Can someone please critique my Andalucia itinerary?
 

Hello

I realize this is a rather busy itinerary, but I would appreciate any comments or tips.
In particular, are Jaen or Ubeda worth an overnight? Or should I spend 2 nights in Grenada?

Thanks in advance!

Day 1) Arrive Madrid early AM, overnight Madrid

Day 2) Madrid museums, Overnight Madrid

Day 3) Morning flight to Malaga, pick-up rental car. See Gibraltar (my husband’s one request for the trip). Overnight www.cortijolahoya.com

Day 4) Morning drive to Seville, drop-off rental car, Overnight Seville

Day 5) Tour Seville, Overnight Seville

Day 6) AM pick-up rental car and drive one hour north to www.palaciodesanbenito.com

Day 7) Drive through Cordoba, overnight Jaen Paradoror or Ubeda Parador?

Day 8) AM drive to Grenada. Afternoon tour of Alhambra. Overnight Grenada

Day 9) Morning in Grenada, Afternoon flight back to Madrid/JFK

I forgot to add that we are planning on going in mid-march, prior to Semana Santa.

Any particular reason why you would reject the idea of cutting Madrid and flying directly into and out of Malaga? Or is your heart set on Madrid?

If your heart is set on Madrid, would you consider flying from Madrid to Granada, and then flying out of Malaga directly home on an open-jaw flight? This would avoid the need to fly back to Madrid. You could spend night 3 and 4 in Granada, night 5 and 6 in Seville, and the last two nights between Seville and Malaga, from which you take your (open-jaw) flight home. The only reason I suggest cutting Cordoba in favour of the second night in Granada is that since you can't be certain at the present time just when you'd be able to secure tickets to see the Alhambra, the extra night would give you some flexibility in admission times (not to mention a chance to draw breath.)And because I think if Gibraltar is a priority, you need to find a way of freeing up a bit more time to see it.

Good luck, and be sure to follow your own heart in the end.

Thanks so much for your feedback Sue.
The only reason that Madrid is on the itinerary is that I found a very good deal on a direct flight from the States. In all honesty, I am not particularly drawn to Madrid, especially considering that the weather will be better down south. In fact, another option would be to just spend one very full day in Madrid before flying south, thus freeing up another day for Andalucia.

WOW, last time I looked, Grenada was nowhere near Spain, but in the Caribbean...go figure.

Few comments: make sure your Day 2 is not a Monday, when major Madrid museums are closed.

Drop-off/Pick-Up cars should be simplified. Suggest: train/flight Seville. Tour Seville. Pick-up car in Estacion Santa Justa. On to Cordova. Tour. Overnight. Next day on to Granada, (AM) tour Alhambra. Leisure drive towards Gibraltar, overnight. Visit Gibraltar, visit some Pueblos Blancos (Ronda better choice than either Jaen or Ubeda; being to all three), depart from Malaga, including dropping off the rental car.