My family and I (5 of us) will be in Spain from July 29 - Aug. 11, 2006. Any suggestions as to where we should go and/or stay? I know that it will be hot, but these dates are the only ones that work for us. I was thinking of staying in Barcelona and using it as our base, but am not sure. I am very open to suggestions. Everyone in my family is an adult - my brother and his girlfriend are in their early 20s, my fiance and I are in our early 30s and my mom is 60. Help, please!

Barcelona is nice, but from late July through mid-August I recommend you consider venturing into Green Spain, País Vasco (the Basque Country) Cantabria, Asturias & Galicia. You will find the weather much more acceptable and relaxing, the scenery unbelievably beautiful with the ocean and mountains and the cuisine and wine unbeatable and the crowds somewhat less.

You can visit the cities of San Sebastian-Donostia with its three beautiful beaches, Bilbao, a dynamic city with 15 museums, and every coastal village in between. Then there is Santander, San Vicente, the majestic Picos de Europa, Gijón, Oviedo, La Coruña and Santiago de Compostela, as you work your way east to west.

Thanks, Robert! Any suggestions as to what town we should make our base? Or, do you suggest that we travel from town to town? Should we rent a car?

A car is necessary to get the most out of the experience. There are a lot of places to see and having a car allows you the freedom and convenient to more around as needed. Plans can change daily.

You would be best off booking a Casa Rural, a country home, to use as a base. There are several good ones in Hondarribia, Zumaia, and Getaria and between Laida and Gernika (the home of the Basque Country). Staying between Zumaia and Laida would be the most centrally located spot along the coast, allowing access to both San Sebastian-Donostia and Bilbao and south to Vitoria.

There are several nice country homes in the Santander, Santillana area of Cantabria, allowing you easy access to Asturias and the Picos de Europa. There are also two excellent Paradors in this area, the Parador de Fuente Dé and the new Parador in Limpias.

You might also want to download a free copy of Maribel's Guide to the Basque Country for a little information more on this area (http://maribelsguides.com). She does a pretty decent job.

I just want to add that another Parador that is an excellent base for traveling in the Picos de Europa area is the Parador in Cangas de Onís . Beautiful!
Check the Paradores at www.parador.es

I was in Barcelona in May. It's a wonderful city, and I'll go back again the first chance I get.

Since you're asking about cool places to hang out, I suggest:

1. Guru BCN

* It's on Josep Anslem Clave, right off of La Rambla
* This lounge/club has the best Mojitos ever!
* The vibe there is really cool. There's good music and out-going attractive people (staff included)
* There's a guy who works there named Mauricio. He's real open, and he'll take you around and introduce you to everyone.

2. La Fonda--Restaurant

* It's on Escudellers, right off of La Rambla
* Hands down this is the best restaurant in Barcelona. The food is great, the atmosphere is trendy/classy (yet you can wear what you want), and the prices can't be beat. (Try the goat cheese salad w/ salmon)
* The place is very popular so the line can be long, but trust me; It moves fast, and it's worth it to wait.

3. Passeig de Colom

*On this street which is just across the way from Port Veil beach, there are several really great bars.
* There's one bar that serves Sex on the Beach in a HUGE mug, and 6 people can get drunk on the one drink. I can't remember the name of the place, but if you walk down that street at night, you can't miss the people sitting at the outside tables w/ 32 oz. mugs.

4. Fat Tires Bikes

* It's on Escudellers, further up the street from La Fonda
* They offer great and inexpensive city bike tours. It's cool to take a tour early on in your stay. You'll find many things to do and see on the tour so when you're alone, you know what places to check out and what to get into.
* Ask for Ivan. He's great! He's from California, but has been in Barcelona awhile now.

5. Tablao de Carmen

* If you're interested in an authentic Flamenco show and a nice dinner, this is the place for you and a date. Even if you just want drinks and a show, you can do that too.
* It's located in Poble Espanyol

Have fun!

Ciao,
teneriqueza

P.S. Don't ask anyone for the time. One night I was walking down Avinguda de Parallel, and I asked the first person I saw for the time. Long story short...I got cursed out in Catalan by a 6'3 drag queen prostitute with a lisp. *-)

Teneriqueza,

Thanks for the suggestions! I can't wait to try everything. Except for asking a transvestite the time - so funny!

Does anyone have suggestions as to what a good hotel would be for us to stay at? I would like something nice and in a good location, but not crazy expensive.

Looks like you may be leaning to Barcelona.(?)

What's your budget for hotel?

Since you are going to be there a while, you may want to check out the area North of Barcelona as well. Some places to visit:

Cadaques - a charming little coastal village.

Figueres - Home of the Dali musuem - worth the trip just for that!

Girona - amazing old historical center surrounded by medieval walls.

Tossa del Mar - kind of touristy, but the drive along the coast is
wonderful.

Buen viaje!

I need 3 rooms and the most that I would like to spend per night (for all three) is about $500. If I can find a nice place for less, that would be even better. Fresco Tours - Do you have any suggestions in Barcelona, Girona, Cadaques, or any of the other towns that you mentioned?

In Barcelona, have a peek at the Hostal Goya: www.hostalgoya.com

If you have are going to have a car, you could use the Parador de Aiguablava as a base for Cadaques, Girona and the Coast.
www.parador.es

bookmarking the great barcelona recommendations!