I have no idea !! :) Please, help us !! We are clueless spaniards LOL

I wonder if he/she means Barcelona is less than 300 years old. Just couple zeros missing.

Kend, What's new with America Cup? Are you into it?

I am wondering how Barcelona's locals have managed to get a Barrio Gotico in such a little time :-D

You made a great choice. I enjoy Barcelona and am a big Gaudi fan. However, the cathedral in Toledo is just mind blowing. The transparente is a Baroque masterpiece. Also, the Prado is considered by artists to be one of the five greatest museums in the world. These two things alone, make Madrid first choice.

Re Barcelona...if you have read "The Shadow of the Wind," which you should read, what do you think is the meaning of the title?

Sorry for the bilbo speak. I understand that Barcelona was a planned city along modern lines. While there must have been a small port the majority of the city was laid out in 1870 ish (maybe someone can tell us when) and then built up over the next 100 years or so.

It is equally true that Madrid was founded to be the capital rather than a natural city site (eg Paris, London, New York (not a capital but spot the similarity)) but this was some significant time in the past. I assume after the re-conquest started so are we talking 1200??

I would go to Madrid just for the museums, and make side trips to Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca. If you catch the train to Salamanca you get an excellent view of the walls of Avila. And if you like churches you can't see better than the adjoining cathedrals in Salamanca. El Escorial is on the way to Segovia - I suppose the two could be done the same day if driving. Ditto for Avila and Salamanca.

I wouldn't recommend Salamanca as a day trip from Madrid. It's 2.5 hrs away. It can be done but too hectic.If you only have 5-7 days , Madrid with day trips to Toledo, Segovia and maybe Avila would be plenty.

Sorry for the bilbo speak. I understand that Barcelona was a planned city along modern lines. While there must have been a small port the majority of the city was laid out in 1870 ish (maybe someone can tell us when) and then built up over the next 100 years or so.

It is equally true that Madrid was founded to be the capital rather than a natural city site (eg Paris, London, New York (not a capital but spot the similarity)) but this was some significant time in the past. I assume after the re-conquest started so are we talking 1200??

Bilboburgler, your info is not very accurate. Barcelona is by far much older than Madrid (which is reported to have started more or less around 950, while Barcelona has a Roman past as a town, even with the same name, "Barcino").
It is not up to 1561 that Madrid becomes capital city, and the main reason for the change from Toledo is to avoid the power of Toledo Church: Madrid had no cathedral, and no archbishop. It had about 30000 population by then...
However, it is true that the transformation of Barcelona into a great city was on the very ending of XIXth century and that it was a planned change. But wherever Madrid has no Middle Age architecture at all, Barcelona has.

No, Comfy...I'm not into it :) I don't live in Valencia, but an hour and a half north, in Castellon. Not very fond of sailing also. I'm a football fan , LOL