We are thinking of going to Spain next May. We will only have one week, so I was thinking of doing one big city- Madrid or Barcelona (which is your preference?) and then some coastal towns including Marbella. I would like to only stay in two places, and maybe daytrip to other beach towns once in Marbella if possible. I am not looking to do crazy sightseeing, I am looking for relaxing time also. <BR><BR>Which city do you prefer? Would it be too crazy to fit Madrid, barcelona and Marbella all in one week. I would like 3 days minimum in Marbella. Can we do this all via train?

4 days in Barcelona (you will love it and never want to leave & there is tons to see), and then 3 days on Mallorca.(Marbella is too far by train or car to do in 1 week, IMO). An intercountry flight with Iberia or whatever will cost you several hundred dollars as well. Not worth it for 3 days at an average beach. If you really are a sungoddess, Mallorca will be great for you and you can get there by ferry from Barcelona.

Ellen, thank you. Do you know of a nice resort in Mallorca? How long of a ferry ride will it be and will May weather be nice? Would it be too hectic too sqeeze in Madrid, if we expanded trip to 9 days?

You are going to get so many different oinions! What a great chore to get to decide!!<BR><BR>I for one really love Madrid. We are also planning a trip next July but will be doing the Basque Region.<BR><BR>Have fun planning!

I don't know any resorts in Mallorca, but someone else here should (was on a cruise). If you have 2 extra days, I would do 2 day trips from Barcelona. 1 day to Figueres to the Dali Museum and one to that adorable village of Sitges. Barcelona is sort of way off on its own in Spain, not really near madrid or Andalusia, that is why I suggested Mallorca. If you were going to Madrid instead of Barcelona, then it would be easy to do Marbella. However, having done all of this, my personal opinion (and I am sure you will get many that differ) is Barcelona and Mallorca over Madrid and Marbella.

sorry - or a day trip from barcelona to the monastary - Monserrat?

Madrid is fantastic in the Spring, but if you on ly have one week, and are into art/architectural sightseeing, then head off to Barcelona. I am a native of Madrid so I would never speak ill of my beautiful hometown, but I must admit that Barcelona is an infinitely more interesting city, from a tourist's perspective. I hope this helps.

I would pick Barcelona over Madrid, but as someone pointed out, this is very subjective.<BR><BR>Go into the Spainish websites such as tourspain.es, Spainlist.com, spainalive.com and check out guidebooks to help you decide. <BR><BR>I could easily spend an entire week in Barcelona--there's so much to see and do, but a daytrip would probably be fun as well.