sfmasterG

I know it's a too short trip. But this is the time we have. I want to figure out how to divide up the time before moving on to make lodging arrangements

February...

We are savvy travelers (Family of 5 - kids ages 16, 13 and 10), we enjoy historical sites, art museums but also enjoy just hanging out and wandering around and seeing cafes and architecturs. Confident we'll come back one day. I'm willing to sacrifice Madrid knowing we'll come back to Spain but kids really want to see the Post Office and a few items in the Prado and we have a morning flight out of Madrid. We were in Barcelona and Costa Brava last summer and had a wonderful time and are excited to continue to see other parts of Spain.

Here is the basic outline.

Land in Madrid from JFK at 9am - Train to Seville
3 nights Seville - (probably try to find an apartment)
1 night Ronda - OR Carmona (stay in a Parador) - Drive or Train?
1 night Granada - OR make it two (take from Seville or Madrid) - Take bus from Granada to Madrid (later afternoon if only 1 night in Granada or early if only 1 night in Madrid)
2 nights Madrid (10:30 am flight out)

Given these very tight constraints. Thoughts...Would you make it 2 in Granada?

We enjoy the contrast of city and town.... but I don't think it makes sense to have 2 nights in smaller towns given our short time. Had originally hoped to get seaside but think I misunderstood where Seville is in relation to sea and not enough time.

Thank you...

PalenQ

Car may be neat for a family -but a large car. Trains and buses go everywhere you want - for lots of info check www.renfe.com (Spanish Railways site); www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

You may be underestimating travel times between your cities - most will take much of a day. Cordoba is also a great old town with former mosque now a Christian cathedral.

February is way too cool for swimming or beaching.

Your schedule is IMO way too fast to - cut Granada or Ronda but do not take time away from Madrid.

sfmasterG

Thanks - I am also sad to miss Cordoba....
So could substitute Cordoba for Ronda.....

I thought to save Granada for another time - but seems as it would be better to see Granada this time and save Madrid - as Granada would fit in with the themes and history of the area.

PalenQ

Actually Madrid would be the least of my favorites with three kids - to large to get a fix on in one day. Lots of neat stuff but a big noisy and to me more modern than romantic like those other towns are (except Granada - which I found a so-so (but nice) large city-but yes the Alhambra is raison d'etre for going-may want to end up there and train to Madrid from there. Really scenic first part of ride if I recall right.

kja

I would aim for two nights in Granada because IMO, the Alhambra is best visited during both the day and the evening. Be sure to make reservations in advance.

I would NOT rent a car for this trip, as you have excellent public transportation options.

Personally, I’d skip Ronda on this trip. It’s setting is spectacular, but you have so little time for your other destinations….

And do consider finding a way to visit Cordoba and it’s magnificent Mezquita while in Sevilla – Cordoba is an easy day trip from there.

Madrid is probably easier to reach than any other location you are considering for this trip, and so easier to include on a later trip. So if you have to shortchange something – and I think you do – that would be a logical place to consider shortchanging. (And I say that as someone who loved Madrid.)

Hope that helps!

sfmasterG

KJA - I appreciate your thoughts. I think I'd like to invest in time in the exploration of the region. We're flying out of Madrid so will need to go regardless... and maybe just a few iconic sites that the kids have seen in school but focus on Andalucia...

That said - I don't want to be all CITY time and the kids love Paradors.....

So I'd like a day that is in a smaller place. I think Grenada and Sevilla will feel more urban...

Thoughts???

kja

I guess it depends on what you (and your children) will think is “CITY” time.

I can’t speak to Camora (or its parador), but Ronda was a place I would call a town (not a city, not a village). If your intent is to add something that isn’t a city to your itinerary, I think Ronda makes sense. And bonus: No need to rent a car to visit Ronda.

kimhe

Granada, Córdoba and Sevilla are definitely urban, but all cities also have very local and almost village feel central areas.
For "just hanging out and wandering around and seeing cafes and architecture" I can't think of much better places than the Triana and Macarena districts in Sevilla.

Triana, a cradle of flamenco culture and fabulous tapas bars: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/triana.htm
Macarena, as local feel as it gets, Mudejar architecture and markets: http://andalucia.com/cities/seville/macarena.htm
http://www.veoapartment.com/blog/sev...udejar-centre/

PalenQ

the bus ride Seville - Ronda is cool -goes thru several of the iconic white villages- stops briefly in some. quicker than train I think.