10 days in Spain (Madrid and ???)
May 27th, 2016, 08:36 PM
#1
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10 days in Spain (Madrid and ???)
I am planning a last minute trip to Spain in late June/early July for my family. We have 2 boys (9 &12). We are looking to plan about 10 days in Spain. We plan to fly into Madrid, but can leave from there or Barcelona. Initially I was thinking we might split the time between Madrid and Barcelona (mainly b/c those are the most well-known and talked about cities); however, I have recently read some very negative reviews of Barcelona (?). Certainly, everyone has different interests and likes, but I'm looking for some advice on where first-time visitors to Spain should spend 10 days. We are not huge art fanatics, but will probably want to visit a few famous must-not-miss museums. We want to see major historical sites, but we also want to get a feel for and immerse ourselves in the real culture of the region. It's not critical, but we also always love time on the beach....
I hadn't planned on a car unless absolutely necessary, but am open to it if public transportation is not efficient. We will be looking for 4* type accommodations (whether it's a hotel, b&B, apartment, etc). We'd love to find any fun festivals (last week June, 1st week July).
I'm interested in hearing thoughts and suggestions on where to spend our time in Spain to give us the best overview of the country and culture possible in a 10 day tour. Thank you in advance!! I really appreciate any help you can give!
I hadn't planned on a car unless absolutely necessary, but am open to it if public transportation is not efficient. We will be looking for 4* type accommodations (whether it's a hotel, b&B, apartment, etc). We'd love to find any fun festivals (last week June, 1st week July).
I'm interested in hearing thoughts and suggestions on where to spend our time in Spain to give us the best overview of the country and culture possible in a 10 day tour. Thank you in advance!! I really appreciate any help you can give!
May 27th, 2016, 08:54 PM
#2
4 nights Madrid
2 nights Toledo
2 nights Salamanca
2 nights Segovia and depart from there to Barajas airport for your flight home
Or go to Toledo immediately upon arrival and put the 4 nights in Madrid at the end.
I like renting a car to save time, backtracking, and having the flexibility.
From Salamanca, you could stop in Avila and/or Las Granjes (sp?) on the way to Segovia.
If you put Madrid at the end, you could stop at El Escorial between Segovia and Madrid.
2 nights Toledo
2 nights Salamanca
2 nights Segovia and depart from there to Barajas airport for your flight home
Or go to Toledo immediately upon arrival and put the 4 nights in Madrid at the end.
I like renting a car to save time, backtracking, and having the flexibility.
From Salamanca, you could stop in Avila and/or Las Granjes (sp?) on the way to Segovia.
If you put Madrid at the end, you could stop at El Escorial between Segovia and Madrid.
May 28th, 2016, 06:54 AM
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Barcelona is a wonderful city...Totally different from Madrid.
( art, architecture, culture, language, geography).
The places PP listed are all beautiful but geographically and culturally close.
I have visited Barcelona numerous times and never had any problems.
Fast AVE train takes you from M to B in 2:35. Min.
( art, architecture, culture, language, geography).
The places PP listed are all beautiful but geographically and culturally close.
I have visited Barcelona numerous times and never had any problems.
Fast AVE train takes you from M to B in 2:35. Min.
May 28th, 2016, 11:59 AM
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If you are looking to rent apts,
We had good experience with Spain Select in Madrid
and Habitat in Barcelona.
Used both on three occasions.
Public transit and train service in Spain is excellent.
.
We had good experience with Spain Select in Madrid
and Habitat in Barcelona.
Used both on three occasions.
Public transit and train service in Spain is excellent.
.
May 28th, 2016, 12:07 PM
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Spain is one of the easier European Countries to drive in, and a rental car will really help. My breakdown would be
Madrid 3 nights
Toledo 1 night
Granada 2 nights
Cordoba 2 nights
Either Barcelona or Nerja the last 2
Iberia flights are pretty reliable and you fly out of wherever early am and still make your flight back to the States
Madrid 3 nights
Toledo 1 night
Granada 2 nights
Cordoba 2 nights
Either Barcelona or Nerja the last 2
Iberia flights are pretty reliable and you fly out of wherever early am and still make your flight back to the States
May 28th, 2016, 04:14 PM
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Sorry - but Fraknsense itinerary has a couple of problems:
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball - not ideal with 10 days (and is that really 10 days (11 nights) or is it 10 nights, which is 8.5 days
This is an awful lot of time in transit - esp with 2 kids versus time seeing/ doing things. I can see super cranky kids from day 3 on.
The south of Spain is VERY hot in the summer (highs average about 100 degrees and can go to 120) - so you can't do much in the middle of the day. So a 2 night stay gives you 1 day in the city but really a morning and an evening.
IMHO Andalusia is the most interesting part of Spain due to it's Moorish heritage. We have visited twice by car - once for 10 days and once for 12 and still have akot to see). But we went in April when highs were in the 80s and still possible to tour (but still used out hotel pools a lot)
If I were you I would stick with Madrid/Toledo and Barcelona and save Andalusia for a longer trip at a time of year with msch cooler weather. For the former trip train makes the most sense. E did Andalusia by car and it works well there - if you are spending enough time.
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball - not ideal with 10 days (and is that really 10 days (11 nights) or is it 10 nights, which is 8.5 days
This is an awful lot of time in transit - esp with 2 kids versus time seeing/ doing things. I can see super cranky kids from day 3 on.
The south of Spain is VERY hot in the summer (highs average about 100 degrees and can go to 120) - so you can't do much in the middle of the day. So a 2 night stay gives you 1 day in the city but really a morning and an evening.
IMHO Andalusia is the most interesting part of Spain due to it's Moorish heritage. We have visited twice by car - once for 10 days and once for 12 and still have akot to see). But we went in April when highs were in the 80s and still possible to tour (but still used out hotel pools a lot)
If I were you I would stick with Madrid/Toledo and Barcelona and save Andalusia for a longer trip at a time of year with msch cooler weather. For the former trip train makes the most sense. E did Andalusia by car and it works well there - if you are spending enough time.
May 29th, 2016, 02:08 AM
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I suggest you fly into Madrid, and then spend some time in either Barcelona or San Sebastián. All are fabulous and very different cities, and medieval and modernistic Barcelona and much smaller Belle Epoque San Sebastián have plenty of beach options.
Barcelona is of course much bigger on muesums and sights, but San Sebastián has been a favourite for Spanish and French elites for some 150 years for many good reasons.
San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain, if not all of Europe, some of the finest city beaches on the continent, beautiful landscapes, a local culture that people take great pride in and Euroepan Capital of Culture 2016. http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
"Is San Sebastián the best city in the world for foodies?"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...y-for-foodies/
"The eight best food cities in the world": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/conde-...b_7071094.html
San Sebastián beaches: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...o-to-the-beach
Video intro to San Sebastián: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRWCdjw1C8Q
And about fabulous Barcelona, keep coming back here more and more often the past ten years for art, concerts, food, the atmospheric neighbourhoods etc. etc.: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/
Las Migas capture the Barcelona spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ymBYJEC9XU
You have soem tough choices to make ;-)
Barcelona is of course much bigger on muesums and sights, but San Sebastián has been a favourite for Spanish and French elites for some 150 years for many good reasons.
San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain, if not all of Europe, some of the finest city beaches on the continent, beautiful landscapes, a local culture that people take great pride in and Euroepan Capital of Culture 2016. http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
"Is San Sebastián the best city in the world for foodies?"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...y-for-foodies/
"The eight best food cities in the world": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/conde-...b_7071094.html
San Sebastián beaches: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...o-to-the-beach
Video intro to San Sebastián: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRWCdjw1C8Q
And about fabulous Barcelona, keep coming back here more and more often the past ten years for art, concerts, food, the atmospheric neighbourhoods etc. etc.: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/
Las Migas capture the Barcelona spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ymBYJEC9XU
You have soem tough choices to make ;-)
May 29th, 2016, 03:52 AM
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Andalusia is very touristy, spend 2 days tops in Nerja, I wouldnt dedicate too much more time there. There are many other places in the world for beach going, but the great cities of Cordoba, Rhonda and Granada are must sees. Don't forget to buy your tickets to the Alhambra ahead of time
http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/
http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/
May 29th, 2016, 06:28 AM
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<Andalusia is very touristy>
Well, parts of Andalucía are understandably very popular with tourists, especially the major cities and much of the coastline. But at the same time, it's a huge region with tons of things to see, explore and experience outside the beaten track. Andalucía, with the unique mix of old and new, and thousands of years of Roman, Phoenician, Jewish, Christian, Moslem and Gitano history and culture could be an adventure for a lifetime. http://www.andalucia.com/
Michael Jacobs' Andalucía Guide is an excellent intro to the region, the history, the culture, the food, wine, music, song and dance, the mountain areas, the small villages as well as the major cities, sights and monuments: http://www.amazon.com/The-Andalucia-...EACREM1XKCQGJ0
And Nerja (Moorish Narixa) is not a bad idea for a couple of days. Has got all the amenities that makes it popular with tourists, but Nerja has also retained much of its Andalucian small town charm, especially in the beautiful Old town. https://www.flickr.com/photos/trondjs/3735908317/
And you have of course the spectacular Nerja Caves just outside town, lived people here more than 30 000 years ago: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en
A great food scene in Nerja, from traditional and no fuss local tapas bars and restaurants to a few high end gourmet places. And excellent and free tapas to choose with every glass of whatever in the bar area in the many tapas bars and local restaurants in Nerja. A glass and a small plate of all kinds of goodies sets you back 1,50-2€. Lots of grilled fish, seafood, meat, sausages, casseroles, vegetables and salads.
http://themaritimeexplorer.ca/2015/1...rawl-in-nerja/
Well, parts of Andalucía are understandably very popular with tourists, especially the major cities and much of the coastline. But at the same time, it's a huge region with tons of things to see, explore and experience outside the beaten track. Andalucía, with the unique mix of old and new, and thousands of years of Roman, Phoenician, Jewish, Christian, Moslem and Gitano history and culture could be an adventure for a lifetime. http://www.andalucia.com/
Michael Jacobs' Andalucía Guide is an excellent intro to the region, the history, the culture, the food, wine, music, song and dance, the mountain areas, the small villages as well as the major cities, sights and monuments: http://www.amazon.com/The-Andalucia-...EACREM1XKCQGJ0
And Nerja (Moorish Narixa) is not a bad idea for a couple of days. Has got all the amenities that makes it popular with tourists, but Nerja has also retained much of its Andalucian small town charm, especially in the beautiful Old town. https://www.flickr.com/photos/trondjs/3735908317/
And you have of course the spectacular Nerja Caves just outside town, lived people here more than 30 000 years ago: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en
A great food scene in Nerja, from traditional and no fuss local tapas bars and restaurants to a few high end gourmet places. And excellent and free tapas to choose with every glass of whatever in the bar area in the many tapas bars and local restaurants in Nerja. A glass and a small plate of all kinds of goodies sets you back 1,50-2€. Lots of grilled fish, seafood, meat, sausages, casseroles, vegetables and salads.
http://themaritimeexplorer.ca/2015/1...rawl-in-nerja/
May 29th, 2016, 02:41 PM
#14
I applaud FranknSense in recommending overnighting in Toledo - a favorite place of mine. So many just see the city as a day trip from Madrid. Toledo takes on a totally different, and IMO more authentic, character at night that many, if not most, travelers miss.
May 29th, 2016, 04:26 PM
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I used to visit Barcelona frequently on business and, every time, could NOT get out of Barcelona fast enough. Granted, it has some beautiful artistic sites, but I saw so many, so frequent pickpocketers, so many vacations ruined. Just horrendous.
Since you are traveling at the end of June with two young boys, I would actually head out to the coast either Asturias (Eastern coastline) or San Sebastian (Northern Spain; border with France). The public transportation in/out is superb, you have both spectacular mountains and some of the best beaches in Spain, without the suffocating heat of Southern Spain.
Toledo is a good stop; great cultural site and quaint enough to walk at leisure (it will be crowded, though...). Hope you enjoy Spain, a wonderful and amazing destination.
Since you are traveling at the end of June with two young boys, I would actually head out to the coast either Asturias (Eastern coastline) or San Sebastian (Northern Spain; border with France). The public transportation in/out is superb, you have both spectacular mountains and some of the best beaches in Spain, without the suffocating heat of Southern Spain.
Toledo is a good stop; great cultural site and quaint enough to walk at leisure (it will be crowded, though...). Hope you enjoy Spain, a wonderful and amazing destination.
