Hi all. I will be leaving for Spain for my first time at the end of September and will have a full 17 days to go from Barcelona to Lisbon. I won't be using a car. I'm planning on 3 days in Barcelona, with a night train to Madrid...after that, its all up in the air. Any advice? Thanks!

P.s. I would like to go through Andalucia, but am not sure on whether to spend more or less time in the white hill towns or in bigger cities like Seville and Granada.

Since it is your first time in Spain, I would suggest the following: - from Barcelona go to Madrid and spend at least 3 days there seeing the city and the surrounding towns. Then go south to Granada and then west to Cordoba and Sevilla. From there take the train to Lisbon and the surrounding towns. The so-called "white towns" (undoubtedly named such by Rick Steves, is that his name ?) should be for another trip. By the way, all towns in Andalucia are white !!! People whitewash their houses once a year.

In Madrid, you can try to find more information on bus tours, such as the Pullmatur. I took a 5-day tour of the Andalucia region thru this tour group. The entire package included transportation, tour guide, entrance fees to the museums/mosques/churches, hotel, and some meals.

A nice itinerary might be:

Barcelona - 3 days

Madrid - 3 or 4 days, which will give you enough time for at least one full-day trip (perhaps 2) from Madrid

Granada - 2 days, enough time to see the Alhambra and enjoy some other less frequented sites, not to mention the thriving tapas culture

Seville - 4 days, which would allow you a day trip to a nearby town that is accessible by train (Jerez, Cadiz, perhaps), or bus.

The remaining 4 days in Lisbon, with daytrips from the capital.

MMM

Thanks for the help. I appreciate the advice. At first I was thinking of going from town to town, but it may be best to stay in the cities with day trips...less hectic.

Thanks again.