My husband and I are both retired and are thinking of going to Spain during the first part of September. We are thinking of flying to Madrid, staying for 2 days, on to Valencia by train for 2 days and then on to Barcelona by train for 2 days before flying home. We know nothing about Spain and would appreciate suggestions on what to see and what to do. Has anyone taken the train? Is it a good trip? Thanks in advance for your answers.

I have only been to Spain once, so I am certainly not an expert, but I think you are trying to see too many places in a short time. You will be spending a lot of time traveling, packing, unpacking & checking in & out of hotels. We spent 5 days in Barcelona in October 2010, and we didn't see everything in Barcelona. Our trip was for 10 days, & we split it up by spending 5 days in Barcelona, then we rented a car for a 3 night/4 days roadtrip to the Costa Brava, Pyrenees & Girona. Maybe you could do something similar to what we did, or visit only Barcelona & Madrid in the time you have. Or Madrid with day trips. Also, people can give you better advice if you tell us what your interests & priorities are.

Echo 'Kwoo'- please tell us what you like to do, see etc. Art, scenery, eating out?
Two days in Madrid is way too little. You won't have nearly enough time. There's so many wonderful galleries, eating (tapas bars)and sights such as Plaza Mayor, Gran Via and the Retiro Park.

I also agree. Take a look at some guide books and see if you would like to see Sevilla/ a more "folkloric" side of Spain with a totally different personality as part of this trip. If you can manage some extra days then add another city like Barcelona or wherever you decide but 6 nights would actually be about right for Madrid and Sevilla/Córdoba, but even then pushing it a bit.

First, if you can financially able, try to spend more time on the trip.

Remember you will not only lose the time on the train but packing, unpacking, checking in and out of the hotel and the ride to and from the train stations.

Madrid has three world class museums and is an excellent hub for see a number of worthwhile nearby towns. Barcelona has a style and a design all of its own.

If you spent three days in each place it would be better.
The train Madrid Valencia is fast and modern and comfy.Val to Barc is good but slower and less modern.
http://theartichokeadventures.blogspot.com.es/

There is no fast train from Valencia to Barcelona.

Why would you limit yourself to two days in each city (never mind the adjustment time you'll need after the transatlantic flight) when you are RETIRED and should be ENJOYING your time instead of running around from place to place? G-d knows there's more than two days' worth of sites in Madrid and Barcelona; I'd expect the same is true for Valencia (haven't been there, have been to the others).

It is about 3 hours between Valencia and Barcelona by train
Same Madrid - Barcelona.
Madrid and Barcelona are BIG cities...take a while to find you way around.
It is up to you, but if you might do better to stay in one or max t two locations fro such short time.

Re "fast" train to Barcelona from Valencia. It was called a high speed train until the AVE came out which is supersonic in comparison on other routes. The Euromed takes about 3 horas when the same distance is covered in 1 hr. 40 minutes between Madrid and Valencia.