anav - those non-official sites are so tricksy - there is nothing to tell you they aren't official apart from the fact that they don't tell you that they ARE official.

the official sites always tell you that they are.

You all have been so helpful!

I bought the train tickets from Madrid to Sevilla in Renfe with a discount! We also got a private bus to take us from Cordoba to Sevilla: http://www.autocarescarrera.es/

The Alhambra-patronato site is doing some updating so I will try again tomorrow.

Do you have recommendations for restaurants or tapas in Cordoba (1 night),
or Granada? I've read good reviews of Almocabar in Ronda and plan to go there. Any tapas place recommendations in Ronda?

This is our schedule. Will take AVE from Madrid to Cordova, bus the next day to Sevilla. Rented car out of Sevilla to go to Ronda and do day trips from there. Return car as soon as we arrive at Malaga. Take bus from Malaga to Granada. Fly out of Granada.

3,4-Madrid
5-Cordova
6,7,8 -Sevilla
rent the car or mini-bus with driver
9,10,11-Ronda - visit Grazalema, Zahara, Arcos, Jerez.etc
12,13 Malaga
14, 15 Granada
Depart from GRANADA the 16th

I'm thinking about stopping in Antequera on our way to Malaga. But then, I also think about spending that morning enjoying Ronda since the other days we spend there we will be doing day trips. What do you think?

Josele, I saw that you have the London Exhibition in October! Looks beautiful! So you won't be in Malaga on the 12th and 13th?

I made reservation at Tapeo de Cervantes. It's safer that way since we are a large group.

I will continue working on details today.

Anav, I'll be in London those days. Opening on the 12th. Would have loved to meet you.
Good point in making a reservation at Tapeo de Cervantes, it is a quite small place. I did not know reservations could be made.
You do not pass Antequera driving from Ronda to Malaga, unless you want to make a big detour. The usual road is towards Campillos and when approaching to Teba, turn right towards Ardales. It is well advertised.

Your trip is almost an exact duplicate of ours last winter, except we sadly missed Malaga.

Ronda definitely deserves at least a full day.

And I'd take the train, not the bus, from Cordoba to Seville.

I bought the Alhambra tickets on-ine. No problems.

I'm not having luck buying from Alsa the tickets from Malaga to Granada. I even tried with PayPal and it went through and then I received a credit back. Also tried calling them but can't get throught. Any recommendations?

NanBug, I fine-tuned this trip here, with a little help of my Fodorite friends. I will take your advice and stay in Ronda. The bus to Sevilla is private, they will pick us in the Cordoba hotel and drop us in he Sevilla hotel.

Josele , we also would have loved to meet you, next time.

In Sevilla, besides the Flamenco Bienal, which Peña or Club Style Flamenco venue would you recommend? We prefer an informal place were you can experience the Cante Hondo and feeling of the dance.

I would highly recommend intimate Casa de la Memória in the Santa Cruz district. The real deal, great talents and up-and-coming artists, and not seldom some of the best in the world perform here such as Pastora Galván, Rafael Campallo, Adela Campallo, La Choni etc. The program changes every day, but it always include both song, guitar and dance. No dinner, drinks etc. as in the traditional tablaos and just 15€ entrance fee (as opposed to the 30€+ in the flamenco restaurants (tablaos), which also can be great). Get your tickets early as the patio is small and seating is very limited.

I'm going myself on Friday to see Pastora Galván (who stages her own show "Pastora" some days later in Teatro Lope de Vega) and on Monday to see Adela Campallo (one of the greatest promises until she was seriously injured in a car accident five years ago, but now she's back). In between it will be very much Bienal...

Pastora Galván is one of the most spectacular traditional female flamenco dancers, but I love this "flamenco nuevo" clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gCAlpG8Dv4

Adela Campallo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gCAlpG8Dv4

Both are from Sevilla.

Casa de la Memória homepage with detailed program (the Oct program not set yet): http://www.casadelamemoria.es/

tripadvisor reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalusia.html

Listen to kimhe.

We had, perhaps, one of our best travel moments in Spain at Casa de la Memoria last year. Unforgettable, goosebumpy, made me cry. It took my breath away.

Definitely order tickets ahead of time and get there at least 45 minutes before the show to grab a good seat.

thanks again, kimhe.

Nanbug sats to get there 45 mins in advance, which would mean about 20.15 as the advertised start time is 21.00.

from my limited knowledge of spain, that seems very early!

We arrived (mid-week, in January)around 20:20 and ended up getting the last seat in the front row, on the very side. We could barely see the guitarist.

I would get there at 20:00 to be assured a seat.

thanks nanbug.

looks like a late supper that night. [or normal time, for spain!]

You're welcome. It'll be a late dinner, but I think the show ended at 21:00, so you won't be too past your bedtime. ;)

It's a bit of a drag to wait in line that long (I think they opened the doors around 20:40 or so), but the show is totally worth it. Loved the atmosphere, too. Just wonderful. Have fun!

thanks, nanbug.

we'll try!"

Thanks so much, Kimhe, annhig and NanBug. Enjoy your shows, Kimhe. Definitely will reserve soon and go there early! It's great to know I'm in for an excellent show!

All excited-leaving today! I will report later.

Thank you for all your help, fodorite friends!

Boy voyage! Have a fun, safe trip... and please report back! :)

If possible, I would strongly recommend to go and see Pastora Galván in Casa de la Memória on either Friday the 8th or 15th. Just some days ago she delievered what will stand as one of the absolute top performances - perhaps the very best -during this Bienal. At least you'll get a taste of her genious, and you'll get an up-front experience of one of the greatest flamenco dancers alive.

Here's the October programme:
http://www.casadelamemoria.es/eventos.htm