ScottHAV

Hello fellow travelers. My wife (33) and myself (40) are heading to Spain from September 17th until October 10th. We are flying into Barcelona and returning from Seville. We both like the arts, good food, exploring on foot. We are looking for advice to get the best bang for our buck. (accommodation/restaurants/transportation etc).


This is a rough itinerary. I would love to hear others opinions on this.

Sep 18-23 Barcelona (w/ day trips)
23-27 Madrid (w/ day trips)
27-29 Cordoba?
29-Oct 1 Grenada (w/ day trips)
1-5 Nerja
5-10 Seville

Thanks for any help!

Scott

danon

Not sure why Nerja for 5 days.

Bedar

I'd put a couple of more days on Madrid to accomodate day trips to Segovia and Toledo and eliminate Nerja alogether. Go to Ronda for a day on the way to Seville. From Sevile you could visit Carmona and Jerez.

kja

I like Bedar's suggestion.

kimhe

Perhaps do Nerja last as the town celebrates its annual feria from the 8th of October in honour of the patron saints La Virgen de las Angustias and San Miguel Arcángel. Then your vacation will end with a traditional Andalucian fiesta full of local dance, music, food, wine and party spirit. http://www.explorenerja.com/fiestas/feria_de_nerja.htm
http://www.nerjatoday.com/fiestas/nerja-feria/

And regarding "the best bang for our buck". Free tapas to choose with every glass of whatever in the bar area in most restaurants and tapas bars in Nerja all year round.

Many great and no fuss local places where you get a a freshly prepared tapa to choose with every glass of beer/wine for some 1,50-2€.

Some of my favourites:
El Pulguilla: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres.../el-pulguilla/
La Puntilla: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/la-puntilla/
Los Bilbainos: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...los-bilbainos/
El Cangrejo: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/el-cangrejo/
El Velero: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandrestaurants/el-velero/

A tapas tour of these places would mean great and local atmosphere, fun, five delicious and hearty tapas and plenty of drinks for a total of some 7-10€ pp.

Ayo's is an institution in town, lunch on the beach 365 days/year since the late 1960's. Excellent paella, and Sunday lunch here is a highlight of the week for many local families. Eat as much paella as you want for 6,50€. http://www.ayonerja.com/chiringuito_en.html

For a top class Andalucian restaurant in Nerja, I recommend Sollun:
http://sollunrestaurante.com/ http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Resta...n-227002-41102

Oliva is also top notch: http://www.restauranteoliva.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

ScottHAV

Thank you for the replies so far! Please keep them coming.

danon...We want to hit some nice, less crowded beaches for some of the trip. Nerja looked like a good choice. If you have suggestions for nice beaches, that are not crowded, provide some shade, and have a good vibe, I would really appreciate it.

Bedar...I figured we would be able to go on a day trip or two within the 5 days in Madrid.

kimhe...since our flight home leaves from Seville, the dates won't work. By 'bang for buck'I am not necessary looking for cheap, but good value. We will definitely check out some of the places you listed if we end up in Nerja. Thanks!



Any cities/towns not to be missed for the direction we are heading? (Barcelona-Seville)

kimhe

Perhaps the best value I can think of when it comes to food and drink in Spain after intensive traveling in the country for nearly 30 years is the freshly grilled besugo (delicious white fish) or conchas finas (coulourful clams, pure sea) with a glass of ice cold and crisp dry manzanilla wine at Pulguilla in Nerja for 1.60€. Top quality and great atmosphere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJ_ZULhJcA
http://mynerja.com/view/bars/cerveceria-el-pulguilla/

In Madrid, I would recommend Casa Revuelta, just off Plaza Mayor. Fabulous tapas and very popular with locals. Famous for the Bacalao rebozado (cod) tapa but plenty of other goodies as well. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
Peraps with a glass of vermouth at Sunday lunchtime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHu8zGsFuy8

In Barcelona, nothing much beats the cocidos/stews or excellent seafood at La Perla, as genuine as it gets. Lunch only: http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/b...rante=la-perla
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

In Sevilla, I recommend a glass and the delicious Arros tapa (somewhat like paella) in the bar at lunchtime in El Cairo: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...2/03/el-cairo/

epicureanways

You may want to go to the beach in a town near Barcelona. Sitges–a short train ride from Barcelona–, beaches near Tarragona, or up on the Costa Brava–Sant Pol, Begur…

Or go to the less discovered beaches on the Costa de la Luz in Cadiz province, before you go to Granada. Beautiful long sandy beaches. You can stay in Vejer de la Frontera inland from the beach–a stunning white hilltop village.