Please help with Barcelona/South France trip planning
 

I started planning my new trip, and I as I always I rely on help from Fodorites to make it perfect. This time we will have 11 days at the end of March/first week of April, and would like to travel to Barcelona and South of France. We have been to Spain and France before, but not to these areas.
I have done my preliminary research thru guide books, and red a lot of posts on Fodor's - of course! :).
Here, the itineraries I came up so far (we plan to rent and return the car in Barcelona):

* Friday morning arrive to Barcelona
* Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday - Barcelona
* Tuesday - rent a car, drive to Girona/Figueres - overnight in Girona
* Wednesday - Carcassone (overnight)
* Thursday - Albi/Cordes - overnight Albi
* Friday - Drive to St-Remy-de-Provence - use St Remy as a base for next several days
* Saturday - Day trip to Avignon/ Pont du Gard
* Sunday - Day trip Gordes/ Roussillon
* Monday - visit Les Baux in the morning and drive back to Barcelona

What do you think? Is it doable? Too fast? We like to travel fast, but still would like to make it enjoyable.
Should I leave anything out or add anything?
I am not sure about the drive from Albi to St Remy - seems a little inconvenient (I looked on viamichelin.com).
I would love to visit Arles because of Van Gogh connections, but seems like there is no time.
Our interests are - history, arts, architecture, pretty old towns.
Thanks a lot for your help!

That's a lot more ground than I'd want to cover in 11 days. And when I count your days, it looks to me as if you're one short.

I'd stop at Albi and then head back. There's loads of great stuff between Albi/Cordes and Barcelona, and I really don't think you want to drive from St-Rémy to Barcelona in a day (or even from Albi to St-Rémy - been there, done that, never again).

StCirq, I counted my days again - seems like 11 - I am including the arrival day on Friday (we are arriving in the morning).
Do you suggest to do a day trip to Albi from somewhere else? I agree about the drive from Albi to St Remy, but I don't know what to do about it. I don't want to miss Albi, and would like to see some of the Provence.
Unfortunatly, our vacation time is so short, so we would like to see as much as possible in the shortest time. What would you do?

I did a similar trip two years ago. My husband and I started out in Barcelona (3 days), then went to Cordes (4 days), then on to Arles (3 days), and finally took the TGV to Paris for the last few days of our trip. We had a rental car for the France portion of the trip only.

I agree with St.Cirq that the drive from Albi to Provence is long, but we drove through the Gorge du Tarn and I think the trip was worth it. However, I wouldn't be quick to do it again - once was enough!

Can't imagine driving from Provence all the way back to Barcelona in a day. That would be too much for me. Do you have to go back to Barcelona? If so, then again, I agree, with St. Cirq. I'd cut out Provence and stick to Barcelona and Southwestern France. There's plenty to see and do.

Diane

Diana and StCirq, thank you for your input! Yes, I have to come back to Barcelona, I have a roundtrip ticket from/to Barcelona. I just was wondering, why you don't recommend driving from Provence to Barcelona in one day. Viamichelin shows this as 4 hours drive, which I thought would not be too bad. Is it a difficult drive? Diana, how long did it take you from Albi to Provence? Is it about 4 hours or so ?
I guess, I realize it is too much to cover, but still having a hard time to cut out Provence. I am not sure when I get a chance to come back. Thanks again for all your suggestions.

4 hours drive?? HAH! So much for Michelin. I never trusted their driving times. Mappy.com is usually far more reliable, but whatever anyone says, that's a day-long drive, and a grueling one at that. I don't know about you, but for me driving that Autoroute du Sud with the 6 lanes and the trucks all over and the slowdowns near every major city - it's a nightmare. Plus the French police have really cracked down on speeders, so it's maximum 130 kph now. Horrible, really. Save yourself the nightmare. You'll get back to Provence some other time and will be able to do it justice with a trip of two weeks or more (plan for that). Don't go past Albi. If you need info on what else there is to do in that area, I've got trip reports galore.

Hi

sorry, but Arles to Barcelona is about 4 hours, even on "normal" days in summer.

Peter

Arles to Barcelona does only take a little over four hours using the highway. My husband has done it several times and the only time it took over four and a half hours was at night...

PB

Helen63,

We live in Barcelona and go to Provence every summer.
Going from St. Rémy to Barcelona takes us about 4 and a half hours. In my opinion, in normal conditions, it's not a so heavy trip.
I don't know the best way to go from Albi to Provence. I think it's not far (in distance) but there aren't quick roads. Both viamichelin and mappy can help you.
I think your plan is doable altough you won't be able to see all the interesting things in the areas. But this is ok because you can repeat the experience.
The only objection is that I wouldn't stay in St. Rémy, I prefer the Luberon (Gordes, Menerbes,...).

Thank you everyone for information!
It is so invaluable!
Alex, thank you for encouragement, because I really would like to see at least a brief overview of Provence, and we don't mind driving unless it is a torturous drive. I'll think about it again based on information provided, and I may have more questions. Thanks again!

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
* The vibe there is really cool. There's good music and out-going attractive people (staff included)
* This lounge/club has the best Mojitos ever!
* 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. *-)

I just did part of this trip in October, Montpellier to Barcelona and back, and I agree, Barcelona is wonderful. But, that's a tough drive. We ran into traffic at the border, which really slowed us down. Girona was nice, but Figueras was disappointing. I spent a lot of time there years ago, and I found it to be an ugly town now. We went to the Dali museum, but there was a lot of construction all around, and it was so built up that it was unpleasant. The Costa Brava is nice, though.
A 6'3" drag queen with a lisp? Now, that's something, and Catalan must be a lovely language to be cursed out in...

Just back tonight from Girona and its well worth at least one night - get to the Cathedral for 10.00am and have the place to yourself - magical. If you can afford it and have vacancies stay at the Cuitat de Girona hotel, it was wonderful, v modern and stylish, excellent food and service and perfectly located.