lisa

DH & I have tickets to Madrid with 12 full days & nights to spend on the ground, and our priority for this trip is Andalucia. We are most looking forward to spending some relaxed time in Seville, exploring Ronda & the white hill towns (we enjoy photography), and seeing Cordoba and Grenada. Madrid is less of a priority, although I am interested in seeing the Prado and it probably makes sense to spend our last night in Madrid anyway prior to flying home. We are experienced travelers, and while we love taking trains we are open to renting a car for at least part of this trip. Here is what I'm thinking currently:

Day 1 -- Wed.: Flight arrives Madrid 7:40 AM. Train to Granada.
Day 2 -- Thurs.: Granada.
Day 3 -- Fri.: Rent car & drive to Ronda
Day 4 -- Sat.: Ronda
Day 5 -- Sun.: Arcos
Day 6 -- Mon.: Arcos
Day 7 -- Tues.: Return rental car, Seville
Day 8 -- Wed.: Seville
Day 9 -- Thurs. Seville
Day 10 -- Fri.: Cordoba
Day 11 -- Sat.: Cordoba
Day 12 -- Sun.: Madrid
Day 13 -- Mon.: Flight home departs Madrid 11:35AM

Thoughts?

kja

You might want to add a day to Sevilla, perhaps by cutting a night from your Ronda/Arcos time. (Many people will undoubtedly suggest that you see Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla, but I personally thought Cordoba well worth 2 full days.) Enjoy!

nytraveler

Agree that you are giving Seville short shrift - I would do at least 3 full days there and cut from Arcos - or bag it completely.

Approach_Guides

I agree with the other posters - you'll want more time in Sevilla. I also think you will want more time in Granada - it's one of our favorite cities in southern Spain, with great energy, sights and food. The Alhambra is the main site and it is simply incredible (remember to buy your tickets now) -- it's easy to spend half a day there if not more, leaving less time for the rest of the city. We spent two nights in Cordoba, but you may be able to get away with one. The city is very charming and the Mezquita is worth a second visit if you have time (try going at the very end of the day when the crowds dissipate -- you'll have the place nearly all to yourself.)
Have a great trip!

Flame123

Recently returned from a 2 week trip to exactly the cities you list. Check my screen name and you will get to my trip report including hotel and restaurant recommendations. Happy to help with specific questions afterwards if you like.

Approach_Guides

Here is information on visiting the Alhambra:
http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/info/ticketsale.asp

You can buy tickets here (you'll want Alhambra "General"):
http://www.ticketmaster.es/nav/landi...bra/index.html

Robert2533

If you take the train from Madrid to Granada, you will not be able to depart Atocha station until 11:35 am. The trip takes 4hr 31min, putting you in Granada just after 4:00 pm, too late for lunch and too early for dinner. It makes for long day of travel. If you do take this train, be sure to pack a lunch.

There are dozens of trains to Sevilla (2-1/2 hours), so you might want to rethink your itinerary. I would head to Sevilla first and leave Granada for the last two nights before having to return to Madrid to catch your flight.

lisa

This is very helpful advice. We will look at flipping the order. And I think we may do Cordoba as a daytrip from Seville after all.

Day 1 -- Wed.: Flight arrives Madrid 7:40 AM. Train to Seville
Day 2 -- Thurs.: Seville
Day 3 -- Fri.: Seville
Day 4 -- Sat.: Seville
Day 5 -- Sun.: Seville
Day 6 -- Mon.: Arcos/Ronda
Day 7 -- Tues.: Ronda
Day 8 -- Wed.: Ronda
Day 9 -- Thurs. Granada
Day 10 -- Fri.: Granada
Day 11 -- Sat.: Madrid
Day 12 -- Sun.: Madrid
Day 13 -- Mon.: Flight home departs Madrid 11:35AM

kja

FWIW, I left Ronda after a single night, which meant that I spent just under 24 hours there. I loved it -- it is charming and the setting is absolutely stunning, but I was done there and ready to move on. In contrast, I left Cordoba after 2 nights and 2 full days thinking that I'd love to have had longer there. To each his/her own.

In addition to the above info on the Alhambra, do consider booking both day and evening visits, in that order.

Camille11

First off, I am so envious of your trip plans! I agree with the above response from "kja". Definitely try to see the Alhambra at night - and if possible - see it on the night of a full moon - BREATHTAKING. Totally different atmosphere at night and a wonderful opportunity for some amazing photography (esp. with a full moon).

Finally, if (for some strange reason) that you've found you have too much time in Sevilla, the nearby town of Carmona is very picturesque, definitely worth a quick day trip.

yorkshire

I only passed through Arcos, but I would investigate the many small towns around Ronda--may be more worthwhile. I am a huge Ronda fan, so I can't discourage your time there.
The flipped order works much better and is similar to what I did, but I went to Cordoba first for an even shorter train trip (slightly) from Madrid. If you are not completely averse to one night stays, you may consider a night there.

kimhe

Agree with kja, I would also recommend more time in Córdoba and less in Ronda/Arcos. About Córdoba, "the city that changed the world": http://www.theguardian.com/spanish-t...-changed-world

But Ronda is also spectacular with the gorge, the bridge and the famous old bullring etc.
Antonio "El Bailarín" dancing a powerful martinete in the Ronda gorge to the voice of Manolo Caracol in 1952. A legendary clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VrW_E8CL2E
The bridge: http://www.andalucia.com/ronda/puentenuevo.htm
And plain fantastic Rocío Molina dancing a traditional rondeña (a flamenco style from Ronda) in the Ronda bullring in 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQcJC72NTsc