Hello Fodorites,
Again, seeking your help for the following proposed itinerary. I will be travelling by myself between April 11 and May 3
1-Arrive Madrid: 5 nights
2-Train to Cuenca: 2 nights
3-Train to Valencia: 4 nights
4-AirEuropa to Palma de Mallorca: 3 nights
5-AirEuropa to Alicante: 2 nights
6-Alsa Bus to Almeria: 2 nights
7-Alsa Bus to Nerja: 2 nights
8-Alsa Bus to Torremolinos: 1 night
9-Depart Malaga Airport
Any suggestions re: "absolute must-sees" along the way would be most appreciated!
LouAnne

Certainly, in Madrid, the Prado and the Thyssen (sp?) museums are musts, even for those even casually interested in art. We thought the "hop-on-hop-off" bus around the city was a very good introduction (includes recorded audio guide in English and other languages).

Cuenca is almost two different towns, the new, (where the RR station and modern stores, offices, apartments are), and the old town, up the hill, surrounding the cathedral.

We had a delightful stay at La Posada San Jose, in the old town. Our room had a balcony hanging over the gorge, with a spectacular view, both by night and by day. Accommodations were superb -- an ancient building, but recently renovated
(we were there in 2004).

Finding the hotel on our own in a rental car was an adventure; be sure your taxi driver from the station knows where he is going -- see the hotel's excellent website: www.
posadasanjose.com

Hey gjkayak... thanks for this. The Posada San Jose is where I'm staying in Cuenca, so we both have good taste! Do you remember your room number? I would ask for it!

We no longer have the receipt, so I cannot tell you the room number. However, if you look at the picture at the right side of the Posada's home page you will see, directly above the French flag, a cluster of three windows. Our room's window is the one second from the right edge of the picture, and directly above a curved arch. The window is the only one with a small peak, which casts a shadow on the wall of the building. Notice that the room is
actually one flight below street level and the hotel lobby.

When we were there no one at the front desk spoke English, so we wish you good luck translating my description into Spanish and conveying them to the hotel!

hi, louanne -

You're going to andalucia, but not seeing granda, SEville, Ronda, Cordoba?

Personally, I would drop Mallorca, and spend the extra time in the south, especially as you'll be in spain at the very best time of year to visit the south, before it gets too hot.

also, do you really want to go to Alicante, and Valencia? - for "must sees" have a look at the michelin guide to spain - usually a good way of finding the best places.

Malaga would get my vote over torremolinos, but that may just be british prejudice against a place beloved of UK tour companies. [and i bet you can get agood cup of tea!]

Have a great time!

Ann

hi annhig - I've been to Sevilla, Rhonda and Cordoba last year. As for Torremolinos, this is just an overnight accomodate close to the airport - certainly not my choice of a city to visit - just there for conveniences's sake. I've alos been to Barcelona and Granada. I just love Spain! Thanks for your message,
LouAnne

ttt

What I'd like to know, particularly, is this: is this too ambitious an itinerary?

Hi, louanne - I think that's what I was clumsily trying to say.

we just got back from 3 nights in Madrid, and bearing in mind that you need to allow for jet-lag, teh 5 nights there would be fine; if you got bored with the sights and the bars, you couild do day trips to segovia or toledo.

Never been to Cuenca or Valencia but the Michelin guide makes me think that they are good choices. However, I would not bother with Mallorca, but I would then make for andalucia and Granada, Cadiz, Jerez - wonderful places to be in apirl/may. Fianlly i would end up in Malaga - it's just got to be better than Torremolinos!

Good luck!

Ann

Torremolinos is just a convenient sleep stop closer to the airport than Malaga, if my map is correct.