sandyb42

Message: Traveling to Spain May of 2005. This is our tentative itinerary:

Madrid, 5 nights/4+ days; train to Toledo, 3 nights/2+ days; return to Madrid via train, pick up car, drive to Avila, 3 nights/most of 3 days; drive to Salamanca, most of 1 day/1 night; drive to Madrid, turn in car, take train to Granada, 2 nights/1+ day; train to Sevilla, 4 nights 3+ days with possible side trips to Ronda, Cordoba, Jerez; train to Madrid then plane to Barcelona, 6 nights/5+ days with day trip to Monserrat. Would very much appreciate any suggestions or tips. Lodging recommendations also appreciate. Are already booked in Madrid and looking into the H10 Plaza Catalunua in Madrid (have a quote from them for 145 Euros per night???). Thank you in advance. SandyB

cruiseluv

It seems to me that yu're spending too much time in Toledo and Avila. I visisted Toledo as a day trip from Madrid and can't see spending more than 1 nt there. Avila we were going to stay 1 nt. last July but then switched toZamora1 nt in Salamanca is too little. We spent 3 nts.there( Hotel Palacio de Castellanos) and could have stayed more. Salamanca is a very special place.

If you are staying 4 nts. in Sevilla but are planning all those day tips, when would you see Sevilla? We stayed 4 nts. in Sevilla with a day trip to Cordoba( stayed in Sevilla at Taberna del Alabardero).
Also, why do you need to train bck to Madrid in order to take a plane to Barcelona? You could fly from Sevilla to Barcelona in Air Europa not tooexpensive. A few years ago I stayed at Hotel Colon in front of the cathedral( Barcelona). Very nice.

In Madrid we stayed last July at the Villa Real. 5 stars very nice hotel 150 euros per night.

rex

Topping your re-post (thanks!) with this additional answer, which was on your "other" post (with this same question):

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Author: Bedar
Date: 08/16/2004, 11:51 pm

Message: One night in Toledo and one night in Avila are sufficient. Spend another night in Salamanca. If you have extra time, a trip to Casares and Merida would be worthwhile.

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Best wishes,

Rex

zwho

If it were me, I would only spend 3 days in Madrid then rent a car to go to Avila and spend maybe 1 day (at most). Drive to Segovia and spend a day and night and then go on to Salamanca. Drive from there to Toledo and spend 2 days and a night. Drop off the car and take the train to Seville. Spend some time there and then either rent another car for everywhere but Barcelona. Take thew train there.

rex

Consolidating - - and bringing this post back up to the top - - again...

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Author: tskobo
Date: 08/17/2004, 09:49 am

Message: Sounds amazing to me. Its great when you really have a lot of time to work with. While I only went to Toledo for a day trip, I did hear that spending the night was worth while...but 3 days may be a bit much. Same goes for Avila. I would add at least one more day to Granada (you can't see Alhambra, Cathedral and walk Albaicin in relaxing way all in one day, but two is enough).

You may also want to reconsider the order. For example, you could take the high-speed train from Madrid to Sevilla, work your way east through Andalucia to Granada, then take a flight to Barcelona allowing you to bypass Madrid. Look into super-cheap flights between Granada, Barcelona and Madrid. I flew Iberia for only 30e. With the amount of time you have, you certainly have a lot of options.

ebfrank

We stayed at hotel bequer in seville. It is a 4 star hotel - and we got it for 95/night on expedia. it was a really nice hotel, good service - and a great deal on expedia

kaudrey

Some thoughts:

I'd probably only spend 1 night in Toledo - it is lovely, but small. Think about adding Segovia as a daytrip from Madrid.

I'd change the order of the middle part - you are crisscrossing the country too much: Go from Madrid, to Sevilla with a stop in Cordoba on the way. Stay in Sevilla for 4 days, with only 1 white town as a daytrip. Bus from Sevilla to Granada, stay there for 2 nights, then fly from Granada to Barcelona.

Hope this helps a little.

Karen

rex

One more straggler post...

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Author: Myer
Date: 08/17/2004, 07:33 pm

Message: I'm not sure why you're going in that order.

Why not the high speed train (AVE) from Madrid to Seville, train to Granada and fly to Barcelona.

If you check Iberia's web site often and check different days and different times of day you may find a really cheap fare from Granada to Barcelona.

It cost us more to taxi to Granada airport than to fly to Barcelona.

H10 Placa Catalunya is fine. We stayed there the beginning of June.

Directly accross the square from el Corte Ingles where the airport bus stops. The hotel has a great buffet that overlooks the square and a computer just outside the breakfast room for guest use.

Someone on this board mentioned that their room was very small so I emailed them telling them of my concern. They replied that my reservation had been modified (no extra cost) to give me a larger room (whatever larger means).

The room was fine. It had a small alcove with a desk, tv and sofa. At least that gave extra room to put a second suitcase.

I think you're spending too much time in Madrid and Toledo. I'd add a day in Seville. Three days feels like enough until you get there and the temperature could be in the high 30's. Our first three days the temperature was 30 degrees (that 104F)!!!

It's hard to walk accross a bridge with no cover from the sun. It's tough getting much done in a day in that heat.

But.... it's a beautiful city.

In Seville we stayed at Casa de la Juderia (room 30). Highly recommend it.

rex

It's fascinating that other folks find your other post - - and not this one!

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Author: CFW
Date: 08/19/2004, 10:00 pm
Message: I agree with many of the other posters. I think you need more time in Salamanca, more time in Granada to enjoy the Alhambra, and less time in Avila.

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