Visiting Barcelona for a conference and planning to travel to Roam
 

Hi!

My newly wed wife and I will be visiting Barcelona from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a conference from the 14th to 16th November. I am planning to extend my stay until 22nd and fly out on the 23rd November. This gives me 3 days of conference + 6 days extra.

During the conference days, I would be staying in AVENIDA PALACE HOTEL. I will be mostly busy during the conference and perhaps get off in the evening so I was wondering if there are any recommendations for my evenings during conference.

After conference, I will have to move out to a cheaper hotel (perhaps a two star hotel). So i need recommendations on affordable and strategic hotels around Barcelona.

My wife is crazy about Roman Architecture and we are also thinking of squeezing Roam into the 6 days. However, I have to come back to Barcelona to fly back to Kuala Lumpur. Is it advisable to take Euro Rail to Roam from Barcelona and back? Should I leave for Roam right after my Conference? Is two days enough in Roam? We are interested to visit the Colosseum, Vatican. Any suggestions as to where to stay in Roam?

Here is a summary of what the Trip would look like:

12th: Travel from Kuala Lumpur to Barcelona
13th: Arrive in Barcelona
14th: Conference in Barcelona
15th: Conference in Barcelona
16th: Conference in Barcelona
17th: Stay in Barcelona (move to a budget hotel)
18th: Stay in Barcelona (move to a budget hotel)
19th: Travel to Roam
20th: Stay in Roam
21st: Stay in Roam
22nd: Travel to Barcelona
23rd: Return from Barcelona to Kuala Lumpur

Is the feasible?

Thanks in advance.

>>>Is it advisable to take Euro Rail to Roam from Barcelona and back?<<<

No. Euro Rail is some type of rail pass, not the actual train companies for these countries. The overnight train between Spain and Italy goes from Barcelona to Milan (only three days per week), not Rome.
http://www.elipsos.com/

I would stick to Spain instead of going all the way to Rome, but if you must go, look at budget flights.
www.skyscanner.com
www.whichbudget.com

There is also an overnight ferry between Barcelona and Rome's port Civitavecchia (an hour by train outside of Rome). The ferries will probably be much more expensive than a budget flight.
http://www.grimaldi-lines.com/

Hi!

Thanks a lot for the reply. Lets say if I were to stick to spain. What are the recommended cities to visit?

Thanks

Vueling has cheap flights all over Europe and Spain.
If you stay in Spain, you might take the train to Madrid for a few days visit

Or fly to Seville or Granada( to see Alhambra) and a bit of Andalucia
The south may be warmer....totally different than Barcelona.

Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba - I'd go south at that time of year.

If Rome is important to you, I would book a budget airline to fly from Barcelona to Rome on the 17th, so that when you move out of the conference hotel you'd just head directly to airport to fly to Rome. (Make sure you understand the luggage weight limitations on budget airlines.)

Then you may fly back to Barcelona on the 20th, that will leave you two and half days in Barcelona. And you would already have seen some of Barcelona between 13th to 16th.

There are Roman ruins in Spain if your wife wants to do a search. Also in the south of France..No need to travel to Rome.

Cool. Thanks a lot. I am also doing my search and it seems like it better to go to the south of spain or Paris, France. Perhaps I should leave Rome for another trip.

Flying Barcelona -> Sevilla is about the same distance/time/effort as flying Barcelona -> Rome.
One should go to where one's heart is set.

Ruins not far from Barcelona, in Tarragona, easily reached by train.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarragona_Amphitheatre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_de_les_Ferreres

There are Roman ruins all over Italy, France, Germany, Spain and even the UK.

But if she really wants to see THE Coloseum and the Forum and the Pantheon, et al - then do go to Rome. But flying is the only way that makes sense (train would take an incredible amount of time). And Nov in Rome should still be not too chilly - they rarely get snow - even in midwinter never mind fall.

Is it too late to fly into Barcelona but out of Rome? That would save you the return trip.

To nytraveler:
She really wants to see THE coloseum, Form, et al. I am considering the flights. However, what kybourbon and others have mentioned is also correct. I need not travel to Rome this time around to see Roman architecture.

To TDudette:
I havent booked the flight yet so I guess I can consider flying out of Rome. But I am afraid that would be expensive. Will check this out too.