ShilpiC

Hi ,

We ( a 30+ couple with a 4 yr old) are going to Spain at for the last 2 weeks of May and visiting Madrid and Barcelona. It’s super special trip to mark our 10 th year of marriage!
We will be staying with some friends in Madrid from 19-23 and then go to Barcelona on 24. We fly back home on 1 June from Madrid airport.
Need help with the following:
1.We want to do one more stop in Spain (or nearby country!) but can’t decide where to go after Barcelona (28-31) . Does Seville sound logical?
2. I have been told that driving in Madrid and around Spain is easy and economical while DH is reluctant to drive in foreign land (we have never rented cars while travelling). Is it worth experimenting or are the trains and local transports in these cities good enough?
3.Want to stay in apartments in Barcelona….any suggestion?

Thanks

Shilpi

BigRuss

1. From what standpoint? From Barcelona to Seville you'll need a flight unless you want to spend more money (likely) and more than six hours on the train (with a transfer) with your child. Seville is almost completely across the country from Barcelona. For comparison: Spain is larger than California and the distance from Barcelona to Seville is about 2/3 longer than Los Angeles to San Francisco.

2. Driving in any major European city is not easy and you have no need for a car in either Madrid or Barcelona. The respective Metros will take you anywhere you want to go (other than Parc Guell in Barcelona, but that's accessible by bus or short cab ride from the center of town). The child will ride free.

3. Go to Apartur.com and rent from one of the agencies listed there. We used Barcelonastuff.com and that worked out well.

suec1

Maybe San Sebastian - I think the train is about 6 hours from Barcelona or Madrid. It MIGHT be a good driving destination but I would not want a car in Madrid or Barcelona, both have excellent public transportation.

We used FriendlyRentals for an apartment in Barcelona - I don't remember the name of the apartment but it was in El Born.

greg

Whether one is comfortable driving or not depends on individual even though a simple "it is easy" like responses are often presented. I found Spanish drivers to be better behaved than Southern Italian drivers, but I found it tiring to drive less than a car length space to the car in front at 120kmh or driving 6 inches to the car next to me at a similar speed. If you do highspeed tailgating at home, it would probably feel like driving at home. Madrid is confusing even for pedestrians because the roads split into many ways one after another. If one says driving in Madrid is "easy," I supposed driving anywhere would be easy for that person.

lincasanova

Take the train to Sevilla for a couple days then fly to Barcelona. You do not want a car ANY of those places.

ShilpiC

HI!
Am dropping the car idea with all the suggestions and am sure DH will thank you all!

@BigRus: Thanks. Will check on the apartments and getback.
@suec1 : Will check friendly rentals .Thanks
@greg : It's only the DH perspective. you know the best part, I don't know how to drive!
@lincasanova : Will explorethe Sevilla first option.Thanks

Egbert

No Seville is too far. San Sebastian is a better choice.
Cars are a major hassle in most cities although driving on highways is easy. Public transport is excellent.

ekscrunchy

I stayed in a fantastic apartment in Barcelona last spring. I recommend this agency's offerings:





http://www.destinationbcn.com/

danon

If you wish to go to Seville from Barcelona flying is the only way
SS would be a better choice IMO. you can fly to Bilbao and take a bus
from the apt. or rent a car in Bilbao and explore.

Vueling has cheap flights in both directions.

Aramis

I suggest flying from Barcelona to Seville, and then taking the train back to Madrid from Seville.

If you want to visit one other area in Spain, the Seville (Andalucia) is probably the best place to experience something quite different from MAD and BCN and to see some of iconic Spain.

Cehegin

I would go for Sevilla,if you havent been there before.The north of Spain is fantastic but if you have never been to Sevilla for me it is a no brainer(IMO).
You can fly to barcelona from there.
http://theartichokeadventures.blogspot.com.es/

ribeirasacra

14 days in Spain I would travel little and be able to see more. I would stay in the north this time. The south could wait.

ShilpiC

Swinging between Sevilla and San Sebastian while all of a sudden DH says....won't Paris be super romantic way to end the anniverssary vacation?

@Egbert: Thanks for the choice and feedback on cars!
@ekscrunchy : Loved the site....will shortlist and come back for help
@Danon/Aramis/Cehegin : Thanks...stongly leaning to Sevilla...if DH agrees!
@ribeirasacra : I agree with the overtravelling part esp with a four year old (though am blessed with an angel)....let's see what we agree on finally! Thanks for the note!

Egbert

Seville and San Sebastian are romantic. San Sebastian looks like a very small Paris on the ocean with a really good beach right downtown. Anthony Bourdain says the food is better than Paris in san Sebastian.

ShilpiC

A little more research and talking to friends and we seem to have a more firm itinerary. Please suggest if this seems OK to YOU (we want to keep it a little light as have a 4 year old travelling with us!):
May 19- Reach Madrid in the evening
May 20-22-See Madrid and catch up with friends
May 23-27-Train to Barcelona nad use it as a base to see around(Is it possible to stay here and see Costa Brava / Sitges and Montserrat?)
May 2831-Train back to Madrid and spend the next 3 days seeing El Escorial/toledo)
June 1: Fly back home!
Awaiting response,
Thanks,
Shilpi

Egbert

I think you will have a great trip made even better by not trying to travel all around the country with a 4 yr. old. You will get to relax and absorb the best thing about Spain which is the culture.

Cehegin

Looks good...would recommend visiting Girona if you have time from Barcelona.
http://theartichokeadventures.blogspot.com.es/

ShilpiC

@Egbert : Thanks for the vote of confidence!
@Cehegin: Checked the blog...awesome....thanks.

Just one more query for now: Is Costa Brava doable from Barcelona?

lincasanova

yes

Cehegin

Thanks ShilpiC.Hope you have a great trip.