stoweflake

We will be traveling for 11 in spain in december starting in granada.
We plan to get to Seville where my daughter is studying and then all travel to Barcelona.

I plan to spend a few days in Granada the maybe Cordova on the way to Seville. I see that Ronda looks really beautiful, do you think we should make Seville our base and travel to cordova and or ronda from there? My second question is, if we take the bus will it be difficult to bring our large luggage? thanks for any help also any suggestions on where to stay moderately priced?

bilboburgler

I know cordova and seville on the train, maybe the others. very cheap and clean.

Both very good cities and for accomodation i've used 2 star b&B in the centres and been very pleased with the conditions and ease of access to the key points.

I know I'm out of line with fodorites but still not sure why anyone goes to Ronda

stoweflake

Thank you for your response. Can you provide me with the names of the b and bs or how your found them? thank you

kja

Hi, stoweflake -

While I enjoyed Ronda - it is, indeed, really beautiful - the Mezquita in Cordoba is quite spectacular, so my recommendation would be to go to Cordoba.

As for transportation, I actually found it easier to travel by bus than train with luggage in Spain, because the luggage is stored in a side compartment reached from outside.

You might check tripadvisor for information about B&Bs and other lodging options.

Hope that helps!

stoweflake

Thanks kja, I just read a trip report from snorkelluvn. Wow they really make ronda sound wonderful. Now I am thinking of traveling from Granada to Ronda, I guess by bus and staying one night. Then traveling to Seville for 4 nights with a day trip to cordova somewhere in there. Does this sound reasonable? I appreciate your help.

zeppole

Cordoba (make sure you get the spelling right to check transportation skeds!) is very easily visited from Sevilla by train. While I agree with the general advice that bus travel is Spain is often better than train travel, a day trip to Cordoba is an exception, and you will find taking the train is simple.

I've not been to Ronda, so I can't comment. But Cordoba's church is extraordinary. While you are in Granada, seeing the Alhambra at night is an incomparable experience. It is worth visiting the Alhambra twice -- once during the day to see the gardens and once at night to tour the interiors, when few tourists go, the cats come out, and it becomes incredibly atmospheric.

stoweflake

thank you all.it seems we will be able to go twice to the alhambra once at night. As I research I discover there is so much to see. Now we are thinking 2 nights in granada an afternoon train to cordoba, stay overnight
afternoon train to ronda, stay over
night
bus to seville, stay 3 nights. I am taking one night away from granada to go to ronda. Do you think it is worth it? hard to deside.

sssteve

Ronda is a great place to visit. We were there in 2001 and stayed in the San Gabriel Hotel which was a wonderful 3 star hotel. From the looks of the web site, it still looks pretty good. Here's the URL:

http://www.hotelsangabriel.com/index.html

Here's the URL of my web page about that trip. Perhaps it will help you in your planning.

http://www.travel.stv77.com/andalucia/andalucia.html

bilboburgler

The best source is the Rough Guide who list the best little 1 and 2 stars. The down side is the rooms may be a little dowdy but often receptions are towering elegances

mbcl

I think it would make sense to use Sevilla as a base. Do a day trip to Cordoba by train (fast and easy on the AVE). Then go to Ronda for an overnight, and next day head to Granada.

In my opinion, Sevilla is much more interesting than Granada to use as a base--and your daughter should know lots of "in" places to visit.

Maybe renting a car for a few days would make sense. Driving yourslef would be faster than public transportation, and much easier--and besides, you could stop wherever and whenever you want. Three days would cost between $150 and $275, depending on your choice of car. It would be nice to take a drive from Sevilla to Ronda and on to Granada (or reverse). (Auto Europe is by far the best source for rental cars--best price and great customer service.)

Whether you use Granda or Sevilla as a base, I strongly suggest you visit Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla. And I recommend seeing Ronda--as an overnight, if you can. Other interesting stop along the way would be Arcos de la Frontera.

Hotels in Ronda: If you want "basic but comfortable and clean" try the Arunda or Arunda II--both same ownership, good location, probably under 50 Euros/night. I have also stayed at the Hotel El Tajo--very basic rooms, has restaurant for breakfast, friendly owner. I think the baths at Arunda or Arunda II are a little nicer/newer.
Hotel in Sevilla: The Apartamentos Murillo or Hotel Murillo would be great choices. Apartments have small kitchens, so you could make your own breakfast (and lunch?). (Guests at Apartamentos can eat in hotel for a fee.) Great location in Santa Cruz area, and very good values. Check around for best price--the hotel/apartments don't usually give you the best deal if you book directly with them.....usually better through a booking agency. Also good choices: Hotel Montecarlo, Hotel Adriano,Confortel Puerta Triana. Price in December for any of these properties should be less than $100 night (and I see that the Confortel would be only about $65 with breakfast and tax included!) If you are ok paying a little more than $100, try the Hotel Dona Maria, the Hotel Inglaterra, Hotel Vincci La Rabida.

In Granada, some suggestions: Hotel Macia Plaza; Alixares Hotel; Hotel America.

I also know several hotels in Barcelona. If I had a better idea of your budget, I could recommend a couple.
Enjoy your visit!

kja

Hi again, stoweflake -

> Now we are thinking 2 nights in granada an afternoon train to cordoba, stay overnight
afternoon train to ronda, stay over
night
bus to seville, stay 3 nights. I am taking one night away from granada to go to ronda. Do you think it is worth it?

I think that sounds perfect! Enjoy!

stoweflake

thank you to ssteve,bilbobrgler,mbcl, and kja.
I booked the hotel puerta de sevilla in seville for 66 euros a night and the Hotel Guadalupe in Granada. I am thinking about the suggestions to stay a night in ronda and then use seville as my base to travel to cordova. still looking into it. thanks To mbcl I am a bit overwhelmed with researching barcelona. I tried the princess 3 apartments but would like 2 rooms It seemed like a great location but expensive. I could go for under 150usd for a two bedroom. I need four nights though. Perhaps a nice clean hostal in a good part of town. I see fodorites highly recommend the el born area. Would you be able to recommend a moderately priced place to stay in barcelona for us? thanks again for your input.

bilboburgler

hotel windsor used to be cheap and clean

kelliebellie

I adored Ronda. It was a place unlike any other I've ever seen. It is definitely worth a night.

annhig

<<and the Hotel Guadalupe in Granada>>

great choice, stoweflake. it is right across the road from the alhambra. we stayed there 3 years ago and really liked it. if you eat in the restaurant, they do a very good "coda da buro" [i think that's how you spell it,] which is stewed ox-tail - i don't think they belived me when i said we ate it at home too.

you can easily walk down to the town and to get back up there is a bus from the square that runs until midnight. [€1 each].

running parallel to the square are some little streets with lots of tapas bars in them - if you want something different, try and find the "pulperia" [again, not sure about the spelling] which specialises in octopus. yum yum.

have a great time,

regards, ann

stoweflake

thanks annig I'm putting your suggestions in my notes.