Hello to all,
My wife and I are planning to spend 12 nights in Spain from 28-5 until 9-6. The first 3 nights will be in Barcelona and the last 2 in Madrid. I am just not going to use my Barcelona to Madrid portion of the ticket and train it to Madrid for 2 nights. This became important to us after 3-11. being New Yorkers in love with Madrid, we couldn't pass up visiting it now. My question to all is what to do with the remaining time. My options are renting a car and doing Costa Brava,going south to Valencia, visiting wine country or going to Mallorca. Is Sitges worth a trip? Lleida? Tarragona? Welcome any other suggestions too

Hola BBeddie,

Gosh! Sounds like you're in for a really good time in Spain. I do think The Golden Coast is worth a visit. Castelldefels and Sitges are the two beaches closest to Barcelona. I found Sitges exquisitely charming, but I probably wouldnt want to spend more than two days there. The Museu Cau Ferrat in Sitges has a fine collection of modernista objects and might be worth a visit. Tarragona is rich in Roman art and archaeology. It has a 12th-century Catedral , Roman remains which are located on the City's outskirts. One of Tarragona's most spectacular sights is the Passeig Arqueologic, a walk through the city's ancient walls, also has massive boulders set in place in the 3rd century BC. The ruins of the Amfiteatre, built near the beach is well worth a look at. If I remember, the Amfiteatre also has church ruins on the site and is well preserved.

Mallorca, the largest island, has dramatic coastlines. The most impressive way is to arrive on Mallorca by boat either from Barcelona or Valencia to Palma, Mallorca. Palma's Gothic Catedral is a must to see. The sky is turquoise, the sea is blue and the mountains are emerald.... I think a visit is a must!

Happy travels.....