I am interested in going to Spain this November. Can anyone recommend a good company to book my travel with. I'm interesting in flying to Madrid and making my way to Barcelona. 11 to 12 day tour, i would like the tour company to arrange, air, ground travel, tours lodging and some meals.
Any all all suggestions welcome

marecich - You'll find that most people who post here are independent travelers: we like to make our own arrangements instead of taking a guided tour.

My parents do take tour operated by Globus sometimes, so you may want to check their website for Spain tours.

Are you asking about a group tour - or just a travel agent who will make all the arrangements for you based on your specific itinerary?

There are dozens of companies touring Spain - but most make quite a few stops - not just Madrid and Barcelona. (And IMHO the most interesting part of Spain is Andalusia - with it's unique Moorish heritage - and nowhere near Madrid/Barcelona.

If you clarify people can make recos.

Globus tours
Petrabax
Gate 1 travel
Smart Tours
Insight
and affordable tours.com
for starters
for the package tour companies

I liked the offerings on the websites for
Totally Spain also

We booked with Insight Tours and they took care of everything for us. Their bus is very roomy. The guides are very knowledgable. We had a great time.

Hi marecich; If you use any of the major tour companies, be sure to check the discounters for these tour companies. Up to 10% off, like Insight Tours. Then call the discounter and ask for a better deal. But then negotiate with the tour company too. www.affordabletours.com www.cheapertravel.com This company, Pavlus, or cheaper travel, claims to sell more tours that any other discounter. iris1745/dick

Thanks NYtravler, just to clarify. I'm concerned with finding a reputable tour company. I've used Collette and they did a good job but their airfare prices are expensive. Do most people book their air seperate and than pay the tour company to pick them up at the airport.
I am open to stop at other cities along the way but Madrid and Barcelona are definite spots I want to see.
thanks

HI; If Madrid and Barcelona are your primary interests, you could stay five or six days in Madrid and then five days in Barcelona. A train between those cities is easy. Probably 2 to 3 hours. Fly into one city and out of the other. There are so many day trips from each city. If you think about that, you would receive many suggestions here for day trips. iris1745/dick

Has anyone taken a tour with Trafalger. I am considering using them to go to Spain. Feed back would be greatly appreciated.

Hi; If you use Trafalger, be sure to check www.cheapertravel.com for discounts on all Trafalger tours. Probably up to 10% off. iris1745/dick

Here is an old thread about Trafalgar tours in general (not specific to Spain):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-to-europe.cfm

BTW, you can also consider packages from go-today.com. they are a reputable company, and bascially it's like a buffet: you pick what you want and they add up the total.

They have a 6-day Madrid/Barcelona package (includes airfare, hotel, breakfast, and transport between the 2 cities), but when you book, you can choose your hotels, extend your stay and # of nights at hotels, add on sightseeing tours and airport transfers... So, it is less structured than a fully-escorted tour, which gives you the freedom of doing some sightseeing on your own, and gives you freedom of choosing from a list of hotels.