driving in Andalucia and more
May 19th, 2000, 06:11 AM
#1
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driving in Andalucia and more
This forum is so helpful that I decided to ask more questions (hope I am not abusing the forum): what white towns are worth visiting on the way from Ronda to Sevilla (we have a whole day for that stretch)? And which way should we drive from Cordoba to Toledo (through Almagro or Merida, Trujillo and Guadalupe)? Is one day enough for that? <BR>As always, your help is greatly appreciated...
May 19th, 2000, 09:05 AM
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Olga, <BR>The white towns we like: Benaojan (for the "Molino del Santo" and to see the Pileta caves), Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra (very pretty setting), Arcos, El <BR>Bosque, in that order. The drive thru the Puerto de las Palomas from Zahara down to Grazalema is stunning but challenging- definitely NOT for everyone and certainly not for the timid. (I'm lucky my husband doesn't mind white-knuckle driving!) <BR>From Cordoba to Toledo, I'd most definitely go through Almagro. I love this town; it's just charming, with a lovely Plaza Mayor where a theater festival, the Corral de Comedias, is held in summer and a fabulous former convent/Parador that is a must see. <BR>Maria did a great recent post on Almagro and her trip in this area; try to pull it up. <BR> <BR>To go the Merida/Trujillo/Guadalupe route you'd definitely need more time than a day. I'd spend at least 2 nights in Extremadura, one in Caceres (atmospheric Old Quarter)or Merida (for the ruins) and one in Trujillo or Guadalupe (a Parador in each place). In other words, I'd put Extremadura on my next Spain intinerary. <BR>Hope this helps.
May 19th, 2000, 03:23 PM
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Hello, <BR>I will be in Spain next week for 2 weeks. I have a question of driving from Sevilla to Marbella and from Marbella to Granada. Which roads to take? We would like to visit Jarez on the way to Marbella. Is is a poosibility whithin 1 day. <BR>Thank you, <BR>Maria.
May 20th, 2000, 08:58 AM
#5
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Hi Olga, <BR>Me again...forgot to mention a great NY Times article on Almagro, 5/23/99, "All the Town's a Stage", written by my heroine, Penelope Casas, the author of "Discovering Spain, An Uncommon Guide" (which is an indispensable tome for us in planning our own trips). Try to access the article from the NY Times archives. From the 16th c, during Charles V's reign, a Flemish presence emerged in Almagro and lace-making began to flourish. You'll see the ladies seated at their doorways still engaged in the craft, and you can purchase their handiwork in the stores on the lovely Plaza Mayor. And while you're on the Plaza make sure to visit the unusual Corral de Comedias theater, where the July Int. Classic Theater Festival is held. It's said to be a contemporary of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. We loved our stay at the 16th c Franciscan convent Parador San Francisco-it's a maze of corridors and courtyards (there are 14 or so interior patios!) Very cozy, peaceful and romantic at night. If you stay here, and I hope you do, have a drink and some Manchego cheese before dinner in the rustic, atmospheric bodega bar decorated with huge earthenware wine storage jars ("tinajas")-very Manchegan. The pretty dining rm serves nice regional fare, like ragout of lamb and "berenjenas Almagro" (eggplant) and Valdepenas wines (Vina Albali tinto). As you can tell, this is one of my very favorite Paradors! The two couples who traveled with us loved it as well, just as much as they did the Parador in Carmona, outside of Seville. <BR>Maria's "Two Weeks in Castilla-La Mancha" post (I just saved it-it's wonderful) mentioned the square bullring, oldest in Spain, at Las Virtudes, only a half hour from Almagro, if you have time. And another must see from Almagro to Toledo are the wonderfully preserved windmills in Consuegra. You can drive right up to them. I don't remember when you're traveling, but the last week in October the fields below will be covered in a violet blanket of saffron blossoms-it's the "azafran" capital of Spain. <BR> <BR>For an Extremadura visit (really worthy of at least 3 days), try to access these articles: "Land of the Conquerors", NY Times 5/10/98 and a March '98 Conde Nast Traveler article, "Spain at the Extreme". Very helpful, informative. <BR>The travel press says that the newly refurbished 14th c Castle/Parador at Jarandilla de la Vera (former home of Emperor Charles V) is just magnificent. <BR>It would make a nice stop on the way from Caceres to Madrid on your next Spain visit! <BR> <BR>My husband was born in La Mancha, near Belmonte, and raised in Madrid, his entire family lives in Spain, and I've lived/studied/worked there off and on for 30 yrs (heavens, this really dates me!). This explains why the country is so dear to my heart, and why I'm such an obsessive promoter! <BR>Have a wonderful journey, Olga. <BR> <BR>P.S. for Maria and your trip: <BR>You'll need two days for your journey from Seville to Granada, if you plan to see the sherry bodegas or dancing horses in Jerez and the white towns from there to Marbella. <BR>From Seville take fast toll A4 down to Jerez. Then either take the coastal route on N 340 past Tarifa and Algeciras to Marbella or the prettier (IMO) white town route on N 342 thru Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda then down the C 339 to Marbella. <BR>From Marbella to Granada either go the quicker, inland route on N 321-324 up from Malaga and thru Lonja or the prettier (again, IMO) but slower coastal route past Nerja then up the mountainous N 323 at Salobrena. To soak up the beautiful scenery in this area, I'd certainly allow at least 2 days. We do the Granada-Seville route with an overnight in Marbella/Ojen/Monda and another on the Arcos-Ronda white town stretch. <BR>Have fun!
