My sisters and I have decided on Spain for our next sisters vacation in September '08. Family responsibilities allow us to have only 10 days to spend here. If you had 10 days to spend in Spain, how would you plan your time? We are constricted only by the need to fly in and out of major airports. This will be our first time here. We are lots of fun, 40 somethings, and enjoy new people and adventures. We are awaiting your ideas!!!

With only ten days, you will have to plan very carefully.

I planned a trip for around that time I called our 3 generations tour, when family came to visit here. They started out with a few days in Madrid and then we saw a lot of the highlights in Andalucia.

You can look in the archives of our blog from last March to see how we did it and may pick up some ideas. We did it in the spring, but it would work about the same in September.

They loved their experience and saw the famous horses, a sherry bodega, Seville, Marbella, Nerja, Ronda, went horseback riding ( even the 80 year old!), Granada, Cordoba, watching great flamenco, seeing a bull ring,experiencing ancient white villages etc.

We had a few extra things planned that we ended up cutting out, just because they chose to rest some instead. So do not forget to schedule that in and it helps to have double choices on some days ( relax or tour) so you can wing it while there.

Marbella was my least favorite because it could have been anywhere, but they already had this free time-share available and it had its advantages.

Happy planning!

With that amount of time and the requirements you describe, I would go to Madrid and Barcelona. You can easily fly into one and out of another. You'll find plenty to do in both cities, and there would be only one travel day to get from one city to the other.

There are lots of options for daytrips from both cities.

Alternatively you could go to Andalucia, but I don't think 10 days is a lot of time there - if you did it, I would stick to two or three cities (like Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada.)

Have fun planning.

Thank you both Shannon and WT. Love the planning part! Thanks for the suggestions.

I will get the feel of Spain by splitting your time between Madrid and Sevilla.
In Sevilla,you will see the more typical Spaniard,and in Madrid you will get a feel for all of Spain,as people and bars/restos/entertainment is there from all over the country.

I'd opt for Madrid & Barcelona, with perhaps 1 night somewhere in between (we spent a day in Zaragoza). The 2 cities are fabulous, but very different and I love them both!

Enjoy!

I would not fail to see the Alhambra in Andalucia, which is one of the most spectacular sites in Europe. After that, it really depends on what you most like to do. I find Madrid exquisite for its food, style and unbeatable museums, and nearby Toledo. But others prefer the beach/party scene of Barcelona, where Picasso and Gaudi are also important draws for some people.

If you like world-class eating, relaxation, gorgeous scenery, towns of charm and being away from the tourist throngs, nothing beats the Basque country, San Sebastian in particular. Plus, you can dip into France.

Madrid and Barcelona can be flown to directly from the US, but Spain's internal air transport is great and cheap, and the trains in some directions are good. I think combining Andalucia and the Basque country would be tough, but any other combination (Madrid/Basque, Madrid/Andalucia, Barcelona/Basque, Madrid/Barcelona, blah blah) is not difficult.

If you end up in Barcelona, consider visiting Girona if you enjoy historic settings. (Food is great too.)

I've often found that traveling to Spain via London's major airports offers a lot of options for landing where I want to be in Spain.

Spain is so big it is a hard decision, so you will have to come again. We have spent 7 months here, seen a lot of this country,yet there are still places we need to see.

It really does depend on your needs, wants and desires as to what you pick. Look at pictures and read about different areas and decide what kind of experience you are looking for.

If you want the real Spaniard trip in ten days, then it must be Madrid ( plus possible day trips) and Andalusia, best based in Sevilla. There is nothing that is more typical Spain than Madrid and Sevilla and I would throw in at least one beautiful small white village.

Cordoba and the not-to-be missed Mesquita is a very easy day trip from Seville and Alhambra should also be seen if you are interested in Moorish history. Many call them the greatest sights in Europe. Seville is a very gorgeous city that seems more like a small town and I would stay in the Santa Cruz area ( we loved the Armadeus hotel) which is close ( & walkable) to all important sites. Don't miss flamenco and tapas in the smaller venues.

If you are less interested in big cities, stay less time in Madrid which can be overwhelming as all cities can be ( our guests did not care for it for that reason).If you love art, do not miss the Prado or a great meal at Botin, some famous hot chocolate like pudding.

Now if you are less interested in Spain per se and what one thinks of when they think of Spain, then see Barcelona, especially if you like Gaudi and Dali. Barcelona is great, as are the nearby beaches,wineries, etc but it is more like typical Europe and less like typical Spain.

The Basque region is another non-Spain like part of Spain which has many delights. I like the idea of combining Basque and Barcelona that italiasoon mentions, but I am not sure it is best for first taste of Spain. I have only read about this area, but will get there this coming year.

Galicia is another very interesting place in Spain that is also not typical ( celtic influence like bagpipes etc), but again probably not best for first taste in my opinion, unless that is what you want.

If you want to do the typical Spain...flamenco, festivals, tapas, bullfighting rings, Columbus connection, Moors, beautiful nature, great art & architecture etc...I would do Madrid and Andalusia for first taste with just ten days.

If you are both big city people that prefer that, then Madrid and Barcelona combo might be better. You might look into open jaw for either choice ( or another) just based on the size of Spain... to see as much as you can.

The trains are great in Spain ( madrid and Seville easily connected by fast train) as are cheap flights within the country and the roads are good and easy to drive. If you speak some Spanish, it will REALLY help.

quote:

Galicia is another very interesting place in Spain that is also not typical ( celtic influence like bagpipes etc)

I don't know enough about either Spanish or Celtic history, but I'm wondering who influenced whom here: The Hiberians or the Iberians?

When I think of Spaniards drinking wine out of those leather bags -- sorry, I forget the name - I easily imagine some of them sitting around one night, after emptying too many of them, and figuring out how to get them to make noise.

there is no fix beginning, as most experts claims the north of India in the 6 C,that came in with example la Gaita or bagpipe sang in Galicia and Asturias in Spain ;it is of Celtic origins as it is known in the west, but in Galicia people are of Celtic descend,nothing comes from ireland,they are straight descendant of the Celtic people themselves/

It is the melange antique of Spain that makes it fascinating for millions to visit every year. Second most visit country in the world and the first visit by other Europeans;59 millions last year.

quote:

Andalucia, bu

I would recommend the combination of Madrid and Andalusia. 2 nights in Madrid and a week in Andalusia. The AVE (high speed train) takes you from Madrid to Seville in 2h35.

You might travel around Andalucia or use one or two cities as a base from which you can explore the area: Sevilla, Cordoba, Ronda, Granada, the famous medieval white villages, Jerez de la Frontera, the Andalousian bullfarms and the home of the pure bread Andalusian horse. Or the natural reserves Parque Doñana (wetlands) or the Sierra de Grazalema wih its breathtaking views, its fauna and flora that survived Ice Age or 30.000 year old caves with the finest prehistoric paintings of Europe.

Enjoy the real flamenco dance or the Sevillana, take part of the evening paseo with the Andalusians and have a tapa wih jamon and the finest sherries of the south.

Andalusia is one of the most varied and spectacular regions in Europe with over 300 days of sunshine a year and clear, bright blue skies full of intense, joyful light, inviting to discover the many treasures it has to offer. A vibrant and passionate land to be savored to the fullest with all the senses, with an enormous rich historic and cultural legacy and an open and welcoming people known for the joy with which they face each new day.

Hola Helga !

You forgot to tell us what you like in life... are you city girls ? Do you like riding ? Do you need action ? or are you happy with quiet nights in front of the chimney with a glass of wine ?

I think that travelling is more that just collecting a list of places to be ! So tell us more about you and I'm sure we can help you better !

Hasta luego,
Cristina

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Jimena, since we love cities, we decided on Madrid and Barcelona with day trips out from each. We'll go south on our next visit. Airfare has been purchased! Now we are looking at apartments to rent. We love,love,love all the planning!