Hello,

My wife and I just decided today we are going to go on a trip in March (since it is cheaper than in April, correct?). We are both 35 and just got married this month. This is our last big trip before we start a family, so we want to see as much as we can. We figure that trains are the way to go to achieve this. We are thinking about flying into Madrid and leaving 2 weeks later from Amsterdam. So to start my questions, and please help anywhere you can it would be great since we are not regular europe travelers and would love any info we can get. We are not super wealthy, but money is not really an object as long as it is in reason. We will be backpacking since this will be easier to carry our bags, though they are quite big bags

1) trains - buy as we go or get some kind of pass? Thinking about traveling around Spain for a week then fast train up to Paris (maybe from Madrid) then train into Belgium, finally into Amsterdam
2) Anything we should not miss in Spain? (wife speaks fluent spanish) Don't know anything about Spain, was thinking about Madrid, Pamplona, Barcelona, and really anything else that sounds great.
3) Anything we should know that someone who will be looking like we have never been in these places should know?
4) weather - thinking March 16th - 31st, how we looking? will it be really cold? we are from Florida, but can handle the cold, pack heavy though?

Thanks for your insight! We are very excited to travel and are bummed it is 5 months away.

You could do the train thing from Spain, but I would suggest a flight between either Barcelona or Madrid and Amsterdam, and then do trains for the Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris portion.

I took the low-cost carrier Transavia, a subsidiary of KLM, for MAD-AMS, and it was perfectly fine.

IF you pick a train, a Eurail pass is a good way to save money, provided you want at least 3 travel days. You can easily get tickets for like 3 connecting countries instead of buying both the general and Benelux pack, and get Spain, France and Belgium. From the Dutch border to the Dam is less than 50 euros. Sounds like you want to travel a bit in Spain and I would get a 5 day pass, then use like 3 or 4 travel days in Spain and the last one as an overnighter (travel after 7pm can count as next day travel, so it gives u like 19 hrs) on a train to Amsterdam.....Or Use 3 days in Spain, spend 1 day for French or Belgian travel and then use the last day for whatever you need until the Netherlands border. I've spent far too little time in Spain but found Barcelona exquisite and friends of mine who've lived there say you can't come without visiting Cordoba (or Cordova?), Sevilla, and Grenada. And of course Madrid. The time of year you'll come will be rain, but not too cold in Spain at all and like in the 40's in Amsterdam, even the 50's during the day. Just bring an umbrella In Amsterdam, stuff you shouldn't miss:

Ok, so I have no idea if you're more into art or history or food or boat rides or sitting around in coffeeshops, but the Dam has something for everyone. A boatride is a really nice way to see the city, and although Dutch food is kind of bland, there's loads of foreign options ready to be devoured. Don't forget to get Belgian Fries at Manneken Pis (hope I spelled that right) on Damrak, and a picnic in Vondelpark, weather permitting is really nice....at least walk through as it's pretty. Plus everything is in bloom at the end of March and absolutely lovely. And the daily market at Waterlooplein is great shopping! Anyway....happy travels

I think the conciousness of opinion is not to purchase a pass. it seems you have to pay extra to reserve seats and sleeping berths. Some trains are excluded from train passes too.
Look at the following website and maybe ask the owner as he is very knowledgeable about all European train travel.
http://www.seat61.com/
I do not know what you mean by too cold as everyone has their own limits. But yes it can be cold or wet the further north you go the colder it will be.
You wish to avoid high season prices but the final days of your tip are just before Easter next year. Accommodation prices will be higher, as maybe the airfares too. Trains do not not have high seasons but seats will be harder to find sometimes.

Congratulations on your recent Nuptials!

"1) trains - buy as we go or get some kind of pass? Thinking about traveling around Spain for a week then fast train up to Paris (maybe from Madrid) then train into Belgium, finally into Amsterdam"

ribeirasacra gave you a consensus of opinion (gotcha!) is not to purchase a RailPass. The only exception I might add to that is that you should look for Sales (Ofertas)! 2009 EurailPasses expire at the end of May, 2010. With a 'down year' (2009) ending, 2009 RailPasses might be available at prices that are much cheaper than 'list.'

"2) Anything we should not miss in Spain? (wife speaks fluent spanish) Don't know anything about Spain, was thinking about Madrid, Pamplona, Barcelona, and really anything else that sounds great."

Except for the 10-days beginning 6 July, Pamplona doesn't have much to offer. If you want to stop somewhere between Madrid & Barcelona, consider Zaragoza, Capital of Aragon and birthplace (nearby Fuendetodos) of Francisco de Goya y Lucientes.