Is this Spain trip too ambitious?

[Anonymous]

Go further up the Costa Brava. Stay in Begur. Much nicer than Sitges.

[Anonymous]

Still seems like too many travel days/hotel changes. Unless you like zipping around more than experiencing the destination.

[Anonymous]

Can't you fly into Barcelona and back home from Madrid? or does work not allow that?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Madrid and Barcelona are far apart. It makes absolutely no sense to fly to Madrid then take the train to Barcelona the next day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, what about:
Thurs - Arrive to Madrid, stay in hotel there
Fri - Take train to Barcelona, stay there
Sat - Still in Barcelona
Sun - Still in Barcelona
Mon - Take train to Sitges, stay there
Tues - Still in Sitges
Wed - Still in Sitges
Thurs - Take train back to Madrid, stay there
Fri - Still in Madrid
Sat - Still in Madrid
Sun - Fly back

2 kids, well traveled, one of them a toddler.

No. Fly to Barcelona. Fly out of Madrid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Madrid and Barcelona are far apart. It makes absolutely no sense to fly to Madrid then take the train to Barcelona the next day.

They really aren't far apart. It's a 3 hour train ride. Obviously better to fly into Barcelona but if you can't then it's no big deal to take the train. If your toddler is anything like mine, the train journey will be one of the highlights of the trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Madrid and Barcelona are far apart. It makes absolutely no sense to fly to Madrid then take the train to Barcelona the next day.

They really aren't far apart. It's a 3 hour train ride. Obviously better to fly into Barcelona but if you can't then it's no big deal to take the train. If your toddler is anything like mine, the train journey will be one of the highlights of the trip.

OP here. Yes, our little one loves taking trains, so not very worried about this aspect. Work won't allow me to fly in and out of different places, so Madrid it is. My in laws want to meet in the Barcelona area, and having traveled with kids in the past and regretted not taking that first day to relax, we just thought it would be easier to stay that first night in Madrid.

I guess we were thinking it would be easier to spend time in the city of Barcelona, then have a few days to break at the beach, instead of doing a bunch of day trips with the baby. Do you think that's a bad idea?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go further up the Costa Brava. Stay in Begur. Much nicer than Sitges.

Thought about this, but it adds even more travel time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Madrid and Barcelona are far apart. It makes absolutely no sense to fly to Madrid then take the train to Barcelona the next day.

They really aren't far apart. It's a 3 hour train ride. Obviously better to fly into Barcelona but if you can't then it's no big deal to take the train. If your toddler is anything like mine, the train journey will be one of the highlights of the trip.

OP here. Yes, our little one loves taking trains, so not very worried about this aspect. Work won't allow me to fly in and out of different places, so Madrid it is. My in laws want to meet in the Barcelona area, and having traveled with kids in the past and regretted not taking that first day to relax, we just thought it would be easier to stay that first night in Madrid.

I guess we were thinking it would be easier to spend time in the city of Barcelona, then have a few days to break at the beach, instead of doing a bunch of day trips with the baby. Do you think that's a bad idea?

If you stay the whole time at the beach you can plan out your days better knowing the weather forecast. Pick your best weather days for the beach and the less stellar days for day trip back to Barcelona.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about what you'd like to do in Barcelona? I think your plan could work well if you've got a couple of days planned out specifically - museums, galleries, etc - then go and chill at the beach.

I think it would be easy to do day trips from Sitges but it does add to the faff and hassle if you have to get the train in and out. Pick a nice hotel with pool, etc and then you'll be able to have chill time in Barcelona too, because city touring with little ones can get v tiring.

[Anonymous]

Sitges is nothing to write home about. Not even the beach is that great. Barcelona is much better IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sitges is nothing to write home about. Not even the beach is that great. Barcelona is much better IMO.

Thanks for the feedback. We were told Barcelona beaches weren't great, so hoping this would be a better option. Really want to enjoy the mediterrean.