Definitely take a short train ride to Puerto de Santa Maria-love that small beach town and loaded with sherry bodegas!There's also a small boat ferry ride that takes you to Cadiz!

Would definitely choose another location to spend three extra days; either Sevilla or Granada. If Sevilla, then day trip to Cordoba. You would not need or want a car for Sevilla & Cordoba - easy by train. You might for Granada.

Second chapla's opinion of Puerto de Santa Maria.

If you do have a car during the work week, the town of Sanlucar, west of Jerez has a lovely beach and super nice central plaza. It is a great place to spend an evening eating tapas and watching local families enjoy time together.

You could make a quick trip to Arcos or Ronda. If you have time in Madrid, you could visit Toledo - by train.

Sassafrass and Chapla,
Thank you for the quick replies.

If I spend a day in/around Madrid, do you think the day trip to Toledo would be preferable to sightseeing around Madrid?
Is Toledo a full day excursion?

Madrid is fantastic (museums, food, nightlife, parks) and Sevilla is easily the queen og all Spanish cities. Very different sizes and in most other ways, would be a great intro to a very diverse country. I would definitelt try to add time to these to cities instead of doing any kind of daytrips.

Always updated on Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
Sevilla: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevilla.htm
http://www.exploreseville.com/

>>>Madrid is fantastic (museums, food, nightlife, parks) and Sevilla is easily the queen og all Spanish cities.<<<

kimhe hit the nail on the head.

However, if you have a car drive to Sevilla via Arcos de la Frontera in order to see something of scenery and a white mountain town. From Sevilla, I recommend the short drive to Carmona too.

If you want to drive to Cape Trafalgar from Jerez look into Vejer de la Frontera, another white town.

I havent been but intend to go to this area - I always thought Sanlucar was the place to visit (but I might be wrong)I read that is has tapas bars all along the river abnd you get a boat upriver to a national park which is nice to visit ..... any views?

We spent several days exploring the area, taking day trips, for sherry tasting, on the train from Jerez to Porto Real, Santa Maria and Sanlúcar (w/lunch on the beach in March), and then an afternoon in Cadiz, with a stop for lunch Restaurante El Faro (reservations recommended).

Forget the car!