Spain Suggestions for our Itinerary

Old Aug 21st, 2013, 11:01 AM
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Spain Suggestions for our Itinerary

Our family DH and two adult kids are leaving for Spain in September. I am usually well ahead of the game but with three elderly parents we were not sure that the trip was a go. The plan is to arrive in Malaga and fly out of Barcelona. DH and I have two weeks our daughter has eight days and our son is in between. DH and I arrive one day ahead of the kids and the plan is to leave Malaga once they arrive. Plan to travel to Granada and Cordoba and then up to Barcelona. Our dear friends have an apartment in Vilanova i la Geltru where we will stay. The thought is to spend one night in Cordoba and two in Granada. Considering picking up a car in Malaga and dropping it off before catching the train to Barcelona. Should we train it the entire trip. I have traveled extensively in Italy and Germany but this is a first for Spain. I appreciate any help from your tried and true experiences. Thank you!
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Old Aug 21st, 2013, 11:31 AM
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Don't miss Sevilla - I'd spend 4 nights in Sevilla, 2 in Granada and 2 in Cordoba (unless you don't have time in which you can daytrip from Sevilla).
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Old Aug 21st, 2013, 12:30 PM
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I agree with CathyM, Sevilla is a must especially if it's your first time visiting Andalusia. If you don't have enough days I would drop Cordoba as it is a sleepy town and the main reason for going is to see the Mesquita.
Granada is not as lively as Sevilla but it is lovely and the Alhambra is not to be missed. I recommend that you go to at least one Flamenco show.
In Sevilla some of the best performers dance at El Museo del Baile Flamenco. The Carboneria is a lot of fun and the music is free.
In Granada as in Sevilla there are many small bars where you can see Flamenco in a very intimate setting.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2013, 04:34 PM
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Thank you for the insight I will re think this itinerary. I would like my daughter to experience a bit of Barcelona..what are your thoughts. Should we drive fly or train the trip?
Thanks
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Old Aug 22nd, 2013, 06:14 PM
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You should try and get Seville into the trip. Excluding the wonders of the Alhambra and the Mezquita. it has much more to see than Granada and Cordoba and is the quintessential Andalucian destination.

It is often possible to get quite cheap one way fares (97 euros showing on Iberia for second half of September right now and even less on Vueling $US 119 and Ryanair $US 53, ) from Seville to Barcelona, which might be a better option, at 1.5 hours flying time, than the AVE high speed train to Madrid and then another on to Barcelona.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 08:17 AM
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Barcelona is a very unique city and has a lot of things to do and see. There are many great night clubs that your daughter might enjoy.
My 24 year old daughter just spent 10 days with a friend in Barcelona and loved it.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 07:05 PM
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Thank you!!! I am going to spend the weekend pulling it together. Do you suggest trains in southern Spain from Malaga or renting a car. I think flying will be the way to go as we head to Barcelona.
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Old Aug 24th, 2013, 12:31 PM
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I suggest taking the train at least as far as Granada (you can do it in 2 hours from Malaga). A car is an absolute liability in Granada, not so much for the same reasons as in London, Paris, or Rome, but because there are so many traffic controlled zones in the centre. A car is not needed to see the main sights and it is not worth the ticketing risk. A car is not required in Cordoba either, and will scare the willies out of you in Seville's old town (you will get lost, at least temporarily, even with a GPS).

The route from Granada to Cordoba is not terribly scenic, so a car is not a real asset. The train is a 2nd tier high speed service called "Altaria" and it is 2:20 on the fastest route to Cordoba from Granada. A lot of people take the bus between Seville - Cordoba - Granada. They are very modern and comfortable. Busing in Europe is not like in N. America, that's for sure. It is only 43 minutes to Seville from Cordoba

Unless you are planning to do some driving around the white towns, along the coast, or want to see a specific place not well served by rail (possible)or bus (less likely), I don't think a car would be worth it as you would be parking it in every place you plan to stop and you are not planning to stay in those places long enough for any car day tripping.

Given your plans. a car, especially one big enough for 4 adults with 2 weeks worth of luggage, may not really worth it.

You have been to Italy so I will presume you might be familiar with Tuscany. A car is the preferred way to see Tuscany if you want to drive between many small towns and just drive to enjoy the scenery. However, if you were planning on staying just in Florence, Siena, and Lucca, or perhaps Orvieto, you would probably be better off using the train. That is pretty much Andalucia when you are visiting Malaga, Granada, Cordoba and Seville(?) only
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Old Aug 24th, 2013, 03:59 PM
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OMG Aramis...you must have been reading my mind! I have been struggling with the transportation issue all day. Thank you. There seems to be plenty of hotel/B&B available for our time frame. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I think that we are going to fly with Iberia between the South and BCN.
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