Andalucia experts! Help!
 

Hi all,
I have had exactly 4 days to plan a 2 1/2 week getaway and I need your help!! :-]

We fly into Madrid late and I have booked a hotel Tryp Ambassador (via Priceline) for 2 nights. Then, off we go to Cordoba (stay at the paradore) 1 night, Jaen (paradore-2 nights) and then, Granada. I am looking at staying at a rural luxury hotel here.

Then, driving toward the Algarve and perhaps, a night in Ronda. 1 week in Lagos, Portugal (househunting) and then, back to Seville on Sun, Aug 20 - 23rd, then high tailing it for Madrid and our flight out on the 24th. My questions to you are:
1) Is 3 days in Seville too long?
2) I am looking at the Dona Maria Hotel in Old Seville or at the Paradore in Carmona. Any preferences? We don't mind the drive in too much. We have children and a pool is very important.
3) If 3 days is too long, where should we spend the extra day in between Seville and Madrid?
4) What are the can't miss restaurants in the area?
5) Any specific things that 7 and 8 year old children are going to be esp. interested in??

Thanks, Fodorites!

Cheers,
Jan

Is there a reason why you're doing Cordoba before Jaen and Granada and not pairing it with Seville? I'd be inclined to go from Madrid to Jaen, Granada, Ronda, Lagos, Seville, Cordoba, Madrid. It seems to me that you're giving yourself extra driving in the wrong direction when you're going to be closer to Cordoba in Seville.

B/c we are doing Seville on the way back from Lagos. The difference in kms wasn't so great that I wanted to shift the Seville portion of the trip.

Oops...now I understand what you were saying. I guess I wanted to build some flexibility in. If we loved Cordoba, it would be easy to spend additional time. It would have made more sense your way though.

(Actually, DH had the same comment)

3 days in Sevilla will be perfect, I spent 4 there and quite honestly I could have stayed another few.

ps if you get bored in Sevilla you can always take a day trip to Jerez.

If you are looking for a great hotel in Portugal - the Tivoli Arada in Portimao is wonderful. Portimao is about a 10 minute drive from Lagos. The rooms are very spacious suites with a full living room, dining room, kitchen, and huge bedroom. There are stairs leading to the roof top where you can sunbath. The pool is huge and is the hotel is right near the beach with tons of shopping and restaurants. Also, their dinning room is right on the water where you can watch people boating, water sking, etc. They are also very reasonably priced! Here is their website:

http://www.tivolihotels.com/hotels-p...mao/list.aspx#

I wouldn't stay at the Carmona Paradore. This is a lovely Pardore but shouldn't waste the whole day.

For the same money, you can get a good hotel called Algora. This is a little outside from Sevilla but they have a mini-bus which takes people back and forth to Sevilla.

The Alcora has a lovely swimming pool and a great bar too.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reser...tel_Alcora.htm

I used to stay at this hotel for business reasons but it's been my choice in Sevilla for many years.

Blackduff

Blackduff, thank you!! That is a great rec.
Ammee, we are renting a villa in Lagos, but thank you.
Cheers,
Jan

3 days in Seville is not long. It's a beautiful city with lots to see. If you do run out of churches and museums, just relax at the park or cafe, or go crazy shopping for shoes.

Are you keeping your car while in Seville?....You don't really need a car in the city.

We had planned on keeping the car simply b/c I checked on Rail Europe the price of taking the train to Madrid. It was $400 for the 4 of us which is way higher than the rental car. Of course, after reading one of the other threads tonight, I may need to double check that price. I amhappy to turn the car in if it makes sense.

will you drive from lago to seville? we dropped our car off at Portimao and took a bus to seville. it was about 2 hours and it was a very nice trip.

If the Dona Maria in Seville is the hotel I THINK it is you are exceptionally well-located for both the Alcazar and the cathedral which are, IMOP, the two main attractions (other than the overall architecture) in that city.

I remember loking down at it from the tower and seeing the rooftop pool.

That is correct, Dukey. I just checked weather.com and the temps will be high 90s and low 100s. A pool has just become mandatory. :)

Ammee, with two kids and an antsy husband, we really prefer the freedom of a car.

Cheers all,
Jan

Pavfec,
We ended up changing our itinerary (due to unforeseen events) to Cordoba after Madrid! Thanks for the suggestion.
Cheers,
Jan

No problem! I read about your situation in the other thread and am so sorry that happened! It's creepy to think strangers were in your house rummaging through your stuff while you slept.

Glad everything worked out - I hope you really enjoy Spain and Portugal!