lostteacher

Hi everyone!

I just received word that my fellowship to study Spanish is Spain was accepted! I will be spending 3 weeks in Malaga, Spain. My afternoons are free after 2:00 as are my weekends. I know I want to visit Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Madrid, and Segovia. Any other places I should try? Also this will be my first trip abroad. I've never been to Europe and am a little worried about using the rail system so any tips would be appreciated. I am also trying to decide if it would be worth it to spend another 6 days (on my own dollar) and go visit Paris for 2 days and London for another 3. (The extra day would be lost in travel)

As I said, this will be my first international trip. Any tips on luggage, what to pack, best way to organize itinerary, how to keep valuables safe, best guides, etc. would be appreciated.

I am VERY excited about my trip - but also a little anxious (if you can't tell).

Thanks for any help!

mcnyc

Congratulations on your fellowship! How exciting for you!

For 3 weeks, you may be trying to visit too many places at once, even if you do have your entire afternoons and weekends off. Personally, I'd not leave Malaga on my afternoons off, but get to know it better as it's such a rare opportunity. I'd save my travels for the weekends. Madrid is a 4 hour train ride from Malaga, Sevilla is a 2+ hour train ride, and spend a weekend at each city. Segovia is a 2 hour ride from Madrid. It was worth it (to me) as a day trip if only to see the sights. There's a beautiful Roman acqueduct that was used until the early 20th century, and a beautiful castle in the older part of town.

You can check out trains in Spain by going to www.renfe.es and clicking on the British flag for English. I found trains to be relatively easy to navigate, even with my limited Spanish, so I wouldn't worry about the rail system.

As for checking out London and Paris on this trip, it depends on how you travel. If you want to see as much as you can, I'd say shoot for it. Just don't make it an exhausting study trip, you'll want to remember something from your time in Spain!

laclaire

I agree with mcnyc that your afternoons should be spent in Malaga. Best case scenario is going to Nerja or Arroyo de la Miel. . . maybe Marbella or Benalmadena. . . they are all very nearby, but you will be amazed at how fast days go by in Malaga. Also, is this a summer trip? If so, you will be napping after lunch (it is too hot to do anything else) and afternoons on the beach are sublime.

Taking a day trip to Granada is great, but the other places you list are more like a string of places to visit as opposed to day trips. Instead of doing London and Paris, I would take my money and go to Sevilla, Cordoba, Madrid and Segovia, getting a fuller picture of South and Central Spain. They are cheaper than London and Paris as well.

rosexmke

Many posters mention Ronda as well, just south of Cordoba. Do a search on this website and label it spain intinerary and read what other people are asking and information they are getting back. I agree about keeping the trip to spain. if you want to add on time, fly to barcelona, just my opinion. Not sure of your flight schedule but you can fly into madrid/malaga and out of barcelona for your return. Yes, the spanish website is easy to use but make sure you look at which are the "fast trains". Also do another search on this forum for spanish trains if you want to read more. That way you can better organize your itinerary and then you can repost a question showing your thinking on this forum and people will respond. On guides, I used a lot of info from this site. You can use amazon.com and put in fodors or lonely planet or rick steeves spain and then when one comes up, read the customer reviews. Or go to a book store or library and page through some. On luggage, I would keep to a medium size suitcase and perhaps a duffle or back pack so you can travel lightly on your side trips. Always have a copy of your id and passport you can keep in a seperate place. Not sure what season you are going to so no tips on what to pack. Look at weather online for the time period and area you will be going. ANything you need from the states you can purchase there if you forget, don't over-pack. Will you be staying with a family?

Mary_Fran

I strongly recommend you not dilute the power of a trip to Spain by tacking on quickie trips to Paris or London. Immerse yourself in the Spanish experience. You could spend those days in the Madrid area, for example, and see Avila, Segovia, Salamanca, and Toledo. Fabulous, fabulous places.

mcnyc

Also, check out this site http://www.maribelsguides.com/

Many people have found it helpful, and if you search Fodors for "Maribel's guides" you will see many posts referencing her info!

artlover

I'm probably one of the few people on this board that actually like Malaga, but I really think it has some real gems to offer--the best Picasso Museum I've seen (and I've seen them all--this one houses his private collection), Picasso's house, the Gibralfaro with its marvelous views, the Alcazaba, and a lovely city center. As others has suggested, day trips will be difficult if starting at 2, but weekend trips to the places you mentioned will be very doable.

I disagree with Mary Francis--I think while you're in Europe, if you haven't been to Paris yet, it would be well worth it to spend 5 days there. I'd bypass London before Paris, but that's just me.

Besides Fodors, there are lots of websites (spainalive.com, red2000.com, tourspain.es, spainlist.com, okspain.org to name but a few) and guidebooks for more information.

Congratulations on your fellowship!