Costa del Sol in September
Aug 27th, 2005, 01:08 PM
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Costa del Sol in September
My wife and I are travelling (A Grand Circle Travel Extended Vacation) to the Costa del Sol, from September 7 to September 21. Our 40th wedding anniversary. Never having been to Spain before, I have some questions:
1. What is the water temperature around now (we will be in Torrmolinos)? I love the beach.
2. I have been looking at the 10- day forecast for Malaga, and it seems the nights will be fairly warm. Would we need any type of jacket or sweater?
3. There are optional tours to Granada, Morocco (overnight), Seville and Jerez (overnight), and included tours to Ronda, Malaga, and Mijas. We were planning on all except the Morocco tour. Are there any on the list that any of you Fodorites would skip?
4. We have 3 or 4 days to ourselves. I thought I could let myself be dragged along shopping during the (cooler) morning, then spend the afternoons on the beach. Does that sound like a good plan?
5. We would appreciate any other advice / suggestions for first time travellers to Spain.
1. What is the water temperature around now (we will be in Torrmolinos)? I love the beach.
2. I have been looking at the 10- day forecast for Malaga, and it seems the nights will be fairly warm. Would we need any type of jacket or sweater?
3. There are optional tours to Granada, Morocco (overnight), Seville and Jerez (overnight), and included tours to Ronda, Malaga, and Mijas. We were planning on all except the Morocco tour. Are there any on the list that any of you Fodorites would skip?
4. We have 3 or 4 days to ourselves. I thought I could let myself be dragged along shopping during the (cooler) morning, then spend the afternoons on the beach. Does that sound like a good plan?
5. We would appreciate any other advice / suggestions for first time travellers to Spain.
Aug 27th, 2005, 05:10 PM
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Hi Mike,
We have been several times in late Oct early Nov and it is not beach weather (at least not at that time, but then again I'm from Florida. You will have better weather temp wise going in Sept.)
A lot of the beach restaurants close down at the end of season. We did use jackets end of Oct especially for Granada and evenings. (drove up one morning in the fog to Granada and it was quiet cold. Of course stopping at El Torcal didn't help)
If you want to go it on your own, car rental is quite cheap in Spain. I have used CarJet several times with no problems and you can reserve on line w/ no hidden charges. You can pick up in the Malaga airport easy enough. We did this and dropped in Seville. Ronda is an is an easy drive for the day, as Granada. (start early for the Granada/Alhambra and make sure you have tickets in advance if you go it alone)
Mijas is a small quaint village but is only good for a few hours visit. It is close by.
My vote goes for Seville, Granada (mostly for the Alhambra), and Ronda in that order.
Have fun the Spainards are wonderful people. I found most extremely eager to help and friendly.
We have been several times in late Oct early Nov and it is not beach weather (at least not at that time, but then again I'm from Florida. You will have better weather temp wise going in Sept.)
A lot of the beach restaurants close down at the end of season. We did use jackets end of Oct especially for Granada and evenings. (drove up one morning in the fog to Granada and it was quiet cold. Of course stopping at El Torcal didn't help)
If you want to go it on your own, car rental is quite cheap in Spain. I have used CarJet several times with no problems and you can reserve on line w/ no hidden charges. You can pick up in the Malaga airport easy enough. We did this and dropped in Seville. Ronda is an is an easy drive for the day, as Granada. (start early for the Granada/Alhambra and make sure you have tickets in advance if you go it alone)
Mijas is a small quaint village but is only good for a few hours visit. It is close by.
My vote goes for Seville, Granada (mostly for the Alhambra), and Ronda in that order.
Have fun the Spainards are wonderful people. I found most extremely eager to help and friendly.
Aug 28th, 2005, 09:24 PM
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I think skipping Morocco is a good idea, and as far as the other choices, yes to Seville (suggest the flamenco show at Los Gallos), yes to Granada (for Alhambra--make sure you have tickets in advance), Ronda is lovely, Mijas nice, but very touristy, and if you like Picasso, don't miss the Museo Picasso in Malaga--it's one of the best Picasso museums I've been to (and I've been to them all--am a huge fan.) Also, the palace with it's great view and Alcazar in Malaga are interesting. Don't know about Jerez--haven't been there, but let us know if you go.
Aug 29th, 2005, 10:22 AM
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Thanks to both of you for your suggestions. BTW, here are some of the activities that are included as part of the tours:
Malaga -- the bullring and the Picasso Museum
Granada -- Alhambra Palace
Ronda -- just exploring the town
Seville & Jerez -- walking tour + Flamenco dinner show. Dancing Horses at the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art, tour of a winery
Mijas -- just exploring
We have decided to skip Morocco and perhaps rent a car and take a day trip to Marbella and Gibraltar.
Thanks again.
Malaga -- the bullring and the Picasso Museum
Granada -- Alhambra Palace
Ronda -- just exploring the town
Seville & Jerez -- walking tour + Flamenco dinner show. Dancing Horses at the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art, tour of a winery
Mijas -- just exploring
We have decided to skip Morocco and perhaps rent a car and take a day trip to Marbella and Gibraltar.
Thanks again.
Aug 29th, 2005, 11:33 AM
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Sounds like a good plan Mike.
If you have time check out the Arab Los Banos (I think that is the name) in Ronda. It was a nominal cost and they were really neat, great for pics.
The Horse ballet is really wonderful. It was an incredible show.
If you drive to Gibralter park on the Spain side just before the entry. If you drive through you get in quick enough but returning to the Spanish side has you held up in vehicle inspections quite a bit. I was told there is still a little irritation over the British owning Gibralter and sometimes you go thru a time consuming re-entry.
Just make sure when you park along the street (the small little town just prior is named Villa de ???)and that you go to one of the box like parking pass dispensers you see and get a parking permit (3 Euro I think)
We foolishly made the mistake of just parking and came back to a ticket on the windshield. It was quite a project driving around town trying to find out how to pay it before I left. (what a nightmare!)
Anyway have a great trip! It sounds like you have a nice trip planned.
If you have time check out the Arab Los Banos (I think that is the name) in Ronda. It was a nominal cost and they were really neat, great for pics.
The Horse ballet is really wonderful. It was an incredible show.
If you drive to Gibralter park on the Spain side just before the entry. If you drive through you get in quick enough but returning to the Spanish side has you held up in vehicle inspections quite a bit. I was told there is still a little irritation over the British owning Gibralter and sometimes you go thru a time consuming re-entry.
Just make sure when you park along the street (the small little town just prior is named Villa de ???)and that you go to one of the box like parking pass dispensers you see and get a parking permit (3 Euro I think)
We foolishly made the mistake of just parking and came back to a ticket on the windshield. It was quite a project driving around town trying to find out how to pay it before I left. (what a nightmare!)
Anyway have a great trip! It sounds like you have a nice trip planned.
