OReilly

Hello all:

I am just beginning to plan a trip to Madrid and Andalusia and would welcome your feedback. I have been to all places before, but not for several years. I am interested in Art, Architecture, History, Walking and Food. I like busy, fast-paced travel. I will not be driving.

Here is the preliminary itinerary:
Sat: Fly to Madrid from London (Morning)
Sun: Madrid
Mon: Madrid
Tues: Madrid (Day trip to Segovia or Toledo)
Wed: Madrid
Thurs: Seville
Fri: Seville
Sat: Seville
Sun: Seville (day trip to Cordoba)
Mon: Seville
Tues: Cordoba
Wed: Cordoba
Thurs: Granada
Fri: Granada
Sat: Granada
Sun: Fly to London (Evening)

More or less days in each location? Would you add any other towns (btw, I have decided not to go to Malaga and will save for another weekend trip).

Regards Ger

Elizabeth_S

(Day trip to Córdoba)???? And then two nights there? Did you mean day trip elsewhere?

OReilly

Thanks: Carmona

Bedar

Sounds good as is. Wish other people had as much time as you do ! Yes, save Malaga for a weekend fling.

indyhiker

That's almost identical to our recent itinerary in Spain; the only difference being that we spent one less day in Madrid (much to my sadness). Granted, this was our first trip to the area, but we felt like we had sufficient time in each city to explore and never ran out of things to see/do. Of course, we would have loved more time in each city, too, especially in Madrid and Granada and time to do some day trips.

Not sure if this would be your thing, but we did a tapas tour with Devour Tours in Seville and enjoyed it very much, in part because of the other people we met (one of whom we met up with in Madrid). They offer similar tours in Granada and Madrid.

tedgale

If you're unable to drive or resolved not to, you can have a splendid city holiday.

But my ONE regret from our recent 12 days in Andalucía in November 2016 is that we did not budget time for the countryside.

It is splendid and varied. I also greatly enjoyed our visits to smaller centres (such as Ubeda and Baeza).

OReilly

Hi Ted in Canada

I have been reading your last trip report - wonderful, as always.

I don't have a licence anymore, since moving from Canada to London (just let it lapse), so driving is not an option. Last time I drove through Andalusia, I visited both Ubeda and Baeza, and on previous visits drove the hill towns, so I am content with just doing city visits for this trip.

BTW, since I stopped driving, I am finding my pace has slowed down, and I don't do the mad-dash insane trips I used to do.

regards Ger

OReilly

indyhiker: I have visited Madrid about 6 times (mostly on business with a long weekend tagged on) but it has been many years now, so I am looking forward to those days. I could spend it all in the museums

Hotels are looking pretty expensive

Thanks Bedar. Of late I have decided to take longer breaks, rather than dividing up vacation over several trips. Much more relaxing.

regards Ger

indyhiker

Ger,

We stayed in three different apartments and in one hotel (in Cordoba). Each of the apartments was around the price range you indicated in your other thread. I don't know if you're at all interested in apartments, but if you are, I'd be happy to provide info to you. The one in Granada--with Veoapartments--had staff on site from about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so it was some ways like staying at a hotel. The owner of the apartment in Madrid was also quite helpful, so we didn't miss the services of a concierge.

OReilly

Yes, I would be interested in apartments indyhiker. I tend not to, as I am travelling alone, but maybe this is the time to do it!

Many thanks ... Ger

BigRuss

Less Granada. You're not going to visit the Alhambra morning, noon, and night for all three days and the Capilla Real only requires a short visit. Cordoba is better for just wandering.

ashwinb

I would personally do both Toledo and Segovia on 2 different days.
Also, I would spend 1-2 nights in one of the white villages, perhaps Ronda.
I had a fairly similar itinerary as yours, do have a look at my TR: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-winter.cfm
And blog: https://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com...d-winter-2016/

ashwinb

On your second day in Granada, you could go to Sacromonte, explore Albayzin, the downtown. If you have to spend another day, look for some of the villages around Granada.

indyhiker

Ger, here they are with some comments:

http://www.veoapartment.com/apartmen...ta-cruz-a.html

There are actually three apartments in the same building that you can rent from Veoapartments, this one being the biggest and most expensive. They are each "managed/owned" by different people and our manager, Mariano, was lovely. He picked us up at the train station and gave us quite a bit of info--although his English is limited--about the area. I think the reviews for this particular apartment were particularly positive. That said, it is a big apartment for just one person. The building itself is lovely and on a quiet square. There is some interior noise within the building itself (footsteps from above, a barking dog here and there). The building is gated and secure. We would stay there again.

http://www.veoapartment.com/apartmen...an-jose-8.html

This apartment is actually managed by Smart Suites Abaicin and I think you may be able to rent directly from them or using booking.com. There are multiple apartments in the building, some bigger, some smaller. Here's another you might look at:

http://www.veoapartment.com/apartmen...-jose-7-2.html

Our apartment was very clean and well outfitted. The only negative is that our apartment was on the ground level and there was a lot of foot traffic, motorbikes and the like that passed by. It wasn't that big of a deal; but I would stay in an apartment on a higher floor the next time (I think the second link I provided is on a higher floor). The staff member we interacted with (and Irishman who moved to Granada as a child) was very helpful. The building is secure. It does require about a 10 minute walk/climb from Plaza Nuevo.

https://www.vrbo.com/691767
This was our apartment in Madrid. The owner has was lovely to work with. She owns five or six in the same building. Here's one that is a bit cheaper:

https://www.vrbo.com/793855

We loved the central location. The building and apartment were very quiet, although I'd note that our apartment did face the courtyard, not the street. The owner has staff (limited English) on site who welcomed us but she stopped by herself later for a chat. You'll find cake and wine waiting for you, too. The building is secure. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat (I loved Madrid).

I hope that helps. Veo was easy to work with by the way, and I had very good communication. With the Granada apartment, they'll ask for your arrival info and instruct you to contact the manager upon arrival, but unless you arrive after hours, you don't have to worry about that.

OReilly

Great input. Thank you all.


BigRuss: last time I visted Cordoba, I arrived the night before, spent a long morning/early afternoon in the Alhambra and then wandered for the rest of the fay. OK, I may consider just one night and perhaps add to Madrid. I will also check out ashwinb's suggestion.


ashwinb:

I would definitely consider doing both Toledo and Segovia, as I love both for different reasons. I would love to see Rhonda, never been, but am having difficultly fitting it in logistically without a car. Thank you for links to your trip reports - I will check them out.

indyhiker: thank you for the links, I will check them out.

BTW, this is probably the longest in advance I have planned for a trip. Usually, I plan 2-3 weeks in advance

Best regards Ger

OReilly

I am reminded, once again, that one of the great aspects of this Fodors site is the myriad of options provided by helpful travelers that have recently been to the places one wants to visit, and the DEBATE one can have regarding the options.

The alternative is to read the thousands of Internet recommendations, and dozens of books (which I have), and DEBATE alone in one's own head to the point of paralysis!

The former is far more effective, efficient and successful than the latter.

Thank you all. You will help me build a great trip.

Best regards ... Ger

BigRuss

<<BigRuss: last time I visted Cordoba, I arrived the night before, spent a long morning/early afternoon in the Alhambra and then wandered for the rest of the fay. OK, I may consider just one night and perhaps add to Madrid. I will also check out ashwinb's suggestion.>>

You mean Granada?

Cordoba has the Mezquita.

OReilly

Sorry, YES Granada! I stayed in this hotel:

http://www.h-alhambrapalace.es

Not sure if I could afford it now.

regards Ger

danon

We found 3 nights 2.5 days in Granada a bit long..

After 7-8 visits to Madrid ,I finally went to Salamanca ( now accesable by fast train).
It is one of the loveliest places in Spain , IMO.
I stayed 2 nights, but if you catch the early train it could be seen in a shorter time (the same train stops in Segovia...)

Easy trip from Seviile - Italica,
a short bus ride to "Roman times " in Spain.

ashwinb

For Ronda, you could do a day trip from Seville, there are buses on the route.