We are just starting to put together a itinerary for our 10th wedding anniversary. Well expect to be travelling 10-12 days (no more than 14) starting around the 20th of October. My husband and I both LOVE all things medieval & castles in particular and we obviously want a romantic trip. We are pretty seasoned travellers and spent a month in Eastern Europe a couple years ago. The last few years we've been working hard on learning spanish, so we thought it might be fun to incorporate that. Which led us to Spain especially after we found my dad could trade for a beach resort just south of Barcelona and he offered it as a present :) So we have a week in Spain planned and I am debating Italian Riveria, Venice, and the glacier at Chamonix for the rest of our time vs Paris, Versailles, and the Loire Valley. We've never been to Spain and I feel like there is just so much to see, and I don't see any way to really see Basque Country and Gibralter from Barcelona. We love beaches and have RS new 2011 book on Spain. I love everything I'm reading about Barcelona, but I'm wondering how much we can do without compromising the romantic feel of our trip. I'd love any ideas for how we should spend our time. We don't mind paying OOP for a few nights even if they are part of the 7 nights my father is providing assuming it is REALLY worth it, but I am just feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.
Posted by
San Diego, CA
344 posts
Courtney, I think you will get more replies if you post with a more specific title....maybe "Italian Riviera, Venice, or Paris?" or something like that so that it catches people's eye. I have only a small comment to make. I don't know if you have looked at www.spanair.com or www.vueling.com-two airlines that can link you from Barcelona to other locations. I'm flying on vueling.com, roundtrip $200, from Barcelona to Spain-they fly out of Barcelona to many places, so perhaps that will help you. Make sure if you are going on a beach trip that the weather will be right, and that you will like the beachis it sand? gravel? rock? can you swim (if that is important to you. If you know the name of the town you'll be staying in south of Barcelona, you might post to get some feedback (and anticipation!) on that part of your trip. We are going to Barcelona and Seville in April and I can't wait. Have fun! SuzieeQQ
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Your are running out of time. You are in Spain -- stay there. For me the Moorish history of Spain is fascinating when contracted with the rest of western Europe. If south of Barcelona, kept going South. In some ways the Alhambra at Almeria is more educational than the more famous Alhambra in Granada. The restoration is more limited and much of it has not been touched in a 1000 years. Then there is the Alhambra at Granada which is the most popular tourist site in all of Spain. A swing through the white hill towns, Arcos, around to Sevilla and on to Cordoba. That is too much territory for your reminding five days but that whole area is filled with medieval castles and fairly romantic with the hill towns and Sevilla.
Posted by
Portland
3643 posts
I'm with Frank on this one. Even if you do stay in Spain for the rest of your trip, there's lots you won't get to. You should look into staying at one or more paradors. Most of them are restored historic buildings, which I think would fit your "romantic" requirement. If you google "Spanish Paradors" I think you'll get into the website. You can see the locations, descriptions, and prices - - which, by the way, aren't low.
You should also check into what the typical weather is at that time of year in the different regions that interest you. Personally, I wouldn't plan, for late October/early November, to be at a place where the only thing to do is go to the beach. Maybe Andalucia will still be okay, though.