MFNYC

I have some frequent flyer miles that I am looking to unload. We can get roundtrip nonstops to Madrid for mid-October. We've already been to Madrid and Barcelona (which we adored) but never the south. I can only squeeze in 10 days.

Here's my tentative plan:
day 1 - arrive Madrid in the morning, take train to Sevilla (~2h20m)
day 2 - Sevilla
day 3 - Sevilla
day 4 - leave Sevilla and head to Ronda
day 5 - leave Ronda and head to Granada
day 6 - Granada
day 7 - leave Granada and head to Cordoba
day 8 - Cordoba
day 9 - leave Cordoba and take train back to Madrid (~1h50m)
day 10 - leave Madrid for NYC

Also considering spending an additional day around Ronda to explore other towns (?Nerja, Malaga, Cadiz) but unsure of where to take a day off of. Also would it be helpful to have a car for part of the trip, for more flexibility? We have driven in Europe before so don't have a problem with that, but do want to avoid driving in any major cities. I was thinking we'd pick up the car on the way out of Sevilla and return it in either Cordoba or Granada.

I had looked into flight that go directly to/from Sevilla or Malaga and NYC, but nothing workable was available with our ff miles.

michelhuebeli

For my taste you do too much checking out and moving house and checking in - all those changes of lodgings are disruptive, cost you time and energy, and stop you from feeling really "at home" in any one place.

Skip the night in Ronda.

Get up early and drive from Sevilla, you can be in picturesque Arcos de la Frontera (via Utrera and Espera, a nicer drive) in 80 minutes. Drive right around the hilltop town down below and marvel at the cliffs etc., then drive up into town a bit (not too far, like in all those towns driving becomes a puzzle at some point), walk around and have a café con leche, then head for Ronda, on the scenic route through the National Park via El Bosque, takes 90 minutes plus stopping to take pictures.

You'll be in Ronda before Noon! Park underground along Av. Martinez Astein (the broad street with the train station at one end - look it up), then walk down along the pedestrian lane Espinel to where the action is: The bullfight arena, the lookout over the gorge, the bridge, and the old town.

In a few hours you'll have seen and walked it all. Lunch and the following siesta may dictate just what you do and when, but by returning via Moron de la Frontera (tapas and refreshments are in order) you'll be back in Sevilla before dinner (which doesn't start being served until 10PM as you well know).

Then sightsee Cordoba on your way to Granada. Drive in from Sevilla, takes 90 minutes, as you come in on A-431 (Av. del Aeropuerto) turn right (south) on Av. Conde del Vallellano (still A-431), at the roundabout just before the bridge (Puente de San Rafael) go around 270 degrees and into Av. de Alcázar where you should be able to park for free.

Walk to the Mezquita (Cathedral-Mosque) and then a bit of the old town. Then drive to Granada.

The drive to Granada is better via Castro del Rio and Alcaudete and Alcalá la Real (look it up!), and even if you stop and look - which you should - you'll be in Granada before dinner time.

That's two hotels, two neighborhoods where you get a sense of belonging, as opposed to four.

To get back to Madrid you can fly from Granada, or take the train from Granada (takes twice as long as from Cordoba - but you're on vacation...) or drive to Cordoba, surrender the car, and hop on a train.

If you haven't booked your flights, make it an open-jaw (multi-city) ticket, into Madrid and home from Granada (probably via Madrid).

Robert2533

If you're staying in the old quarter of Granada, you'll have to notify your hotel so that you can enter the old quarter with your rental car. Otherwise you'll find the streets blocked by automatic barriers.

As far as your itinerary goes, I'd spend the first night in Cordoba, then take the train to Sevilla for the next 3 to 4 days. 4 nights would allow you to take a day trip south the Jerez.

One night in Ronda is fine, but you might like to stay an extra night before heading to Granada, where you can drop the car off and take the train back to Madrid for your last night.

As noted, if you haven't already purchased your tickets, you may want to consider flying back from Granada. The only issue here is that you would have to take an early morning flight in order to make the connection, which can make for a long day.

MFNYC

I haven't gotten the tickets, but there aren't any flights (where I can use FF miles) that work to or from any of the Andalucia airports (Granada, Malaga, Sevilla).

How much time is adequate in Cordoba and Granada. I read different things, everywhere I look.

Thanks.

michelhuebeli

You can't rely on what people say about how much time is adequate for these locations. What's right for one person is not right for another. And it all depends on how much time you have.

Ask yourself: What are your habits in a new city? How much walking around, taking buses, having a cup of something in different locations, listening to and talking to locals, getting a feel for the place do you do?

Some don't do any of all this, they just come and look at the major attraction(s) and move on, like what I suggest you do in Ronda since you don't have much time for all of Andalucia.

Others like to do all that "settling in" and it's fine if you have the time for it.

Not sure why the frequent-flier miles stop you from flying from Granada - flights are not all that expensive, you pay for the train, don't you? A bit more, a bit less... time is of the essence since you only have so little time.

Instead of taking others' personal preferences as gospel, read the guidebooks and watch the DVDs and form your own opinion about how much time is right in any one place, based on the overall time allocated to your trip. Then it will be your decision, not someone else's.

MFNYC

I have also read the Cordoba is an easy day trip by train from Sevilla. Would it make sense to add time to Sevilla and do Cordoba as a day trip?

MFNYC

I don't have a problem flying instead of the train, but there are no flights from Granada to NYC without multiple stops and long hours. I rather just spend the last night in Madrid and fly non-stop from there. All I need to do in Madrid is have dinner and sleep. No sight-seeing necessary, and I know the airport is close to the city, so a pretty easy transfer.

MFNYC

Also, I try to see the major sights, BUT I also like downtime. I'm a wanderer. I like to poke my head into little shops, sit in cafes and find whole-in-the-wall restaurants. I also like walking tours, historical sights, museums and picturesque locations. I know I don't have enough time for everything I want, but I'd like to somehow squeeze in a combination of all.

kja

I think your plan is very good -- I wouldn't change a thing!

You don't need a car for your proposed itinerary.

Yes, many people visit Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla. I was very glad to have 2 full days there. It definitely offers the combination of activities you describe.

Hope that helps!

michelhuebeli

You'll figure it out, weighing one thing against another. Something always has to give, no surprises there.

A day trip from Seville to Cordoba by train or by coach is totally doable.

A flight to Madrid before switching to your transatlantic flight from Madrid should be no problem, that's how I flew back the last time, early out of Granada, 7:30, arr. 8:35 in Madrid, a few hours later off to the US.

But if your flight out of Madrid is so early that you need a night in Madrid, again - flying or train the day before, same deal, whatever works.

Robert2533

Forget about flying back home from anywhere in Andalucia and just go with spending your last night in Madrid and enjoying it.

Stopping in Cordoba your first night makes the most sense. You will not be exhausted from jet lag as much as you would be taking the train to Sevilla the first day.

"Not sure why the frequent-flier miles stop you from flying from Granada" These flights are not always available as they require you to change carriers as most flights are only available to One World and Sky Team members.

anniebvejer

October in Andalucía should be fabulous. Yes- take rain to Cordoba for the day from Sevilla. Sevilla - flamenco show. Yes - hire the car from Sevilla and head to Jerez - European Wine capital 2014. Visit bodegas and catch the horse show. Enjoy the Ruta de tabancos ( Sherry bar route).
Next stop the stunning pueblo blanco of Vejer de la frontera. With it's stunning views- even towards Morocco, Vejer was voted the 2nd most beautiful town in Spain after Ronda (according to Spanish Viajer mag in May 2013. You could rent gorgeous little appt here for few days. Lots of fab little restaurants and bars. 10 minutes away from the moat gorgeous neachea such a El palmar and Trafalgar ( the battle was fought there!). From vejer - day trip to Cadiz and Morocco ( you have to do this but with a guide) via the short ferry hope from Tarifa. Vejer is perfect place to have downtime. I am biased because I live and have a cooking school there!
From Vejer, leave for Granada, via Ronda do that you can see it. Granada for 2/3nights def 1 full day at Alhambra and a if 3 nights, a day to enjoy the city but it's quite touristy. Then down to Malaga for a few nights . Great but often overlooked city. You can drop car and take the train back to Madrid from here.

MFNYC

Thanks for the info. My latest thought is starting in Granada, ending in Sevilla and doing Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla.

That will eliminate a hotel change and will give me more time in Sevilla.

I also am very interested in driving through the scenic national park and seeing the white villages. I would do that in between Granada and Sevilla by car with an overnight somewhere in the area (Ronda? Malaga?). I also hear Nerja is worth a stop.

kja

Many people visit Cordoba on a day trip from Sevilla. I spent 2 full days in Cordoba, loved every minute, and wouldn't have given up that time to free up more time anywhere else. BUT it all depends on what you want to see and do.

As already mentioned, you don't need a car for Ronda, although you would need one for some of the other White Villages.

MFNYC

I decided to put a night in Cordoba back into the itinerary. The plan now is to start in Cordoba and work our way to Sevilla. I know it's a lot of hotel hoping, but we're pretty organized, and can get ourselves going early so I think we'll be fine.

The hotels were are considering are:
Hotel Viento10, Cordoba
Hotel Casa Morisca, Granada
El Poeta de Ronda, Ronda
Casa Número 7, Sevilla

We'd like to keep rooms (incl tax and fees) under $200.

We will use a car only for the Ronda piece, just so we can do a little scenic exploring on the way there from Granada, and on the way from there to Sevilla.