klily321

We're traveling to Spain for our Honeymoon and have sixteen nights in late august/early september. We have the first five of those nights planned in the Canary Islands. From there we were thinking of going to Seville and then exploring the country. We are really interested in exploring wine areas of La Rioja and/or Ribera del Duero

We want to make sure not to stuff in too much stuff - but still see what we can. What do you guys think of this itinerary?

21-Aug tenerife
22-Aug tenerife
23-Aug tenerife
24-Aug tenerife
25-Aug tenerife
26-Aug Seville
27-Aug Seville
28-Aug Seville
29-Aug Granada
30-Aug Granada
31-Aug Madrid
1-Sep Madrid
2-Sep Madrid
3-Sep La Rioja
4-Sep La Rioja
5-Sep Ribera del Duero
6-Sep Fly out of MAD

kja

I trust you know that Sevilla will be HOT in late August?

While it depends on what YOU want to see and experience, IMHO, you aren't giving yourselves much time for Sevilla or Madrid, particularly once you consider time for relocating.

Whatever else you do, consider making time for Cordoba and its magnificent Mezquita -- among the world's great treasures, IMO!

If you are flying out of Madrid, consider putting ALL of your time there at the end of your trip so you can eliminate one change of hotels.

Enjoy your honeymoon!

ribeirasacra

you do not say where you fly to Tenerife from, plus it is not included in your schedule.
Flying between Tenerife and Seville direct is only flown by 2 airline Air Europa and Vueling. Both low cost, but ok airlines.
Flying between Granada and Madrid means a choice only one low cost airline Air Nostrum, part of Iberia/BA Airways group.
How do you intend on getting between Madrid and La Rioja then onto Ribera del Duero?

For me you are moving around too much especially if you really want to see the two wine areas you write about. you are only leaving 3 nights than means basically 2 to 2.5 days to see what you want to see.

kimhe

Hectic but well thought route. Will allow you to experience very different parts of a very diverse country. But I would also perhaps suggest you put all of your time in Madrid at the end. Madrid is so large, fun, and flexible and is able to play to whatever state of mind you are in at the end of the trip, whether you want to relax, see the museums, go to concerts, theaters, party or just enjoy whatever kind of fabulous food you want.

AND, the power and beauty of real deal flamenco could easily fit into the program of a honeymoon. You can experience genuine flamenco especially in Sevilla, Granada and Madrid. Three recommendations:

Casa Patas in Madrid, arguably the best tablao in the country in recent years: http://www.casapatas.com/
Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO_lw2xWtU

Peña La Plateria in Granada, the oldets existing flamenco club in the country: http://www.laplateria.org.es/
Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgPrfjinEgQ

Casa de la Memoria in Sevilla, intimate setting and only top of the shelf artists: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html
Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JlmJhPAn88

hetismij2

Do rent a car in Tenerife so you can enjoy the countryside and visit vineyards there too.

klily321

Thanks all!

Our travel arrangements would be

US Flight to Tenerife
Flight from Tenerife to Seville
Train from Seville to Granada
Train from Granada to Madrid
Rent Car for trip to La Rioja & Ribera del Duero
Fly out of Madrid home

We're stuck on whether or not we omit Granada or La Rioja/Ribera del Duero in order to provide us with some more time. If you had to pick, any opinions? In doing so we could add a day in madrid and a day in Seville - permit time for day trips to Toledo and Cordoba. I'm leaning towards omitting La Rioja - but we oh so love wine and thought it would be a neat experience. Thoughts?

Bedar

And, travel to Lanzarote to see how grapes are grown in lava fields.

hetismij2

They are grown in lava fields on Tenerife (and La Palma) too Bedar.

Bedar

Forget the grapes. They grow everywhere. Cordoba, Granada, and Seville are unique.

rialtogrl

I would save the Rioja for another trip. Its a long way to go for just 3 days. You need more time in Madrid! Plenty of wine there! Just not vineyards.

ribeirasacra

There are no direct flights between the USA and either of the airports at Tenerife.
Check here
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/DestinosEspana/es/

klily321

Ribeirasacra we connect through Madrid.

kja

"We're stuck on whether or not we omit Granada or La Rioja/Ribera del Duero in order to provide us with some more time. If you had to pick, any opinions?" IMO, Granada's Alhambra is another of the world's most magnificent places, so my vote is squarely with Granada. YMMV.

ribeirasacra

Connection time is something you have not included. I too suggest you stay south for this vacation. Less travelling time means more sight seeing time.
Plus have you tried Sherry? Well maybe it is time. So good locations and some interesting wines.
http://www.sherry.org/2.0/disfrute.html
To visit some Bodegas you may have to book a time slot.

LuisJp

I vote for La Rioja & Ribera del Duero. Others could get quite easily accessed even after you had got old. Use much frequent buses to/from Granada. If you decided to focus on the south, think of Jeres and Sanlucar.

stevelyon

Is Tenerife already booked? What made you decide on this as a location?

Bedar

Terrific hotels in Tenerife shown in an article in today's Telegraph travel section. I wanna go!