Can't squeeze it all in - Andalucia

Old May 11th, 2017, 04:15 PM
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Can't squeeze it all in - Andalucia

My husband and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary next year and I had hoped to visit Andalucia next March as an early gift. Our kids will be on spring break and we will be able to farm them out to family members, leaving the two of us to go together, but I feel that it may be too rushed. We would leave the 9th or 10th and return the 17th or 18th. Although we live in Arizona, we'd either fly out from New York ( we can get to NY with miles and the airfares are much lower). or L.A. The kids would need to be dropped in LA, but they are old enough to make that short flight by themselves if necessary. If we use either of those points as a jumping off place, it basically steals a day from both ends because we wouldn't book the international flights on the same day as the domestic flights. We have traveled this way several times in the past.

The problem comes in when trying to have enough time to visit Sevilla, Córdoba, and Granada. Flights to Madrid or Malaga are reasonable, but then I feel like we'd always be on a train trying to get from point A to point B and not really being anywhere. I'm not sure we can realistically see the Alhambra, the Mezquita and Sevilla and get back to Madrid or Malaga in what amounts to six days. I think I really need to drop a city or maybe even choose a different destination, one that we'd be in the entire time.
Thoughts?
Suggestions?
Mental health hotline?
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Old May 11th, 2017, 04:22 PM
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If you click on my user name, you will see my trip report for pretty much the same trip you want to do. We did Sevilla, Cordoba. Rhonda, Granada. Had a great time. I live in Utah, so same time difference as you between home and Spain.
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Old May 11th, 2017, 04:30 PM
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We did Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Ronda in 6 days (2 nights Sevilla, 2 nights Ronda, 2 nights Granada, day in Cordoba, then back to Madrid where we spent another week). We saw the Alcazar, Alhambra and Meszquita and still had plenty of down time. But we had just spent several weeks in the Czech republic and Croatia, so had no jet lag issues.

In your case, you could head straight to Sevilla after landing in Madrid and do 3 nights Sevilla, rent car drive to Granada, spend 2 nights, then drive to Cordoba and spend the day before taking the train back to Madrid, where you could spend one night.
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Old May 11th, 2017, 04:32 PM
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Here's my trip report. Scroll down to get to the Andalucia part.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...uca-madrid.cfm
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Old May 11th, 2017, 04:41 PM
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You could logistically visit all three over six days, but you really have to decide if that's the trip you want. If it's not, cut it down to two of the three. if you want romance, I would pick Sevilla and Cordoba. Granada is the hardest of the three to get to/from. Remember that less can be more, especially in places that value a slower pace.

We spent 13 nights in March in Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Madrid. I liked each in their own way. But for the logistics of getting to Granada, which ones to pick would be a coin toss for me. Not to complicate things, but the place I keep thinking of the most is Madrid; I liked it far more than I expected. Maybe it was the spring weather, but everyone seemed so festive. Perhaps consider a stay in Madrid with some day trips (or a couple of nights in Toledo) and leave Andalucia for another, longer visit when you have more time.

Don't make the decision in a vacuum. Read guide books to see what really interests you. Check out the food scene if that interests you (I liked the food in Granada the least by the way).
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Old May 11th, 2017, 07:01 PM
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Oh my goodness. What outstanding trip reports. Just when I thought I had my mind made up on Granada and Sevilla only, I read crosscheck's account of Córdoba and back to square one.

I have read many guide books and had my heart set on all 3. Looks like I need to do some soul-searching or resign myself to being on the move quite a bit.
We had planned on using trains, but it sounds like renting a car is the recommended mode of transport between Granada and Sevilla or Córdoba.

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate the feedback.
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Old May 11th, 2017, 07:52 PM
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<Mental health hotline?>

I feel your pain, Cjar. One compromise would be to stop in Cordoba just to see the Mesquita - it's really not too far from Granada. You just need to get into the the mindset that the journey will actually be fun and relaxing by train and car. And a long siesta every day will help with jet lag.

Here's another great trip report by progol to check out, although she stayed for 3-4 days in each location:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-madrid.cfm
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Old May 12th, 2017, 03:45 AM
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Have you looked to see whether your international flight partners with Iberia? I am flying to Granada from Canada - no it is not direct, but it is just a 3 hour layover from my arrival in Madrid - all one ticket. Gets me into Granada without the hassle of getting to the train station and in less time. Also is less that the train to Granada and the flight to Barcelona I would have had to organize.
Flying into Granada and out of Madrid would be tidy, in my mind.
I wouldn't rent a car when there is such good bus and train options - particularly when parking or driving in Granada is such a PITA, I hear. Yes, the white villages would be pretty, but with that short of time, and thinking you would already be rushed, why add more? Tempting, I know, but is that really what you want to do?
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Old May 12th, 2017, 04:38 AM
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I don't now that it's worth renting a car either. The bus between Cordoba and Granada is cheap and convenient. I would assume the bus connection between Seville and Granada is equally convenient. By the time you factor in picking a car up, gassing it back up and dropping it off, I just don't know that it's really that much of a time saver.
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Old May 12th, 2017, 08:18 AM
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Whenever someone uses the word 'squeeze', I know they are on the wrong track.

Some people may be content with a 'whistle stop' trip that covers ground rather than actually spending time IN places. But from what you write, you specifically do NOT want to do that. So any advice about 'yes you can' based on what other people were happy to do, is simply about what THEY were happy to do, not an attempt to answer based on what YOU want to do.

That something is feasible does not mean it is desirable. I would not attempt to cover 3 places in 6 days. That to me is a total waste of time. The ratio of time lost to moving around vs. time spent IN places seeing and doing things is just too high to make sense to me.

I tend to never spend less than 3 full days at a minimum in a place. That means spending 4 nights in that place in order to get 3 full days. What does that do to your 6 days?

I would go with your own suggestion that you should decide on ONE place for this trip and save the rest for another time. No matter how much someone wants to squeeze a quart into a pint pot, it won't fit.
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Old May 13th, 2017, 03:44 AM
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I suggest you base yourself in genuine and 3000 year old Málaga city by the Med, Andalucía's "city of culture with its so-called 'mile of art' being compared to Madrid, and its dynamism and fine dining to Barcelona".
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

The newly reopened Gran Hotel Miramar from 1926, right on the Málagueta beach, is now perhaps the finest hotel in all of Spain. 25 % opening discount if ordered now: http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.com/en/

Málaga city has got the best both traditional and cutting edge food scene. Excellent food in all of Andalucía, but to me, Málaga now stands out: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/tapas.htm
MHere are the nine Málaga city restaurants in the Guía Repsol, the Spanish equvivalent to the Michelin guide: https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/la-gui...locality=|7367

And the Atarazanas market, right in the heart of the city, is my favourite food market in all of Spain: https://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/...ry-perception/

Málaga is 50 mins from Córdoba with the high speed AVE train, 90 mins from Granada with bus, and 1h 55 mins from Sevilla with train. Málaga is the major airport city in the South of Spain.
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Old May 13th, 2017, 06:14 AM
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I often have thinking time on my bus commute home and had a similar thought to Kim's of finding one city and use it as a hub. Malaga works for a number of places you were interested in, and Madrid offers another group of towns you can access in an hour or so.
Of course, you still need to arrive at the trains for security check then find your way to the new town from the station. You don't, however, need to contend with luggage and hotel check in/check outs.
I think Madrid would offer a lot on its own for those six days, and staying put means when jet lag strikes, you aren't enroute somewhere requiring keen reflexes or logical thought (or maybe that is just my experience
From Madrid would by Toledo for the Moorish and Judaic influence similar to Andalucia. Also el Escorial if one is into fortresses. Segovia for its Roman acqueduct and fabulous roast suckling pig or lamb. Day drive can take you tilting at windmills in la Mancha and into nature for a break from history and culture.
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Old May 13th, 2017, 08:35 AM
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BOOKMARKING
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Old May 13th, 2017, 10:17 AM
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We spent 6 nights in Madrid a few years ago and loved it. We did a day trip to Segovia and my husband had the fabulous suckling pig and I had the equally fabulous suckling lamb. I really enjoyed Madrid.

On our next trip (coming up in September), we have 15 days. We're flying direct into Lisbon for 4 nights, then flying to Malaga. We've got a night there, then we're going to Granada for 3 nights, then Sevilla for 7 nights. From Sevilla, I am planning to do a couple of days trips - probably Cordoba and maybe Cadiz. It sounds like there is a lot to see and do in and around Sevilla. Then it's a flight back to Lisbon, where we'll fly back to Toronto.
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Old May 13th, 2017, 04:56 PM
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Yes, you CAN do it ! Follow Crosscheck's advice (2nd post down), and you'll be fine. Of course, one should spend more time in these cities, but the time you have is what you only have, so DO IT !!
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Old May 14th, 2017, 01:10 AM
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And regarding the possibility of making Málaga city your home base, it would normally be warmer than inland Andalucía and Madrid in March. You have some 35 musuems, four-five of them absolute world class, and right in the heart of town you also have the Roman theater just below the Moorish Alcazaba (a couple of hundred years older than Alhambra), the huge 16th century cathedral, Picasso's birth-house etc. http://gestor.malagaturismo.com/en/t...tro-romano/413

A fine video intro to Málaga, "Spain's best kept Secret": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

And remember, both the Mezquita in wonderful Córdoba and Alhambra in Granada are easily done as day-trips from Málaga (50 and 90 mins away respectively).
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Old May 15th, 2017, 08:28 AM
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More fabulous food for thought. I am salivating at the thought of all of that delicious food and my curiosity has grown tenfold about these cities.

Quiltingmamma- yes, we were looking forward to the moorish influence which was why we began looking at Andalucia as opposed to Barcelona or another city in another country.

My husband has wanted to visit Spain for the last couple of years and we have ended up seeing other places, France, England, Ireland, and I have always been fascinated and enamored of moorish architecture. I also have a craving for an open air market filled with bright colors, intoxicating smells and interesting people. Which city would most fulfill that piece of the wishlist?

I think we'll have to choose 2 of the 3 and maybe take a day trip to the other. If you had to choose ,would it be Sevilla and Granada or Sevilla and Córdoba? It sounds like the daytrip from Granada to Córdoba is easiest.

Kim he- How does the Alcazaba compare to the Alhambra? It sounds like you have been to both.

Thanks again for any additional words of wisdom. I really count on the vast experience of other fodorites and have gotten outstanding tips and advice in the past.
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Old May 15th, 2017, 08:47 AM
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Have you definitively decided how many nights you have to work with (your original question was iffy on that)? But to answer your second question, I think it matters.

For daytrip purposes, Cordoba makes an easy day trip from Sevilla, not from Granada. I, personally, don't think it's the ideal way to visit Cordoba (I spent two nights there), but plenty here will tell you that a day trip is sufficient. It really depends on what you want to see there. We enjoyed our nights in Cordoba and had one of our favorite dinners of our trip there.

But I don't really see how doing a daytrip to Cordoba addresses your concern of spending too much of a short trip in transit from one place to another, especially since Cordoba is more or less between Sevilla and Granada. While not overnighting there saves you a hotel change, it won't save you transit time. If you really are intent on going to all three places, then stay the night (or two) in Cordoba and then move onto Sevilla (by high speed train) or Granada (by bus or train).
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Old May 17th, 2017, 07:35 AM
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Perhaps I'm biased, because I've never been to Cordoba, but I'd kick that one off your list. Granada is a really neat city.

Also, the Spaniards I knew in Malaga area didn't really recommend Cordoba -- I suppose that says something.


Is it an option to have your relatives come to your house to watch the kids? That would give you an extra day.
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Old May 17th, 2017, 08:35 AM
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Roadrunnerrita, I am visiting Granada for a few days this fall. Besides the glorious Alhambra, what else did you do there on your visit? Thanks in advance!
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