We will be staying in Barcelona, then Madrid, and then Salamanca. We have 3 days left to plan before flying out of Madrid. Any suggestions (family with children--6 people)? Some thoughts are San Sebastian, Portugal...If you have suggested itineraries and places to stay, that would be great!

Segovia and Toledo--both within an hour of Madrid and worth your time. I just returned from 17 days in Spain. You will love Salamanca.

This is to say that I am delighted that Bob The Navigator obviously enjoy ed Salamanca,
I love Salamanca too !!!

Any thoughts about San Sebastian and Portugal? How about places to stay in Segovia and Toledo?

Waiting for that trip report, Bob. Be sure to give it a catchy title so we don't miss it.

Bobthenavigator--I think we will visit Segovia and Toledo, but are looking for other suggestions to fill our 3 days. Also, do you know places to stay that aren't too expensive (for 6 ppl?).

Anyone else have a 3-day plan starting from Salamanca? We will be traveling back to Madrid on the 4th day.

Thank you!

Topping it for you.

topping again

See my trip report posted today.

Toledo and Segovia are both close to Madrid, but they are in different directions. At one day per city, I think you've filled 2 of the 3 days with these two cities. Avila is an option; El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen and the palace and gardens of La Granja are all possible places to kill some time in the area. There are closer places in and around Salamanca and Madrid than Portugal and San Sebastian; with only 3 days I wouldn't spend my time travelling as far as PT or San Sebastian. Slow down and enjoy. Don't know if it's still closed, but when we were in Segovia in mid-April the cathedral was closed for repairs - FYI.
As for hotels, we enjoyed the Hosteria Ayala Berganza in Segovia and the Hotel Pintor El Greco in Toledo.

Bob--I read your trip report--thanks!
Jenneepoo--I will check into your hotel suggestions. Do you have e-mail addresses?

A friend also recommended that we go to Elvas and stay there 3 days, as we can use that as a "home base" and see some of Portugal. Do you recommend that? Also, do you know how far Elvas is (driving) from Madrid? I think we have ruled San Sebastian out now.

topping

Elvas is cool, but I would consider using Cacares as a base and day tripping over to Marvao in Portugal. So much to see--so little time.

If you are already visiting Salamanca, Caceres would be a great place to use some of your extra time. It is near Elvas and Evora in Portugal and Evora is great. You can see the highlights of Elvas in three or four hours. Evora really requires a whole day or two, but is small enough to get the highlights if you only have time for a daytrip. It is a university town and has ruins from Roman period on down. Caceres has burgundy stone buildings which were built by the fortunes of those of made money in the new world. I only spent an afternoon there and I would like return and spend a couple of days exploring there. Segovia, Avila and Merida are also in that general area, too. I like Granada, Ronda, and Seville but since you are in the North of Spain it might be better to do Andalusia on another trip and also go on to Nerja, Malaga, Marbella, Jerez, Cadiz,and the white hill towns.