2 weeks in Andalusia and Barcelona!

Old Jan 13th, 2014, 12:15 PM
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2 weeks in Andalusia and Barcelona!

After weeks of deliberation and tons of stress, I have FINALLY booked our trip to Spain!

What had originally started out as a 'long' weekend to Granada....is now a full two-week trip. I am super excited and am so looking forward to surprising my DH (this is my birthday gift to him).

The tentative itinerary looks like this:

Sun 3/23 - Depart Philadelphia (flight is confirmed)
Mon 3/24 - Arrive in Madrid, train to Cordoba (overnight in Cordoba)
Tue 3/25 - Cordoba (overnight in Cordoba)
Wed 3/26 - train to Seville
Thu 3/27 - Seville
Fri 3/28 - Seville
Sat 3/29- Seville
Sun 3/30 - morning bus to Ronda, overnight in Ronda
Mon 3/31 - train to Granada
Tue 4/1 - Granada
Wed 4/2 - Granada
Thu 4/3 - morning flight to Barcelona
Fri - 4/4 - Barcelona
Sat 4/5 - Barcelona
Sun 4/6 - morning flight to Philadelphia (flight is confirmed)

Does this itinerary make the most of our time in each location? Should we cut/add a location to the list? Is this list too ambitious?

I haven't booked any interim transportation (train, bus, etc.) nor any hotels so I can easily change the route I've outlined so far...suggestions on how to make the most of this trip is welcome...advice on hotels too.....budget on hotels is going to be about $100 - $150/night.

After so many weeks of thinking about this and gaining such invaluable information from so many people on this awesome site....today I booked the flights and our trip is now a REALITY!

I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you!
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 01:58 PM
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Does this itinerary make the most of our time in each location? Should we cut/add a location to the list? Is this list too ambitious?

Seriously doubt you need three nights in Granada. For my money, you don't need two if you take an early evening flight to Barcelona and can visit Alhambra the day you arrive in Granada.
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 06:01 PM
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Looks good to me!
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 06:20 PM
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Good luck with the train from Ronda to Granada. There are only thee trains on the 31st, departing Algeciras, traveling to Granada, with a brief stop in Ronda (1 minute). The late morning train takes nearly 3-1/2 hours. You're better off going by bus, taxi or private transfer.
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 06:33 PM
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I would cut a day or two somewhere to spend more time in Barcelona.( Ronda? Granada?)
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 07:00 PM
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I think your itinerary looks perfect. In terms of number of days in Granada, we love the city and ended up extending our stay there by a few nights. You may even want to consider visiting the Alhambra twice -- once during the day when you have a good amount of time to explore and one very late in the day, which will allow you to wander through the palaces with very few people around. It's such a different experience and gives you an opportunity to enjoy the true peacefulness of the palace design.
Have a great trip!
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Old Jan 14th, 2014, 03:27 AM
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I haven't researched methods of transportation from Seville to Ronda and then from Ronda to Granada -- will look further into options, and if the train schedule doesn't work, a bus will do just as well, I think.

Taking a late evening flight from Granada to Barcelona makes a lot of sense -- will research that as well. Granada was the reason for making this trip to Spain so I don't want to curtail our time there as it is my DH's wish to go there more so than the other locations. Seville, Cordoba, Ronda and Barcelona are bonuses!

I might consider cutting Ronda entirely from the itinerary if the transportation to and from there appears inconvenient.

Hotels?

I've looked at trip advisor, hotels.com, booking.com, Rick Steves, and Fodors for recommendations -- but a personal recommendation from everyone here is worth more to me.

Thank you for your continued advice!
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Old Jan 14th, 2014, 07:52 AM
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<budget on hotels is going to be about $100 - $150/night>

About the budget I usually go with in Spain. Can recommend these great value places in excellent and central locations in Córdoba, Sevilla and Barcelona:

Córdoba Centro. Two hundred meters north of the Mezquita and just off the heart of the city Plaza de la Tendillas: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cordoba-centro.html

Vime Corregidor in Sevilla. Just north of the centre and just off the lively and local feel Alameda de Hercules area. Ten-fifteen minutes walking to the major sights in the Santa Cruz district. Some of the best tapas bars and restaurants in town almost on your doorstep (La Azotea, Eslava, Az-Zait, Dos de Mayo, Al Aljibe etc etc.): http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/vime-corregidor.html

500 meters from the oldest existing tapas bar/restaurant in Spain, El Rinconcillo from 1670. A must for the atmosphere and fine food also. The Sevilla speciality Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spinach with chickpeas) is excellent here:
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/
Three minutes walking from the best every night flamenco venue in town. In intimiate Case de La Memória only top of the shelf artists perform. Pastora Galván was voted best female flamenco dancer 2010 by Spanish critics, and she has danced here almost once a week the past years. Also look out for Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, Mercedes de Córdoba, La Choni, all are soloists in the greatest theaters and on the most important festivals. Changing artists every night. No food, no drinks, just flamenco. http://www.casadelamemoria.es/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

Banys Orientals in Barcelona. http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/en/
In the old and vibrant El Born district:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/en/born
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Old Jan 14th, 2014, 11:55 AM
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Thank you so much for this information -- much appreciated!
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Old Jan 15th, 2014, 03:12 AM
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I'm thinking of splurging on the Hospes Palacio del Bailio in Cordoba the first 2 nights of our trip.

Has anyone every stayed here?

For Seville, I was thinking of renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel -- any suggestions?
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 03:06 AM
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I am completely overwhelmed trying to decide on accommodations! Any suggestions for Seville, Cordoba and Granada?

My budget does not exceed USD 200/night. Originally was not more than $150, but have found that price point to be very restrictive.

Thank you in advance for your help as I lose my mind trying to figure this out!
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 03:13 AM
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I think I am going to cut Ronda out of the itinerary in order to add an extra day to Barcelona.

I'd rather take a bus/train directly from Seville to Granada and not have to deal with a one night stay in Ronda, which typically winds up being a day of checking in and out of the hotel.

If we decide to visit Ronda we can always book a day trip from either Seville or Granada. I know many of you are rolling your eyes at this decision, but Barcelona certainly merits the extra day.
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 08:49 AM
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Hospes Palacio del Bailio gets raving reviews and is in the best location, in the local feel "Roman Córdoba" but just some 300 meters north of the Mezquita: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/palacio-del-bailio.html

Fine site for apartments in central Sevilla. http://www.sevilla5.com/apartments/seville.html
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 09:01 AM
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I might splurge on the Hospes Palacio del Bailio, but also had NH Amistad quote me great rates. Can't decide between the two -- do you know anything about the NH Amistad? Just wondering.

Will take a look at the apartment website -- thank you for sharing it!
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 09:22 AM
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NH Amistad seems to be excellent as well, but I would prefer living in "Roman Córdoba" a little north of the immediate and more touristy Mezquita area. But this would be great as well, no doubt about it: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nhamistadcordoba.html
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 11:24 AM
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I'm still waiting to hear back from Hospes Palacio del Bailio on pricing, the property looks outstanding -- and I might still go for it, but it all depends on how much Barcelona, Granada and Seville will cost for lodging.

Sigh....it's all very stressful!

Many thanks to you and to all the contributors here!
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 11:32 AM
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Kimhe -- have you stayed in any of the Seville apartments re: the link you posted?
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Old Jan 18th, 2014, 01:19 AM
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No, not stayed in any apartments in Sevilla. I would prefer the Arenal, San Lorenzo/Santa Catalina areas. Supercentral but more local atmosphere than the beautiful but quite touristy Santa Cruz district.

I use to stay close to the excellent Fine Arts museum. Take a look at the Casa Museo apartments, some 6 apartments on the nice plaza in front of the museum: http://www.sevilla5.com/apartments/seville.html

You could also save much money if you stay in great value Hostal Rodri in Granada. 40-50€ for a double. Basic hotel standard (private bathroom, heating, air-condition, TV, 24h desk etc) and raving reviews: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-rodri.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Andalucia.html
http://www.hostalrodri.com/?lang=en
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Old Jan 18th, 2014, 08:57 AM
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Hostal Rodri is fully booked for the dates we will be in Granada...SIGH.

Thanks again kimhe for your assistance.
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Old Feb 17th, 2014, 08:10 AM
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My DH's surprise birthday party (yesterday) went without a hitch. He was surprised to say the least.

Best news is that he didn't flinch at two weeks in Spain -- LOL

I have already booked the first two nights of our trip in Cordoba at the Hospes Palacio del Bailio. This was my splurge hotel -- it looks beautiful and I got a great price using a free night I earned on hotels.com.

I've purchased the Fodors Spain 2014 and Rick Steves Barcelona and Southern Spain guides. I've spent the past 6 hours pouring over the guides and doing online look ups for lodging/pricing in Seville, Granada and Barcelona.....and my head is spinning.

Most of Rick Steves' recommendations are out of my price range and those that are in my price range are unavailable.

My DH looked at the Southern Spain guide and would like to spend day in Ronda. I can't disagree -- it is beautiful AND it's his birthday gift, so to Ronda we will stop!

So now I need help in fine tuning the itinerary.

2 nights in Cordoba are set in stone as the hotel is reserved and confirmed.

How should I best spend the remaining days? Granada is an important stop on our journey so I don't want to cut that short.

3 days in Barcelona is probably required.

So that leaves Seville -- originally 4 days, should I cut that by one day and spend one night in Ronda? Or, just spend a day in Ronda and take a train late afternoon/early evening to Granada?

I haven't booked transportation yet between locations (train, plane, bus) so I can switch the itinerary around from my original plan as long as my final destination is Barcelona (our flight home).

Once I've finalized the itinerary I really do need to get going with hotel accommodations too.....sigh!!

Thank you all so much for your assistance thus far....and greatly appreciate any additional recommendations as I finalize the details for our Spain adventure.

Many thanks

Judy
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