Fall Break

Madrid
--"noisy, vibrant, chaotic--a city of great wealth and grueling poverty, with both a booming economy and high unemployment" ~AAA Europe Travel Book
--English/Spanish dictionary because English is not widely spoken :0
--Day Trips: Toledo, Cordoba (AVE bullet train)

Barcelona:
--capital of Catalonia
--one of Mediteranneans's most vibrant cities
--excellent public transportation
--people are helpful and polite
--English is not widely spoken. All signs in Catalan and Spanish.
TO STAY: Sea Pont Hostel (not private, 19euros), Centric Point (not private, 17euros)

Nice:
--take a bus or taxi to an area and then explore on foot (Old Town, Seafront) Then horse-drawn carriage or tourist train?
--There are public beaches, but the private beaches will be closed.
STAY: Villa Saint Exupery, $20/night