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Brief Iberian Adventure

I'm heading to Paris this fall for a ten-week French program. During the program we'll have a week where we can go and explore. I'm thinking of taking a brief tour of the peninsula with the goal of seeing Andorra, Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon. I've more or less brainstormed and pre-organized the trip and have made the following itinerary:

Day 1: PM: Paris~>L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre (Train) ~>Andorra La Vella (Bus)
Day 2: Andorra
Day 3: Andorra~>Barcelona (Bus)
Day 4: Barcelona
Day 5: Barcelona~>Madrid (Train)
Day 6: Madrid
Day 7: Madrid
Day 8: Madrid~>Lisbon (Train)
Day 9 Lisbon
Day 10: PM: Lisbon~>Paris (Flight)

Has anyone ever tried a similar schedule/route? I'm taking into account night trains for Days 1 and 8. I know that such a trip won't allow me to explore all that the cities have to offer, but given a lofty goal and only a week to do it all, it's all I can come up with. I'm more Madrid-focused because I want to visit the surrounding cities of Salamanca and Avila (more so the latter).

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions!

PS: I took a look at Tiffany's similar post but decided to ask anyway since we were in slightly different situations. (She was interested in other sites besides Madrid/Barcelona, plus I added Andorra.)

Posted by
9110 posts

I'd knock Andorra off the list in a heartbeat unless you're a stamp collector or a hiker. AlV is nothing but a big Kmart in the mountains. Plus, it uses up to much time getting there and away. Add the saved time to Madrid and its side trips.

Posted by
4555 posts

I'd agree with Ed....Andorra certainly isn't worth it ith your limited time frame.
I'd also consider spending that extra day by overnighting in Salamanca. It's a wonderful city to explore. The journey by bus is about 2 1/2 hours each way, at about 21 Euro one-way...the train's about the same time and price, but fewer journeys. Staying overnight would allow you to visit Avila on the way.