My boyfriend and I recently returned from Rome and we are dying to travel some more. I am trying to convince him that we can afford to go to Spain in the spring (April-ish) four about a week- week and a half. I was thinking Barcelona, Madrid, Saville. Any suggestions???

First timers to Spain should head South if limited by time-- Andalucia! Include BCN only if you have more than 9-10 days. April is a wonderful month for Andalucia, BUT-- plan WAY AHEAD if you are going to be in/near Seville during 28 March-4 April 2010 (Holy Week) or 20-24 April, 2010 (Feria de Abril). Great experience to visit during those days..which is why prices everywhere double!!

The good news: Spain is much cheaper than Italy. Food and drink is incredibly inexpensive, and many museums and attractions are free.

Where to go in April: Everything is possible. Andalucia will be springlike and warm. Madrid can still be cool. Barcelona can be both.

I would recommend either Madrid + Barcelona or Madrid + Andalucia. Since you cannot go to Andalucia in summer but to Barcelona any time, I would probably use the opportunity to visit Andalacia. Besides, it makes a better contrast to Madrid.

Take two or three days to explore Madrid. Then at least two days for daytrips from Madrid: El Escorial, Avila, Toledo..

In Andalucia, visit Cordoba, Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera, one or two of the "white villages" in the mountains, and Granada. Think about an open-jaw flight.

If only 7 days in Spain then drop one of the 3 cities you would like to see. You will need at least one day to recover from Jet lag. that then leaves just 6 days. Are you going to fly into one city and out of another? That will affect your route too.
Travelling in spian by car train or bus? that will aslo affect your plans.

yes, go to Andalusia! And semana Santa is lovely in Malaga as well. I´d forgo Madrid (ugly, smelly) and go for either Barcelona (cause it´s great, and you can easily spend a week there, the shopping is awesome http://www.movingtoandalusia.com/200...born-barcelona or check out Granada (wow) and Malaga.

Cajm053

As a newbie to Spain I offer this: you should sift through the posts & read a good amount as there is so much great input here on Fodors. But keep in mind diffrent strokes for different folks. I disagree with the comment that Madrid ugly/ smelly. But yes Madrid is urban & if that is not your preference we can help with a bit more info from you.

An example, my DH was not that impressed with with Sevilla, compared to Madrid. (The reverse for most people since Sevilla is one of the top favorites.)
However he did not feel well while in Sevilla and stayed very near the hotel for a day or two and that colored his whole take on it. So he is anxious to visit again in Oct.

April in Spain is greart especialy in Andalucia, Semana Santa in many areas, and also Ferias.

But we need more info re you two to be really helpful.
Do you like the urban excitement? Do you like festivals? Nature? We may like all of these but what is your preference for this trip? What are your interests?

Oh ....and definatey start here:

http://www.maribelsguides.com/

I do not think 10 days is too short a time to see those three places. Personally, I found seville to be interesting, esp the cathedral and so forth but it wasn't exactly unfamiliar architecture, especially if you've been anywhere in the southwestern US...so i agree, different strokes AND different speeds of travel and interests.

Madrid? Certainly worth a couple days IMO for the museums alone if you like those and ditto Barcelon not to metion some of the architecture there which really IS unique.

Hey, do you KNOW, for certain, that you are going to be around and able to take that trip requiring so much "in depth" exploration you come out of it with a PhD? Didn't think so....GO for it..NOW.

I enjoyed Madrid, loved Sevilla and Barcelona. Will be doing 3rd visit to Madrid and 2nd to BCN next Spring. If a week and half is 10 days on the ground not counting departure day I think you will be rushing it to enjoy all 3 places, but could do it. I find the first day is a bit of a fog so that's hard to count as much, so you're down to 9 days and u could do 3 each (with the 1 extra arrival day in BCN and/or MAD wherever u arrive) realizing that your travel day to each will reduce the actual time in the city. So instead of 3 days you'll have approx. 2.5 days in the 2 places that u do not arrive in. Definitely do an open jaw.