Holy Week in Spain - Are We Insane?
Oct 28th, 2011, 08:17 AM
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Holy Week in Spain - Are We Insane?
Hello -
My family plans to visit my brother in Spain for two weeks, one of which is over Semana Santa. Any advice on Holy Week in Spain? Any advice on day tripping (without a tour group) to Morrocco? Any advice for seeing a professional bullfight? My father is a mega Hemingway fan...
Are we insane for thinking this itinerary is do-able?
Madrid (5 nights while brother still has class)
Cordoba (1 night)
Seville (2 nights, palm Sunday)
Tarifa (2 nights, day trip to Morrocco)
Ronda (1 night)
Grenada (2 nights)
Madrid (Easter Sunday)
Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated!
My family plans to visit my brother in Spain for two weeks, one of which is over Semana Santa. Any advice on Holy Week in Spain? Any advice on day tripping (without a tour group) to Morrocco? Any advice for seeing a professional bullfight? My father is a mega Hemingway fan...
Are we insane for thinking this itinerary is do-able?
Madrid (5 nights while brother still has class)
Cordoba (1 night)
Seville (2 nights, palm Sunday)
Tarifa (2 nights, day trip to Morrocco)
Ronda (1 night)
Grenada (2 nights)
Madrid (Easter Sunday)
Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated!
Oct 28th, 2011, 09:03 AM
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The itinerary is extremely fast paced, not one I'd attempt. You have 14 nights but are planning 7 overnights. You're not factoring in the travel time between places.
If you need to be in Madrid for 5 days while your brother is in class then you have 9 more days. I'd budget 4 for Sevilla and make Cordoba a daytrip (you can visit on the way from Madrid to Sevilla storing your luggage at the bus station across the street from the train station). I'd definately budget 2 nights for Granada. So, this really only leaves you with 3 additional nights. If you need to be in Madrid your final night (which I'm not sure) then that leaves 2 nights. I'd skip the daytrip to Morrocco. I've rarely heard anyone post that it was a good experience. It's akin to visiting Tijuana to see Mexico. Not sure why you have chosen Tarifa unless it's specifically for the Morrocco daytrip. If this is the case I'd drop Tarifa and chosse between 2 nights in Ronda or 2 in Malaga. If you choose Ronda I'd rent a car only for this portion of the trip and explore the white villages. If you choose Malaga you won't even need a car. This would put you in Sevilla & Granada during Semana Santa. I'd definately start looking at hotels ASAP as they will get booked early particularly the ones that are "reasonably" priced (in Sevilla it's the norm for prices to be double the norm).
Sorry I can't help you with bullfights.
If you need to be in Madrid for 5 days while your brother is in class then you have 9 more days. I'd budget 4 for Sevilla and make Cordoba a daytrip (you can visit on the way from Madrid to Sevilla storing your luggage at the bus station across the street from the train station). I'd definately budget 2 nights for Granada. So, this really only leaves you with 3 additional nights. If you need to be in Madrid your final night (which I'm not sure) then that leaves 2 nights. I'd skip the daytrip to Morrocco. I've rarely heard anyone post that it was a good experience. It's akin to visiting Tijuana to see Mexico. Not sure why you have chosen Tarifa unless it's specifically for the Morrocco daytrip. If this is the case I'd drop Tarifa and chosse between 2 nights in Ronda or 2 in Malaga. If you choose Ronda I'd rent a car only for this portion of the trip and explore the white villages. If you choose Malaga you won't even need a car. This would put you in Sevilla & Granada during Semana Santa. I'd definately start looking at hotels ASAP as they will get booked early particularly the ones that are "reasonably" priced (in Sevilla it's the norm for prices to be double the norm).
Sorry I can't help you with bullfights.
Oct 28th, 2011, 09:06 AM
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That sure is moving around a lot, but basically seems okay. The only isue is Seville for 2 nights including Palm Sunday. Hotel rates are raised a lot during Holy Week and a lot of hotels have minimum stays so you need to check on that, that's all. Being a week ahead, it should work out
Oct 28th, 2011, 10:08 AM
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I agree with CathyM , whose advice is always so good 
, and also with Christina for same reason.
I would also leave out the day trip to Morocco which I have done ages ago, and it is more of a curiosity than anything else but if you really wish to go try to fit it , leaving out Ronda and the suggested Pueblos Blancos little tour.
Same advice regarding making reservations asap for Semana Santa in Seville, of all places it is always super full. Semana Santa in Seville (most of Spain) is a fascinating experience at least for me. Of course be prepared to pay top rates.
Read about it as much as you can before going to understand it as much as possible.
Buen viaje, have fun.
, and also with Christina for same reason.I would also leave out the day trip to Morocco which I have done ages ago, and it is more of a curiosity than anything else but if you really wish to go try to fit it , leaving out Ronda and the suggested Pueblos Blancos little tour.
Same advice regarding making reservations asap for Semana Santa in Seville, of all places it is always super full. Semana Santa in Seville (most of Spain) is a fascinating experience at least for me. Of course be prepared to pay top rates.
Read about it as much as you can before going to understand it as much as possible.
Buen viaje, have fun.
Oct 28th, 2011, 10:34 PM
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Easter celebration in Sevilla is rightfully world famous, but the celebrations in Málaga city is fantastic too and not that crowded: http://www.semana-santa-malaga.com/e...ek-malaga.html
Nov 7th, 2011, 02:00 PM
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Thank you all for the advice - we are dropping Morocco in favor of giving it the full trip it deserves sometime in the future. Our itinerary looks more like this now:
Madrid (5 nights)
Seville (3 nights)
Ronda (1 night)
Granada (3 nights)
Back to Madrid, and home.
Cheers!
Madrid (5 nights)
Seville (3 nights)
Ronda (1 night)
Granada (3 nights)
Back to Madrid, and home.
Cheers!
Nov 7th, 2011, 02:51 PM
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Wow - much better!
I'd probably take a day from Granada and add to Sevilla. This would give you time for a daytrip to Cordoba.
You could easily do this without a car. But if you want to explore the white villages around Ronda you could rent the car as you're leaving Sevilla and return on arrival in Granada.
You really need to start booking hotel rooms particularly in Sevilla ASAP. You may find many already booked or requiring 4 night minimums so I'd lock down these Sevilla reservations before the others.
You're in for a great treat visiting Andalucia during Semana Santa. Just hope for good weather this year - last year it rained almost every day!
I'd probably take a day from Granada and add to Sevilla. This would give you time for a daytrip to Cordoba.
You could easily do this without a car. But if you want to explore the white villages around Ronda you could rent the car as you're leaving Sevilla and return on arrival in Granada.
You really need to start booking hotel rooms particularly in Sevilla ASAP. You may find many already booked or requiring 4 night minimums so I'd lock down these Sevilla reservations before the others.
You're in for a great treat visiting Andalucia during Semana Santa. Just hope for good weather this year - last year it rained almost every day!
Nov 7th, 2011, 04:06 PM
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The second itinerary is much better. I love Madrid and would easily enjoy 5 days there.
We also love Toledo for an overnight. (Most make it a day trip.)
Be sure to book Alhambra tickets in advance. You won't be sorry, as there can be a very long wait.
There are several places - hotels and bars - in which your dad can follow Hemingway's footsteps. Do some homework and place those locales for tapas or a stay one or two nights.
We also love Toledo for an overnight. (Most make it a day trip.)
Be sure to book Alhambra tickets in advance. You won't be sorry, as there can be a very long wait.
There are several places - hotels and bars - in which your dad can follow Hemingway's footsteps. Do some homework and place those locales for tapas or a stay one or two nights.
Nov 7th, 2011, 10:18 PM
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This article gives you some clues about Hemingway's Madrid: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/06/19...pagewanted=all
I can also recommend Paul Preston's "We saw Spain die" about foreign correspondents in the Spanish Civil War. Much about Hemingway in and around legendary Hotel Florida on Plaza de Callao in Madrid's Gran Vía during the war. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Florida_(Madrid)
When it comes to bullfighting, I think the season would be underway when you are in Spain (opens oficially in Sevilla on Easter Sunday), but Madrid's famous San Isidro festival will be some weeks ahead.
I can also recommend Paul Preston's "We saw Spain die" about foreign correspondents in the Spanish Civil War. Much about Hemingway in and around legendary Hotel Florida on Plaza de Callao in Madrid's Gran Vía during the war. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Florida_(Madrid)
When it comes to bullfighting, I think the season would be underway when you are in Spain (opens oficially in Sevilla on Easter Sunday), but Madrid's famous San Isidro festival will be some weeks ahead.
Nov 8th, 2011, 05:16 PM
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Regarding bullfights - I've been to two. At the first, I was in college and more into the crowds and the excitement than recognizing what I did during the second... which was that it was just not sport. (At least to me.) I won't belabor the the details, and frankly, I'm not anti-bullfighting. I love the tradition, but found witnessing the event upsetting.
Catalonia banned bullfighting recently and other regions are expected to follow.
Before spending the money and time during your trip to see a bullfight, take one in by watching a complete bullfight online. ... not just excerpts of one. Then decide how important it is to you or those in your party.
Some may find it intense and disturbing.
Wow... nearly fell off my soapbox! LOL
Catalonia banned bullfighting recently and other regions are expected to follow.
Before spending the money and time during your trip to see a bullfight, take one in by watching a complete bullfight online. ... not just excerpts of one. Then decide how important it is to you or those in your party.
Some may find it intense and disturbing.
Wow... nearly fell off my soapbox! LOL
Nov 15th, 2011, 09:25 AM
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Thank you all for the wonderful tips & links!
I am in full "study up" mode now! We snagged a hotel in Seville and will book Alahambra tickets soon. Fingers are crossed for no rain.
I feel the same way about bullfighting as Continental_Drifter - I respect it as a part of Spanish culture, but would never, ever want to see one in person.
I am in full "study up" mode now! We snagged a hotel in Seville and will book Alahambra tickets soon. Fingers are crossed for no rain.
I feel the same way about bullfighting as Continental_Drifter - I respect it as a part of Spanish culture, but would never, ever want to see one in person.
Nov 15th, 2011, 10:11 AM
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"Just hope for good weather this year - last year it rained almost every day!'
We were in Seville ( our last full day) when it rained and all the processions were canceled..... I could not believe the sorrow and disappointment expressed by the participants. Many were in tears.
We were in Seville ( our last full day) when it rained and all the processions were canceled..... I could not believe the sorrow and disappointment expressed by the participants. Many were in tears.
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