We recently completed a 3 week trip to Spain & Italy (11 days in each country). Here's a quick summary of our visit in Spain....
Barcelona (3 nights). Stayed at the Denit Hotel - good central location, quiet at night, friendly & helpful staff, excellent breakfast. Followed Rick's recommended walking tours and visited the main sights - Picasso Museum, La Sagrada Famila, Park Guell, Cathedral of Barcelona. Enjoyed the tapas scene - particularily Irati Taverna Basca. Nice dinner at Rias do Miño Restaurant near the beach in Barcelonata. Also had a fun lunch at Billy Brunch on the way to La Sagrada Famila.
Madrid (3 nights). Stayed at the Hotel Franciso I - great location, very nice rooms and public spaces, friendly & helpful staff, excellent breakfast, quiet at night. Followed Rick's recommended walking tours and visited the main sights - Royal Palace, Prado Museum, El Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor. Dinners at La Bola & Taberna Los Castizos. Madrid - what a wonderful city!!
Toledo (1 night). Stayed at La Posada De Manolo - good location, nice quiet rooms, friendly & helpful staff, breakfast was a little light (more typical of Europe...). Followed Rick's recommended walking tours and visited the main sights. Nice dinner at El Trebol.
Seville (2 nights). Stayed at El Rey Moro Hotel - great location, amazing staff, nice quiet rooms, nice breakfast, and the interior courtyard is wonderful. Followed Rick's recommended walking tours and visited the main sights - Royal Alcazar, Cathedral of Seville, Triana neighborhood, flaminco show at La Casa del Flamenco.
Granada (2 nights). Stayed at Hotel Monjas del Carmen - great location, friendly and helpful staff (arranged laundry service for us on a weekend), good breakfast, nice modern rooms. Followed Rick's recommended walking tours and visited the main sights - Alhambra / Nasrid Palace, Cathedral, San Nicolas viewpoint at sunset. Enjoyable dinners at Bar Kiki (near San Nicholas) and Restaurante Arrayanes.
All travel in country was by train or bus (Seville to Granada).