What do you think of this Spanish vacation? Any suggestions?
I am working in Spain for 6 months, and my family has decided to come and visit me as their first vacation in Europe. They're letting me plan their stay, as I'm more familiar with the country than them. They're coming in the end of May. Originally, their trip was 7 days, but they extended it a day. I haven't filled that day with anything yet and am open to suggestions. Day 1: Depart United States Day 2: Arrive in Madrid (morning). Day in Madrid. Day 3: Day trip to Toledo (train). Day 4: Train to Zaragoza. Day in Zaragoza. Day 5: Day trip to Barcelona (bus). Day 6: Bus to Bilbao. Day in Bilbao. Day 7: Day trip to San Sebastian (bus). Day 8: Day 9: Bus to Madrid. Depart Madrid. Arrive in United States. Recommendations or suggestions for day 8? Or any changes I should make? Anything that doesn't say "day trip" isn't a day trip... It's pick up and move. So, the trip to Zaragoza isn't a day trip... It's go to Zaragoza. Reasons for the above places: Bilbao is where I'm living now. Zaragoza is where I lived previously. Toledo is my favorite place in Spain (personally). Madrid and Barcelona because, well, they're the two biggest tourist destinations. And if it is too hectic (which I realized as I was making it), what should be skipped?
Other - Spain - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Day 8: RELAX ALL DAY
2 :
edit. O.K it would have been a HUGE message other-wise Day 1: Depart United States Day 2: Arrive in Madrid (morning). Day in Madrid. Day 3: Day trip to Toledo (train). I would of said that is o.k but try and get an early train to Toledo so you can see it but then be back and explore Madrid some more. Day 4: Train to Zaragoza. Day in Zaragoza. Day 5: Day trip to Barcelona (bus). I understand why you have done this. Good idea, however inless the bus is a lot cheaper than the train, or even check flight's. I would die of 6 hours of traveling in one day Day 6: Bus to Bilbao. Day in Bilbao. Day 7: Day trip to San Sebastian (bus). Day 8: maybe you can visit the French side then ? and make it into the Basque country. if it's Summer, then you've visted one of the best beaches Donostia. Bilbo is "quite" near some great Green beaches also Day 9: Bus to Madrid. Depart Madrid. Arrive in United States. =) I think your trip should be o.k then So then maybe in day 8 it should be to relax or look around Bizkaia and Araba. I think you would be able to fit in Gorbeia or another Natural park in Bizkaia but inless they really want to. I wouldn't. I hope they have a nice trip
3 :
Okay, first, if you are living in Bilbao now, WHY are you putting it on your trip? You have one, sleep deprived day in Madrid. Madrid merits at least 3 fully awake days. You take a train to Zaragoza, and then "spend a day there." HOW long will the train take? And HOW early are you willing to get up, pack, and get to the train station? Day trip to Barça? Are you KIDDING? Again! At least 3 - 4 days! AT LEAST! What time are you departing Madrid? I'd just go there on Day 8, and spend a little time, there. Do you know people in these places? Are you going to try to hook up? Do you think they will be able to drop everything and see you then? (I found a whole week in Madrid wasn't enough to get together with two friends...and I went to one's family's restaurant TWICE! And still couldn't hook up with her!
4 :
Too many day trips, too much time spent on buses. A transatlantic flight is a killer, wether you slept during the flight or not, so the first day should be one of recovering and taking things easy. Most of those cities, specially Madrid and Barcelona are definetely worth more than one day. You are trying to go to too many places over a too short period of time. Skip at least 2 cities, cos you're gonna kill your beloved ones and they will leave Spain without knowing where exactly have they been to. Personally I'd write off Zaragoza, and Barcelona (a must see, yes, but too far from both Bilbao and Madrid, unless you go by plane). So, I'd stick to this; days 2,3 and 4, Madrid, day 5 Toledo, days 6,7 Bilbao, and days 7,8, San Sebastian and perhaps the countyside, or Biarritz, Hendaye in France, or Pamplona.
5 :
Your family will know more about the public transport system than anything else! How about staying at least 2/3 days in one place to soak up a bit of atmosphere and get to know the place a bit etc?
6 :
I think that your trip does sound hectic, but do-able... You'll just be traveling a lot and getting up early to make sure you're leaving yourself enough time to see these places. I have taken day trips to both Madrid and Barcelona from Zaragoza, and have seen a lot of things both times. Not everything, but a lot of things. I also have flown from the US multiple times and can run on adrenaline fine the first day, and after a good night's sleep, am fine by the next day. Maybe day 8 could be another day trip from Bilbao to, say, Santander. Or just spend it in Bilbao/Madrid relaxing and doing some more leisurely exploring. Have fun.
I am working in Spain for 6 months, and my family has decided to come and visit me as their first vacation in Europe. They're letting me plan their stay, as I'm more familiar with the country than them. They're coming in the end of May. Originally, their trip was 7 days, but they extended it a day. I haven't filled that day with anything yet and am open to suggestions. Day 1: Depart United States Day 2: Arrive in Madrid (morning). Day in Madrid. Day 3: Day trip to Toledo (train). Day 4: Train to Zaragoza. Day in Zaragoza. Day 5: Day trip to Barcelona (bus). Day 6: Bus to Bilbao. Day in Bilbao. Day 7: Day trip to San Sebastian (bus). Day 8: Day 9: Bus to Madrid. Depart Madrid. Arrive in United States. Recommendations or suggestions for day 8? Or any changes I should make? Anything that doesn't say "day trip" isn't a day trip... It's pick up and move. So, the trip to Zaragoza isn't a day trip... It's go to Zaragoza. Reasons for the above places: Bilbao is where I'm living now. Zaragoza is where I lived previously. Toledo is my favorite place in Spain (personally). Madrid and Barcelona because, well, they're the two biggest tourist destinations. And if it is too hectic (which I realized as I was making it), what should be skipped?
Other - Spain - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Day 8: RELAX ALL DAY
2 :
edit. O.K it would have been a HUGE message other-wise Day 1: Depart United States Day 2: Arrive in Madrid (morning). Day in Madrid. Day 3: Day trip to Toledo (train). I would of said that is o.k but try and get an early train to Toledo so you can see it but then be back and explore Madrid some more. Day 4: Train to Zaragoza. Day in Zaragoza. Day 5: Day trip to Barcelona (bus). I understand why you have done this. Good idea, however inless the bus is a lot cheaper than the train, or even check flight's. I would die of 6 hours of traveling in one day Day 6: Bus to Bilbao. Day in Bilbao. Day 7: Day trip to San Sebastian (bus). Day 8: maybe you can visit the French side then ? and make it into the Basque country. if it's Summer, then you've visted one of the best beaches Donostia. Bilbo is "quite" near some great Green beaches also Day 9: Bus to Madrid. Depart Madrid. Arrive in United States. =) I think your trip should be o.k then So then maybe in day 8 it should be to relax or look around Bizkaia and Araba. I think you would be able to fit in Gorbeia or another Natural park in Bizkaia but inless they really want to. I wouldn't. I hope they have a nice trip
3 :
Okay, first, if you are living in Bilbao now, WHY are you putting it on your trip? You have one, sleep deprived day in Madrid. Madrid merits at least 3 fully awake days. You take a train to Zaragoza, and then "spend a day there." HOW long will the train take? And HOW early are you willing to get up, pack, and get to the train station? Day trip to Barça? Are you KIDDING? Again! At least 3 - 4 days! AT LEAST! What time are you departing Madrid? I'd just go there on Day 8, and spend a little time, there. Do you know people in these places? Are you going to try to hook up? Do you think they will be able to drop everything and see you then? (I found a whole week in Madrid wasn't enough to get together with two friends...and I went to one's family's restaurant TWICE! And still couldn't hook up with her!
4 :
Too many day trips, too much time spent on buses. A transatlantic flight is a killer, wether you slept during the flight or not, so the first day should be one of recovering and taking things easy. Most of those cities, specially Madrid and Barcelona are definetely worth more than one day. You are trying to go to too many places over a too short period of time. Skip at least 2 cities, cos you're gonna kill your beloved ones and they will leave Spain without knowing where exactly have they been to. Personally I'd write off Zaragoza, and Barcelona (a must see, yes, but too far from both Bilbao and Madrid, unless you go by plane). So, I'd stick to this; days 2,3 and 4, Madrid, day 5 Toledo, days 6,7 Bilbao, and days 7,8, San Sebastian and perhaps the countyside, or Biarritz, Hendaye in France, or Pamplona.
5 :
Your family will know more about the public transport system than anything else! How about staying at least 2/3 days in one place to soak up a bit of atmosphere and get to know the place a bit etc?
6 :
I think that your trip does sound hectic, but do-able... You'll just be traveling a lot and getting up early to make sure you're leaving yourself enough time to see these places. I have taken day trips to both Madrid and Barcelona from Zaragoza, and have seen a lot of things both times. Not everything, but a lot of things. I also have flown from the US multiple times and can run on adrenaline fine the first day, and after a good night's sleep, am fine by the next day. Maybe day 8 could be another day trip from Bilbao to, say, Santander. Or just spend it in Bilbao/Madrid relaxing and doing some more leisurely exploring. Have fun.
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