Hi Fodorites,
We will be in Madrid and Barcelona in October. The plan is to fly into Madrid, train to Barcelona, fly out of Barcelona. We would like to use the "transfer" day to see at least one of the smaller cities or villages. Is this possible, or is the train a straight shoot from Madrid to Barcelona without any stops possible? Recommendations for a day traveling from Madrid to Barcelona?
Or shall we just do the express train, and keep the exploring to a day trip from Madrid or from Barcelona?
Thanks!

Do consider Zaragoza, just halfway between Madrid and Barcelona
http://www.zaragoza.es/ciudad/turism...os-interes.htm

How long are you staying in each city?

Zaragoza is an excellent suggestion. Nite that there is a big festival there in October, the main day is October 12. It is the Fiestas del Pilar. I have been twice, let me know if you would like to know more about it.

Easy,
Take the train straight to Barcelona, and use the time you save visiting Montserrat Monastery. It was the highlight of my last trip to spain.

From Madrid, I would take a bus to Soria then then on to Agreda (2nd bus is waiting). This is a small, remote village with much history. It would be better to spend 1 overnight at a small inn down the hill from the bus station because temporary luggage storage might otherwise be a problem.

Sor Maria de Jesus, a Spanish Conceptionist Religious from 400 years ago, lies incorrupt (never decayed) in the convent that was constructed under her guidance. She wrote the 8 volume, The Mystical City of God...one of the most powerful books ever. An American wrote a book a few yrs ago detailing the 500 bilocations she made to the southwest states to catechize the Jumana Nation of Indians...they saw the Lady in Blue come down from the sky...

There is an inexpensive direct bus from Agreda to Barcelona Nord. There is a bus there to the airport.

I did this but in reverse (came to Barcelona first, then Agreda, Soria, and Madrid). I am going again!

I think it would depend on how long you are staying as if it's short time, I'd just take the AVE between cities and do day trips from both. Madrid has Toledo and Segovia, while Barcelona has the Costa Brava, Girona, Sitges, etc. Might be easier than carrying luggage around on your journeys.

Thank you, all! I have been to Barcelona and visited Montserrat - though my travel companion has not. I forgot that we'd be carrying our luggage around if we stop on the way! We will be in Madrid for 3 days and Barcelona for 4 days, and may use one day in each city for a day trip. So I think that I'd better plan 2 day trips from the cities rather than stop on the way! Thanks!

<< I forgot that we'd be carrying our luggage around if we stop on the way! >>

There may be a luggage storage facility or luggage lockers available depending on what town you pick en route.

3 days is not much for Madrid.

4 days is not much for Barcelona.

Assuming that you will have a place to store luggage can be a costly mistake.

Good luck!