studenttraveller

Hello,

My mum and I are travelling to Spain this April, and are having a hard time establishing an itinerary. We have been to Barcelona, but nowhere else in Spain. We are early risers who enjoy a mix of the touristy (museums, palaces, churches, etc) and just wandering around exploring, eating, shopping, and taking in the scenery. We are okay with not seeing every museum, church etc in each destination. We know we need to make out hotel reservations ASAP but decided on this trip last-minute.

Here is a (very, very tentative) itinerary:

Thurs, 14 April: Arrive in Madrid around noon
Fri, 15 April: Madrid
Sat, 16 April: Madrid
Sun, 17 April: Daytrip to Segovia?
Mon, 18 April: Daytrip to Toledo?
Tues, 19 April: Train to Cordoba, spend a few hours there and continue onto Granada?
Wed, 20 April: Granada?
Thurs, 21 April: Granada?
Fri, 22 April: Train to Seville?
Sat, 23 April: Seville
Sun, 24 April: Seville, train back to Madrid
Mon, 25 April: Flight back home out of Madrid

Questions
1. Regarding Segovia and Toledo: Should we just pick one of these cities? Is it worth going to both and spending less time in Andalusia? Or should we skip one (or even both)?
2. Is it possible to see a decent amount of Cordoba in transit to Granada from Madrid?
3. Ronda, Jerez, Cadiz, and Malaga all sound very intriguing. Would anyone recommend we visit one/some of these cities instead of some others on our tentative itinerary?

We have travelled quite a bit this last year so, as I said, don't feel the need to see every single museum, church, etc. I also realize that the second half of our trip is during Semana Santa so I don't know whether museums and tourist attractions will even be open during this time.
Thank you so much for your help!

WomBatt

1. Cannot help as I have not been to either.
2. If all you want is the Mezquita, the Alcazar, the quarter that surrounds, a meal and maybe something else, yes for sure. What else are you wanting to see? Not something I would do, being a long travel day and trains between Cordoba and Granada not frequent, and bus, may shorten the day in Cordoba.
3. Sorry, I have not been to Cadiz. They all have 'something', but you need to work on journey times, door to door, to see how much time you really have over or to exchange.

Tourist attractions will be open, as Semana Santa attracts tourists, esp. Seville.
Yes, you need to move prompt for accommodation during Semana Santa.

kimhe

Sevilla has got one of the most famous and spectacular Holy Week celebrations in the world. A true Spanish mix of worship and fiesta for an entire week, hundreds of thousands in the streets, watching processions and eating and drinking. Would most likely be an experience for a lifetime. The highlight of the week is the night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Semana Santa is serious business all around Spain, and it's almost over the top in Andalucía. You are already quite late if you haven't booked accomodation in Sevilla, Granada, Málaga etc. Be prepared for high prices.
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/home.htm

CathyM

1. It's a personal choice but I'd forego one of the days in Madrid for an additional day in Sevilla. If you did this then you'd have 3 nights in Sevilla - 2 is a little short. 3 is my minimum. It will also put you in Sevilla on Thursday at the height of Semana Santa, quite an experience.

2. You should be able to do a nice daytrip to Cordoba on the way from Madrid to Granada. Just store your luggage in the bus station lockers across the street from the train station,

3. Ronda, Jerez, Cadiz and Malaga are all great choices. However, for a first trip to Andalucia and with the limited time I'd choose Sevilla & Granada. If you wanted to skip Madrid alltogether I'd probably add Malaga to the mix and do something like Sevilla (4-5 nights), Granada (2 nights) and Malaga (2-3 nights). With the extra time in Sevilla you could visit Jerez or Cadiz as a daytrip. Then from Malaga you could visit Ronda as a daytrip. But since you're arriving into Madrid and have never visited Madrid before it probably makes sense to stick with Madrid - all a matter of which places hold a greater priority for you.

This answers your questions. I think your biggest challenge at this point will be accomodation: Sevilla will probably be the most difficult followed by Granada and finally Madrid. Your itinerary may need to be adjusted if you can't find a hotel at a decent price or well located. I would immediately finalize the itinerary and start emailing hotels. I'd probably go to trip adviser and peruse travel books choosing at least 10-15 hotels at minimum for each city and see how many come back with availability in your price range (you may not have much of a choice). If you end up not finding any hotels in Sevilla you may end up having to swap Sevilla for Malaga, Jerez, Cordoba or Cadiz (or Malaga for Granada).

In any case a visit to Andalucia during Semana Santa will be a wonderful experience you'll never forget.

CathyM

Almost forgot: once you have your itinerary locked down I'd highly suggest buying any long distance train tickets in advance. These trains may sell out during Semana Santa. You may be able to get a good webfare as the advance purchase tickets just opened up a couple of weeks ago. For bus tickets you can usually purchase on the day of travel but if you want to make sure you get the time you need then you can purchase on arrival in town.

studenttraveller

Thank you all so much for your help so far. I am working now on finding accomodations in Seville since that part of our trip is most set in stone (assuming we can indeed find accomodation!)

Here is an updated itinerary:

Thurs, 14 April: Madrid
Fri, 15 April: Madrid
Sat, 16 April: Daytrip to Segovia from Madrid
Sun, 17 April: Daytrip to Toledo from Madrid, spend the night there? or back to Madrid for the evening?
Mon, 18 April: Train to Cordoba, store luggage at station, spend day in Cordoba, take train to Granada and arrive at night
Tues 19 April: Granada
Wed 20 April: Granada
Thurs 21: April: Train to Seville from Granada, arrive in late morning/early afternoon
Fri, 22 April: Seville
Sat, 23 April: Seville
Sun, 24 April: Seville to Madrid
Mon, 25 April: Flight home

Does anyone have advice on Toledo and Segovia- whether you recommend seeing both cities considering the time we have in Spain?

danon

If you wish to see Madrid's great museums (and more) ,
you don't have much time in the city.
Depends on your interest. Evenings in small towns are not for me. Others love it.

kimhe

Here are some 40 Sevilla hotels for your dates. I use this booking service all the time:
http://www.booking.com/searchresults...&clear_group=1

You can also try these places, cheaper and all with excellent location:
Naranjo: http://www.bandbsevilla.com/
Abril: http://www.hotelabril.com/
Roma: http://www.hostalromasevilla.com/IN/
Paco's: http://www.hostal-pacos.com/IN/
Paris: http://www.hostalparissevilla.com/IN/
Gravina: http://www.hostalromasevilla.com/IN/
Florida: http://www.hostalfloridasevilla.com/en/location.html

studenttraveller

Thank you so much kimhe! That will be very helpful! You have all been so great with your advice.

caitroselin

We stayed in Toledo for a few days as my husband's sister was studying there. I enjoyed staying overnight as the crowds emptied out, and we were able to enjoy the beautiful city at night. If you do decide to stay in Toledo, I'd recommend the Hotel Santa Isabel which is by the cathedral.

http://www.hotelsantaisabel.net/

Enjoy your trip!