quiltingmamma

I recently posted on whether to drop Barcelona or Madrid to reduce to an 18 day itinerary from 23-24. I am considering the following which is 19 days in country. I would depart Canada the afternoon prior on an overnight flight to Madrid (anticipating some sort of sleep on a dreamliner), transferring to Granada on same ticket.
arrive Granada mid afternoon (consider jetlag, Alhambra night tickets, 1/2 or full day Alhambra, royal chapel, cathedral, alcaiceria, new mosque, staying in the Albayzin)
granada
granada
granada
granada
train to Cordoba mid day or earlier
cordoba (there are ruins outside the city I am interested in)
earling morning train Cordoba to seville
seville
seville, Donana NP day trip
seville
seville to toledo ~5pm arrive 8:30pm
toledo
toledo, early train to Madrid
madrid
madrid
madrid to barcelona AVE train arrive 10am
barcelona
barcelona
depart Barcelona 7am for OTT
Thanks

Pegontheroad

Have you left time for the fabulous Mesquita. It's an awesome mosque with a Christian cathedral right on the middle of it.

I think I would cut a day from Granada and add it to Cordoba.

You could also stroll through residential areas to peek at the flower-filled patios.

You seem to travel the same way I like to do. One country, no hurry.

Mimar

I have to agree; drop either Madrid or Barcelona. Especially given your slow style of travel. Personally I prefer Barcelona; I like the more modern stuff. And Barcelona, partly because it's on the coast, feels open and airy and youthful.

quiltingmamma

Pegontheroad, the Madinat Al-Zahara from Cordoba is only about a 3 hour round trip tour, so that leaves the rest of that day as well as the balance of the day I arrive.I could actually, just park my bag at the train station day 1 and head off to Al-Zahara leaving me the entire next day for Cordoba itself.
For these shorter stops, the strategy is a simple hotel either near the train station or in the centre of 'it all' hoping to entice me out in the evening. Being an early riser, I think I can take advantage of arriving in the next town by 10am. Spanish social culture of being night owls is going to be a challenge. I have little energy for being out in the dark. Not a fear factor, just lack of incentive particularly as a solo traveller.
Mimar - I am still torn

kja

From what you said on your other thread about your preferred pace of travel, this trip sounds very rushed to me (with the exception of Granada, for which I think you could probably cut a day, even planning for jet lag). Given your interest in art, I would think you would want time to see the fine arts museums in Sevilla, Cordoba, and Toledo -- and I'm not sure you are giving yourself sufficient time to include those museums, in addition to the other highlights of those cities. And two or three days in Madrid is very little to see its magnificent collections. Given your interest in Moorish architecture, I would think you would want more time than you are giving Sevilla and Cordoba. If you want to see the art and architecture of Barcelona, 2 days will not be sufficient IMO – you would need more like 5 days to do that.

Too, I wonder if you have taken into account that that many things in Spain are closed on Monday, and often for all or part of Sundays, too; and many things in Spain will also be closed daily for a very long mid-day break.

Good luck!

or2nh4me2

I agree with others. I would not make big plans for your first night in Granada. I would just wander around and get the lay of the land. Granada is laid back and pretty easy to see in a few days (even if you do day and night trips to Alhambra). Based on your itinerary I would subtract one day and add it to Seville. Historic Córdoba is charming, compact, and can be seen in 1-2 days. Make sure to take your time at the beautiful Mezquita~you will be delighted. If you do decide to lose Barcelona or Madrid I would add more time to whichever city you keep, as well as Seville. That being said, it depends on what time of year you plan to travel. Southern Spain is hot hot hot in the summer. Good luck and enjoy!

quiltingmamma

Ah, time of year - late October, early November.
I appreciate I have to look at Mondays, perhaps I haven't considered Sunday impact, however.
I also know that Madrid and Barcelona on this itinerary would be a 'by the clock' few days. Prado, Reina Sofia & Thyssen-B for Madrid, Sagrada, Catalan Art Museum and Modernista for Barcelona....recognizing much will be missed.
Thanks. Certainly many valid points to consider....and yes, Barcelona could be added to France. Loire Valley, Provence and the Camargue is 'on the list'.

quiltingmamma

Oops, I see my last sentence should have been on the answer to another thread...but is still a valid point.

Bedar

If you went to Salamanca, you could see storks and their giant nests atop buildings in addition to all the fabulous architecture.

kja

There are giant stork nests atop the buildings of Avila, too.

kimhe

Strongly suggest you add more time to Córdoba, much more to the city and surroundings than the Medinat Al-Zahra and the Mezquita.

Outside the Mezquita area, Córdoba is much less touristy than Granada and Sevilla, and you can easily get a very pleasant and laid-back Andalucian feel for life here. I think there are perhaps no better place in Andalucía to reflect upon what this very special and almost mythical region is and how it developed.

Few other cities in Europe beats the history of Córdoba, from Roman Corduba to the capital of Muslim al-Andalus after 766 AD, and then through Christian times after the 1236 reconquista capture and eventual steep decline. Córdoba was the most advanced city in Europe during caliphate times about 1000AD, some 500 000 inhabitants, and a great cultural, intellectual, political and economic centre with 300 public baths and the greatest library in the world. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/cordoba

I have visited Córdoba in relation to magnificent theater performances, ended up in never to forget flamenco nights, had some of the best no fuss meals ever and met brilliant people. Perhaps the best description would be to say that Córdoba - outside the absolute most beaten track - is a place where Andalucía just tend to happen.

See this video, and you're probably sold;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk&t=469s

quiltingmamma

I am actually on vacation in Texas so haven't checked replies lately. Kimhe, you do know what videos to offer to entice It is always a challenge to balance budget, time, energy between numerous interesting cities. I think I have pretty much removed Barcelona from this current trip. I also removed even more days to come back into budget I can live with, but I am feeling a little pressed on days. So looking to gain a few more days and still keep within a budget.....that might provide another day in Cordoba.I am also purposely putting it before Seville to avoid any comparisons. Once back home I'll be revisiting days and budget. Thanks.

kimhe

And Sevilla and Córdoba are very different cities, and especially the Roman part of much smaller Córdoba gives the city a very special taint. The Plaza de las Tendillas, Roman temple and Plaza de la Corredera area is wonderful:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/c.../484234/360732
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_...f_C%C3%B3rdoba

In the warmer months, families and friends stay out in the outdoor terraces on Plaza de las Tendillas long into the small hours. http://english.turismodecordoba.org/...las-tendillas2

mariamtnezrdg

Hello! What day do you come to Spain? I would recommend visiting more places in Granada. "El campo del príncipe" y el "paseo del salón" are two options that you can not refuse. If you do not have accommodation these apartments are 100% recommended and are excellently located
Https://www.facebook.com/Stayclassycathedral. If you have time you could visit sierra nevada or go down one day to the beach and as for gastronomy my favorite restaurants are: Los Manueles, El mentidero, Tarabela ...