We've just booked flights to Malaga and arrive AM on Christmas Eve (Fri 24 December) and leave AM on New Year's Eve (Fri 31 December).

Our vague plan is 2 days in Malaga, 2 days in Granada and 2 days in Seville, leaving one day for Cordoba, Ronda or any other day trip. Our main interests are architecture, natural scenery and good food and we'd be grateful for recommendations about:

- Where is the best place to spend Christmas Day?
- What's the best way to get around in the Christmas period: should we hire a car, go by bus / train or use a combination?
- What's the best order to visit the places we mentioned?

Many thanks in advance!

We've now worked out a rough plan and would be very grateful for input on whether to hire a car or use buses/trains and on what will be open over the Christmas period.

Fri 24 Dec
AM: Arrive Malaga
Night Malaga [Any recommendations for Christmas Eve dinner?}

Sat 25 Dec
Malaga
Night Malaga

Sun 26 Dec
Hire a car and drive to Granada or take the bus (10am-11.30am)
Night Granada

Mon 27 Dec
Drive or take the bus (10.30am-1.10pm) to Cordoba for a couple of hours
Afternoon: Drive or take the train/bus to Seville
Night Seville

Tues 28 Dec
Seville
Night Seville

Wed 29 Dec
Seville
Night Seville

Thurs 30 Dec
Drive or take the bus to Ronda
Night Malaga

Fri 31 Dec
AM fly home

I do not think you'll have problems with Christmas day lunch, most places will be open. On Xmas eve in Malaga, I am not sure, it is a family thing. But for sure hotel restaurants or the Parador. Yes, I'd suggest the Parador Gibralfaro. But I believe you'll have to make reservations. Where are you staying in Malaga?

Christmas in Andalucía: http://www.andalucia.com/accounts/ch...nandalucia.htm

Andalusian Christmas recipes: http://www.andalucia.com/gastronomy/xmasrecipes.htm

Josele - thanks for your response and I'll look into the Parador. We haven't booked a hotel yet but plan to stay somewhere central eg near the Cathedral/Alcazaba.

Kimhe - thank you for the links, which make for some interesting reading. I particularly like the sound of some of the Andalucian sweet treats

I may recommend hotel AC Malaga Palacio, try to get a view to the harbour. Across the street, less price but no view, the Don Curro.

SusieR, glad you are still extant. So is the thread you started on the Australian forum. It has been somewhat hijacked but there are questions and information for your there.