cruiseluv; Appreciate the suggestion. If we only did one night we would probably stay a second night in Segovia. We won't arrive until early evening and Segovia deserves a full day. So, while I am still thinking the northly route, I am looking at Viagero2's suggestion of Santiago de Composteia. I had reviewed the city and it looks like a great place to visit. So much to see anywhere north, east or west of Madrid.

You will not get any argument from me if you decide to tweak your trip to include Santiago, my favorite city in Spain!

I Live in Galicia and whilst I normally say visit this that and everything else in Galicia I do feel that this trip Galicia should not be planned in.
Besides there are much better places in Galicia than SdC. Puts tin hat on.
Have you thought about Soria. There are a huge amount of places that are worth a visit, and hardly anyone does.
http://www.sorianitelaimaginas.com/
There some fiestas held towards the end of September/beginning of October.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiestas...io_%28Soria%29

ribeirasacra; Thanks for your response. I now have decided that my first option will work with a few changes suggested by you and others. 1. Three nights is Salamanca with a short stop in Avila [We have been to Avila before]. 2. Three nights in Leon with a stop in Zamora. We will also do a full day trip to Oviedo from Leon by bus or train. 3. One night in Santillana del Mar. 4. Three nights in San Sebastion 5. Three nights in Burgos [will consider the suggestion of Soria and could do a day trip by bus or train.] and 6. Two nights in Segovia and we will find a stop or two on the way. That's how it looks but we are eleven months away from this trip. Things could change.

Looks more and more like a great plan!

marking for later

Thanks kimhe; Now I will start working on hotels. Everything will be then shared with our friends, We invited them, but will give then a LITTLE input. We have been to Southern Spain with these friends. Met them in Ireland in 98 and have been traveling with them ever since.

Use the bus or train?
I thought you had a car. hence my suggestion of Soria.
I was also thought you was looking for a stop over of several days. Whilst Soria is small and I feel you could see everything in one day, the area around deserves far more.
I do not know anything about bus and train timetables.
Maybe look them up on www.renfe.com and www.alsa.es
Then you can see if these trips can be fitted in a day, personally if you want and meaning to the visit rather than a tick box I doubt it.

Hi ribeirasacra; We do have a car. Rather than using the car from Burgos, we thought we could take a train or bus for a full day. We will be in Burgos three nights. If we could not find a convienent train or bus schedule, we could use the car. [We are doing the same thing from Leon, when visiting Oviedo.] I think there is so much to see wherever we stay, choices have to be made. Unfortunately, we can not see everything. But you have helped.

Started to research hotels. For Leon, it looks like the Parador de Leon. For Burgos, it looks like AC Hotel Burgos by Marriott. Any thoughts?

I don't know if things have changed in the Parador in Leon, but when I was there in 2004 I was strongly advised by Maribel not to stay in the old part unless I was staying in one of the superior rooms or suites. Apparently the standard rooms in that section where dark, small and depressing. We stayed in the newer section and were happy with our accommodations. It's a very impressive building and we enjoyed staying there but I'm planning to stay at the NH hotel which is in front of the Cathedral. It takes about 15- 20 mins to walk from the Parador to the town center. In Burgos stayed at the NH Palacio de la Merced and liked it a lot. The AC looked nice from the outside.

cruiseluv; Thanks for the suggestion on the Parador in Leon. Love the building and will stay there. In Burgos, I had looked at the Merced and will stay there or at the AC. Richard P.S Seems like two decisions made and four to go for hotels. However, I will consult with our friends, but they usually agree with my suggestions.

BOOKMARK

For Segovia I am looking at Hotel San Antonio el Real. Any thoughts?