Which do you think would be the better city for a day trip from Barcelona? Girona or Vic? We are a family of 5, kids ages 16, 14 and 11 and would be visiting in mid-March. We don't plan to rent a car.

I've seen more mention on this board about Girona, but I've seen a few posts that are passionate about Vic.

Also interested in hearing people's opinions on this.

My vote-Girona.
Very frequent daily train departures taking between 1 hr. (Talgo) and 1 1/2 hrs. (Regional Express)
See schedule at www.renfe.es

Anybody else?

I'm probably responsible for many of those passionate posts about Vic, but I am also a great fan of Girona and do think your kids would find the walled city of Girona more fascinating, with its ancient baths, the river, the many old alleyways and its gaudy religious interiors.

I vote also for Girona, it is a fascinating small city.
You need good strong legs though. It seems it is always up[ hill.

There is a small, open-sided tourist tram that chugs up the grades of Girona if legs give out.

I wish I had known this, nevertheless I enjoy Girona a lot. Ok, next time...

I have hiked around Vic and it's a beautiful area, but the one thing about Girona that has left an indelible impression on me is the weaving in the cathedral museum from the 6th, or is it 9th (?) century. It's an amazing circle with each month depicted in regards to its function in the agricultural cycle, planting, harvesting, etc. And to think that it was woven more than a thousand years ago. It is very nicely displayed. At least that's how I remember it from 20 years ago.

Aside from that, I found Girona to be a really pretty provincial capital, whereas I don't remember Vic much at all, except for the view of the city below as I huffed and puffed to the top of a hill, or was it a mountain?

The weaving in Girona is still very beautifully displayed.

If you have not been to Vic for 20 years, then you have not seen the museum of Catalonian art, which is one of the main reasons to go.

I would be interested in knowing more about Vic. Any good link? Trip report? Is it readily accessible by train?

For Vic:

http://www.bcninternet.com/touristin...contentid=1980

http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/...catalonia/vic/

http://www.museuepiscopalvic.com/colPint.asp

http://www.paradores-spain.com/spain/pvicsau.html

Thanks so much, everyone!

Thanksa lot for the links about Vic. Sees like an interesting place.

have you thought about tarronga, incredible roman ruins by the sea. I enjoy ancient history and loved it. Not much else there though.

Brando, since we were in Rome in May, I thought we wouldn't make any extra effort to see Roman ruins on this trip. But thanks anyway.