My girlfriend and I are planning on visiting Spain later this year. We are trying to determine when would be the best time to visit and where we should go.

Our two travel windows are the last two weeks of September or the first two weeks of November. Which would be the better time to travel in Spain? We would prefer to avoid the heat and the crowds.

Our initial plan was to spend 3 days in Paris, 3 in Barcelona, 3 in Madrid and 2 in Granada. However, in reading up on Spain, it seems that it may be a better idea to cut out Paris and spend our entire time in Spain instead. Would you agree?

We are both 27, looking for a fun and romantic time. This will be her first trip to Europe. My main interests are in history and architecture. I am also a bit of a photo buff and love taking pictures of scenic vistas. Her interests lie more in shopping and beaches. We both love to eat.

If we were to cut Paris from the agenda, how best would we divide our two weeks in Spain?

Thanks for any help!

I would do the 2 weeks in Spain. We flew into Barcelona and spent a few days there the flew to Madrid. It was very cheap and very quick so we avoided that boring drive from Barcelona to Madrid.

We then spent time in Madrid for 3 days then picked up our rental car and went to Toledo for a few days. I think there were some other stops we saw too. Then south to Granada and the Alhambra then to the Costa del sol and onto Portugal and finished up there.

Anyway you do it you will have a great time. Just keep in mind the drive from Toledo to Granada is rather boring I believe I read somewhere they call it the Nebraska of europe...self explanatory...

September would be much nicer in Spain than November. No question about it - much better weather.
Carolena

Another thought, if you go to Barcelona, make time for a day or two in Tarragona - very close, lots to see and a really beautiful town. I stayed there for a week a few years ago and really loved it.
Carolena

I would opt for late Sep weatherwise and, considering that this is her first trip to Europe, I wouldn't cut Paris out of your plans (especialy if either of you is competent in French). Unlike many other Americans, I love Paris!

You can fly 'open jaw' from the U.S. to Paris and return from Madrid.

You can fly Vueling very cheasp (20-30 Euro) Paris (CDG) to Barcelona http://www.vueling.com

I also like Madrid, but my favorite paces in Spain are in the north: Bilbao, Santander, los Picos de Europa and westward to Galicia. Peak season in the north ends Sep 15 (el día de Cantabria).

It may still be warm enough to enjoy beaches like Santander's el Sardinero
or Llanes, in the Principality of Asturias.

I would vote for Paris too. The other less cities you've mentioned could be use for a future trip.

My idea would head firt to Paris. Next would be direct to either Barcelona or Madrid.

That's the most I would try during this trip. If you like to party hardy, those three cities will please you a lot.

None of the cities which you chose are beach choices. Maybe you would have to wait for beaches for another visit.

Granada isn't as nice in September. The gardens are best their glory in summer and most of it has wilted.

Your itinerary limits to 3 days per city. I think if you just planned to just visit Paris and Madrid, you're going to have lots to see, do and eat.

Don't try to kill your vacation with travelling.

Blackduff

I think you're right to save Paris for another trip. That's a place you'll want to spend more than three days, and you'll get a better look at Spain if you spend less time going from place to place and more time in just a few spots.

I have not yet been to Spain; I am planning my first trip there for November. That said, I think the weather will be better in September. It will still be fairly warm, in the 80's (F), and things will still be green and growing. From what I've read, November's highs are in the 50's and 60's, and it's quite a bit rainier. My reason for traveling in November is for the cheaper fares and lodging, but it's a trade-off for the nicer weather and longer days earlier in the fall.

I have decided to concentrate my trip in the Andalucia area. Seville seems to be quite a popular place to go, I want to see Alhambra in Granada, and I plan to spend some time checking out the Pueblos Blancos in the mountains (scenic vistas!) and driving up the Costa del Sol.

wymom
Andalucia can be still very nice in November. Normally the rain won't start until later, sometime in December.

Driving up the Costa del Sol might turn you down, especially you've visited the blancos pueblos.

I have had Christmas dinner outside often and it can be up to 25 degrees C..

Blackduff

Thanks, blackduff, that's good to know. I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst, though. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised!

blackduff...

I went to Granada in September and it was lovely. We stayed at the hotel next door to the Parador in the Alhambra and it was a most lovely time. We had the best dinners at the Parador's restaurant too. I guess we just got lucky but the weather was perfect our whole trip to Spain for 3 weeks in September of 2003.

We stayed at the Parador in Rhonda...

very nice

Karmasalad, although I'm a big fan of Paris, I agree that you should probably stick to Spain on this trip and plan for a week or two in Paris on a separate trip.

Also, you mentioned that you're interested in history, architecture and photography...I went to Seville last year for the first time and it would satisfy all 3 of these. The city has a very interesting history (took a tour with a lovely woman named Concepcion) and took some amazing pictures inside the Alcazar and at Place d'Espagna. Oh, and the flamenco show and tapas bars...wonderful!

Enjoy your trip!

Christina

Thank you for the advice and opinions thus far. After speaking further with my girlfriend, she very much wants to see Paris as she's not sure when she will be able to visit Europe again in the near future.

We've also extended our trip to 2.5 weeks. Our tentative itinerary now is as follows:

3 nights in Madrid
2 nights in Sevilla
1 night in Granada
3 nights in Barcelona
3 nights in Paris

Travel days are subtracted; those are full 24 hour days in each city. Does that look like a reasonable itinerary?

I'd also like to visit those cities in that order, taking trains to get to Sevilla and Granada, and then flying to Barcelona and Paris.

However, our time in Madrid (14 Sep - 18 Sep) coincides with the end of La Vuelta. Is it going to be crazy at that time?

Karma, looks like a great itinerary and I'm glad you extended your stay to include Sevilla and Paris...you won't be disappointed!

Happy Travels!

Christina

Your stop in Sevilla (Sep 18-20?) will coincide with the beginning of Bienal de Flamenco, an every-other-year event (even-numbered years) that runs from mid-to-late Sep to early Oct. You'll be able to enjoy a lot of Flamenco (in theaters, etc.) without having to pay outrageous prices.