5 days in Granada - Seville?
Dec 13th, 2013, 10:37 PM
#42
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that you probably won't have time to stay overnight in Cordoba, but I'll join the many voices urging you to at least spend 1/2 day there, whether in transit or as a day trip from Sevilla. The Mesquita is stunning and unique and amazing.
I stayed near Granada's Cathedral and was pleased with the location. The hotel at which I stayed (way back in 2004) -- the Reina Cristina Hotel -- served my needs well enough, but its recent reviews seem a bit mixed.
I stayed near Granada's Cathedral and was pleased with the location. The hotel at which I stayed (way back in 2004) -- the Reina Cristina Hotel -- served my needs well enough, but its recent reviews seem a bit mixed.
Dec 14th, 2013, 03:32 AM
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@ Sue_xx_yy -- wow, you definitely took the wind out of my sails.
My DH is semi-retired so I think I can still surprise him with purchased tickets. March-April is his slow season so I think we will be fine with timing.
As for flying into London -- doesn't make sense to me since I can catch a direct flight from Philadelphia to Madrid then take another flight to Granada that still gets me to Granada by 1:30PM.
There's a flight home via Seville - Lisbon - Philly that suits my schedule, so I'm not sure why you recommend losing a day in Seville to train it back to Madrid. Seems like the schedule you suggest leaves me less time in Seville/Granada and more time on trains?
Maybe I am wrong (I am wrong so many times) but I think my schedule gives me more time in both cities.
My DH is semi-retired so I think I can still surprise him with purchased tickets. March-April is his slow season so I think we will be fine with timing.
As for flying into London -- doesn't make sense to me since I can catch a direct flight from Philadelphia to Madrid then take another flight to Granada that still gets me to Granada by 1:30PM.
There's a flight home via Seville - Lisbon - Philly that suits my schedule, so I'm not sure why you recommend losing a day in Seville to train it back to Madrid. Seems like the schedule you suggest leaves me less time in Seville/Granada and more time on trains?
Maybe I am wrong (I am wrong so many times) but I think my schedule gives me more time in both cities.
Dec 14th, 2013, 04:40 AM
#44
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Judy_Rosa - Hang on, do you really imagine that someone who compares bosses to reptiles is out to do anything but shoot the breeze in a lighthearted way with someone looking for options? I admit that my first response was too hasty since on first reading I missed your revision from four days to six. I'm not one who usually disses itineraries for being too optimistic - I'm one of the fastest travelers on this board - but four days for two cities neither of which were major air gateways was not a recipe for a pleasant time.
But, you have added time, so now it is workable. As for London, it is just an option. Sometimes thinking out of the box pays dividends, sometimes one is just out of a perfectly good box. (that's a joke, really!)
Stop worrying about whether your sails are inflated now - it's whether they stay inflated once your trip actually commences that matters.
My thought is only this my friend. What profiteth it you to have more time, if the journey to and thence is more stressful than it has to be? If in fact you have a layover in Madrid of 4 hours - let's say your Madrid-Granada flight leaves around noon - then you must add on a flight of 1 hour and then add on at least another hour to collect bags, commute from the airport in Granada to downtown Granada - here's the schedule for the bus, it isn't that frequent Wednesday afternoons:
http://www.lovegranada.com/transport...airport-buses/
or take a taxi, either way you will need at least another hour after landing.
So, that puts you in Granada mid afternoon at the earliest after a very tiring day. Essentially, that day is shot anyway.
Alternatively, if you spend that day in Madrid, you have time to recoup from your flight, and have a nice first day. Yes, you have less quantity of time in Granada, but possibly more quality of time. On the return, if you commute back to Madrid (where there is lots to see and do) you have a direct flight (assuming you are on US Airways) back to PHL, which is an infinitely nicer way of ending a trip.
Even on a short trip, it is worth making the journey as well as the destination, as enjoyable as possible. Especially since Murphy's law says, the less buffer room for unforeseen untoward events, the more likely it is that those events will occur.
But, you have added time, so now it is workable. As for London, it is just an option. Sometimes thinking out of the box pays dividends, sometimes one is just out of a perfectly good box. (that's a joke, really!)
Stop worrying about whether your sails are inflated now - it's whether they stay inflated once your trip actually commences that matters.
My thought is only this my friend. What profiteth it you to have more time, if the journey to and thence is more stressful than it has to be? If in fact you have a layover in Madrid of 4 hours - let's say your Madrid-Granada flight leaves around noon - then you must add on a flight of 1 hour and then add on at least another hour to collect bags, commute from the airport in Granada to downtown Granada - here's the schedule for the bus, it isn't that frequent Wednesday afternoons:
http://www.lovegranada.com/transport...airport-buses/
or take a taxi, either way you will need at least another hour after landing.
So, that puts you in Granada mid afternoon at the earliest after a very tiring day. Essentially, that day is shot anyway.
Alternatively, if you spend that day in Madrid, you have time to recoup from your flight, and have a nice first day. Yes, you have less quantity of time in Granada, but possibly more quality of time. On the return, if you commute back to Madrid (where there is lots to see and do) you have a direct flight (assuming you are on US Airways) back to PHL, which is an infinitely nicer way of ending a trip.
Even on a short trip, it is worth making the journey as well as the destination, as enjoyable as possible. Especially since Murphy's law says, the less buffer room for unforeseen untoward events, the more likely it is that those events will occur.
Dec 14th, 2013, 06:39 AM
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmmmm.....while it might be a reasonable alternative jetlag-wise to spend the first day in Madrid, we would still lose a day as we would need to arrange transport (train, plane or bus) to Granada on day 2 -- so all things considered I'd rather deal with the jetlag and just travel straight to Granada.
We generally don't have jetlag on the red eye from the USA to Europe since we sleep a bit on the flight.
But your are right about Murphy's law......I am hoping that the USAir merger will allow me to book my flight all the way through with USAir (and partner airlines) so that we don't have any hiccups making the connection in Madrid (and Lisbon as well).
We generally don't have jetlag on the red eye from the USA to Europe since we sleep a bit on the flight.
But your are right about Murphy's law......I am hoping that the USAir merger will allow me to book my flight all the way through with USAir (and partner airlines) so that we don't have any hiccups making the connection in Madrid (and Lisbon as well).
Dec 14th, 2013, 06:50 AM
#46
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Judy, I agree with the choice of 2 nights in Granada and 3 in Seville, but stretch more days if you can. ryanair and easyjet are good choices to look into for more flight options if you want. in between the two, we had one night in Ronda and that was my favorite!!! So beautiful, a more relaxing, small town place in the old side of town--just tons of history and stunning views. We loved both Granada and Seville. In Granada, stay in the Albaicin neighborhood. Our B&B had views of the Alhambra from our window! During the day, leave via a back path (cuesta de los chinos?)that goes down toward the river Darro and a plaza and winding old street (Carrera del darro) with restaurants--a place to take it all in. The Alhambra hovers on a cliff above the plaza. If you keep going down this medieval street, you hit the Plaza Nueva and the cathedral. Good people-watching here. Before you go, read Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving, then get the headset that is "narrated" by him. From the Albaicin neighbhood, walk up to the overlook at Plaza Nicolas, especially pretty at sunset, when the sun casts a pink glow to the Alhambra and the mountains behind it. In Seville, also stay in the jewish area, which is close to the cathedral and let yourself get lost as you wander the narrow streets and explore the pretty parks and gardens. So much history in both areas. Spain is fascinating.
Dec 14th, 2013, 07:36 AM
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting that you mention Carrera del Darro -- I was just looking at a hotel on that street: El Ladrón de Agua.
It is reasonably priced on Hotels.com (under $200) and photos show the rooms have a balcony with a view of the Alhambra.
Has anyone here stayed at this hotel?
It is reasonably priced on Hotels.com (under $200) and photos show the rooms have a balcony with a view of the Alhambra.
Has anyone here stayed at this hotel?
Jan 1st, 2014, 05:44 AM
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will be taking advantage of my FF miles for this trip -- and the airline (USAir) flies to both Madrid and Barcelona, so I was wondering if it makes sense to fly into Barcelona and spend:
3 days (2 nights) in Barcelona
fly to Granada, spend 2 nights
train/bus to Seville, spend 4 nights
train to Cordoba, spend 1 night
train to Madrid for the trip home
Or should I save Barcelona for another trip and fly in/out of Madrid and focus only on Andalusia?
I'm expanding the trip to a full 10 days on the ground, so if I skip Barcelona I can add Malaga and Ronda to the itinerary.
The more I read trip reports on this site and research Spain in general the more I want to see and do (and the more confused I get!)....
3 days (2 nights) in Barcelona
fly to Granada, spend 2 nights
train/bus to Seville, spend 4 nights
train to Cordoba, spend 1 night
train to Madrid for the trip home
Or should I save Barcelona for another trip and fly in/out of Madrid and focus only on Andalusia?
I'm expanding the trip to a full 10 days on the ground, so if I skip Barcelona I can add Malaga and Ronda to the itinerary.
The more I read trip reports on this site and research Spain in general the more I want to see and do (and the more confused I get!)....
Jan 1st, 2014, 06:09 AM
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow....just read back through this thread -- I am certainly 'all over the place' on total number of days, where to visit, how many days in each location, etc.....
Thank you all for your patience as I figure this out!!
Thank you all for your patience as I figure this out!!
Jan 1st, 2014, 08:36 AM
#52
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds like you need to make some tough choices! 10 full days on the ground is, IMO, perfect for Andalusia. If your priority is the Alhambra, that would be a logical choice. If you are willing to give up part of Andalusia, you could add in Barcelona, in which case you won't have time for anything else in that part of the world. Ditto for Madrid and the worthy sites near it. Good luck!
Jan 1st, 2014, 09:10 AM
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are so right! That is why I keep extending the number of days to what was originally supposed to just be a longish weekend.
I figure since we will be in the area and don't know when we will return why not add some additional days to the trip and do it right!
My DH is fascinated with Granada so the natural additions are Seville and Cordoba. Maybe Barcelona will be saved for another adventure.
Back to researching I go!!
I figure since we will be in the area and don't know when we will return why not add some additional days to the trip and do it right!
My DH is fascinated with Granada so the natural additions are Seville and Cordoba. Maybe Barcelona will be saved for another adventure.
Back to researching I go!!
Jan 1st, 2014, 09:14 AM
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bedar -- haven't booked the FF trip yet.
R/T Philly Madrid sounds like it might be the best plan -- looking at online maps I can do a full circle, Granada, Seville, Cordoba then back to Madrid for the flight home.
R/T Philly Madrid sounds like it might be the best plan -- looking at online maps I can do a full circle, Granada, Seville, Cordoba then back to Madrid for the flight home.
Jan 1st, 2014, 10:28 AM
#56
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, R/T Philly-Madrid is probably best. FF tickets are hard to come by for the dates one wants. We have to go into Amsterdam in order to get to Madrid in March, but that's on Delta. Don't know anything about US Airways, but, in general, this holds true for all FF programs. Good luck on getting tickets. The tickets are the most important part of the trip. Where you go and how many days you spend in each place are just details.
Jan 1st, 2014, 11:05 AM
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Philly/Madrid is available to me at the end of March which is when we plan to travel.
And I won't be using up all my miles so might be able to squeeze another Europe trip later this year!
USAirways offers FF miles to all its destinations I believe..... What changes is the number of miles needed for the trip you want to take which fluctuates depending on time of year you travel.
Philly/Madrid in March is less FF miles than Philly/Madrid in July.
And I won't be using up all my miles so might be able to squeeze another Europe trip later this year!
USAirways offers FF miles to all its destinations I believe..... What changes is the number of miles needed for the trip you want to take which fluctuates depending on time of year you travel.
Philly/Madrid in March is less FF miles than Philly/Madrid in July.
