11 day Spain itinerary help
Aug 8th, 2023, 10:51 AM
#21
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saqibakhtar5747,
Sorry to have digressed. In post 8, you had decided to eliminate Toledo and Córdoba.
In my post #12, I addressed the airport to bus station connection dilemma and the length of time it may take to get through Barajas immigration during high season, find your way to the underground train between T4S and T4, wait for checked bags to arrive, etc.
I suggested the possibility (?) of adding a connecting Iberia flight to Granada to your current reservation, instead of taking the bus.
As I mentioned above, there is an Iberia MAD-GRX flight departing at 12:00 pm, arriving at 1:10 pm.
This would give you 3 hours to connect from T4S to T4 for this domestic flight.
If you have a Priority Pass for the Plaza Mayor lounge access, or if you´re flying business with access to the Iberia lounge in T4, you could then rest a bit and have something to eat-drink.
Last summer I booked a SEA-MAD flight, then later on, we decided to head immediately to Palma. I called American and added the Madrid-Palma flight to my existing reservation so as to have my luggage transferred all the way through. Would that be possible?
Sorry to have digressed. In post 8, you had decided to eliminate Toledo and Córdoba.
In my post #12, I addressed the airport to bus station connection dilemma and the length of time it may take to get through Barajas immigration during high season, find your way to the underground train between T4S and T4, wait for checked bags to arrive, etc.
I suggested the possibility (?) of adding a connecting Iberia flight to Granada to your current reservation, instead of taking the bus.
As I mentioned above, there is an Iberia MAD-GRX flight departing at 12:00 pm, arriving at 1:10 pm.
This would give you 3 hours to connect from T4S to T4 for this domestic flight.
If you have a Priority Pass for the Plaza Mayor lounge access, or if you´re flying business with access to the Iberia lounge in T4, you could then rest a bit and have something to eat-drink.
Last summer I booked a SEA-MAD flight, then later on, we decided to head immediately to Palma. I called American and added the Madrid-Palma flight to my existing reservation so as to have my luggage transferred all the way through. Would that be possible?
Last edited by Maribel; Aug 8th, 2023 at 11:27 AM.
Aug 8th, 2023, 11:13 AM
#22
4. Any other feedback?
Day 1 (Seattle to Madrid): Flight from Seattle to Madrid arriving on August 21st by 9am and then bus from Madrid to Granada at 11:30am arriving in Granada by 4pm. Check-in at the hotel and then head out to Albaicin area for some good food and roam around the Catedral / Gran Via area.
This is insane.
The poor eight year old.
Day 1 (Seattle to Madrid): Flight from Seattle to Madrid arriving on August 21st by 9am and then bus from Madrid to Granada at 11:30am arriving in Granada by 4pm. Check-in at the hotel and then head out to Albaicin area for some good food and roam around the Catedral / Gran Via area.
This is insane.
The poor eight year old.
Aug 8th, 2023, 07:34 PM
#23
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Hey folks, sorry for the late reply. Got busy with work...
Maribel and everyone else, thank you so much for the awesome feedback. Really appreciate it!
We adjusted our plans and dropped Cordoba and Toledo from our itinerary. As for the airline tickets, unfortunately we booked the Basic Economy ticket so AA will not allow any changes or additions. Luckily for us, we are only traveling with carry-ons and backpacks. Trying to find a good connection from Madrid to Granada on the 21st with bus as a backup option (we got the superflex ticket which allows free changes and cancellations so we can get the next bus in case we miss the 11:30am). Making the following changes:
1. First evening in Granada is going to focus on getting some rest and getting in a good dinner somewhere. Then it's lights out for the kiddo so that we can wake up early, grab breakfast and visit Alhambra. Even though our kiddo is a trooper, it still might be a bit too much for him.
2. Switch the Granda to Seville bus to 1:30pm to give us more time in Granada and keep it slow paced.
3. Switch Madrid to Barcelona train to 3:25pm departure just so that we can get more time in Madrid and not try to jam pack everything in 2 days.
4. Keep the 3rd day in Barcelona light and mostly enjoy the beach and good food.
For trains, we are sticking to Iryo Infinita class through and through. For the two (potentially) bus rides, Alsa.
As for hotels, we decided to go with Aurea Washington Irving in Granada, Hotel Becquer in Seville, Raddison Red in Madrid (still questioning this one since there are so many good options
, and Hotel Condes de Barcelona in Barcelona.
Another option we discussed was spending the first 2 days in Madrid and then going to Granada on 23rd -> Seville on 25th -> Madrid on 28th morning and Barcelona on 28th afternoon. The only concern we had with this plan was that we are wasting a lot of time in transit i.e., 2-4 hours on 23rd, and then the entire day on 28th...
Maribel and everyone else, thank you so much for the awesome feedback. Really appreciate it!
We adjusted our plans and dropped Cordoba and Toledo from our itinerary. As for the airline tickets, unfortunately we booked the Basic Economy ticket so AA will not allow any changes or additions. Luckily for us, we are only traveling with carry-ons and backpacks. Trying to find a good connection from Madrid to Granada on the 21st with bus as a backup option (we got the superflex ticket which allows free changes and cancellations so we can get the next bus in case we miss the 11:30am). Making the following changes:
1. First evening in Granada is going to focus on getting some rest and getting in a good dinner somewhere. Then it's lights out for the kiddo so that we can wake up early, grab breakfast and visit Alhambra. Even though our kiddo is a trooper, it still might be a bit too much for him.
2. Switch the Granda to Seville bus to 1:30pm to give us more time in Granada and keep it slow paced.
3. Switch Madrid to Barcelona train to 3:25pm departure just so that we can get more time in Madrid and not try to jam pack everything in 2 days.
4. Keep the 3rd day in Barcelona light and mostly enjoy the beach and good food.
For trains, we are sticking to Iryo Infinita class through and through. For the two (potentially) bus rides, Alsa.
As for hotels, we decided to go with Aurea Washington Irving in Granada, Hotel Becquer in Seville, Raddison Red in Madrid (still questioning this one since there are so many good options
, and Hotel Condes de Barcelona in Barcelona.Another option we discussed was spending the first 2 days in Madrid and then going to Granada on 23rd -> Seville on 25th -> Madrid on 28th morning and Barcelona on 28th afternoon. The only concern we had with this plan was that we are wasting a lot of time in transit i.e., 2-4 hours on 23rd, and then the entire day on 28th...
Aug 9th, 2023, 06:38 AM
#24
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I much prefer Cordoba to Granada, despite the heat of the lowlands. It's one of my favorite places in Europe, and the Mezquita can't be properly captured in photos. We went twice. There is a lot of stunning architecture in Cordoba, plus there are the ruins of the Medina Azahara, which I'm guessing you've never heard of.
Aug 9th, 2023, 07:03 AM
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saqibakhtar5747,
Following along for all of these wonderful travel insights! And what a lucky child to be able to travel the world and see so much of Spain in his youth. I love your pace of travel and did that my kids as well. Such an educational experience to see so many important sights in our world!
We also are are flying American from the west coast to Madrid and then have to (GET to) go onto Granada in December. Did I understand you correctly that you are booking that 12pm flight to Granada that Maribel mentioned separately and only using your Alsa bus as a back-up? I tried to add the Madrid - Granada flight to my ticket and American wants an additional $250 each whereas booking the ticket separately on Iberia is $70. At this point I am planning to buy train tickets from Madrid to Granada but am interested in your journey.
Just one tip for Barcelona, we did a family bike tour and it was my kids’ favorite activity! We will do one in Sevilla this December.
Following along …
Following along for all of these wonderful travel insights! And what a lucky child to be able to travel the world and see so much of Spain in his youth. I love your pace of travel and did that my kids as well. Such an educational experience to see so many important sights in our world!
We also are are flying American from the west coast to Madrid and then have to (GET to) go onto Granada in December. Did I understand you correctly that you are booking that 12pm flight to Granada that Maribel mentioned separately and only using your Alsa bus as a back-up? I tried to add the Madrid - Granada flight to my ticket and American wants an additional $250 each whereas booking the ticket separately on Iberia is $70. At this point I am planning to buy train tickets from Madrid to Granada but am interested in your journey.
Just one tip for Barcelona, we did a family bike tour and it was my kids’ favorite activity! We will do one in Sevilla this December.
Following along …
Aug 9th, 2023, 10:18 AM
#26
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Lrice,
In my case last summer, American added the Madrid-Palma fare to my original business class ticket for less than I would have paid Iberia for a separate ticket, but I see that isn't your case.
I needed the Madrid-Palma ticket added to my original itinerary so that I could check my bags all the way through, thus, saving a huge amount of time. This may not work for everyone.
saqibakhtar5757,
It's good that you will be carrying on your luggage, as the baggage handling at Barajas in the peak summer season can be s---l---o---w.
This week there have been several red alerts from AEMT in parts of Spain warning citizens not to go out from 1 pm until 8 pm, but I certainly hope that this current, blasted heat wave abates for your trip. But you will have pools in all of your locations except the Radisson Red, which is the closest hotel of the "good choices" to Atocha rail station, which will be handy coming in to Madrid and out of there to Barcelona. I know the hotel.
As for day 1 dinner in Granada, your hotel, the Aurea Washington Irving on the Alhambra hill does have dining in their Granata Restaurant, but if you want something easy and close at hand so that you can easily crash after dinner, you can also walk up to the Alhambra Palace Hotel to their dining room, a 5-min. walk, or to the dining room of the Parador San Francisco, an 8-min. walk. The Parador is quite impressive, romantic, historic, a former convent, as it sits within the Alhambra complex at the top of Calle Real. It opens for dinner at 8:30, bookable on The Fork, or you can have sandwiches at the bar area. Two options close by.
GARNATAVERANO23ENGQR.pdf
https://paradores.es/es/reservas/res...es/27865-29759
.
In my case last summer, American added the Madrid-Palma fare to my original business class ticket for less than I would have paid Iberia for a separate ticket, but I see that isn't your case.
I needed the Madrid-Palma ticket added to my original itinerary so that I could check my bags all the way through, thus, saving a huge amount of time. This may not work for everyone.
saqibakhtar5757,
It's good that you will be carrying on your luggage, as the baggage handling at Barajas in the peak summer season can be s---l---o---w.
This week there have been several red alerts from AEMT in parts of Spain warning citizens not to go out from 1 pm until 8 pm, but I certainly hope that this current, blasted heat wave abates for your trip. But you will have pools in all of your locations except the Radisson Red, which is the closest hotel of the "good choices" to Atocha rail station, which will be handy coming in to Madrid and out of there to Barcelona. I know the hotel.
As for day 1 dinner in Granada, your hotel, the Aurea Washington Irving on the Alhambra hill does have dining in their Granata Restaurant, but if you want something easy and close at hand so that you can easily crash after dinner, you can also walk up to the Alhambra Palace Hotel to their dining room, a 5-min. walk, or to the dining room of the Parador San Francisco, an 8-min. walk. The Parador is quite impressive, romantic, historic, a former convent, as it sits within the Alhambra complex at the top of Calle Real. It opens for dinner at 8:30, bookable on The Fork, or you can have sandwiches at the bar area. Two options close by.
GARNATAVERANO23ENGQR.pdf
https://paradores.es/es/reservas/res...es/27865-29759
.
Last edited by Maribel; Aug 9th, 2023 at 11:11 AM.
Aug 9th, 2023, 09:31 PM
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Hi Maribel, Yes, I wish I had booked a direct flight: LAX-MAD-GRX.
But I am curious about saqibakhtar5757's plans to get to Granada upon arrival. I am tempted to buy tickets on the Iberia 12:00 pm flight, and if we make it, cancel our train tickets for a 70% refund. If we don't make it, we are out $160 but arriving at 9:25 am into MAD with checked baggage, we "should" make it, right?
But I am curious about saqibakhtar5757's plans to get to Granada upon arrival. I am tempted to buy tickets on the Iberia 12:00 pm flight, and if we make it, cancel our train tickets for a 70% refund. If we don't make it, we are out $160 but arriving at 9:25 am into MAD with checked baggage, we "should" make it, right?
Aug 10th, 2023, 02:10 AM
#28
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Hey folks! We are a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 eight year old boy) planning a trip to Spain later this month from US. Yes, it's the only time we can travel given school holidays etc. My current plan is as follows but would love feedback. Thanks in advance!
Day 8 (Madrid to Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then AVE train to Barcelona arriving by 2:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go to the Gothic quarters and beach
Day 9 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
Day 10 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Casa Batllo and Las Ramblas
Day 11 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Eixample areas and Palace of Catalan
Day 12 (Barcelona to Seattle): Breakfast at hotel and then flight back to Seattle at 11am
Day 8 (Madrid to Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then AVE train to Barcelona arriving by 2:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go to the Gothic quarters and beach
Day 9 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
Day 10 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Casa Batllo and Las Ramblas
Day 11 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Eixample areas and Palace of Catalan
Day 12 (Barcelona to Seattle): Breakfast at hotel and then flight back to Seattle at 11am
Day 8 (Madrid to Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then AVE train to Barcelona arriving by 2:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go to the Gothic quarters and beach. Ok. I think it's okay. Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta and beach.
Day 9 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. It's better to visit the Sagrada Familia either first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon (due to the lights that come in). I recommend you buy the first hour tickets (fewer people and beautiful lights). Personally, I would remove the Parc Güell and go up to Tibidabo. It's a historical amusement park in the city with one of the best views in existence. There is also a historic cable car. I think your son will appreciate it more.
Tibidabo
Tibidabo
Day 10 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Casa Batllo and Las Ramblas. Understand that Las Ramblas is just a street. Until the 90s it was pretty, there were many stalls with flowers, etc. Currently there are only shops for tourists and terraces with horrible food at a very high prices. In other words, it's a street that Barcelonans now avoid. Walking through it will not take you more than 15 minutes. I would spend the afternoon visiting the Palau de la Música, the Cathedral, the city's history museum...
Day 11 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Eixample areas and Palace of Catalan. What is Palace of Catalan? The Generalitat? And what do you want to visit in the Eixample? It's a pretty big neighborhood. In fact, the Sagrada Família is in it so you will have already seen something. Maybe you could take a suburban train and go to the beach in Sitges or Arenys. They are about 40 minutes by train and you could get to know something beyond the city. In the afternoon you could go to the MNAC and get to know the Montjuïch area.
Day 12 (Barcelona to Seattle): Breakfast at hotel and then flight back to Seattle at 11am
Aug 10th, 2023, 08:54 AM
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Lrice,
In theory, you should make it. We never can tell how much time it will take to clear immigration, but flying on to our next Spain destination on Iberia, after a long flight/s from the West Coast we find much easier than making our way to Atocha rail station or the Estación Sur de Autobuses. We do have access to the Iberia lounges to get a bite to eat and a bit of rest.
In theory, you should make it. We never can tell how much time it will take to clear immigration, but flying on to our next Spain destination on Iberia, after a long flight/s from the West Coast we find much easier than making our way to Atocha rail station or the Estación Sur de Autobuses. We do have access to the Iberia lounges to get a bite to eat and a bit of rest.
Aug 16th, 2023, 06:17 PM
#32
[QUOTE=saqibakhtar5747;17485527]Hey folks! We are a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 eight year old boy) planning a trip to Spain later this month from US. Yes, it's the only time we can travel given school holidays etc. My current plan is as follows but would love feedback. Thanks in advance!
Day 1 (Seattle to Madrid): Flight from Seattle to Madrid arriving on August 21st by 9am and then bus from Madrid to Granada at 11:30am arriving in Granada by 4pm. Check-in at the hotel and then head out to Albaicin area for some good food and roam around the Catedral / Gran Via area
Day 2 (Granada): Breakfast at hotel then head to Alhambra with a timed entrance of 12:30pm (I'm assuming we can go there earlier to see other parts but not the Palaces until 12:30pm??)
Day 3 (Granada to Seville): Breakfast at hotel then bus to Cordoba to see the Mezquita and then onwards to Seville arriving by 4pm. Check-in at the hotel and then stroll around the city center area
Day 4 (Seville): Breakfast at hotel then Alcazar and Catedral and be done by 2-3pm
Day 5 (Seville): Breakfast at hotel then Plaza de Espana then checkout the other districts in Seville
Day 6 (Seville to Madrid): Breakfast at hotel and then take a 10am AVE train to Madrid arriving by 12:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go do the art museums (Prado and Sofia primarily).
Day 7 (Madrid and Toledo): Breakfast at hotel and then a short day trip to Toledo back by 4pm and then stroll around Gran Via etc.
Day 8 (Madrid to Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then AVE train to Barcelona arriving by 2:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go to the Gothic quarters and beach
Day 9 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
Day 10 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Casa Batllo and Las Ramblas
Day 11 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Eixample areas and Palace of Catalan
Day 12 (Barcelona to Seattle): Breakfast at hotel and then flight back to Seattle at 11am
Planning on staying at the following hotels (feedback highly appreciated!):
Granada: Aurea Catedral but still considering whether we might be better off at the Aurea Washington Irving
Seville: Hotel Bequer
Madrid: Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (we are Hilton Gold status so I'm guessing breakfast is free)
Barcelona: Radisson Blu or Hotel Condes de Barcelona
I know it's rushed, but we wanted to get in as much as we could. Couple of questions:
1. Should we reduce our time in Granada and spend more Seville? I.e. take the bus to Seville evening of Day 2 instead?
2. Traveling on Alsa bus and Iryo train, any concerns with either?
3. Weather wise, does it start to get better towards the end of August in Seville and Granada?
4. Any other feedback?[/QUOTE
Just one suggestion. Instead of a SHORT and crowded day trip to Toledo try to make it an overnight there. After the day trip tourist buses leave, the city takes on a very different atmosphere and comes alive. Toledo is wonderful in the evening and night, one may even describe it with the oft overused word "magic.". If you decide to overnight in Toledo, the Hacienda del Cardinal is a well located 5* hotel at 3* prices.
Day 1 (Seattle to Madrid): Flight from Seattle to Madrid arriving on August 21st by 9am and then bus from Madrid to Granada at 11:30am arriving in Granada by 4pm. Check-in at the hotel and then head out to Albaicin area for some good food and roam around the Catedral / Gran Via area
Day 2 (Granada): Breakfast at hotel then head to Alhambra with a timed entrance of 12:30pm (I'm assuming we can go there earlier to see other parts but not the Palaces until 12:30pm??)
Day 3 (Granada to Seville): Breakfast at hotel then bus to Cordoba to see the Mezquita and then onwards to Seville arriving by 4pm. Check-in at the hotel and then stroll around the city center area
Day 4 (Seville): Breakfast at hotel then Alcazar and Catedral and be done by 2-3pm
Day 5 (Seville): Breakfast at hotel then Plaza de Espana then checkout the other districts in Seville
Day 6 (Seville to Madrid): Breakfast at hotel and then take a 10am AVE train to Madrid arriving by 12:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go do the art museums (Prado and Sofia primarily).
Day 7 (Madrid and Toledo): Breakfast at hotel and then a short day trip to Toledo back by 4pm and then stroll around Gran Via etc.
Day 8 (Madrid to Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then AVE train to Barcelona arriving by 2:30pm. Check-in at the hotel and then go to the Gothic quarters and beach
Day 9 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
Day 10 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Casa Batllo and Las Ramblas
Day 11 (Barcelona): Breakfast at hotel then Eixample areas and Palace of Catalan
Day 12 (Barcelona to Seattle): Breakfast at hotel and then flight back to Seattle at 11am
Planning on staying at the following hotels (feedback highly appreciated!):
Granada: Aurea Catedral but still considering whether we might be better off at the Aurea Washington Irving
Seville: Hotel Bequer
Madrid: Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (we are Hilton Gold status so I'm guessing breakfast is free)
Barcelona: Radisson Blu or Hotel Condes de Barcelona
I know it's rushed, but we wanted to get in as much as we could. Couple of questions:
1. Should we reduce our time in Granada and spend more Seville? I.e. take the bus to Seville evening of Day 2 instead?
2. Traveling on Alsa bus and Iryo train, any concerns with either?
3. Weather wise, does it start to get better towards the end of August in Seville and Granada?
4. Any other feedback?[/QUOTE
Just one suggestion. Instead of a SHORT and crowded day trip to Toledo try to make it an overnight there. After the day trip tourist buses leave, the city takes on a very different atmosphere and comes alive. Toledo is wonderful in the evening and night, one may even describe it with the oft overused word "magic.". If you decide to overnight in Toledo, the Hacienda del Cardinal is a well located 5* hotel at 3* prices.
Last edited by basingstoke2; Aug 16th, 2023 at 06:26 PM.
