Lexma--sorry, just saw your post. As to Madrid Museum tours, found them very helpful. We don't know a lot about art, so having the guide was great, learned a lot about spanish history through the art. I don't have his name with me but I believe I have his card at home, but he was the director of the program. I'll repost when I find it.
La Barraca--I thought the Paella was excellent. I had the shellfish paella, and it was loaded with shellfish, cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed it.
San Gines--it actually opens at 9 am. It is open all night, closes around 7 or 7:30, then opens again at 9. We got there right at the opening since that was our first morning and were just off the plane

Enjoy your trip, happy to answer any other questions

Hi:

Planning visiting Spain for about 19 Days. Looking for Easy - going relaxed trip.

Travel Agents suggests the following:

1. Fly in to Madrid
2. Madrid : 3 Days
3. To Bilbao - San Sebastian : 3 Days (we can be based at Bilbao or San Sebastian with Day Trips to nearby attractions)
4. To Barcelona : 4 Days
5. To Valencia : 2 Days
6. To Ibiza : 2 Days
7. To Seville - Granada - Codorboa - Malaga : 5 Days (we can be based at Seville or Granada with Day Trips to nearby attractions)
8. Fly out from Madrid

Can somebody comment or provide valuable suggestions?

Willing to drop / add any city.

Or even Extend or Cut - Short # of Days in a particular city.

What should be our preferred mode of transport between the above cities with minimum total travel time including Check - in / lay over, etc. - Bus? Train? Air?

Thanks in anticipation.

Hi

I suggest you will get far more assistance if you post seperately. :)

vikassaraf,

You should probably start a new thread on this topic, but as a short comment I don't think you're up for a "easy-going relaxed trip" with this program. I would concentrate on three areas, and would have chosen Madrid for some 3 days and a week in the Basque Country and Andalucía respectively.

Bilbao and San Sebastián are much more than bases for day-trips. Spend some two-three days in each and perhaps explore the wonderful coast between the two the rest of the time. Fly from Madrid to Bilbao in one hour, lots of departures each day (Iberia, Spanair and Air Europe). Direct bus between Bilbao (both the city center and the airport) to San Sebastián in 70 mins.

Bilbao to Sevilla with Vueling or Spanair in 80 mins. The distances between the cities you plan to visit in Andalucía are considerable, and doing them in five days would mean nothing but travelling. You might reduce travelling time considerably using the high speed AVE train system, more than half the time going by car/bus/normal train. Perhaps this way in a week: Sevilla to Córdoba with the AVE train in some 50 mins. From Córdoba to Málaga with the high speed AVE train in 55 mins.

Visit Granada with the Alhambra/the Cathedral from either Córdoba or Málaga, bus/normal train in some 90 mins.

From Málaga or Sevilla to Madrid in 2h 30 mins, also with the AVE train. Córdoba to Madrid would be some 1h 40 mins with AVE.

Please note that the AVE train tickets are less than half the price if bought in advance through renfe.com.

Here is updated info about four of my absolute favourite cities in Spain, all along your route:

San Sebastián: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/08/07...tin-spain.html
Sevilla: http://www.exploreseville.com/
Málaga: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/
Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do

Kimhe:

Thanks so much. Probably, I should drop Valencia and Ibiza? Instead, can add two more days to Bilbao / San Sebastian. And other two days to Seville - Granada - Malaga - Cordoba?

Somebody had recommended that Ibiza is a must. But I do not read many must - see - reviews on Ibiza?

Ibiza is beautiful, but it is very much about heavy tourism and party to dawn.

vikassaraf - please start your own thread and I will respond in more detail. Your TA has suggesteda very busy trip with little time for relaxation. If you're using a TA for this trip I'd suggest finding another one that knows Spain.

In agree with kimhe - at most I'd visit 3 areas, perhaps even 2. You don't mention the time of year for your trip - this would weigh into my decision on which places to visit.

Thanks Kimhe and CathyM.

CathyM - the link to the thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ugal-italy.cfm

Thanks in anticipation.