Spain is probably the most heterogeneous country in western Europe. There are several languages spoken (not just Spanish), many different cultures, foods, architectures, habits, looks, landscapes. And, after Switzerland, is the most mointainous country in Europe. The north (I live in the Basque Country) is distinctly wet, green and mountainous, and you won´t find almost any flamenco or paella on this area. One of the most (if not the most) beautiful cities in Europe is here, San Sebastián. And there are more Michelin starred restaurants per head than in any other part of the world.

In Galicia (northwest) they speak Galician and in the BAsque Country BAsque is also spoken (apart from Spanish). There are 17 autonomous regions, each with a strong personality.

Andalucía is the most known worldwide because of flamenco (with so many variations) and paella (which, btw, is NOT an Andalusian dish, but Valencian).

So, Barcelona and Madrid, the two top cities in Spain, may give you an impression of Spain. Go ahead and visit them. You´ll like the atmosphere of both towns, so far from that in US cities. And there´s plenty of things to see and do, don´t worry about that.

We can´t pretend to show you all of Europe in a few days...

So should we go North or South? vote? I have heard great things about the south, and after reading one persons post about their trip she and DH(?) took to seville and up to Barcelona sounded very nice. But now this post above makes the north sound very good. I don't think we are going to spend much time in Madrid anymore as we want to spend more time in Barcelona or also another smaller town in the north or south instead of Madrid. Where is a good spot for vineyards? Spanish wine is so good, or does this not matter as it can be anywhere?

Please be mindful when replying to people's questions. People come to this site for advise on travel and share experiences. Not be judged and made fun off. Replying with sarcastic comments is very rude... and you know who you are. Please be kind to our fellow travelers.

From Barcelona you can take day trips by train or bus, easily on your own, to wineries, girona, figueres, etc.

When it is all said and done, exactly how many days/nights are you going to have in Spain? I believe you started out with 8 but if you added days in London & Paris does this mean you only have 6?

So you are flying to Barcelona, from Paris? now how many days for Sapin? and you must leave from Madrid? you could just do Barcelona and Madrid with day trips to see more rural areas OR fly down south to Granada or Seville. Seville had good train connections up to Madrid. Granada, you may want to add another flight.

T&V, you're very welcome here - obvious not trolls at all.

[troll = someone who posts a "cod" thread in the hope of winding people up]

i like the way that you are looking at this in an easy to see format - that always helps.

This is what I think you have now:

March 24, 09' – arrive London at 10am, afternoon in London
25th – London
26th – London
27th - train for Paris – afternoon in Paris
28th – Paris (most of the day) – overnight train to Madrid leaves at 7pm
29th – Paris
30th – Paris - head to Barcelona in the afternoon or morning
31st – Barcelona
1st – Barcelona
2nd – Barcelona - head to Madrid in the afternoon
3rd – Madrid
4th – Madrid
5th – leave at 11a 

somewhere I think that I would try to find another night for Barcelona - i think that you will love it - but otherwise this is a much better trip, and does everything you said that you wanted to do.

I would try to sort out the spanish end very soon - Easter falls on the 1st weekend in April in 2010 so the hotels in Barcelona and Madrid will be filling up fast. were it not for this, I might have suggested you go to Andalucia instead of Barcelona and Madrid but Seville will be terribly crowded for Easter.

Good luck with your trip,

regards, ann

PS - have you found the guides of fodorite maribel yet? they are really good - see www.maribelsguides.com.

two totally different worlds, northern and southern Spain. Lush green, mountains, beaches, cold water, unexplored areas, local taste everywhere, great food, not as many tourists (by far) as in the south. The south is sunny, more your idea of Spain, flamenco, bulls, sherry, long beaches, lots of tourists, moorish atmosphere in Cordoba, Seville, Granada,...

annhig's schedule is a good one.

actually MFNYC, i think that it's the OP's schedule.

credit where credit's due!

Spain is absolutely fantastic. There is more to do and see and experience than you can possibly imagine. I have been three times and not even been North yet. I love Southern Spain and keep going back. Madrid is great, not just for itself (though I find Madrid interesting and fun), but for the places close by: Toledo, Segovia, etc. One thing about your trip that I feel might not be so good is that, especially in Spain, you get more a feeling of "being there" by sitting in a plaza someplace and just letting life move around you. If you are the one moving around, I think you actually experience less.

Annhig's trip plan does seem much better for your needs and desires.

Don't feel this is your last hurrah. Traveling with your children someday and seeing things through their eyes will probably be as much fun as your trips now. Come back to Fodor's and you will see that people take even very young children to Europe all the time. I loved taking mine to Paris and Italy when they were little (mine were age 5 & up), and they loved it.

Not exactly, he's skipping that Madrid train in the middle which adds a day in Paris and will get to Barcelona faster by flying.

From Vanessa: Thank you so much for all the wonderful suggestions! I will make sure I forward all this great information to Trav. We are both surprised and disappointed by some of the not so nice remarks from some people. We will certainly take into account a lot of the great information a lot of you have provided. Trav just wants to make the best of our trip no matter how short or inadequate it may seem to some. Different people have different traveling styles. We will certainly revisit the site for future trips.

Nicely said Vanessa.

do come back and tell us about your trip afterwards.

have a great time,

regards, ann

I would consider spending the 6 nights in Spain (assuming it is March 30 through April 5) in Madrid and Sevilla, leaving out Barcelona. Although it will be crowded in Sevilla it is quite a remarkable time to visit. The architecture of Southern Spain will be very unique and different from anything you've seen in London, Paris or Madrid. (Not that the architecture in Barcelona is not unique and beautiful, it's just completely different).

With 3 nights in Madrid if you are still in a mood to just see as many things as possible you could possibly do Toledo and Segovia as daytrips. With 3 nights in Sevilla you could visit Cordoba or if you really wanted to push it Granada (with 2 hours one way traveling I wouldn't personally do it) as daytrips. By this time in your trip you may have decided it's best to see less and enjoy more - but you'd have options for daytrips if you wanted.

Whatever you decide with Spain, I'd choose to base myself 3 nights each in 2 of these cities: Madrid, Barcelona or Sevilla.

I doubt you'll get concensus from everyone on this board :)
I'd spend the next couple of weeks researching these 3 places and see which best appeal to you.

I do apologize if feelings were hurt, but I can only react to what I read, and when someone says they will see "north and south of Spain and add an excursion to Morocco," all in a few
days, then I think maybe it is a joke.
You have plenty of time to spend a few days each in a handful of great places (as in annhig's itinerary). As I said before, it is not the amount of time, it is how you spend it. I wish you happy travels!

TravisandVanessa,
I'd choose Madrid or Barcelona AND San Sebastian
San Sebastian
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Igeldotik.jpg

Madrid
http://madridteacher.com/fotos/campo...o/IMG_5459.JPG

Barcelona
http://derekgrasman.files.wordpress....482731jpg.jpeg