First time in Spain

Old Dec 10th, 2017, 03:00 AM
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First time in Spain

Hello

I am planning on travelling to Spain end June /early July for 16 nights - family of 5 with three kids ages 7,9 and 11. I was looking for advice on an optimal itinerary.... here I what I was planning -
Arrive in Madrid : 4 nights with day trip to Toledo (and maybe Segovia)
Train to Cordoba - enjoy the day in Cordoba and then spend the night in Seville
Seville - 4 nights
Granada - 2 nights
Barcelona - 6 nights
We fly out of Barcelona.

Does this seem reasonable? Are we staying too many nights in Seville? or in Barcelona?

Thanks for all the advice
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 03:54 AM
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As a basic plan this is fine and a good use of the Cordoba/Seville closeness.

Too many nights, not sure, it will be hot in July so getting access to the sea in Barcelona is a good idea (the city has its own beach and there are more if you take a short train journey)

Since it is your first time, you will find that the days are long in Spain and a siesta is not a bad idea. You'll certainly find kids out on the streets at 10 at night. So you will need aircon etc
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 04:05 AM
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I would investigate luggage storage in Cordoba before committing to this itinerary. It looks like a facility next to the train station is now closed.

I’d try to find a place with a pool in Seville.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 04:59 AM
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May be your kids would be grateful if you would include a beach resort. May be you take a direct bus from Granada to Denia and stay there a few days or continue from there by ferry to Ibiza and later on by ferry or plane to Barcelona.
I wouldn't stay almost a whole week a Barcelona.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 05:36 AM
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Optimal for who?

Sixteen nights gives you time for this:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lori-...b_2988613.html

You know your kids better that we do.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 05:54 AM
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Spanish eating hours are very different and will hard for kids to adjust. They usually have a light breakfast, a big lunch, some tapas some time between lunch and dinner. And dinner first starts at 9 PM.

Also tapas is not a meal like it is in the US, they are small plates.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 08:28 AM
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Trains are best for cities and since you are only going between large cities take the high-speed trains that do it much quicker than cars - Seville to Barcelona is about 6 hours on train - maybe go first to Seville then via Madrid back to Barcelona or fly Seville-Barcelona if not into 6 hours on trains- great train info www.renfe.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Granada is close to Malaga and the sea - nice to beach it a few days and take a few days of Barcelona or do a few days in seaside resort near there.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 08:32 AM
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And since it is July, I personally would want AC. Even though you may be out later at night I like AC as much for the noise as the cool air-especially when there is late night noise. But of course, that is always a personal choice.

Also, just FYI-we always seem to find Seville expensive for lodging compared to other Spanish city destinations. Last time, we were three adults-my DH and my older single sister and we ended up staying in this hotel because they had a really nice "family suite" that consisted of a room downstairs with 2 double beds and then an upstairs part with an enormous terrace and a queen (or king) bed I think. They call it their quadruple room. That might work with you with kids if they can add a roll away bed. It is called the Eurostars Regina:

https://en.eurostarshotels.com/eurostars-regina
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 09:43 AM
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The hot weather is a big factor....(temps 90+) might influence what you plan during the day and the type of accommodation you book.
How much time is " too much " in a place is very subjective.
As suggested, you know what your family enjoys.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 09:43 AM
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Looks good to me.

I might just take the train straight to Sevilla from Madrid and do Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla (45 minutes each way) so you don't have to hassle with luggage.

Our 2015 trip report with photos might give you some ideas. Loved Spain!!!

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/

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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 11:48 AM
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Check to make sure their is left-luggage place in Cordoba station or nearby - always has been but with terrorism threats you never know and to get there and not have one...

If taking trains to all and over to Barcelona check on Spain Railpass and www.renfe.com for discounted tickets that have to be booked way in advance to guarantee and if pass is about the same go for pass and its flexibility to chose which trains to take once you're there.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 01:55 PM
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I think your planned schedule is pretty good. I've been in Barcelona in July and yes, it is hot, but nothing like southern Spain, just kind of normal summer hot. That's due to its location and being on the sea. So I think 6 days there rather than southern Spain is a good idea.

Now I found Barcelona more expensive for hotels, not Seville, compared to other places in Europe or Madrid. As with any city, you can choose your price point, however, but for my level, Barcelona was the most expensive. But still not that bad, not in July. Seville is really expensive during Semana Santa but I thought very reasonable the last time I was there (Sept-October, I think). I think I only paid 100 euro or less for a really nice modern 4* hotel in the Santa Cruz area. And it did have AC, of course.

I wouldn't worry about the dinner time. Maybe Spaniards don't eat until after 9, but you don't have to do that if you don't want. Plenty of restaurants are open before 9, although I will agree some do not open until 8. I think in Barcelona, once I was staying in the NH Calderon (great hotel and location) and the open-air cafes in the center boulevard were open most of the day, and you could order light meals at them long before 9 pm.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 02:14 PM
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And, you'd better look at the cost of trains. For 5 people, it will be expensive. Remting a car is cheaper.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 04:05 PM
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I think but not sure that kids under 16 or 12 or ? get a free railpass - so the cost of a pass for 2 adults may be cheaper than a car and all the expenses like parking fees and just being useless in cities - and will take twice as long if taking train Madrid-Seville and to Barcelona. Kids that age must also get some discounts or free passage on trains?
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 02:01 AM
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Hello everyone,

Many thanks for all the replies - very helpful.
A few further questions :

1. What's the best way to get to Granada from Seville? Train?
2. Also how do you get from Granada to Barcelona?
3. Does anyone have any good hotel /Air BNB recommendations in either Seville or Barcelona?
4. Is it better to fly from Seville to Barcelona (RyanAir) or to take the train? The flight is certainly faster but I am not sure with all the headaches of flights/security checks at airport etc, the net time might be equivalent

Thanks again
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 06:41 AM
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Granada - Seville , bus

for flights to and from Barcelona check Vueling ( better than Ryan )

For apt. rental : in Seville , Spain Select
in Barcelona, Habitat
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 06:51 AM
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1. I prefer the train: more space, possibility to move a bit, nicer views that from the motorway.

4. Let's have a look:
If you take the train leaving Sevilla at 14.50 and arriving at Barcelona at 20.22 you can spend the whole morning (until 2pm) in Sevilla and then move to the railway station, have lunch in the train (pic nic) and you will arrive at Barcelona city center just in time for dinner.
If you take a plane in a similar time frame (for example flight Vueling 2221) you may leave Sevilla city center around 13.30, take off at 15.35, land at Barcelona airport at 17.10, leave the airport by commuter train at 18.08 and arrive at Sants (city center) at 18.30.
I don't think that you will do a lot between 18.30 and 20.22 unless wait the opening time of restaurants for dinner.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 06:54 AM
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the fastest train ride S- B is 5:35 h....plus you have to get to and from
train stations. There is a luggage security check.

Granada -Bar. Looks like no go
Check Renfe for trains .
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 07:04 AM
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there is a bus from the airport in Barcelona to Plaza Catalunya - right in the center of the city.
Why take a train to Saints from the airport?

Taxi from the airport would be 25-30 euros...
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Old Dec 13th, 2017, 03:03 AM
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3. There are plenty of places to stay in Barcelona, I found a top 10 in this article (https://barcelona-top-travel-tips.co...hotels-top-10/), hope you find it useful!
4. Both are good ideas, I think that it won't me much faster by plane than by train, as you have to get to/from the airport and go through security and stuff. You'll find a train that takes about 5h to get to Barcelona, maybe it's a better idea!
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