DebitNM

We have 3 nights/2 full days in Madrid and 4 nights/3.5 days in Barcelona.

Hubby has been to Madrid, I have not. Neither of us has been to Barcelona.

Though a slight mix up, we have an extra day that can easily be added to either city.

Trip is early December, if that makes a difference.

Where would you add a extra day/night?

We are interested in architecture, history, food, museums as time permits. No interest in shopping other than wonderful food markets.

Thanks~

danon

Add a day to Madrid and visit Toledo or Segovia.

PalenQ

ditto to what danon says - Toledo to many is nicer than anything in Madrid.

chapla

Add a day to Madrid.If the weather is not so good,there is plenty to see in Madrid.If good weather,get an early start and go off to Segovia and La Granja-short bus ride from Segovia.Another early start and off to Toledo or El Escorial.Madrid should be looking festive,preparing for the holidays!

danon

Dec. weather can be rainy and cool.
if the wether is bad, as PP said, there is so much to do in Madrid ( a great city, BTW)

DebitNM

leaning towards adding the day to Madrid.

Next - Segovia OR Toledo for the day? On our own, or with a tour from Madrid?

PalenQ

Or Avila, another gem like Segovia but neither is as fantastic as Toledo.

annw

Haven't been to Madrid so can't comment; sounds like a winner, but for sure there is plenty of interest in architecture and art in Barcelona (oh my, the Gaudi alone!)!

danon

some travelers like tours.......it is up to you
Segovia and Toledo are easily reached by train( 30min)
From the train station, a bus takes you to center of town.
Trains for Toledo leave from Atocha station.
For Segovia , Chamartin train station.
There are buses from Madrid to either, but we prefer trains.

lincasanova

on your own is very simple.. pick up tickets ahead of time downloaded from internet.. then you put the code in machine and out comes ticket. you pay more for tickets bought at window in Spain.. which is new.. i never saw that before but now there is a service fee unless you have problems getting the ticket form the machine.. then customer service is great.

Toledo has more inside places to see.. Segovia is all about the aqueduct and amazing castle and roast suckling pig. In Toledo I would suggest trying venison in cream sauce at some places.

tickets to Toledo are about 10-15E each way. Might be a discount for RT or senior ( if you buy the senior 6E card) Advantage to senior tickets,.. they can be changed with no penalty and are still a bit discounted, but many times you get better fares without the card but more

If you go to Toledo, La Abadía is great for the venison tapa and other tasty bits.. Then across the street a 16th century mansion i love also has a great restaurant upstairs ( maybe for lunch) and nice café bar downstairs.. Casa de los Lopez de Toledo.



http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/eu...o/where-to-eat

DebitNM

:::insert shaking ahead icon here:::::

so many things to consider, but happy that we are fortunate enough to have these choices to make.

Thanks all.

{the pig sounds better than the venison }

Sassafrass

Add time to Madrid. Visit Toledo. Toledo Cathedral - truly astonishing in beauty and scale.

kja

Another vote for Toledo. No need for a tour unless that's your preference.

BigRuss

T O L E D O.

Toledo > Segovia and it's not close. You don't need a tour - just check out the Maribel guide on it.

Avila is cool from the outside (88 towers in the surrounding city wall), the inside is less notable.

I need mixups that add to my vacation time.

And if you're really museumish on Barcelona, check out http://articketbcn.org/en/barcelonamuseums. All the modern "art" you can stand.

Seamus

Toledo, Toledo, Toledo.
Easy to do on your own.

DebitNM

Madrid it is! A day trip to Toledo, as well. Thanks all!