Need help with Madrid itinerary

I just returned on Monday and did the same as you are planning. We (4) stayed in Madrid for six nights. We took day trips: Toledo, Segovia and El Escoral. All are very very easy to get to. I purchased Frommer's; Steves; and D&K. Each guide book will give you a different perspective on the same sights. From Madrid Segovia and Toledo utilize a different train station.

We went to Toledo and spent the night. It was wonderful. During the day, there were crowds of tourists, and that definitely had a big impact on how the place felt. But once the day-trippers left (and the next day, before they rolled in), we really liked the place a lot better.

We picked up a rental car on the way out of Toledo, and drove to Avila for a couple hours playing on the walls, then drove on to Segovia, then spent the night there in Segovia.

We took the train back from Segovia to Madrid - actually to the airport (we then flew to Morocco - that was a long day, starting in Segovia and ending in Marrakesh!).

Bottom line: we really enjoyed spending the night in Toledo, and would do it again.

Hope that helps.

I just got back from a Madrid/Barcelona trip with side trips to El Escorial and Toledo. To tell you the truth I wasn't that taken with Toledo. It has beautiful buildings and is lovely to walk around but it didn't "grab" me. A day was all that I wanted there. Arriving at 10:00 I was ready to leave at 4:00.

I just read that section of Rick's 2008 book and he highly recommends staying the night. When I lived in Madrid as a student we did several day trips to Toledo, never occurred to me to stay the night so I'm not planning to do that when I'm there in May. but now reading some of these posts I'm almost regretting that. On the other hand, you wouldn't have to lug bags to and fro if you only did a day trip.

It's odd how things affect people differently. Toledo is my favorite city in Spain. It did grab me when I was there as a college student. and that's the reason I'm going back in May.

Also, we are staying 5 days in Madrid as well, with day trips to Toledo and Segovia. but I am spreading out the day trips. We arrive on a Tuesday, day trip to Toledo on Thursday, day trip to Segovia on Saturday and then we're off to Sevilla on Sunday (after the Rastro perhaps....still undecided on that as of now).

have a great trip whatever you decide!!

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all your input.

I know my boyfriend probably won't be enjoying the charm of Toledo as much as me, so I've decided to do a day trip there instead. Perhaps next time I go back I'll spend the night!
Lugging bags back and forth is a big concern for me, as we only have 5 days and are not moving on to somewhere else but have to go back to Madrid for the return flight.

Thanks so much for your help.

Hi David,
Thanks for your advice.

I certainly wouldn't see my luggage as a deal breaker. I actually do travel quite light (ie. only one pair of jeans for a 11 day trip recently to Rome, gross I know...). But bags, regardless of how light it is, (unless it's truly just a day-bag) is still an inconvenience. I would put up with it if I strongly want to go to some place, but since I don't think my boyfriend is as interested in staying overnight as I do, I think I should take that into consideration.
Thanks anyway.

Dee

Okiedokie, to each their own. However, this caught my eye:

"Lugging bags back and forth is a big concern for me..."

This suggest to me that you may not be packing right. I would never plan my itinerary based on my luggage and my ability to move it from one place to another. Sure, I'd rather not drag my bag around with me all day. Then again, if I wanted to go someplace and thought I would have a better experience there by spending the night, I sure wouldn't let my luggage keep me from doing that. If luggage was a significant concern, that would make me start thinking about how much stuff I was bringing along, and questioning if maybe I should reconsider some of it. My pack is actually pretty comfortable when I haul it, and that lets me move pretty quickly and efficiently when I want to.

Just some food for thought.

In any case, you'll love Spain. Have a great trip.

Dee,
I think that you'll enjoy Toledo as a day trip. We were there in May and found it quite UNcrowded. I think that November may be quite the same.

One note: arm yourself with a quality map. We found the historic part of Toledo a little difficult to figure out because the street markers were not to be found. The locals are very helpful. A GPS would have been great.

Toledo is a highlight. You'll have a great day.