Gail W.

We're just back from renting a house mid-way between Granada and the coast. Rented a car and drove into Granada several times, drove to Ronda for one overnight and stayed at the Don Miguel, drove (daytrips) south to Salobrena and Almunecar, east to the Alpujarras, northwest to Antequerra. We had a blast but if you don't speak (much or any) Spanish, you really need to have maps of the historic/inner portions of these cities before you go. The tourism offices are never open. We finally gave up on Almunecar and left! The signs get you off the main highway and then there are no more signs to guide you to historic sights. Buying tickets to the Alhambra was like a scene out of Catch 22, despite all the advice on this forum and in many guides: I think the rules must change daily. But it's worth it once you get in. Incredible beauty. If I can answer any questions, I'd be glad to.

MARIA

I am going to Spain at the end of may and plan to spend 2-3 day in the south of Spain (Costa Del Sol). Any recommendations? Also, can you get by without a car and use local buses? <BR>Thank you, <BR>Maria.

Lisa

Gail <BR> <BR>I will be spendng 2 nights in Granada. We are renting a car in Granada and driving to Seville for 2 nights. <BR> <BR>Any comments about driving around in Granada , ease of parking etc?? <BR>Also, any suggestions on a nice SAFE, clean reasonably priced hotel in Granada that is close to the Alhambra?? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help <BR> <BR> <BR>

Gail

Replying to Lisa and Maria: sorry it took a while, I've been out of action with a cold caught on our return flight from Spain. <BR>Sorry, Maria, other folks have more info than I on using buses. There are bus routes between towns but I don't know how convenient their schedules would be. Usually, you can walk around the smaller towns and Granada had wonderful mini-buses that were cheap, ran frequently, and stopped at well-marked locations. <BR>Lisa, any town that has a historic, old quarter is a place you don't want to drive. We found (the latter part of March) empty spaces in the Alhambra parking lot which was easy to get to and right off the main road, but I wonder what happens to parking availability if you go high season. As several posts on this forum have mentioned, the Hotel America is right on the Alhambra grounds but I think is booked up way in advance. We ate lunch on their patio which was delicious and delightful. (the lunch was delicious. the patio was delightful.) We had coffee at the Washington Irving Hotel which looked as if it had a lot more rooms than the Hotel America and I also think there's info on the forum about contacting them. We walked into the Alhambra Palace which was pretty spectacular but looks like it would be pretty expensive. Check out Karen Brown's Guide to Spain and see what she recommends. We stayed in a hotel in Ronda one night she recommended, $65, spotless, primo location, excellent dinner in the hotel dining room.

Lisa

Gail <BR> <BR>Thanks for all of your help, hope you are feeling better now. I will look into <BR>hotel America

Carla

HAs anyone heard of Case del Alajarife in Granada? Is not near the Alhambra but in town. It seems to be nice and cheap (10,000 for double but includes A/C) and has "views" of Alhambra. Does de America have A/C? I am going at the end of May and think that A/C may be a priority around that time.