First time to Spain: Seville & Madrid

Old Aug 20th, 2017, 07:40 AM
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First time to Spain: Seville & Madrid

We will have seven nights in Spain, in late October 2017.
Airfare is purchased: fly into Seville and home from Madrid.
The plan is to stay 5 nights in Seville, and 2 in Madrid.

We are interested in seeing Seville itself, and also use it as our base for day-trips by train to Jerez-de-la-Frontera (to see the horses) and Cadiz (to see the coast).

Our preferences are to enjoy the architecture, culture, and to see the country. We are not so much fans of being in a ‘big city’ or staying indoors in museums.

The horses are a must-see for me, and DH is interested in visiting seaside.

Is Cadiz a good day-trip from Seville? Any other recommendations for a great spot by the water?
We don’t want to go away for an overnight, though.

We have tentatively decided on this hotel:
Hotel Inglaterra Seville, Plaza Nueva 7

Any thoughts on this hotel? We do want a large suite, and the Hotel Inglaterra has been very helpful & responsive by e-mail. It looks like what we’d like. Is it a good location for walking, and getting to the train station?

We are considering this apartment in Madrid (although we might prefer a hotel with 24/7 front desk):
Mercado San Miguel & Pl Mayor Apartment
50 Calle Mayor 1ero derecha, 01.Centro, Madrid

We will have one full day, two nights in Madrid.

We will walk everyday in each location, so we want lodging that is smack in the middle of historic Seville and Madrid. Our flight is very early in the morning from Madrid. Having easy transit to the airport would be helpful. Preferably taking a cab, if it's reasonable.

We like having breakfast included, and prefer a historic hotel. We aren’t ‘foodies’ per se. We like to walk where our feet take us all day, and eat when we see a place that looks inviting. We won’t be planning time around our meals.

Thanks for your help!
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 07:43 AM
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While in Sevilla, give some thought to visiting Cordoba -- the Mezquita is, IMO, one of the world's gems.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 08:04 AM
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Thank you! Will look into it.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 08:05 AM
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Ditto the Mezquita. So beautiful.

I'm not sure the horses are worth it though. What's so special about them? They eat, poop, repeat.

If you only have 5 days in Seville I wouldn't do more than 1 day trip and I would choose Cordoba over Cadiz or Jerez.

I haven't been to either Cadiz or Jerez but the consensus here is that they're both less interesting than Cordoba.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 08:36 AM
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"I'm not sure the horses are worth it though. What's so special about them? They eat, poop, repeat."

Hahaha. We are clearly not on the same wave-length. The Andalusian horses are the one thing I posted as a definite must-see.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 08:37 AM
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Any seafront recommendations?
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 08:38 AM
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Give people a chance, MoBro -- at least a day.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:01 AM
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the end of Oct. might not be a great time for seafront.
..yes to Córdoba
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:08 AM
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Is weather not good at end of October at the water?
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:09 AM
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You can find climate data here:
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/spain/cadiz/climate
I set it for Cadiz; you can change the city.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:24 AM
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Thanks, kja.

I'd have already looked at some weather sites.
These stats look good to us (from the link):

October Climate & Weather Averages in Cadiz
High Temp: 75 °F
Low Temp: 60 °F
Mean Temp: 67 °F
Precipitation: 0.94"
Humidity: 75%
Dew Point: 58 °F
Wind: 8 mph
Pressure: 30.02 "Hg
Visibility: 6 mi

We aren't interested in swimming. Just seeing. Visibility looks spectular. What we don't want is cloudy, grey, rainy weather.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:30 AM
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"What we don't want is cloudy, grey, rainy weather."

Then, you will have to wait until you get there to find out.
It often rains in Seville and Madrid that time of the year.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:51 AM
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Here is our trip to Spain in 2015 with photos.

Start with Seville (Chapter 10 ) and then it's on to Cordoba, Toledo (a wonderful town) and Madrid.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/

((H((
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:53 AM
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Good to know. Thanks, danon.
Our schedule is set in stone, because of a conference we are attending elsewhere in Europe the previous week.

I did notice that October seems to be the rainiest month in Andalusia.
We'll plan accordingly. And hope for sunshine! Although, this is preferable to really hot weather.

It seems like Seville will be a good home base? It's got a lot to offer itself, and we could choose day-trips according to the weather.

Except, I looked up the schedule for horse events at Jerez. The only day we could go is Tuesday. Not ideal, but it's a must-do. Even DH agrees! Haha

Since we live landlocked in the States, seeing water is also a must-do.

If not Cadiz, where would be a good day-trip by train?

Thanks!
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:53 AM
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As Cadiz day trip doesn't require any pre-planning (just hop on the train or bus), choose the day when the weather is optimum. I have had several days of heavy rain in Seville in late October, so beware.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 09:55 AM
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Thanks, maitai. Will read and enjoy!
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 10:11 AM
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"I did notice that October seems to be the rainiest month in Andalusia."

That wasn't my experience. I was there early October and it was sunny and hot the whole time. I didn't even need a jacket at night.

Even if it rains it won't be chilly. And it's very unlikely it will rain everyday.

I would allow for some flexibility in our itinerary. Do day trips when its sunny and leave the museums and palaces for rainy days.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 10:17 AM
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So stay in Seville and make day trips to Cordoba, Jerez, and Cadiz to see the Atlantic, not the Med. That leaves you two days plus end-of-other-days to see Seville. Be sure to plan your Seville days well. The weather is always a chancy proposition. It should be good, but if it isn't, so it goes.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 12:36 PM
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Yes, weather is always the wild card.

Anyone know of the Hotel Inglaterra Seville, or know if Plaza Nueva 7 is a good location?

I appreciate your thoughts.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 12:40 PM
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Thanks, also, Alec. Pouring rain. Not good.
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