Hey, guys. My friend and I are planning to go to Spain for couple weeks for the first half of October. I'm thinking to start in Madrid, do a few day trips from there, then take a train to Cordoba for a day and then to Seville for a day or two, then to Granada and Alhambra for 2 days and then may be to fly or take a train to Barcelona. Any suggestions or tips? Would 2 weeks be enough for such a tour?

Travelwise, it would make more sense to start in Barcelona, proceed to Madrid and end in Malaga (or the other way round). You will cover much ground in two weeks and you will spend quite a bit of time in trains, but, yes, it is doable. Maybe you can skip the detour to Sevilla (I personally would favour Cordoba over Sevilla anyway).

I would also suggest not only concentrating on big cities, but also renting a car and driving through the countryside. The area around Madrid is very scenic and has lots to offer (e.g. El Escorial, Toledo, Avila) and also Andalucia is very scenic, with olive and orange groves and some mountain chains.

Hi; Start in Madrid [4 days and as suggested, day trips to Avila, Toledo]. Train to Seville [4 days, with day trips to Cordoba and the White towns]. Train to Granada [2 days]. Fly to Barcelonia [4 days with two days of day trips]. Fly into Madrid and out of Barcelonia. See www.maribelsguides.com for good information/downloads for these cities. Richard

Thanks, guys. I'll be looking into your suggestions. Does anyone know any cooking classes in there. My friend and I love to cook and would love to take a class of Spanish cuisine may be form an English speaking Chef (I don't speak Spanish at all)

If you come to valencia there are cooking classes here and an interpreter at no fee can be arranged with a bit of time.

www.foodandfun.es

The paella workshop is fun.

I am sure there is something similar in Madrid and Barcelona.

Cooking schools in Barcelona:

www.cookandtaste.net
www.catacurian.com
http://www.cellartours.com/spain/cul...a-cooking.html
http://www.coquus.es/

In my opinion trying to visit Madrid (and area), Andalucia and Barcelona in a 2 week trip is doable but rushed. I'd skip one of the areas (probably Barcelona) and focus on Madrid and Andalucia. There is more than enough to keep you busy here in 2 weeks.

I agree with Cathy. That is way too much traveling for me. I would skip Barcelona. I would definitely spend 3 nights in Seville w/ a daytrip to Cordoba and at least 2 in Granada. I'd visit Malaga, Cadiz, Ronda and then spend 3-4 nights in Madrid with trips to Toledo and Segovia.

Me too. Nix Barcelona this time around.

Seville and Barcelona are my favorites in Spain- Madrid was fun but a day or two are all that is needed. Find a way to get to Barcelona.

I agree with Brando...Sevilla and Barcelona are my favorites as well. There are cheap flights and great train connections throughout Spain (I think there's an AVE high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona and from Madrid to Sevilla), so I think getting to Barcelona shouldn't be a problem. I personally dislike Madrid a lot and wouldn't spend more than 2 days there (but that's just me). Toledo is definitely worth a day trip though. I also loved northern Spain-Asturias, Cantabría and País Vasco are incredibly beautiful and very different from Andalucía. But they probably deserve more time on another trip.