docdan1

This is all very interesting as we are planning a similar trip in 2018. I normally do not place much stock in recommendations made by the competition, but Mr S makes the point that, while Tangier is not the "REAL Morrocco," it is also _not Europe_, and recommends a day trip with that as a caveat. https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-rea...-is-no-tijuana
If one accepts that as a limitation, but wants a "taste" of Morrocco, then this seems to be a reasonable suggestion.

Bedar

With 10 or 11 days in Andalucia, there is no reason to skip any of the marvellous cities. Sorry, doc, but in fact Tangier is part of real Morocco. Unfortunately it is no longer as seedy as it once was thanks to the current King Med VI. But, this family really doesn't have enough time to do it justice. Yes, it would whet their appetite for more time there, but the OP has said that they will make a longer trip there in the spring.
This trip is in December. No need to go to the beach at Nerja. In any case Nerja hasn't yet completed its sewage treatment plant. I wouldn't swim there.

jpie

Yes I tend to agree with the statement about Nerja. We were in October, and didn't swim mostly due to the sewage plant issue. But it is still a lovely town off season since it has a pretty good assortment of restaurants, etc. But I do agree-I really liked Malaga and think that could be a great destination that time of year.

monimai

I’m overwhelmed with your generosity!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Bedar, docdan1, PalenQ, jpie, jamikins, MoBro, and last but not least KarenWoo!
Armed with a wealth of information we are going to make Final decisions, and hopefully by tomorrow we will finalize our vacation plan! THANK YOU!

Sassafrass

MoBro liked San Marco Restaurant. Glad to hear it is still there because we loved it when we were there years ago, and we do not usually remember the names of restaurants. There are actually two, same owners, I think. Note - They are Italian. Interesting, some of the best Italian food I have had was in Spain.

monimai

Sassafrass, we will definitely put this place on our list. It’s quite funny actually that you have had the best Italian food, out of all places, in Spain.

basingstoke2

We spent a week near Cadiz and took a day tour to Morocco - specifically Tangiers. Most of our time in Tangiers was spent in the old, walled part (Casbah) which is typical of that type of place found in other countries as well and quite different from other things you would see in Spain. We ditched the tour after lunch and explored on our own meeting the tour back at the boat. Morocco of course is much more that just the Tangiers old city, but with only one day you can't really do more.

MoBro

Sassafrass, we just happened upon San Marco and were able to get a table. Great luck. I had a fabulous pasta dish with shrimp. Very cool setting. Fodorite maitaitom also commented that he'd liked that restaurant.

We had four full days in Sevlle, and had thought of taking a day-trip to Cordoba, but we decided to stay in Seville, because we loved it so much.

Also, last-minute train tickets to/from Cordoba were pretty expensive. I think it would have cost over $200 for the two of us, and we'd only be in Cordoba a half day. Also, the horses were not performing on any days we could be there, so that nixed the plan for us.

The train from Sevilla-Madrid was wonderful. I'd bought tickets on-line at renfe.com, a few weeks in advance. The train is so smooth and fast, clean and comfortable.

I highly recommend Spain Select, the company from which we rented our apartment in Sevilla, and one in Madrid. They are very responsive via e-mail to help you decide on which apartment and answer your questioins. Then they meet you at your scheduled arrival time, to present the keys, give you a local phone number to call for assistance, and show you the apartment. I had also e-mailed them when we were leaving, for assistance in getting a car to the train station and airport. The driver was there promptly on time, which was a big relief when catching an early airplane in Madrid. Also, they promptly returned my $250 security deposit, within about three days of our departure.

You'll be impressed with the apartments they represent:
http://sevilla.spain-select.com/en_US/video
(I think they are changing their name from Spain Select to Home Select, but you can find them under the first name, as well.)

docdan1

Above comments duly noted and appreciated.

StCirq

<<f you go to Morocco, try to not just do Tangier and Marrakech; they're both pretty seedy for a family trip (especially Tangier) >>

This is very old information from someone who probably hasn't been there for years (it drives me nuts when people post not having been to a place recently), but it is still not a great idea to try to rush to Morocco on such a short trip.

rivermama

We will be in Spain and Portugal over Christmas as well. Here is our plan and I know everyone will say too much not enough time or don't go to Tangier. But to each their own and we are seeing what we want to see.

Fly in BCN 3 nights

fly to Malaga (rental car) drive to Granada. 2 nights in Granada

Drive to Sevilla stay for 4 nights (one day trip being to Morocco) We just really want to go

Then to Lisbon on the 30th for 3 nights- fly out of Lisbon.

I have found great advice from people on this forum but I think in the end decide where you really want to go and make it happen. Best advice I got (can't remember from who) was to get a calendar and put travel times and where you want to go and when. It really helps. Especially with the holidays.

PalenQ

Drive to Sevilla stay for 4 nights (one day trip being to Morocco) We just really want to go>

You flying from Seville?

If taking ferry to Tangiers why not drive to Algeciras from Malaga - do it and stay in Algeciras (or nearby Gibraltar - another place no one likes it seems except me - unique - awesome and easy access to ferries. But flying from Seville means you could go to a nicer city than Tangiers is from all apparent info.

PalenQ

Driving to Lisbon I'd suggest stopping by Evora - really neat old historic town (but as StCirq admonishes I have not been there for a long time and perhaps it is not as worthwhile now?)

Consider flying to Lisbon and returning car in Seville too if drop-off fees are steep for renting in Spain and returning in Portugal.

And really for all the places you're going trains are great and cars useless once in those cities.

Robert2016

Évora has changed somewhat since PalenQ & StCirq where last there. It's cleaned up quite a bit. There is now a better selection of excellent wine bars and restaurants to choose from, including Tábua do Naldo (www.facebook.com/tabuadonaldo/) and Origens Restaurante (origensrestaurante.com).

We stayed at the M'AR De AR Aqueduto, with free parking and pool and easy access.

misskdonkey

Hi there. We will be in Spain over Christmas too, this will be our 10th trip to Spain and its just two weeks, arriving 22nd Dec.This is our plan: Australia to Madrid, directly to Segovia by train.
2 nights Segovia, then back to Madrid for 3 nights. We have booked La Rotonda restaurant for 25th.. 'brunch' 2pm!!
Train to Malaga for 3 nights, pick up car and drive to Ronda for NYE.
We then drive to Cordoba, leave the car and stay 3 nights, train to Madrid, one last night and home.
I would book restaurants if you can, particularly the main celebration days. Lots of places are closed but have a look at the bigger hotels that have restaurants. Remember they eat late in Spain. I would book your tickets to Alhumbra, train tickets and car hire before you go. Check where the drop off points are and make sure they are open on the days you need ie we are hiring a car to drive to Consuegra to see the windmills on Christmas Eve.
Some of the car hire return spots are closing early because C.E. is the main celebration.Book tickets to the flamenco, your kids will love it.
Have a wonderful trip, you will love Spain.

CounterClifton

I could see this working, though perhaps the Morocco part may not be particularly illuminating. Much as the main trip was to Morocco with a day trip across to Algeciras to serve as a glimpse of Spain. No doubt, they're "real" as any other parts of the countries they are in, just perhaps not particularly representative of what each country offers.

fwiw, Marrakesh has its challenges (touts, tourism) and it's not my favourite place of Morocco by a long shot but I can't say I found it seedy.

laverendrye

<<If taking ferry to Tangiers why not drive to Algeciras from Malaga - do it and stay in Algeciras (or nearby Gibraltar - another place no one likes it seems except me - unique - awesome and easy access to ferries.>>

I can't imagine anyone wanting to visit, let alone stay in, the industrial port city of Algeciras other than for the ferry to Tangier. Far better to stay in the attractive town of Tarifa where there are multiple ferries to and from Tangier every day.

Gibraltar is certainly worth visiting, but I wouldn't use it as a base for touring in Spain. The Spanish authorities regularly cause huge traffic tie-ups by thoroughly inspecting all cars crossing back into Spain. As for a ferry to Morocco, AFAIK there is one per week from Gibraltar.

Bedar

Amyone wanting to make a madcap day trip to Tamgier should take the ferry from Tarifa which docks right in the port. The ones from Algeciras now dock in a new port called TangerMed some 40 kms from Tangier. Obviously PalenQ hasn't traveled there or to Gibraltar in a very long time !

PalenQ

Tarifa is also one of the surfing hotspots in Europe - maybe ride the waves over to Morrocco - bedar thanks for correction - even though about 15 years ago I think Gibraltar at least is still much the same - the Rock and a unique Spanish-English culture and look in its town with pubs, UK supermarkets, B&Bs, etc.

CounterClifton

Just as a possible alternative -

There is a ferry from Algeciras that runs to Cueta, which is still technically Spain, a small (and attractive) enclave on the Moroccan coast. Also a place very few people have been!

I've only done this the other way around, but there is a border crossing at the edge of Cueta, where you then find yourself in Morocco. When we arrived, there were taxis and grand taxis (vans) waiting on the Moroccan side. You need two taxis though - one to take you from the port to the border, then after you go through passport control, another to take you onward) For a family, you'd want to hire the whole grand taxi. May be more hassle than it's worth, but it's one possible way to get to less "day-trippy" places (like Tetouan or even Chefchaouen) .