Flame123

I am planning a 2 week trip to Andalucia, a trip that has been planned and re-planned so many times and not taken. But THIS time, it is a given.

So I am asking for suggestions and comments on my plans :

Flying into Madrid, taking AVE train to Cordoba (3 nights)
Train to Seville - 4 nights
Pick up rental car (where exactly - suggestions?) and drive to Rona - 2 nights
Drive to Alhama de Granada - 2 nights
Drive to Granada - drop off car (where exactly ?-suggestions?) - 2 nights
Last night before flight home Madrid airport

While in the Ronda and Alhama de Granada areas, what are recommended towns to visit, i.e white villages?

Many thanks in advance !!

mamcalice

When is your trip?

Flame123

Mid-September

Robert2533

Three nights is a bit much for Cordoba, two would be better unless you know someone there.

You can pick up your rental car at the rail station in Sevilla and drop it off at the rail station in Granada.

Alhama de Granada is an interesting choice, you must be going for the spa.

Flame123

bumping up and hoping for some more replies please

Spaniola

Sounds good to me, a couple of nice towns Carmona and Ecija between Cordoba and Seville, shame you won´t have a hire car then. Alhama de Granada is lovely especially the drive approaching from the south.

Setenil de Bodegas is a fascinating little place near Ronda and Juzcar the village painted blue for the Smurf movie quiet a change from white villages.
´The White Villages´ is a touristy title as every village (except the smurf one) is white.

Mid-September is a lovely time. The Medina Azhara (several spelling variations on it) a ruined Moorish city 6km from Cordoba is interesting - you can get a bus to go there.

Spaniola
OnlySpain.org

yodababe

How are you getting from Granada to Madrid? I don't see that on the itinerary.

Flame123

Thanks for the comments and advice. Robert - I am going to Alhama because I read that it is a beautiful place with interesting landscape and surroundings and I thought that it might be nice after so many "cities" to be in an area like this for two days. The spa was not really the focal point of the visit although I think that will be nice as well.

Although I have 3 nights in Cordoba, the first day/night will mainly be just about getting there so we will have two full days. Do you think that is still too much?

Spaniola, thanks for the names of these unknown-to-me towns along the way, I will take it into account in my planning.

kimhe

Córdoba, once the most advanced city in the western world, is much more than the most obvious sights such as the Mezquita,
the Alcázar etc. http://www.guardian.co.uk/spanish-to...-changed-world

The "other" Córdoba around Plaza de las Tendillas, the Plaza Mayor-like Plaza de la Corredera, the Roman ruins etc can be highly recommended. All very close to the main tourist attractions but a totally different and more local atmosphere. Bustling outdoor cafés long into the night.

Several fine bodegas/tabernas in this area. Here you'll find great local places on every corner. Had some excellent meals in a couple of them in the summer of 2011. Taberna Salinas comes recommended in the Michelin guide, and we were perfectly happy after two raciones, a bottle of wine and a couple of brandys for some 35€. http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

Bar Santos in Calle Magistral González Francés, 3 along the eastern side of the Mezquita, is a laid-back and small respite in this heavily touristy area. Wonderful Jamón Ibérico and people talk about the tortilla.

Felt immediately at home in central Plaza de las Tendillas, in Roman Córdoba 300 meters north of the Mezquita. The thousands of people gathering here for the midnight eating of the grapes on New Years eve is traditionally directly televised on national tv. The clock on Plaza de las Tendillas has got no bells. Since 1961 the hours has been chimed in by recorded flamenco chords from the guitarist Juanito Serrano. Great atmospehere and good spirit well into the small hours, at least in the week-ends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fexMbX4EsRE&NR=1

When in Córdoba, perhaps also visit the ruins of the 10th century palace city Madinat al-Zahra just outside town? http://www.andalucia.com/magazine/en...d4/madinat.htm

ekscrunchy

Take a look and see if any of this helps....granted it is mostly about food, but look at the cork forest section...a highlight for us, although maybe out of your way..I think more time in Sevilla and perhaps less in Cordoba...no need for a car within either of those cities..


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm

kja

I agree with kimhe - there is a great deal to see in Cordoba. I thought it worth at least 2 full days, and I travel pretty hard. Consider visiting the Viana Museum - such lovely courtyards!

http://www.palaciodeviana.com/es/home.asp