jhnelson427

Hi there:

Hoping someone might have some recommendations for our 12-day honeymoon in Andalucia in mid-March.

We'd like a balance of city and village/countryside destinations. We're not sure if we should rely on a rail pass or if renting a car is necessary (we'd like to avoid it if possible). We're flying into and out of Madrid and plan to spend two days there on the front end, then down to Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. Beyond those destinations, wondering if there are some other "musts," and/or any quaint (not touristy) fishing villages or white hill towns that would be lovely for a day or two.

Also, any hotel, airbnb, restaurant, bar, and flamenco recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Jessica

Robert2533

Do you realize that Holy Week, Semana Santa, is from March 20-27 this year, with other related events happening on the 18th, 19th and 28th?

jhnelson427

Is that a good time to be there, Robert, or much too crowded? Unfortunately, these are the only dates we could both get off of work.

jhnelson427

We'll be there March 4-18.

Robert2533

It's a great time to be there, but hotels tend to be expensive in Sevilla during Semana Santa. Luckily you'll miss the high season, but you should book your accommodations as soon as possible. Depending on your budget, I would look at the Fontecruz Sevilla, now part of the Marriott Group. Very comfortable and a great location.

You can take the train from Madrid to Sevilla (5 nights) and the bus to Granada (2 nights).

From Sevilla you can do a daytrip to Córdoba and another down the Jerez, but the rest of the time I would look to enjoy Sevilla.

From Granada I would fly back to Madrid for your final 2 nights. You don't want ot miss the great restaurants and casual dining in Madrid (http://tinyurl.com/h6genqf) including our favorite, Albora (http://en.restaurantealbora.com).

jhnelson427

Thank you so much, Robert! So, here's what we're thinking so far, per your recs:

Mar 4 - 6: Madrid
Mar 7 - 11: Seville
Mar 12 - 13: Granada

Do you have any suggestions for the 14-18?
Ronda? Gibralter? Tarife? Ubeda/Baeza?

Thanks again!

kja

In addition to consulting a few good guidebooks, you might find it worth looking through the trip reports and planning threads on this board -- you will find a wealth of information about the many treasures of this part of Spain.

I would want more time than you are thinking of giving Granada. I thought Cordoba easily worth 2 full days. Depending on what else you decide to do, I'm not sure I would even try to fit any time in Madrid into your time frame, but that could work well -- your call, based on your interests.

Good luck!

Robert2533

If you want to include Ronda and Úbeda/Baeza in your itinerary, you will need a car, at least for part of your trip. Include Gib? It looks better from a distance. Tarifa in the summer, not in the winter, as it's not beach weather.

kja

Can't Ronda still be visited without a car? I took a train from Granada and a bus to Sevilla....

nytraveler

I would not do Gibraltar - jut a big rock with a lot of nasty monkeys that bite and steal things. There is so much more to see/do in Andalusia - esp Cordoba, where I would spend at least one night.

Ronda is cute for a day but you need a car. We also visited Ubeda and loved it - but only spent the day there.

Finally we spent some time in Marbella to relax at the beach/pool and casino but we were there in April when it was warmer - well into the 80s.

jhnelson427

Wow. You guys are so helpful. Thank you! We've settled on Cordoba for three nights, Seville for five, Granada for three, and Madrid for three. We'll likely take a day trip or two from Seville.

Any recs for neighborhoods/Airbnbs in Seville? Would be grateful for any and all dining, flamenco/nightlife attractions in these places outside of the usual suspects.

Thanks all!

Robert2533

I don't know about dining outside of the usual suspects, but in Sevilla you can try lunch at Bar Eslava (outstanding), tapas at La Brunilda, and of course, Petit Comite, for your best lunch in Sevilla. You can also do tapas at Bodeguita Antonio Romero, and lunch on your second day at La Bulla. You can also stop by the oldest bar in Sevilla, Bar Giralda. Casa Cuesta also makes for a good lunch stop.

We also have lunch at Oliver in Granada, more or less a tradition, but Mas Que Vinos is good for tapas, as is La Tena, Taberna El Mentidero and Puerta del Carmen.

kimhe

Here is updated flamenco schedule for Sevilla, from small peñas (flamenco clubs) to the major theaters: http://www.guiaflama.com/flamenco-en-sevilla/

I also recommend the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night performances in the Flamenqueria center in C/Castilla, 94, right by the Guadalquivir river on the Triana side. And promising young talents perform most Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays: http://www.flamenqueria.es/es/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

I like the nightlife in Triana and along the Alameda de Hercules: http://www.gospanishabroad.com/sevil...e-seville.html
http://www.thespainscoop.com/salud-a...fe-in-seville/

When it comes to food in Sevilla outside the usual suspects, I have a soft spot for some tapas for lunch with the locals in El Cairo, excellent arroz (paella). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

And great tapas and the best atmosphere in no fuss Bodegas Diaz Salazar: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html