help is appreciated. Nikki, I have already reviewed your report and your descriptions of the wonderful food have my mouth watering.