I am studying abroad this coming fall in Barcelona. Before I move in, my parents are coming with me to maybe take a few days in a city that is easily accessible to Barcelona, and then are traveling to Portugal after I move in. However, we are unsure as to where we should go before I move in. I don't want it to be anywhere in Spain because I will already be exploring it a lot during my time abroad and would rather go somewhere new first with them. The trip will only be three or four days in late August. Ideally, it would be a city since it would make travel easier and we all want to go to a city that we haven't been before (which would be London, Rome, Nice, or Paris.) We would like a small, walkable city with lots of charm that has an airport with fairly affordable flights to Barcelona. It has been overwhelming to plan because we can essentially go anywhere, so looking to narrow it down. Thanks!!
Posted by
5974 posts
You can go to a website like this one to see all the nonstop flights out of BCN:
https://www.flightsfrom.com/BCN
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1183 posts
Switzerland!!! EasyJet flies to Geneva and then you can train to the Alps and spend your time in Lauterbrunnen or Murren. Heaven on earth!
Posted by
NW England
868 posts
Bear in mind that if you go to the UK (various flights from Barcelona) you will need an ETA on top of your Schengen stuff.
And why only flights? There are high speed trains into France which save going out to the airport. Nîmes could fit you bill.
Posted by
Northwest Arkansas
929 posts
I don't want it to be anywhere in Spain because I will already be
exploring it a lot during my time abroad and would rather go somewhere
new first with them
I get your perspective on this and think you should focus on Barcelona and Madrid. You will be seeing Spain from a somewhat different and more in-depth perspective than your parents. So, seeing Barcelona and Madrid together will give you a shared experience to last a lifetime.
Posted by
NW England
868 posts
following jkh something else occured to me. A lot of people in Barcelona see it as a different country to Madrid, you will be living in Catalonia! So Madrid in Spain will be a different culture. You need to understand what's going on and when not to say anything.
Posted by
SoCal
1868 posts
Have you considered Tunisia and Morocco? Those would be unlike Spain, for sure.
Posted by
9058 posts
You want to go somewhere for 3 or 4 days and likely close by. I recommend southern France.
We did a tour from Barcelona to Caracassone and Bordeaux France, then coming back into the Basque region of Spain.
You don't have enough time for all that, but you could just do Caracassone, its very scenic and historic.