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First Time to Spain - Need help with 10 day itinerary!

Posted by (Erbil) on

This summer, instead of spending my vacation traveling home to Canada, I am planning to spend it in Spain. I will meet up with friends in Barcelona and Costa Brava (I have no choice in these locations), but after that, would like to spend 10 days traveling and possibly depart Spain from Bilbao. (I haven't book this portion of airfare yet.)

Living/working in the Middle East and spending short breaks in Turkey, I am less interested in Islamic history and mosques than in Western art, architecture and food (that I can't get in Iraq-pork, seafood, good cheeses, nice wines, etc). From Barcelona, would it be feasible to visit all of the following: Madrid (is Toledo worth a day trip or would I need longer?), Segovia (and/or Salamanca?), San Sebastian and Bilbao... and although I am afraid to drive, I would LOVE to spend a day visiting such bodegas in Rioja as Ysios (I read this is one of the few open in August). As I have never been to Spain, I am also open to other suggestions...

And finally, I wonder if it is a good idea to purchase a Spanish rail pass or are there better/more cost effective ways to travel in these 10 days. (And if one has a pass, is it easy to obtain tickets on desired trains in August or do you have to book well in advance).

Posted by
4555 posts

With 10 days available, you're looking at 2 days in each destination, not including travel time....probably a little too busy. Take the AVE to Madrid (for the art in the three major museums, plus the architecture....besides 16th century buildings, look at the art deco buildings along Gran Via.) Take four days there, and spend one of them doing a day trip to Toledo...for the architecture and, more importantly, the El Grecos. Segovia could be another day trip but, except for the Roman aqueduct, there's not much in the way of art or architecture. Then rent a car to take you up thru the Rioja district....spend two days there, touring bodegas and driving the "wine route." The regional government there has an excellent website where you can check on those that'll be open, and for details on routes. Then head to San Sebastian and Bilbao for the final few days. Air schedules out of Bilbao aren't exactly busy, so you may end up having to spend a night in, say, Barcelona before your departure for home.

Posted by
1178 posts

To add to the previous post (filled with good advice by the way) -- Toledo - I would recommend an overnight stay there except for the fact that you do not seek the Moorish aspect of Spain, and Toledo is the epicenter of it from my observation - but the other aspects, Cathederal, Churches, Museums, certainly demand a detailed look. The shepardic jewish museums there are fantastic (to a presbyterian!). Zamora, 3 hours northwest of Madrid is off the beaten track, but its buildings from the 10th-13th century are marvelous. Especiall climbing up the Castilio de Zamora, seeing the sites which surrounded El Cid in his youth, and full of history. Madrid - walking the Gran Via on its approach to the Prado area, the Park Retiro, is wonderful. Take the open air tour bus to get an orientation to the city if you wish. It is a great city for walking. Dali's house on the coast near Barcelona is another choice day trip from Barcelona. I have taken the ave train from Madrid to Toledo, but cannot comment on the rest of the train travel. That ride is short and enjoyable.

Posted by
28 posts

Toledo is really the heart of Visigoth Spain - Cordoba is probably the center of Moorish Spain.

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