Suggestions on Itinerary to Andalucia Spain
Dec 29th, 2014, 04:33 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suggestions on Itinerary to Andalucia Spain
I am planning on traveling to Spain for ten days in April 2015 with my 25 year old son. We will be flying in and out of Madrid from Maine from April 17th to the 26th. We want to enjoy some sightseeing. We also love to hike, enjoy wine and food and go to places that locals enjoy.
1) Night 1 Cordoba: We land in Madrid at 8:30am and it was suggested that we take the train to Cordoba for our first night.
2) Night 2 and 3 Seville: Train to Seville for 2 nights.
3) Night 4 and 5 Rondo: Rent a car and drive to Rondo for 2 nights. Hope to do some hiking here. Would like to stop in Jerez or Grazalema on the way.
4) Night 5 and 6 Nerja: Drive to Nerja for 2 nights. Hopefully get a hike in here.
5) Night 7 Granada: Drive to Granada and drop off car at train station. Spend one night here.
6) Night 8 Madrid: Train to Madrid for one night.
7) Fly home.
Does this sound like a doable itinerary?
Some people suggested leaving out Nerja but I think we would enjoy seeing the coast. Rick Steves says positive things about this area in his book. Maybe 1 night in Nerja and 2 in Granada?
I would love a recommendation for a cooking class if anyone has ever done this.
Thanks for any advice you could give me!
1) Night 1 Cordoba: We land in Madrid at 8:30am and it was suggested that we take the train to Cordoba for our first night.
2) Night 2 and 3 Seville: Train to Seville for 2 nights.
3) Night 4 and 5 Rondo: Rent a car and drive to Rondo for 2 nights. Hope to do some hiking here. Would like to stop in Jerez or Grazalema on the way.
4) Night 5 and 6 Nerja: Drive to Nerja for 2 nights. Hopefully get a hike in here.
5) Night 7 Granada: Drive to Granada and drop off car at train station. Spend one night here.
6) Night 8 Madrid: Train to Madrid for one night.
7) Fly home.
Does this sound like a doable itinerary?
Some people suggested leaving out Nerja but I think we would enjoy seeing the coast. Rick Steves says positive things about this area in his book. Maybe 1 night in Nerja and 2 in Granada?
I would love a recommendation for a cooking class if anyone has ever done this.
Thanks for any advice you could give me!
Dec 29th, 2014, 05:16 PM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sorry - but with this itinerary you are spend a large part of your very limited time just getting from one place to another and finding and checking in and out of hotels.
You really don't have time to see much of anything. I would cut out Nerja and Ronda so at least you get a small amount of time in Seville, Granada and Cordoba.
We have been to Andaluisa twice - once 10 days and once 12 (other parts oSpain ere additional days) and still have alot we want to see. IMHO you need at least 2 full days (3 nights) in Seville and one full day (2 nights) each in granada and cordoba. Even that is minimal and allows only a quick look at major sights. If you want to add Ronda or Nerja I think you need to add days.
I would forget Steves and have a look at the Michelin green guide- which describes sights in detail and tells you how long you need to see even the highlights of each one.
April is a great time to go - warm enough (80s) to be pleasant - and use hotel pools - without the searing heat of midsummer.
You really don't have time to see much of anything. I would cut out Nerja and Ronda so at least you get a small amount of time in Seville, Granada and Cordoba.
We have been to Andaluisa twice - once 10 days and once 12 (other parts oSpain ere additional days) and still have alot we want to see. IMHO you need at least 2 full days (3 nights) in Seville and one full day (2 nights) each in granada and cordoba. Even that is minimal and allows only a quick look at major sights. If you want to add Ronda or Nerja I think you need to add days.
I would forget Steves and have a look at the Michelin green guide- which describes sights in detail and tells you how long you need to see even the highlights of each one.
April is a great time to go - warm enough (80s) to be pleasant - and use hotel pools - without the searing heat of midsummer.
Dec 29th, 2014, 05:21 PM
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It seems rushed. ..you might wish to skip Cordoba and go to Seville for 3 nights ( much more to see)
Drive from Seville to Ronda and then Granada.
Not familiar with Nerja, but 2 nights in Granada would be a minimum IMO
Drive from Seville to Ronda and then Granada.
Not familiar with Nerja, but 2 nights in Granada would be a minimum IMO
Dec 29th, 2014, 06:53 PM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like that you are going straight to Cordoba.
Otherwise, I find your pace a bit too rushed. It really depends on what you want to see and experience, but here are some things to consider:
2 nights in Sevilla -- is that really just one day? -- is VERY little. Even if it is 2 days, it still seems a bit short IMO.
2 nights in Ronda seems a bit high, although if you want to do some hiking there, I can see the rationale. BTW, unless Jerez or Grazalema are a high priority, you don't need a car to visit Ronda -- Ronda is connected by bus to Sevilla and by train to Granada.
! night in Granada is NOT sufficient IMO. I think it is best to visit the Alhambra twice, first during the day (when you can see all of it) and afterwards in the evening, when very few people are allowed in and the place takes on a magical quality. During the evening, you can see only the Nasrid Palace OR only the gardens -- if you go only once during the evening, make it for the Nasrid Palace. Better yet: Do both, with the evening visit to the Nasrid Palace AFTER your day visit. You WILL need to reserve your tickets WELL in advance.
I skipped Nerja, and so can't speak to what I would think had I visited it, but I do think your plan is at a faster pace than I would prefer (and I travel hard!), and I think you are skipping a LOT of truly wonderful things that you might be able to see if you were to leave Nerja out. JMO.
While there may be merits to Rick Steves guidebooks, IME, they typically DO NOT COVER a ton of stuff that is well worth seeing. I recommend that you consult the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet or Michelin Green Guide (if you don't have them, go to your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. (Beware of Mondays in Spain -- much will be closed!) Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from wherever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
It's a fascinating part of the world, and good food and wine will NOT be a problem.
Hope that helps!
Otherwise, I find your pace a bit too rushed. It really depends on what you want to see and experience, but here are some things to consider:
2 nights in Sevilla -- is that really just one day? -- is VERY little. Even if it is 2 days, it still seems a bit short IMO.
2 nights in Ronda seems a bit high, although if you want to do some hiking there, I can see the rationale. BTW, unless Jerez or Grazalema are a high priority, you don't need a car to visit Ronda -- Ronda is connected by bus to Sevilla and by train to Granada.
! night in Granada is NOT sufficient IMO. I think it is best to visit the Alhambra twice, first during the day (when you can see all of it) and afterwards in the evening, when very few people are allowed in and the place takes on a magical quality. During the evening, you can see only the Nasrid Palace OR only the gardens -- if you go only once during the evening, make it for the Nasrid Palace. Better yet: Do both, with the evening visit to the Nasrid Palace AFTER your day visit. You WILL need to reserve your tickets WELL in advance.
I skipped Nerja, and so can't speak to what I would think had I visited it, but I do think your plan is at a faster pace than I would prefer (and I travel hard!), and I think you are skipping a LOT of truly wonderful things that you might be able to see if you were to leave Nerja out. JMO.
While there may be merits to Rick Steves guidebooks, IME, they typically DO NOT COVER a ton of stuff that is well worth seeing. I recommend that you consult the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet or Michelin Green Guide (if you don't have them, go to your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. (Beware of Mondays in Spain -- much will be closed!) Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from wherever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
It's a fascinating part of the world, and good food and wine will NOT be a problem.
Hope that helps!
Dec 30th, 2014, 05:12 AM
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree that this is far too rushed.
There is great hiking throughout the Serrania de Ronda; you do not have to stay in Ronda to encounter great trails. One of the most beautiful areas we found (driving, not hiking, but there are trails) is the cork forest near Cortes de la Frontera. Extraordinary.
RENFE trains can take you right to a trail and then out again at another spot....I have a couple of details in this report, but you can find out more online. Look, for example, at the route from Granada to Algeciras, which stops at great trail points. The trip from Granada to Gaucin takes three hours.
Here is more information:
http://www.andalucia.com/ronda/hendersons-railway.htm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm
There is great hiking throughout the Serrania de Ronda; you do not have to stay in Ronda to encounter great trails. One of the most beautiful areas we found (driving, not hiking, but there are trails) is the cork forest near Cortes de la Frontera. Extraordinary.
RENFE trains can take you right to a trail and then out again at another spot....I have a couple of details in this report, but you can find out more online. Look, for example, at the route from Granada to Algeciras, which stops at great trail points. The trip from Granada to Gaucin takes three hours.
Here is more information:
http://www.andalucia.com/ronda/hendersons-railway.htm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm
Dec 30th, 2014, 06:00 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beautiful coastline and landscapes in Nerja. I recommend you stay in one of the hotels in or around Calle Carabeo, the oldest street in town. Runs along the cliffs on this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trondjs/3735908317/
Two excellent options would be:
Hotel Carabeo: http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/
Parador de Nerja:
http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-nerja
Plenty of great hiking from Nerja:
http://www.explorenerja.com/things_t...and_hiking.htm
http://www.hikingwalkingspain.com/
In Nerja you'll find dozens of genuine, no fuss local atmosphere tapas bars and restaurants, as well as high end Andalucian restaurants. Have had some of the best and freshest fish and seafood experiences ever here. I could give you some recommendations based on your preferences.
Always updated info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/
Two excellent options would be:
Hotel Carabeo: http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/
Parador de Nerja:
http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-nerja
Plenty of great hiking from Nerja:
http://www.explorenerja.com/things_t...and_hiking.htm
http://www.hikingwalkingspain.com/
In Nerja you'll find dozens of genuine, no fuss local atmosphere tapas bars and restaurants, as well as high end Andalucian restaurants. Have had some of the best and freshest fish and seafood experiences ever here. I could give you some recommendations based on your preferences.
Always updated info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/
Dec 30th, 2014, 08:39 PM
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We recently did a similar trip - 2 nights Sevilla, 2 nights Ronda, 2 nights Granada and 1 day Cordoba en route to Madrid (as part of a longer 21 day trip starting in Prague/Croatia and ending in Madrid for 5 days, where my son was studying).
I'm going to respectfully disagree with everyone and say that your plan is not that terrible because a) you're traveling with a 25-year old (same age as one of my sons) and guys that age are very efficient sightseers, and b) having the car makes the road trip part relaxing - the driving is easy and distances between destinations are relatively short. Also, you've included downtime in Ronda and Nerja.
If you did want to tweak things, you could add a day to Sevilla to get over jet lag and do Cordoba as a day trip on the way back to Madrid from Granada (dropping off the car there). Or you can shorten your stay in Ronda to one night and add a night to Sevilla or Granada to get more of a taste of the Moroccan-style nightlife.
Good luck and have a fantastic trip.
I'm going to respectfully disagree with everyone and say that your plan is not that terrible because a) you're traveling with a 25-year old (same age as one of my sons) and guys that age are very efficient sightseers, and b) having the car makes the road trip part relaxing - the driving is easy and distances between destinations are relatively short. Also, you've included downtime in Ronda and Nerja.
If you did want to tweak things, you could add a day to Sevilla to get over jet lag and do Cordoba as a day trip on the way back to Madrid from Granada (dropping off the car there). Or you can shorten your stay in Ronda to one night and add a night to Sevilla or Granada to get more of a taste of the Moroccan-style nightlife.
Good luck and have a fantastic trip.
Dec 31st, 2014, 09:33 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all so much for your helpful suggestions on my itinerary. At this time, I think I will try to keep a visit to Nerja and try to add a night to Granada or Seville. Thank you for the great information on Nerja. We live on the coast of Maine and I think we would enjoy a visit to a coastal town. As crosscheck mentioned, my 25 year old son is not interested in a great deal of sightseeing. We definitely will go to the must see sites but plan on doing some casual exploring of the cities/towns, visiting markets, and doing some hikes. My son loves to cook and I know he will love trying all the tapas.
On two trips to Italy, my favorite places were the Cinque Terra and towns on the Almafi coast. I am glad I went to Rome, Florence and Venice but 2 nights were plenty for me. My favorites were the smaller towns. I have never been to Spain, but I am thinking that two nights might be enough for us. I am certainly taking all of your advice into consideration and trying to think about how to tweak things. I can't add more days to our trip since the plane tickets have been purchased.
Thank you all for such great advice!!!
On two trips to Italy, my favorite places were the Cinque Terra and towns on the Almafi coast. I am glad I went to Rome, Florence and Venice but 2 nights were plenty for me. My favorites were the smaller towns. I have never been to Spain, but I am thinking that two nights might be enough for us. I am certainly taking all of your advice into consideration and trying to think about how to tweak things. I can't add more days to our trip since the plane tickets have been purchased.
Thank you all for such great advice!!!
Dec 31st, 2014, 12:57 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did very similar trip, and did a lot of moving around as well. We also arrived on early flight to Madrid, and took train to Cordoba upon arrival. We spent 4 nights in Seville, and really loved that city, so were glad we had the extra time there. Here's my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-andalucia.cfm
Overall all we loved the area, the people and the food. It was a very high energy trip. We hit the ground running at every stop, so the train/bus rides in between were welcome rests. We had oursleves organized in such a way that hotel transitions went quickly, and we were on the move for the most part non-stop while in each location.
Overall all we loved the area, the people and the food. It was a very high energy trip. We hit the ground running at every stop, so the train/bus rides in between were welcome rests. We had oursleves organized in such a way that hotel transitions went quickly, and we were on the move for the most part non-stop while in each location.
Jan 1st, 2015, 02:24 PM
#11
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<enjoy wine and food and go to places that locals enjoy.>
Some suggegstions in Nerja. Have splurged on the freshest fish and seafood in all these places (they do meat as well):
La Puntilla: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
Christmas songs in La Puntilla, gives you an idea of the place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVYUebzPh4s
La Marina: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
Three courses lunch with wine incl are 8,50€ and very popular with locals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK416YNvRSk
El Pulguilla: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
Uses to be much more packed than this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJ_ZULhJcA
Free tapas to choose directly from the grill with every glass of whatever in the bar area in both La Puntilla and in El Pulgilla, as in most tapas bars and restaurants in Nerja.
And in Nerja, as in all of the Malaga region, nothing beats the local pride Conchas finas, pure heaven and pure sea: https://www.google.no/search?q=Conch...w=1600&bih=783
Some other regional specialities:
Carne con tomate: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news...n_tomate.shtml
Porra: http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/dini...querana-p22371
Vinos de Malaga: http://www.andalucia.com/gastronomy/malagawines.htm
The Competa wine is something special. Ask for it when in Nerja, close to Competa: http://winemakermag.com/1309-wine-in-competa-dry-finish
http://www.competa-online.de/free/pu...tawein-gb.html
http://winemakermag.com/1309-wine-in-competa-dry-finish
Some suggegstions in Nerja. Have splurged on the freshest fish and seafood in all these places (they do meat as well):
La Puntilla: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
Christmas songs in La Puntilla, gives you an idea of the place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVYUebzPh4s
La Marina: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
Three courses lunch with wine incl are 8,50€ and very popular with locals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK416YNvRSk
El Pulguilla: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
Uses to be much more packed than this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJ_ZULhJcA
Free tapas to choose directly from the grill with every glass of whatever in the bar area in both La Puntilla and in El Pulgilla, as in most tapas bars and restaurants in Nerja.
And in Nerja, as in all of the Malaga region, nothing beats the local pride Conchas finas, pure heaven and pure sea: https://www.google.no/search?q=Conch...w=1600&bih=783
Some other regional specialities:
Carne con tomate: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news...n_tomate.shtml
Porra: http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/dini...querana-p22371
Vinos de Malaga: http://www.andalucia.com/gastronomy/malagawines.htm
The Competa wine is something special. Ask for it when in Nerja, close to Competa: http://winemakermag.com/1309-wine-in-competa-dry-finish
http://www.competa-online.de/free/pu...tawein-gb.html
http://winemakermag.com/1309-wine-in-competa-dry-finish
Jan 6th, 2015, 11:27 PM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<I read somewhere that Nerja virtually shuts down during certain Seasons>
Not true. Less tourists and the best time of year to visit Nerja is in my opinion November, December and early spring (March/April). Have visited every year since 2003 "off season". Tranquile and beautiful, and all our favourite restaurants and tapas bars are open (El Pulguilla, La Marina, La Puntilla, El Niño, Meson Antonio, Ayo's, Vitaliano, Lan Sang etc. etc.). http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandrestaurants/
Not true. Less tourists and the best time of year to visit Nerja is in my opinion November, December and early spring (March/April). Have visited every year since 2003 "off season". Tranquile and beautiful, and all our favourite restaurants and tapas bars are open (El Pulguilla, La Marina, La Puntilla, El Niño, Meson Antonio, Ayo's, Vitaliano, Lan Sang etc. etc.). http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandrestaurants/
Jan 7th, 2015, 12:05 AM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
... and a small taste of "shut down" Nerja January 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR8RFc3DyrU
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kdd
Europe
39
Jun 27th, 2017 01:19 PM
