Taking a 10 day trip to Barcelona and Paris. 5 Days in each city. First time visit to Barcelona, second to Paris (first time while not a poor college student).
I’m looking for day or overnight trip ideas from each city, wine related would be great (Reims? Beaune?).
Also looking for restaurant suggestions in each city, would like to do eat least one badass dinner in each city.
I realize this is a wide topic, but anything is appreciated.
From Paris we took day trips to Versailles and Chartres. Both are accessible by train.
We only spent a day in Barcelona so our focus was on the Gaudi architecutural sites. From Madrid we had great day trips to Toledo and Segovia, both by bus.
We loved Tapas 24 in Barcelona. Not too expensive and the quality is excellent.
From Paris, Auxerre and the Chablis area are also a very easy day trip.
A day trip from Paris to Chartres (as mentioned above) is a nice experience. Hotels in Barcelona have been mentioned here before, but to say it again, I would recommend the Hotel Majestic as it is quite central and located near many of the important Gaudi buildings. We also have stayed in a lovely small hotel in Paris (1st arr.) called the Brittanique. The only rooms worth considering are the ones facing the street with balconies. It is reasonably priced and well located but it does not have the amenities that a larger hotel chain would.
If you like Dali, a nice day trip from Barcelona is first heading up the Costa Brava to his home and museum in Portllagat (adjucent to Cadaques, a nice seaside town), then drive to the Dali Theater and Museum in Figueres for the afternoon. Also, the Penedes in about an hour south of Barcelona, and many of the Cava houses offer tours and tastings, and still red and whites are made there as well.
In addition to the trips mentioned above from Paris, as you noted, Reims is a quick train ride
I did a similar trip in the summer of 09. Try Cinc Sentits in Barcelona. Really terrific restaurant.
From Barcelona, I would absolutely take a day trip to Montserrat. It is quite a sight. It is a full day. Train leaves from downtown and goes to Montserrat. From there you take a cable car to top of mountain. Amazing views, interesting sights, etc.
This is all awesome, thanks everyone.