Spain: North or South?

If this is your first trip to Spain, get a solid "Spanish" experience by sticking with your original itinerary. Andalucia is the heart of the Christian-Jewish-Moorish mix, and where you'll see the influence each has had on the other in Spain's development. Besides, it'll be warmer.
While the Pyrenees are magnificent, and the coastline from San Sebastian westwards is wonderful, you can start to run into some dull, damp, and cool days in October. Unless you're an avid hiker, I don't know that there'd be enough to keep you busy for two weeks.....and I, personally, would only hike into the Pyrenees during late spring to late summer.
But if you have three weeks, it doesn't have to be one or the other. You could arrange your trip to arrive in Barcelona, head up to the San Sebastian area for a few days, then into Madrid and down south into Andalucia. Then fly home from Malaga or Madrid.
If you don't think you have time to do both, do the south, and plan to head back....you'll want to!

I agree with Norm! We did something similar for our first trip to Spain--Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, and Seville--from there we went into Portugal. If you include Cordoba, Nerja, etc. you'll have a great trip. Next trip head to Northern Spain!

The choice between North and South falls into the 'what do I want/like' category.

I've been to both, but my wife has been to neither. I decided to do southern Spain as one trip, then do the north later as part of a France trip.

We decided to do 2 trips, probably as our next two:

Early Summar 2011 -- Madrid / Toledo / Sevilla / Granada / Cordoba / Algarve / Lisbon (16 days, other sites TBD)

Late Summer 2013 -- Paris / Lyon / French Riviera / Barcelona / San Sebastian / More France (17 to 19 days, other sites TBD)

Agree with the others saying stick to the original plan. For most folks, the south (especially Andalucia) will be a highlight - most Americans don't really know what to expect from Spain and they are wowed.

I'd also add this: I've also been to the north of Spain, and there is some beautiful country there. But for most Americans, the attractions of Spain are less pretty mountains and coastlines, and more the old cities, especially if you live in the western US. While the north/western coasts of Spain are beautiful, and the mountains are impressive, you've got more impressive mountains and coastline within a few hours of your home there in Blahview. Your days in Europe are precious. Spend 'em seeing what's best over there, then take a weekend and drive round the Olympic Peninsula next summer. :)

As others have said... the North of Spain is about the scenery, while southern Spain is soaked in history with beautiful cities and historic sites. I've taken many trips to Europe... some of them I would repeat, others I wouldn't. I would definitely take another trip through southern Spain.

I would recommend flying into Barcelona, spend at least 3 nights... and then move to Madrid. From Madrid, there are several cities within a couple hours that are worth at least a daytrip or possibly a night: Toledo, Segovia, Avila. From there... take the trains South to Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, etc. Sevilla is one of my favorite cities in Europe. From Granda... travel to the coast and fly out of Malaga. Delta provides direct service from there to JFK.

As for Minorca - I would advocate slowing down and spending more time at the cities you choose on the mainland. As I remember it (brief stop on a cruise), it is more of a resort area... with a beautiful cathedral... and not much else. But I could be wrong...

I should add that, by mid-October, Menorca is pretty well shut down. It's strictly a summer bake-in-the sun destination, and many hotels and attractions will be closed by October's end.

Well, everyone is in agreement. About pretty much everything. So we stick with the original southern plan while incorporating everyone's suggestions and thoughts.
Now we get more serious about arranging places to stay.
Thank you all very much.