Cadiz vs. Cordoba?
 

We (2 adults and a 15 year old) are spending 3 days in Sevilla and 3 days in Madrid with 1 day free between the two places. We are deciding between Cadiz and Cordoba - our free day is Tuesday, Feb 20 - which I believe is Carnival. We have been to carnival in Venice and wonder if we should visit Cadiz - and if that is your advice - where to stay, how to get there from Sevilla and how to get to Madrid from Cadiz. Or should we go the more traditional route and visit Cordoba - and if that is your advice - where to stay, we would use the train for transportation. Thank you for your help.

Just for sanity, you probably should take the route to Cordoba. Cadiz will be a circus during the carnival.

The train would take you to Cadiz during the carnival and most likely it will take you back but nothing is certain during carnival time.

Either way, have a good visit to Spain.

Blackduff

Cordoba is wonderful as is Carmona...

By all means, Cordoba.

Cadiz carnival is a feast full of local idiosincrasies a foreigner wont be able to grasp. I think you'll find a lot of noise and understand little. I recommend Cordoba.

lagamiso,
Josele is absolutely correct regarding the idiosyncratic nature of the Cádiz Carnaval. It's not something a non resident would particularly enjoy or be able to participate in.

You could easily make Córdoba a day trip from Sevilla without having to switch hotels for one night since it's only a 40 min. trip via AVE.

But if you do want to spend the night, here are some options:

If budget is an issue, you can usually fnd the 4 star Eurostars Conquistador in the historic quarter, the Judería on
www.talonotel.com
www.bancotel.com for 60€, particuarly in Feb.

Bancotel also handles the 3 star Eurostar Maimonides (but I would choose the Conquistador), also in the very heart of the Judería.

Individual talonotel coupons can be purchased at any Viajes El Corte Inglés agency or in the travel dept. of Seville's El Corte Inglés department store.

Individual bancotel coupons can be purchased (with a 3€ service charge) at all Viajes Iberia travel agencies.

For a suite to sleep 3, the new and atmospheric Casa de los Azulejos has a suite for 115€ in Feb. including breakfast, which is a great deal It's a member of the lovely, boutique Rusticae group.
www.casadelosazulejos.com

It receives very good reviews at
www.innsofspain.com and
www.tripadvisor.com

This would be my choice for a comfortable and unique dose of Córdoban charm.

There's also the more pricey new 9 room Hospedería El Churrasco, connected to the gourmet El Churrasco restaurant, also in the heart of the Judería. It's a 3 flower Inns of Spain selection. Doubles in low season start at 120€

There's also the NH Amistad, a member of their Selección group, tucked away in a square beyond the Maimónides where doubles run for 125€, but you may find discounts on web booking sites.


The modern, business class, 4 star AC Córdoba, facing the park and near the AVE station, has a suite for promo rate of 180€ and promo rate for standard doubles at 56€, but it's too early to book on their web, which always offers the best rates.
www.ac-hoteles.com

Hope this helps.