Help with adding in Granada to itinerary

Old Sep 14th, 2010, 05:29 PM
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Help with adding in Granada to itinerary

Trying this again as a new topic. I am just cut and pasting from a previos post on a larger thread. Note, I prefer sloooooow travel and apt rentals to hotels hence my query.
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I have one more question and have an itinerary ironed out.
We arrive 2 days prior to my parents and they are staying 1 day after us, which is fine.

They required an Andalusian itinerary, which is fine.

The husband and I will arrive in Madrid and immediate train to Seville (despite my hatred of trains) unless I can get a last min cheap flight from Madrid. This is what I currently have:
Stay Seville 11/20-26
Parents arrive 11/22
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Return to Madrid 11/26-29, Parents stay until 30th.

I have to add Granada in here for my dad to go to Alhambra. It could be done in a day by leaving early in the morning and returning in the evening. Yes, I am aware this is quite short. Should I instead have it as an overnight and if so, where should I put it?

I am willing to shave off a day in Madrid, but really prefer not to as my wine vendor of choice and is there and if we arrive on the 27th, we risk missing shop close. I have a new larger Eurocave to stock and my priority is to bring back cases of wine.

Thanks in advance.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 06:06 PM
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I suggest to simplify - wait in Madrid until your parents get in, that gives you some time to do your business. On the 23rd you all go Granada - Iberia does it in an hour.
There are more flights to Malaga where yu can take the bus for Granada.

If you don't want to fly, and since you hate trains, take the long-distance express bus, a very common and cheap mode of transportation city-to-city in Spain. In Madrid go to the "South Station" called Estacion Del Sur (nearest Metro station is Méndez Alvaro). Take the next bus, or book one in advance so you have guaranteed seats. They run about every two hours and take about 5 hours..

Take along your own snacks, there will be a stop halfway to Granada, but what they sell there may not please you or your budget.

Book two nights in Granada, and book two visits to the Alhambra in advance, one first thing in the morning, another late in the day. The experience is entirely different in different light, and you need to chances to see it all and appreciate it.

Then you all go to Sevilla, by whichever mode you like.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 06:18 PM
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Why not book an open jaw ticket and come home from Malaga and save the time and expense of back tracking to Madrid? You hate trains. I hate short airline flights that actual take more total time than the train and the great hassles with security and baggage. And Spanish buses are great.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 06:45 PM
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I already booked my ticket as in and out of Madrid unfortch because in the earlier incarnation they had to fly into Madrid and I was trying to keep it closer. Otherwise I would have open jawed into SVQ and out of MAD. I don't mind driving, I hate the train, I dont find them quaint. I don't think that starting in Madrid is an option as I'll have to drag cases of wine around that is why Madrid is at the end.

I can buck up and train out of Madrid. if we leave immediate after flight I hate to drive.

I was thinking madrid to Seville via train on the day we arrive. Leave Seville to Granada on 25th or 24th then to Madrid for the end on the 26th. Or just go to Granada in the middle and stay over night in a hotel in Granada and back to Seville but that seems more complicated. Or I could just let the rents go to Granada for a day. Thoughts on these ideas. Frankly they all are more complecated than just the 2 cities and have a couple day trips from Seville. But, I am planning with others so things get complecated more easily.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:01 PM
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I'd spend at least 1 night in Granada - it's just too tough for a daytrip (in my opinion).

Personally I'd shave a day off Madrid, but I understand your business situation.

Either way I'd go from Seville to Granada then on to Madrid.

You hate trains? Have you every taken the AVE? It's nothing like a regional train and I think much nicer than air travel.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:19 PM
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I don't find them quaint either just efficient. You hate driving, you hate trains, but like airport. I looked at some of your other postings -- you generally are not a happy traveler are you?

Granada and the Alhambra is not a reasonable day trip. It is three/four hour train ride to Granada, another 30mins or so to the Alhambra. Alhambra is a timed entrance so you absolutely must have tickets in advance. The Alhambra is the most popular - think Disneyworld - site in Spanish for both locals and tourists. The grounds are massive and it takes a couple hours just to get through the Palace. From Granada there is a regional train that will take you north to the AVE to Madrid. If going to Granada it is an overnight or otherwise save it for the next trip.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:27 PM
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Opps, I apologize. I confused you with someone else and the remark about unhappy traveler. Sorry about that.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:27 PM
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Cathy- I hate slepping crap up and down tracks and I take the train to work daily ( fine one way, I take cabs/ car service to work as I hate jacking around in the morning)

how about this:
train to Seville 20-24 (parents arrive 22)
drive to Granada 24-26
drive to Madrid on 26th from Granada ( train to Madrid takes same amount of time)
Madrid through 29/30 - I can try to add a day to Madrid and leave on the 30th if there is a direct FF flight back to NY so we could push leaving for Granada on the 25th and go to Madrid on the 27th

am I short chaning my parents on Seville? My mom wasn't super interested in being there forever and granada is a must for my dad. But I know they wanted to at least go to Jerez or Cordoba.

Is this plan better?
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:41 PM
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No worries on the mix up, I am definately not an unhappy traveler. I am unhappy not traveling and I have had to forgo travelling since January because we bought a stupid gut reno apt that has taken more time and money to gut and renovate than planned.

I do like to drive, just not right after a long flight, therefore train to Seville it has to be. Beside the fact it saves a few hours.

I kinda knew the answer to the Granada as a day thing. Just wanted confirm and find a way to add it in as I was told it was a must add after booking flights. My dad also wanted to try to add Morrocco. That I nixed in a flat second.

This is their 1st Spain trip and 2nd euro trip so I have to keep their travel style/needs in mind as I am the one who suggested this as our kitchen still won't be done by thanksgiving, I promised to see them for holiday rather than going off on our own per usual and I need a vacation to europe really really bad. I don't normally go this long.

Sorry/ sidetracked this.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:44 PM
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"...Is this plan better?..."

Sí, much mejor.
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 07:45 PM
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...as in Yes, mucho better...
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Old Sep 14th, 2010, 09:44 PM
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Better plan - I can't imagine any city transportation train even being compared to the AVE. I assure you'll be laughing at your posts after you take this train.
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 06:36 AM
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I know, my train hatred is odd to many. I have used the high-speed train in Italy, and yes, it was fast and easy, but, I just really really hate public transport that takes more than a few minutes, i.e. is not a metro/subway across town. And I hate hate hate dragging luggage around and up and down steps to get to the train. We all have our quirks, some hate driving, I hate the train and prefer to drive.

Anyhoo. Does anyone have suggestions for where to stay in Granada area-wise? I don't want to be tied to the Alhambra the whole time and prefer to check out the city.
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 06:44 AM
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Also, has anyone stayed here:
http://www.apartclick.com/touristic-...ml?chIdioma=EN

It is in the area that we prefer to stay in and seems suitable.
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 07:57 AM
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> I don't think that starting in Madrid is an option as I'll have to drag cases of wine around that is why Madrid is at the end.

I wonder if you could arrange with either the seller or your lodging to hold the wine for you.
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 08:30 AM
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Good idea kja. But too late, we booked the apt in Seville.

This is the new itinerary:
EWR->MAD 11/20
11/20: Train to Seville (unless a cheaper flight pops up to Seville)
11/20-25: Seville, Parents arrive on 11/22 via train from Madrid.
Will pick up car rental on 11/22. Need to decide what driving trips to do.
11/25: Drive to Granada early. Overnight.
11/26: Drive to Madrid. (I could add a another day here if I can change my flight to go back on the 30th, but I just looked and there currently are no direct flights avail on FF)

My mom is happy with this plan, so that is good.

Still need Granada Hotel. Currently looking at the NH and Roommate Leo - I want a roofdeck in the hotel. Am open to other places though.
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Old Sep 15th, 2010, 07:31 PM
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Ok. So here is the current plan. Please help with day trips as I don't do that stuff normally.

Seville Nov 20- 25.
Parents arrive on 20th. I have booked us the apt I referenced last (Europa duplex)
drive to Granada morning of 25th. Book either just the afternoon at Alhambra or the evening or both. Need input. I think the night ticket would be nice, but am open.
Stay at Room Mate Leo
leave for Madrid. I know what we are doing here. We will add an additional day to Granada if I can get that flight change. If not it is only one night. We will drive to Madrid.

We will pick upp a car rental once my parents arrive.
These are places I need help with:

Day trips from Seville. Cordoba, Jerez Sherry tour, both? Something else?
Am interested going to hammam for a session. Preferences on doing this in Seville or Granada or skipping for lack of time?

Where to stop, if at all on the way to Madrid?

This trip is super important to my parents and I am a lazy traveller, as can be seen from my posts and trip reports. I embrace being lazy and just relaxing and hanging out. I also realize I am travelling with other people who are not just friends that we have an understanding with to go off on their own. This is not to say my parents are helpless. They aren't. And they are used to going off and doing their own thing when they come to visit me while we sleep or whatever. But, I honestly have not planned activities or daily itineraries since 1997. Seriously. And I need some help please. Thanks.

NB I have sent this thread to my mom and hopefully Ms Crawford will weigh in as well because Christina here is at loss on some parts. She has only trolled here at this point.
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 07:21 AM
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I could spend four days in Sevilla doing nothing but walking around and eating tapas. Cordoba is a fascinating daytrip for the mosque and I love Cadiz too. If you're a horse lover than the equestrian show near Jerez. Don't plan too many daytrips out of Sevilla though, enjoy it.
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 07:27 AM
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> Book either just the afternoon at Alhambra or the evening or both.

Only parts are open in the evening. Many of us found the evening visit particularly magical, but it does not replace the daytime visit.
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Old Sep 16th, 2010, 07:28 AM
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I am of the same mindset. Not a horse lover, but a boozehound, hence the sherry trip. I feel like I need one though...
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