3 week Spain itinerary

If you like "architecture, churches, palaces, vistas, and general ambiance", I would spend more time in Barcelona . Three nights is really 2 full days .
It is a big city with a lot to see; 4 -5 nights, considering the jet-lag and a day trip, would be my suggestion.
I don't see why you would need to spend 2 nights in Segovia. You might find 2 nights in Granada long enough.
Some people like to spend a night in Toledo, but it is easily seen in a day. Same goes for Segovia.

Since you do no like museums, I would spend less time in Madrid unless you are going to use as it as a base to see mnay the towns around it.

And as Damon noted, one of the great charms of Barcelona is its sense of style.

To me the most interesting part of Spain - architectural, as well as many other ways - is Andalusia - and I would focus on that - you need at least 10 days there - 12 would be better. Barcelona also has much that is interesting. IMHO Madrid reminds me of nothing so much as Chicago (lots of grey, bland skyscrapers from the 20's on) - but without the soul.

" Madrid reminds me of nothing so much as Chicago (lots of grey, bland skyscrapers from the 20's on) - but without the soul."

Madrid is a city with fantastic museums , beautiful parks, elegant Salamanca district , wonderful Palace and great restaurants.
The soul is in the eye of the beholder!

To me is it seems that although you have 3 weeks you are still moving around a lot. I would personally concentrate on one area say Barcelona and the surroundings or Andalusia or any area.
What sort of architecture do you like? Spain as a lot to offer on that score right from Romanesque and Moorish through baroque and onto Modern.
Do not hire a car to see the cities.

If you don't mind moving from hotel to hotel - and why wouldn't you if you want to see as much as possible - sounds like you've got it about right but i would knock a day off granada; two nights is enough. buy your alhambra ticket in advance online for your full day in granada. add your extra night on to sw andalucia...maybe try to get to cadiz or jerez. both really worth seeing. think you would get more out of cadiz because it's so different from anywhere else you'll be.

If you are in Sevilla in September 2010, I would recommend you go and see a performance at the world's best and most prestigious flamenco festival (Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla) which takes place between 14th of Sept and 7th of October.

Some of the greatest flamenco artist come to New York in February, including the dancer Rocío Molina who New York Times recently presented as "one of the finest soloists in the world today" regardless of genre. To see the top artists on the current flamenco scene present their cutting edge material in Sevilla can be a very special experience.

http://www.flamenco-world.com/magazine/about/bienal2008/balance17102008.htm
http://www.worldmusicinstitute.org/flamenco/

As others have mentioned, if you aren't particularly interested in museums, you could probably cut one day from Madrid, especially if you have part of a day there at the end of your journey. You might enjoy adding that day on to either Barcelona or Seville.

"Madrid reminds me of nothing so much as Chicago (lots of grey, bland skyscrapers from the 20's on) - but without the soul." Madrid did not remind me of Chicago at all. I enjoyed Madrid and found parts of it quite elegant. And IMO, Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. To each his/her own!

Thanks to all.

Looks like I will add a day to Barcelona, a day for Jerez or Cadiz, and another for Seville. I'll cut Granada to 2 nights and eliminate Salamanca. I thought I would also go straight through to Toledo from Seville and perhaps to Segovia from Toledo if I can figure out how to get from Atocha to the other Madrid station.

So:

Barcelona--4 nights, mid-day air to Granada for 2 nights, and then 4 nights exploring Ronda, Grazalema, Cadiz (or Jerez), and Arcos. From Arcos to Seville for 4 nights, Toledo--1 night, Segovia for a night, and wrap it up with 3 nights in Madrid. I would still include side/day trips to Montserrat, Cordoba, El Escorial.

Sound like a plan?

Would also invite suggestions as to car rental pick-up and drop-off locations in Granada and Seville to avoid as much in city traffic as possible.

raider, im glad you added another day in barcelona. but why another day in seville? i think 2-3 nights there is enough. there is not much nightlife there. except for flamenco, but i dont think you really want to do that more than once... If you have an extra day, check out Malaga.... or add another day in Barcelona! barcelona is my favorite city in spain, can you tell??

Definitely sounds like a plan. Regarding architecture, churches, palaces, general ambiance and varied nightlife (for example "la marcha" in the Alameda de Hércules and Arenal areas or the Triana district on the other side of the river), Sevilla is as good as it gets.

This site also gives you an idea of one of the absolutely best tapas scenes in Spain:
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/

SUMMAGOLD, you may be right...and I may change later; but right now I'm thinking that I may need a battery re-charge at that point in the trip, and Seville sounds great. With maybe an afternoon arrival and a side to Cordoba, just thought 4 nights would work for us.

Your itinerary is great. You're not missing anything. I could spend six months in Seville. Make sure you do a daytrip to Cordoba from there to see the mezquita. Drop off and pick up cars at the train stations in Granada and Seville. Don't even try to drive around those cities (Barcelona and Madrid too). Finally someone is taking their time to enjoy this great country right! After that you can plan your next trip on the North coast from Santiago to San Sebastian.

Thanks Egbert. Yep, Cordoba is definitely on the agenda.

A temptation for your next trip. Tapas bars in San Sebastian…
http://mutantia.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/tapas-en-san-sebastian.jpg
http://image24.webshots.com/24/3/53/65/83235365crKdbx_fs.jpg
http://www.blogseitb.us/basquecountrylive/files/2009/09/sdc12364.jpg

If you are flying into Granada (from Barcelona), why wouldn't you just get your car at the Granada airport?? In Seville, the train station is a good place to pick one up.

Otherwise, your new itinerary looks great (including a full 4 nights in Seville - Summagold is way off base on that point - Seville has tons of nightlife and enough to see for a week or more).

Raider I like you plan very much.
Actually the first was ok too but the final sounds better since it includes Cadiz (which I have yet to see).

I assure you it will not feel like too much time in one place especialy with those day trips.

Do make note of Kimhe's comments re the bienal for flamenco.

Madrid is, IMO, much more than "lots of grey, bland skycrapers".

The City Hall
http://www.spainiac.com/photos/mm/madrid/correos1-big-03.jpg

Plaza Mayor
http://vincentvanderveken.com/wp-content/photos/madrid2/16-plaza-mayor.JPG

Gran Via
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Gran_V%C3%ADa_(Madrid)_25.jpg

El Retiro Park
http://4u.esmadrid.com/index.php/mod.imagenes/mem.popup/id.2762

Paseo de Recoletos
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Paseo_de_Recoletos_(Madrid)_02.jpg

Plaza de Oriente
http://212.170.236.112/ANavegar9/2008an37_9/wp-content/blogs.dir/80/files//2008/03/felipeiv.jpg

Plaza de Santa Ana
http://linoleo.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/img_0231.jpg

Plaza de Chueca
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/5737658.jpg

Puerta Cerrada
http://vincentvanderveken.com/wp-content/photos/madrid5/la-latina.JPG

Calle Preciados
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Preciados_Madrid_-_exile_on_consuming_street.jpg

Atocha Rail Station
http://lh3.ggpht.com/alcubo/R_I4zjs-1II/AAAAAAAACRU/9b5-6MDARiE/DSC_2032.jpg

Museo del Prado
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Sala_de_Tiziano_en_el_Museo_del_Prado.jpg

Multi-ethnic Lavapiés
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3502/4021343383_2d0f654116_b.jpg

El Rastro, flea market on Sunday morning.
http://viajesytazas.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/img_0198.jpg

Museo del Jamón (The Ham Museum)
http://vincentvanderveken.com/wp-content/photos/madrid3/museodeljamon.JPG

The new sky-line: 4 Torres Business Area
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/14783048.jpg