peanutbutter

Two friends and I will be traveling in Spain in April. We are planning on 4 nights in Madrid, with a day trip to Toledo included, then taking a train to Sevilla. We were thinking of renting a car there and driving to Ronda (or somewhere in the area) to spend a few nights exploring the area, ending up in Granada for 2 nights and then taking a train back to Madrid. Could you recommend a scenic (not hair-raising!) route out of Sevilla? Would that be a good place to rent a car? We've looked at lodging near Rondo, and many reviews say that it is a good "base" for exploring the area. I'd appreciate any and all thoughts. Thanks!

MmePerdu

It's been a few years since I drove through the area but, if I recall correctly, it's anything but hair-raising, at least between Seville and Antequera, the part I drove the most. It's a wide plain which, if you're looking at pictures of Ronda, you might not guess. As an acrophobic, I'm sure I'd have remembered if it had been precipitous (except at the edge of Ronda itself).

It's a lovely & uncomplicated area to drive through and you might like to stay 1 night in Ronda, then in Antequera, a quiet town with few tourists and an easy place from which to see the countryside and some while villages. I actually stayed in Iznajar, NE of Antequera and loved it, if you like villages, as I do.

PalenQ

I took a bus between Seville and Rondo and it went by the most direct route and a sweet one - smack thru the famous perched white towns - all whitewashed in this hot climate - with a car could stop off a lot - Seville would be a natural place for you to rent a car.

Ronda itself is marvelous - a deep gorge bisects the old and new towns.

MmePerdu

Make that "white villages".

peanutbutter

Thank you! We're thinking of 2-3 nights in Sevilla before renting the car, so perhaps we could do a day trip (by bus or train) while we're there, and then head for the white villages.

Robert2533

Take a look at the following post for infomation on one route that will take you through the white villages on the way to Ronda.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...hich-route.cfm

MmePerdu

It's my understanding that the white villages aren't isolated in one area, but spread pretty much across the area. So I wouldn't think you'd need to deviate too much to include one or more on your route from Seville to Granada, except for Ronda which is worth the deviation.

peanutbutter

Thank you. Does anyone have any thoughts about a "central" location for lodging to venture out on day trips? Is 3 days enough time in the area between Sevilla and Granada?

PalenQ

I think 3 days is a bit too much, from what I saw - many small villages that were kind of like peas in pods - lovely sweet peas in lovely pods but not much to see except the villages themselves - but I was on a bus that went direct with a few stops in villages - I may have missed something but the area looked stark - kind of semi-desert like and in summer hot as Hades.

peanutbutter

Hmmmm. . . Lots to think about. Thanks for the info.

MmePerdu

April should be lovely weather. Landscapes are subjective, like everything, and as I was living in a real desert, it didn't look like a desert to me. I was in Iznajar with day trips for a week and didn't find it too long at all. So all seen from our own perspectives and you must consider your own, PB.

MmePerdu

Thinking about the landscape, PQ is probably right, it probably is desert but what I remember are the olive groves, so unlike the Sonora Desert where I lived at the time. But it remains, all things relative.

It would probably be nicer to stay in a white village, since you have a car, rather than just stopping and looking along the way. It's what we did and I recommend it.

Robert2533

Andalucia inland is warm during the summer months. Nothing unusual, but the area has a number of excellent bodegas you can visit, as well as a major historial site 14 kms away, the Ancient Roman City of Acinipo (www.rondatoday.com/acinipo-ruined-roman-city/). You'll need a car to get there.

There is also the 25,000 year old Cave of Pileta, Cueva de la Pileta (www.cuevadelapileta.org).

Three days will work, if you plan your stay well.

peanutbutter

Thanks to all of you! We've decided to spend 3 nights in Sevilla and probably take a day trip to Cordoba from there. We're looking at Ronda as a central location to explore the White Hills area. The Cueva de la Pileta and Acinipo sound interesting, and worth checking out. I appreciate all of the tips from everyone.