Ellen

Can you do a day trip to Faro, Portugal from Seville, Spain, or is it too far?<BR><BR>Is it closer to do a day trip to Ronda from Seville or Granada?<BR><BR>Is it closer to do a day trip to Morocco from Seville or Granada?<BR><BR>Note to Maribel - yes, you had me as the correct person when you answered my last set of questions. However, we have now wisely eliminated Marbella and trimmed down to 3 destinations instead of 4. I would still like to see Ronda, Gibralter/Morocco & possibly Faro. What is your expert advise?

Ronda

Well, I live in California so you won't have any luck finding me if you are in Spain! How funny to see my name on your post. I did go to Madrid but didn't make it to Ronda. <BR><BR>I asked a business associate of my husband what Ronda meant as it is everywhere - Ronda This and Ronda That. His reply was that it means approximately "take a walk around" like what the nightwatchman does or a round road like a roundabout. I asked him if any girls in Spain were named Ronda. His reply was "oh no, Spanish girls have at least 3 or 4 names containing Maria, etc." Felt like a dummy - named after a roundabout. My husband, of course, had a little smart remark. Twirling his finger next to his temple he said "yup, that describes my wife." ha ha <BR><BR>Hope you enjoyed the little story although it has nothing to do with your trip.

Maribel

Hi Ellen,<BR>Pedro and Olga from Sevilla should answer the Faro question for you; I've never taken a day trip to Faro from anywhere in the south. It's 123 miles from Sevilla-I wouldn't attempt it-I'd take a day trip to lovely Carmona or a short trip out to the Roman ruins of Italica instead. (Aracena is also nice).<BR>I can tell you, though, that the Ronda day trip is quite doable from Seville, only 82 miles; don't try Ronda from Granada-too tiring, too long.<BR>Ellen, I'm glad I didn't misidentify you! What have you decided about the car?<BR>I'm afraid I'm not the one to advise you about Morocco, because I once did a weekend trip to Tangier from Algeciras, via ferry, (you can also fly from Malaga), but the experience was so unpleasant, I have no desire ever to return! I took a small group of students with me, and it was a constant hassle and worry, from the minute we stepped off the boat. But it did make me appreciate so much more the basic creature comforts with which I'm blessed. I don't mean to dismiss or disparage the country of Morocco at all, as I'd really like to travel to the interior, as several friends have and have found it fascinating, (have a friend who lived in Rabat for 4 yrs), but for me Tangier gives a negative and unfair first impression. I'm just not a Tangier fan, and this is the Moroccan city that's the most easily accessible from the Spanish coast.

Pedro

Yes, Ellen, if you do not mind driving, Faro is quite doable from Sevilla, it is 200 kms away but after the recent opening of the highway between Huelva and the border, now it will take you roughly two hours to get to Faro. But the second question is Does Faro deserve a day trip?. Well, I really do not know, maybe not, it is not a monumental city, it has a quiet and nice small historic area but after one hour you have seen it everything. Maybe Lagos and its surroundings are more attractive for a day trip but not sure. I would definitely go to the Algarve region for its scenic coast but for a day trip from Sevilla I would much prefer Cadiz/Jerez, Aracena area, The White Towns, Ronda, Moguer/La R&aacute;bida/Mazag&oacute;n/El Roc&iacute;, Cordoba, Carmona/Italica or even Antequera/El Torcal Natural Park. I would also second Maribel about her opinion on Tangier. It is not the best way to approach to Morocco. For interesting cities I would remark Fez, Marrakech, Essaouira, Larache, Xauen or Meknes but never Tangier. Gibraltar as a day trip from Sevilla is a bit far. I think it would be wise to stay overnight in Cadiz or Malaga provinces if you do not want to miss Gibraltar. Hope this helps a bit.

Maribel

Thanks Pedro. I knew you'd come through for Ellen. You're the best!