Suggestions for our trip to Spain
 

HI all,

We are planning our honeymoon for 9 days in Spain in mid-September. We are in our late 20s. I have been skimming my guidebook and searching countless websites, and I am just having a lot of trouble deciding on only a few places! Originally, the idea was to start at a beach resort for 2-3 days, then head to Barcelona. Now we have a few extra days on the end of our trip. so I wanted to add a 3rd destination. And we might want the "resort" one to involve a little more afterall!. We tried to do 3 cities in Italy last year with only a 7 day trip, and it was a little too rushed. Plus, we want our honeymoon to be a more relaxed trip.

My top picks so far are: Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian/Bilbao, Valencia, Sevilla, or Alicante. We love hip cities, food, wine, beer, outdoors, architecture, hiking, swimming, and amazing views. We are not so much into the museum or cathedral scene, though we will probably choose a few major ones to see over the course of the trip. We will be traveling primarily by rail. I was also starting to look into some coves or Algar Waterfalls as a possibility, instead of a traditional beach, during the first 2 relaxation days.

Please let me know what you think would be the most appropriate for us to see/do. I'm so excited! Thanks in advance!

Much as I loved Madrid and Sevilla (and I did!), you might want to see them until you have time to visit other parts of Spain that are near those cities.

San Sebastian sounds to me like it would fit your interests.

Enjoy!

As noted, San Sebastián-Donostia would probably be a good fit. But, depending on your dates in September, it will be busy, so you'll need to make your reservations as soon as possible.

The Hotel Londres (www.hlondres.com) would be my first choice for a honeymoon, the Villa Soro second (www.villasoro.es).

For dining in San Sebastián, see: http://tinyurl.com/nr87cd4

Yes, agree with Kja. Skip Madrid and Seville this trip.

It does begin to get cooler in San Sebastion though, if that is a concern.

Barcelona sounds like a perfect city for you for at least three or four days. Though it is a cathedral, a must see is Gaudi's Sagrada Familia because it is also unique and wonderful architecture. There are many other examples of unique architecture in Barcelona. There are interesting restaurants also.

With nine days, you could add a couple of other places for two or three days each, though you must consider travel times to each. You don't want to spend more time traveling than seeing and experiencing.

Great places to honeymoon!

Barcelona, Costa brava.. then train to Valencia and train (AVE) ot madrid or vice-versa.

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...tel-restaurant

or down the coast from valencia in Calpe

gran hotel sol y mar

or in valencia one possibility if you want simple and at beach

http://en.hotelneptunovalencia.com

have fun

San Sebastián's weather in September is ideal beach weather. It's much cooler in July on most days. The average daytime temperature in mid-September is 24ºC - 75ºF, warmer then July's average. It does normally start to cool down by mid-October.

Belle epoque San Sebastián would also be my suggestion based on what you're looking for. The culinary capital of Spain if not all of Europe, some of the finest city beaches on the continent, beautiful landscapes and a local culture people take great pride in. http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/

Here are the three city beaches, and September is ideal for beach-time here. http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...o-to-the-beach

A great video intro to the food culture in San Sebastian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwmBAvqa_0U

Perhaps stay in the new attic with terrace in Hotel Londres, right on the La Concha Beach promenade in the heart of the city, three minutes walking from the famous Parte vieja/Old town: https://www.hlondres.com/en/accommodation/attic

Maybe 3 days in Barcelona and the rest in San Sebastian.

So based on recommendations, I am thinking either Valencia, Barcelona, San Sebastian, or vice versa. There is a tour we are interested in from Valencia that would force that to be either the first or last city. It seems to be easier to fly into San Sebastian first, as flights are cheaper into Bilbao. We would arrive at dinnertime, stay the night there to get over our jetlag, see the Guggenheim in the morning, then head straight to San Sebastian for the rest of the day and one additional day. Problem is it seems really tough to get to Barcelona. By train it is a good 6-7 hours and would eat up the better part of a travel day. Is it difficult to take a within country flight? Or is there any other way to make that journey?
We might scrap that and stay in only Barcelona and Valencia or pick a 3rd city closer to the two. Thoughts?
We also think we want to see some wineries, so if there is a place nearby that would be a good jumping off point with easy transit to a winery, let me know.
Thanks so much for all your help!

Direct bus from San Sebastian to Bilbao airport in 70 mins, and the flight from there to Barcelona is one hour. Low cost Vueling flies all the time.