nina

Hi! We're thinking of going to Spain for a long weekend the first week of November for a short stay. It's been nearly 30 years since I've visited as a school child so I'm pretty fuzzy on the differences between the cities, which has more charm, more authentically "Spanish", more culture and more venues for nearby side-trips.<BR><BR>Can anyone help out? We really don't have time to do both, and I'd love to visit the most interesting of the 2. Also, any opportunities for winery visits near either city?<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR>Nina

lori

Barcelona is more interesting, the daytrips from Madrid are more interesting and accessible. As alway, depends on what you want. Some way Barcelona is not "authentically Spanish" - Catalunya has more in common with Provence and the language is more like Provencal than it like Spanish -- to me, that's a plus. Madrid has some world class museums that Barcelona does not and it's near Toledo, Segovia, etc. We even made a daytrip to Seville on the Ave. Still, for my money -- I'd go to Barcelona.

Graziella

I love Lori ´s answer, it is like do you prefer chocolate or stawberries...it is awful personal.<BR>I am not sure but I guess most wineries are in La Rioja, but in both places you can drink a lot of them. buen viaje.

Davidx

I have made a number of folders of notes on Spain and I will send any relevant ones if you let me have an e-mail address.

rob

i found barcelona to be more "vibrant" then madrid......the marina area; gaudi buildings and park; las ramblas, etc...<BR><BR>the only thing i liked about madrid was the day trips we took to toledo & segovia.

Sue

Sorry to piggy-back on a post...<BR><BR>David, would you be willing to share your info? I am planning a trip in October, and am trying to assemble as much info as I can! (Maribel was kind enough to share her files with me.)<BR>Below, I listed our itinerary.<BR>Thanks so much for any assistance you can lend!<BR>-Sue<BR><BR>Madrid, day trip to Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Jerez, Barcelona

Teresa

Barcelona, by far!