2 week itinerary questions - Spain
 

I am planning a 2 week trip to Spain in September 2010. I have previously been to Madrid, Cuenca, Valencia, and Barcelona. I am in my 20’s and will be traveling solo. I will also be traveling by either bus or train.

I am wondering what others think of this itinerary? I will be flying in and out of Madrid. I am not sure if it is a good idea to add Caceres and Salamanca? I am very open to changing the itinerary...

Alicante (2 nights)
Granada (2 nights)
Malaga (2 nights)
Cordoba (2 nights)
Seville (4-5 nights) Day trips to Cadiz and Jerez de la Frontera if time allows
Caceres (2 nights)
Salamanca (2 nights)

I think you're covering alot of geography in a 2 week time frame, particularly when you're depending on public transportation.

Have you checked out bus/train schedules to see if this is logistically even feasible?

Also, if you're flying in and out of Madrid you'll probably need to factor in at least your final night to stay in Madrid.

I'd probably be tempted to drop Caceres and perhaps even Salamanca in lieu of spending more time in Andalucia. There are some wonderful places much less discovered and you'll be close already: Ubeda/Baeza, Osuna, Antequera, Vejer, Sanlucar, Carmona, Ecija, Priego de Cordoba, etc....It may be better to focus on a tigher geography - less travel time between locations and more convenient depending on the bus/train.

Remember - 2 nights in a city does not equal 2 days there. You have to subtract the checking out/checking in, getting to/from the train/bus station, and the actual travel time.

So w/ 2 nights in a city you really end up w/ 1-1.5 days for seeing things.

I'd remove at LEAST a couple of destinations - which two or three are up to you. CathyM makes a good suggestion.

When in Sevilla, you might want to go to a concert at the world's most important flamenco festival, the Bienal de flamenco. Celebrated between the 15th of September and the 9th of October. For example, the brilliant dancer Rocío Molina is performing at the grand Teatro de la Maestranza on the 19th.
http://www.flamenco-world.com/notici...al22032010.htm

"She does with flamenco what Picasso did with the female nude": http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dadc5198-1...44feab49a.html

To some up...Slow down and see some of Spain.

I might take out Alicante. 2 nights in Cordoba is a lot for me. I'd do it as a daytrip from Seville and add a night or two in Cadiz. I particularly like 4 nights in Seville and 2 in Granada. I like Malaga for one or two nights. I really like the towns Cathy mentioned, not a lot of American tourists go to those places. Never been to Caceres or Salamanca. How about Toledo? Then again, September in the Basque country...

As others have said, it's a lot of moving around, but I do that, too! I like that you are planning 2 nights each in Granada, Cordoba, and Salamanca - I found more than enough to keep me happily busy for two full days in each of those locations. Enjoy!

Those recommending taking out Cáceres, have you ever been there?


I would drop Alicante this time as it is too far east to settle into your itinerary.

Logical order.. easy by bus/train.

Madrid-Avila-Salamanca ( most beautiful plaza mayor in Spain)

Salamanca-Cáceres

Cáceres- Sevilla go to Mérida PLEASE on your way to Sevilla ( amazing roman teatro and Archeology museum)

Sevilla-Cádiz

Cádiz-Málaga along the coast via Tarifa, big surf area.

Málaga-Granada

Granada- Córdoba-Madrid

See Madrid in depth next trip. You seem to like Spain so I am sure you will be back.

Buses SHOULD work for most of this as it is all a straight line between cities on this route..

Have fun.

Yes, I've been to Caceres & Merida (and Trujillo, another great village in this area). The problem is trying to fit everything into 2 weeks. When you factor in travel time it cuts alot of time out of vacation when you're moving around alot.

I like the idea of swapping out Alicante for Cadiz - it flows better logistically.

I hope anyone anywhere near Cáceres stops to check out that World Heritage site. Many of the founders of the New World were from there.

If this were my trip I also would skip Aliacante as suggested and start with two nights in Granada [2]. A short ride to Malaga [2] for two nights. From Malaga you could do a day trip to Ronda. Then go to Cordoba [1] for one night. On to Seville [5] for five nights. Two day trips from Seville. 1. the white towns and 2. Cadiz. From there, Caceres [2] for two nights. Day trip to Trujillo. Then Salamanca [3] for three nights. Last night near the airport, as someone suggested. The biggest change is to forget Alicante. Whatever you decide, that would be a good decision. Richard Good general information for download. www.maribelsguides.com P.S. Paul McGrath gives excellent tours to the white towns from Seville. You can find him on Maribels Guides.

Don't try to pack too many things into the trip. Andalucia should be absorbed at a relaxing pace. Tell us how Caceres is if you go. Only Cathy recommended maybe skipping it and that was only to check out some other places like Baeda, Ubeza, Antequera etc. You might find Seville and Granada to be the best part of the trip.

Thank you everyone for your ideas and comments! I am in the process of rethinking my itinerary. I decided not to go to Alicante, Caceres, or Salamanca.

Is it better to stay in Baeda or Ubeza? Any hotel recommendations for less than 100 euros a night??

Sorry, I meant to type: Is it better to stay in Baeza or Ubeda?

I'd probably stay in Ubeda vs Baeza. Ubeda is a little larger with more things to see - but the 2 towns are very close to each other.

Ubeda may have more accomodation choices. Tripadvisor has some good hotel recommendations for Ubeda. I've only stayed at the Parador (which was incredible) - it's really worth a splurge.

This one might fit the bill

http://www.palacetesantana.com/ofertas.html

if you are travelling between Granada and Sevilla I would really recommend at least stopping for lunch in Ronda - it is absolutely stunning. Here are a couple of historic, beautiful hotels in Ubeda and Baeza under 80€: http://en.escapio.com/list/968#HotelTypeFilter=29

in fact if you are looking for accommodation across Andalusia for your trip then this site really is excellent! http://en.escapio.com/paradores-hotels

In Granada Hotel Puerta del las Granadas was great in a perfect location for about $90 usd last year. In Seville hotels are expensive! In Malaga I really liked Malaga Ibis Centro for about $70 a night.