Need help choosing an itinerary
 

Hello, <BR>I am planning a trip to Spain for 10 days and would like a suggestion. I am trying to decided between 2 itineraries: A) Madrid-Barcelona-SanSebastian/Bilboa or B) Madrid-Barcleona-Cordoba/Seville. Any suggestions would be warmly received. Thanks. <BR>

I just got back last night from 8 days in Spain. I was with my daughter that is in college in Florence that had a very limited time, so we had to keep moving. We flew into Barcelona and had 1 day. We needed at least 2 days. We took a night train to Madrid, and spent 1 day there. ( I think that was enough). We then took the AVE train to Seville for 2 days and did a couple of day trips, to Toledo ( great trip) and Cordoba ( was also a good trip). I think Seville is a great place to take day trips out of. We had a great time, as I'm sure you will. Make sure you spend at least 1/2 day on the La Rambla in Barcelona. A great place for lunch or a drink. Go into the outdoor market about 1/2 down and see all the food stuff.

I would recommend itinerary B. <BR> <BR>but I would shuffle the order some <BR> <BR>Fly into madrid <BR>Take the AVE to Sevilla <BR>Maybe rent a car there <BR>Be sure you see Granada <BR>And then, and this might surprise you, there are cheap nonstop flights from Sevilla to Barcelona. <BR>Fly home from Barcelona. <BR> <BR>10 days is barely enough. <BR> <BR>but this is how i would do it. <BR> <BR>YKWIA <BR>

Stacey, I know I will get blasted for this comment, but Barcelona is the problem with most itineraries in Spain. It is a wonderful destination, but it does not fit with Spain. Catalonia is really a better fit with the south of France. The real Spain is really Andalusia and the more time you can spend there the better. Given 10 days I would fly into Madrid, see Toledo, and then head to Andalusia for the rest. That will push 10 days. Save the Basque country for a trip to Bordeaux and save Barcelona for a trip to Provence. Now all of the Spain experts can blast me.

I don't know why Bob would get blasted - I think he's dead on when he says Barcelona belongs on a trip to France (unless you've really got lots and lots of time to spend in Spain). Its a different culture, different language, and a long way to go from most other Spanish destinations. <BR>With only 10 days, I'd focus on all that Andalucia has to offer and save Barcelona for another trip, perhaps to include Collioure and the Cathar country. <BR>Also, and I'm sure there are die-hard Spain lovers out there who will contradict me at best, I'd get out of Madrid pretty fast. I found it gritty, architecturally weak, and I never ever got used to the schedule and never got a decent night's sleep, even at a quiet hotel. Spain, in my opinion, is a high-maintenance country that really takes some devotion on the part of the traveler. Been there four times and my devotion is waning.

I love the responses!! Thanks everyone and keep them coming! The more info, the better.