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-   -   A new destination in southern Spain ? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/a-new-destination-in-southern-spain-1731444/)

danon Jun 14th, 2025 07:37 AM

A new destination in southern Spain ?
 
I am considering October visit to Madrid and “ somewhere “ south for several days.
In the past, I have visited Valencia, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Granada ..all wonderful.
Would Murcia be an interesting destination ?
I don’t drive .

ekscrunchy Jun 14th, 2025 07:53 AM

Danon, I met a few 20-something Muricanos last year at a restaurant in Madrid and they shared that, among many Spaniards, Murcia was widely considered "the most boring city in Spain."
Now I know nothing beyond that, so do not take this seriously, Maybe Maribel will see this and chime in.

If the no-car situation were different, I would highly recommend the area around Vejer de la Frontera, That area has become my home-away-from home every March for the past three years and I will return for three weeks next March. But a car is good to have.

But you couldt manage there with taxis, and also might consider Cadiz, and, even better Jerez.

Barbate is a workaday port town with bus service to other destinations along that coast.

Also:

https://www.andalucia.com/province/c...lo-claudia.htm

danon Jun 14th, 2025 08:07 AM


Originally Posted by ekscrunchy (Post 17660338)
Danon, I met a few 20-something Muricanos last year at a restaurant in Madrid and they shared that, among many Spaniards, Murcia was widely considered "the most boring city in Spain."
Now I know nothing beyond that, so do not take this seriously, Maybe Maribel will see this and chime in.

If the no-car situation were different, I would highly recommend the area around Vejer de la Frontera, That area has become my home-away-from home every March for the past three years and I will return for three weeks next March. But a car is good to have.

But you couldt manage there with taxis, and also might consider Cadiz, and, even better Jerez.

Barbate is a workaday port town with bus service to other destinations along that coast.

Also:

https://www.andalucia.com/province/c...lo-claudia.htm

thanks eks… appreciate your suggestions.
Although we have visited Seville twice, It is always an option (with side trips to Cadiz or Jerez.)



mike1728 Jun 14th, 2025 01:30 PM

Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria

danon Jun 14th, 2025 06:15 PM


Originally Posted by mike1728 (Post 17660412)
Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria

thx…I’ll take a look

kja Jun 14th, 2025 07:01 PM

Cadiz or Jerez de la Frontera? I haven't been to either, but both are on my wish list.

danon Jun 14th, 2025 07:52 PM


Originally Posted by kja (Post 17660476)
Cadiz or Jerez de la Frontera? I haven't been to either, but both are on my wish list.

thx…both towns look very interesting…

shelemm Jun 14th, 2025 09:50 PM

I have heard great things about the Extremadura region, Spain's Wild West. Towns like Caceras, Merida, Badajoz.

just_tina Jun 15th, 2025 02:59 AM

Cadiz and Jerez should be good.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspo...cadiz.html?m=1
No problem getting there and between the two by train. Then from Cadiz there's a ferry over to El Puerto de Santa María.
Or if you base in Jerez half an hour by bus to Arcos de la frontera.
All fantastic places.

danon Jun 15th, 2025 08:17 AM


Originally Posted by shelemm (Post 17660487)
I have heard great things about the Extremadura region, Spain's Wild West. Towns like Caceras, Merida, Badajoz.

thank you….may be difficult without a car

danon Jun 15th, 2025 08:22 AM


Originally Posted by just_tina (Post 17660511)
Cadiz and Jerez should be good.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspo...cadiz.html?m=1
No problem getting there and between the two by train. Then from Cadiz there's a ferry over to El Puerto de Santa María.
Or if you base in Jerez half an hour by bus to Arcos de la frontera.
All fantastic places.

Thank you for suggestions…I will look at Renfe for the train connections.

shelemm Jun 15th, 2025 03:29 PM


Originally Posted by danon (Post 17660560)
thank you….may be difficult without a car

A cursory glance will show that public transportation to any of these towns is fairly easy and straightforward.

ekscrunchy Jun 15th, 2025 11:11 PM


Originally Posted by shelemm (Post 17660620)
A cursory glance will show that public transportation to any of these towns is fairly easy and straightforward.


Absolutely! I think you have your plan: Sanlucar, Jerez and Cadiz, not necessarily in that order. The Jerez airport I great, with flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Palma, and others.

I think Extremadura is better with a car, and the trio,, above, I think might offer more (just personal opinion, however).

danon Jun 16th, 2025 09:10 AM


Originally Posted by ekscrunchy (Post 17660679)
Absolutely! I think you have your plan: Sanlucar, Jerez and Cadiz, not necessarily in that order. The Jerez airport I great, with flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Palma, and others.

I think Extremadura is better with a car, and the trio,, above, I think might offer more (just personal opinion, however).

Thank you…I will probably focus on Andalusia.

Christina Jun 16th, 2025 04:25 PM

You could consider Alicante.

danon Jun 16th, 2025 04:58 PM


Originally Posted by Christina (Post 17660858)
You could consider Alicante.

Thank you. I am still looking …

ekscrunchy Jun 17th, 2025 03:00 AM

Alicante?????

Why? For the food scene??

Have you spent time there, Christina?

Revulgo Jun 17th, 2025 04:47 AM

If Alicante, head to Manero at Médico Manero Mollá 7. Try the "puerro confitado" (confit leek).

ekscrunchy Jun 17th, 2025 05:30 AM


Originally Posted by Revulgo (Post 17660931)
If Alicante, head to Manero at Médico Manero Mollá 7. Try the "puerro confitado" (confit leek).


Revulgo: Is it my imagination or am I seeing many more leek dishes on menus in various region of Spain in the last year or so....

And fewer alcahofas.

I thought it was due to the season, but I've been in Spain four times in the past year or so--in Galicia ( May 2024 and currently:) in Andalucia (March 2024 and again in March, 2025) and in Madrid/Cuenca/Valencia....November/early December 2024.

At one of my two favorite restaurants on the Costa de La Luz, LA CASTILLERIA near Vejer, and ANTONIO, outside Zahra de los Atunes, artichoke preparations were among my favorite dishes in earlier years. But this past March, both of these restaurants had no artichokes on the menu, but offered leeks in different guises.

danon Jun 17th, 2025 07:36 AM


Originally Posted by Revulgo (Post 17660931)
If Alicante, head to Manero at Médico Manero Mollá 7. Try the "puerro confitado" (confit leek).

thx…for suggestions


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