So many of you were kind enough to leave personal advice and recommendations for our upcoming trip to Spain when I requested your help in Monday’s post. There were many helpful comments and I also received several personal e-mails with many suggestions. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it! Having personal recommendations can make a huge difference in one’s travel plans. Through all of the comments and e-mails, there seemed to be a reoccurring suggestion: don’t miss Barcelona! Originally, I was thinking we would just visit Granada and Seville. Then, I thought we might throw in Madrid for good measure, but everyone says Barcelona is so much more thrilling and inspiring, and alas, I’ve already been to Madrid.
So what are we to do? Getting from Barcelona to Andalucía in Southern Spain isn’t a huge deal as there are plenty of cheap flights and trains available. My dilemma is how to space it all out over the course of seven to ten days. I am afraid we would be moving around too much, thus foregoing the whole relaxing aspect of our trip. How many days would you allot to Barcelona, Granada, and Seville? Should we forego one of the southern cities? In my excitement, I looked into incorporating Barcelona into our itinerary and fell in love with the Lázaro Rosa Violán-designed Hotel Pulitzer. Both my husband and I are suckers for well-designed boutique hotels. We subscribe to the theory that the hotel is a destination in and of itself and the Pulitzer is so enticing. It is majorly increasing Barcelona’s appeal!
The Luxe Lobby
Dining Area Adjacent to Lobby
The Pulitzer’s VISIT Restaurant
The Dining Room at VISIT
So chic!
Rooftop Terrace
The Hotel’s Bar and Lounge
The guestrooms are so sumptuous and elegant. They would make for the perfect place to begin and end one’s day in a city as exciting as Barcelona.
It’s pretty tempting, isn’t it? Stay tuned for our hotel selections in Seville and Granada, along with more of Violán’s inspiring work.
25 comments:
I would def suggest Barcelona perhaps you can do 3 nights in Barcelona, 3 nights in Granada and 3 nights in Seville, I mean the traveling (via train) between Grenada and Seville is nothing. That way you see all three but have plenty of time to get acquainted with the area and hotels? You have to fly into either Barcelona or Madrid anyway, and Barcelona is WAY more happening than Madrid. Just a thought;)
Best,
Jaime
Thank you so much, Jaime! I spent a few days in Madrid in June of '08 and while I liked it, I didn't love it. I am not dying to go back or anything, so Barcelona definitely sounds more enticing. Your plan of 3 nights per city sounds great. Do you think that would be enough time in Barcelona?
Oh have fun!! Italy is great!
Leslie
Palmoa! My name is kymberly and I have read your blog for sometime now- and I am also a Stella & Dot stylist! So when I saw you became one.... i was so excited! LOVE stella & dot! I am in South Texas-
Anyways- My husband and I stayed at Hotel Pulitzer during our honeymoon- and it was amazing!! the staff was fabulous- and the hotel was soo well designed- and we LOVED it! I highly suggest it- and the location is great! :)
Paloma, Remember when I told you I lived in Spain 5 yrs? Well I commuted between Lerida and Barcelona, that is where my grandfather lived. I went back some years ago and it is very much like I remembered with Las Ramblas full of flowers and human statues that takes you from El Cortes Ingles to Galerias Preciados, shopping route in style!! El Molino Rojo, yes, Moulin Rouge! There is also a statue of "La Violetera", in honor of Sarah Montiel, La Catedral de la Sagrada Familia, El Parque Guell by Gaudi, completely made with mosaics and the Tibidabo! I love the areas of Spain I lived in and visited, would like to take a trip to Andalucia, always wanted to therefore, I will be waiting for your trip report but the main thing is have lots of FUN! Sometimes a up and go trip can bring you the best of memories!
we had 4 nights in Barcelona and had enough time to get to almost everything on our list without feeling rushed. and then we rented a car and spent some time on the costa brava...so lovely!
Yay! Barcelona! You won't regret it.
How about 3 nights in each city?
I would definitely stay in Barcelona and Seville (I lived there for a year and absolutely LOVED it) for at least 3 nights and I think you can shorten your stay in Grananda to 1 or 2 nights b/c it is a smaller city. I am very envious!
Stephanie from Little Shop here.
Ok, you HAVE to go to Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. And Park Guell (try to go on a less busy day so you don't get bogged down in tourists). And the Casa Battlo- I did not go in and am so regretting it. I went in Casa Mila instead, and it was great...but if I had it to do over, I would have done the other. The tiles and colors- oh lord, you will have so many pics for the blog! Las Ramblas is great, but it's just a walk...shopping along the way. The Picasso museum was nice and quiet when I went, so if you have time I suggest that, too. You should be able to do that in 3 days. oh...and go down to the water, of course. Making your way to all those places, you will be able to see a lot of the city. Oh, crap, I forgot about Montjuic. If you have time to take the cable car up, you will get a great view of the city.
Since I am now just returning from a long holiday blog break, I missed the Monday post! But I must agree with the current trend of thinking - BARCELONA for sure! One of my favorite Spanish cities! I could spend the entire trip there, but it is always nice to see other great places too. Seville would be my next choice, and there is a great little beach town not far from Barcelona where we spent 3 nights - Sitges.
Having stayed at the Pulitzer last Christmas I know you will not be dissapointed. Staff are wonderful and very accommodating. If you get chance speak to the manager sg J Sanchez, lovely man. Look out for La Boceria Market whilst walking down La Rambla. Lots of stalls with exciting food, drinks, and places you can stop and eat. Brown 33 situated on Psg de Gracia has to be one of my favourite restaurants in the world. Open for lunch and dinner. Lucky you, wish I was going too!!
Oh dear - 7-10 days - not enough time to see all that Spain has to offer! I would definitely skip Madrid...while it has a lot to offer, it's just a big city...there's a lot of charm and excitment in other cities and I'd opt to go there first. My vote is for Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Too many cities for a short vacay but definitely amazing places to see! Whatever you decide - you're going to have a fab time!
I studied abroad in Barcelona, so I might be biased, but I would say spend 3-4 days there. Granada only needs about 1-2 days because it is a lot smaller, and I would allot 3 for Sevilla. I have a list of activities to do in Barcelona and restaurants if you would like me to email it to you!
If it were me, I would fly into Madrid...not necessarily to sightsee but rather to catch the train to Sevilla. Then from Sevilla to Granada to Alicante (because I lived there for 6 months and met my husband there!) and then up to Barcelona and out. I would suggest more time in Granada than Sevilla (more to see and more distance to see it all). Barcelona def needs 2-3 days to see it all. What a fun trip! My husband and I went back for our honeymoon 4 years ago and we're dying to get back soon. Can't wait to live vicariously through you :)
Shannon, thank you! I would love to see your list of recommendations!
I am in sensory overload. I love the pictures and decor.
Great Post!
Dani-Elle from
www.frivolousidlepleasures.blogspot.com
I'm so glad you are going to Barcelona! It's been my favorite city in all of Europe. . . phenomenal. Enjoy your trip.
Barcelona is my favorite city in the world. Allow at least 3 days, time to take in the sights, the sounds, the scents, don't miss the old city with the Picasso Museum, the Gaudi gardens, the Miro museums, the food market on the Ramblas and the shopping...
I would think one night in granada is fine with 2 full days. I love Sevilla, do not miss the flamenco cabaret. they have the most amazing flamenco there. I come from the Southwest of France and for at least 20 years, have spent my summers in Spain and Ibiza (spanish island).Living in the States I have sent my kids every summer in Spain. this is how much i love that country.
Have great fun and enjoy...
Paloma hola!
I was wondering, is Andalucia a must must go? If not you could also do the Costa Brava which is beautiful, and spent some relaxing time in the beach, maybe Cadaques (Dali's village, his house is there and it's amazing, and there's also his museum in Figueres)? Cadaques is really precious but there are several charming villages in all the coast. If it's a no no, then I would suggest 3-4 nights in Barcelona, 4 would be better I guess so you have enough time to enjoy all the sightseeing but also a bit of the city itself. I'm happy to recommend restaurants, shops or anything else :)
Helena
We didn't get to go to Barcelona while in Spain and so wished we could have. Everyone says it's worth the visit. I'm sure you will be inspired by so much on your trip. Can't wait to hear all about it!
Ruthie
Lufthansa is having winter escape sale now. You may want to check it out. You must travel by March 18th tho. I wasn't sure when you're going.
And yes, Barcelona is way too amazing to be missed
:-)
Those red chinese cabinets turned bar are ridiculously incredible! I can't WAIT to hear about this trip, P. Take good notes so you can pass them on to me once we move back to that side of the globe :)
How lucky! I've not even been to Spain once, and it's been way too long since I've stayed in a luxurious hotel. I don't have any advice for the trip, but best wishes for your travel!
I mentioned you in a post today. Stop by if you get a moment!
I saw your question on my blog but I figured it would be easier for you to see here. I expected Iberia to be better than American (the carrier we fly 99% of the time) b/c everyone says international carriers are better. I didn't really really feel that way with Iberia. We upgraded with miles so we sat in business class. There is a lot of space for a business class seat compared to other carriers so Iberia gets high marks there. The coach seats looked standard from what I saw. As for service or food, not impressed - but we could have just had a couple of bad flights. I can say for sure that the entertainment options were really limited compared to American and other internataionl carriers I've been on. All that said, its a perfectly fine way to go. Flying is just stressful no matter how you cut it.
You are going to have such an amazing trip! I can't wait to read all about it.
You are oging to have such a blast on this trip! I studied in Granada and it was one of the best times of my life! The sights are amazing. I also hit up Madrid and think you should definitley go to Barcelona instead. My friends studied in Cordoba and that's also an amazing town...not far from Seville. The east coast along the water is gorgeous. Valencia is another hot spot that I loved! Keep us updated, can't wait to hear more details.
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