Thanks so much for all of your help. It is helping me crystallize what I want to see. I made some changes and let me know if you think this will work.

We are looking to do this trip while the Dali Exhibit is in Madrid. I am thinking of skipping Fierres and enjoying Barcelona before we go home.

Madrid 4 with a day trip to Toledo
Seville 4 Cordoba on the way to Seville
Granada 2 Hopefully get to see more than the Alhambra
Barcelona 5 with a day trip to Girona

We are thinking of doing this from August 28 through the 13th of September. My husband's office is closed for 2 days over Labor Day so we can sneak a couple of extra days away. I know it will be hot, but we live in Atlanta, so we should be fine. It's not ideal, but sometimes you just have to take advantage of the extra days you can get off from work.

looks good to me!

If you are doing Catalonia at the end, bear in mind that 11th September is Catalan National Day (La Diada) when many museums will have reduced opening hours and most shops will be closed. Last year there was a huge demoontration in Barcelona in favour of the right to choose (independence basically), that would have affected sightseeing in central Barcelona as it was said over a million people were on the streets; also affected transport options with trains full etc. It is quite possible there will be something on the same lines this year on that date.

I like it too! Personally, I'd fly between Granada and Barcelona to save time.

That sounds great and we are flying between Granada and Barcelona.

Would the 11th be a good day to plan our trip to Girona?

How best to get there ? We will be flexible.

Debby

Really hot in Seville!!! that time of year. It is doable but you will have to plan your outings very carefully and book for early entries to some places before it heats up too much.

Hot all over!!! But that's the price you have to pay for the wonderful experience..Try to find a small hand held battery fan. It will help. JanieMac is right about trains and buses..they are a great way to see the contry side, but I found the fast trains to fast to focus out the window, especially sitting backwards as the seats are reserved..Maybe just me??? Siesta time will have a huge impact on your enjoyment, use it!!!

If you're really dying of the heat in Seville you might pay a visit to the Cathedral. It's amazingly cool inside even on the hottest days and you can see the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

My first visit to Spain was in the second half of. August....,yes it was hot, but I still enjoyed it
enough to go back many times.
A fabulous country.

OK, it looks like we are almost set. My DH reminded me that we saw a wonderful Dali exhibit here in town and FL. Due to the extreme heat in the south, does it make sense to reverse the trip starting in Barcelona? That would put us in Seville in early September instead of late August. I was cocky about the heat until I saw 45C...that's really hot for touring, but we will make it work if you all think that is the better route to take. We will just take advantage of those siestas and eat late like the Spaniards.

As I have said, we are just planning now. That would also have us out of Barcelona for the Sept. 11 holiday.

I am so excited, and you all have helped so much...just like you always do.

Debby

You could easily revers the itinerary .....if you wish
Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Madrid
This would give you a more relaxing time on the arrival .