Desperate --Spain Itinerary
 

I am so confused. Please help. I have to book out trip to Spain (for this August) in a day or two and I still can't figure out what to do. Here's my rough idea
Arrive Barcelona -- three nights in Barcelona including a day trip to Stiges or Montserrat -- Two nights Sevilla -- Three nights Marbella with a day trip to Granada. is this feasible? What's the best way to get to Sevilla from Barcelona? Should I rent a car in sevilla and drive to MArbella/Granada? IS it so hot that I should rework my entire itinerary?

In August daytime temps in Seviille and Granada will be about 100 - and possibley higher. If you go make sure in advance that your hotel and car have AC - and assume you will not be able to do anything in the middle of the day (a hotel pool might be a good idea).

Do you like the heat? I don't at all and I would be going to the north coast of Spain and the mountains instead. I am traveling to the north coast in early July for a few days and still concerned it might be too hot for me. I would wilt in Seville in August. Last year August in Europe was an inferno.

I'd spend time in Barcelona, it is on the sea, so hopefully won't be too hot. Then I'd rent a car and drive north through Catalonia into the Pyrenees, through the Basque region and onto the north coast. OR, fly from Barcelona to Madrid on Spanair, rent a car there and then drive up to the coast.

You will have to get your accommodations booked very soon, as that is the holiday month in Spain and hotels are booked months in advance.

If it would help, I have Maribel's files on the Basque region and Northern Spain. If you send me a note to [email protected], I will send them to you immediately.

Good luck and don?t panic. You will need a clear head for all that planning that lies ahead over the next few days :)

Regards Ger

Sorry, I forgot to ask, where are you flying home from and how many days do you have in total?

I am leaving on my trip to Spain in mid June and would have gone in July or August (have been there before). we always travel in the summer and do get a *bit* sweaty sometimes, but if you are up for it, you just might get some solitude in what most people would call a lull in summertime travel.

Misha2:

Here are some websites to help you book accomodation in Spain

http://www.paradores-spain.com/

http://www.innsofspain.com/

http://www.secretplaces.com/framespage.htm

http://www.notodohoteles.com/

http://www.hotelsspainonline.com/

http://www.madridandbeyond.com/


Regards Ger

I would love maribel's files [email protected]. I understand about the heat. But, can I justify a trip to Spain without going to see the Alahambra and Sevilla? Who knows when we'll get there next? Of course, I don't want to be miserable either. I thought, perhaps the only truly painfully hot time would be the two nights in Sevilla and that Marbella and Barcelona would not be that bad. Of course, the day trip to Granada would be boiling. I had plan on relaxing by a hotel pool if it's too hot in the day. But, are the "sights" open in the evening? We have 11 days and planned to fly home from Malaga.

Misha: I have sent you all of Maribel's files in a ZIP. Let me know if you have any problems opening it.

Regards Ger

You don't have very much time in Spain so don't waste it by going to Sitges or Montserrat. Beach you'll have in Marbella. Try to hit Cordoba, too - that and Granada can be done in day trips from Marbella.

A night tour of the Alhambra is fabulous. We booked both a day and a night trip. Do it ahead of time, either on the internet or at a bank when you get to Spain.
Vera

Great ideas. I'll drop the Sitges plan. Is it safe to drive in the middle of the night from Granada back to Marbella? Do you see different things in the day and the night? Or is it just about enjoying the structure in deifferent light? Is there anyone else out there who has tried something similar in August? I'll try to open the other files , too.
Thanks

I've been to Barcelona in July, 2003 and again in April, 2004. Three nights is barely enough. Concentrate on Gaudi. Then, I would recommned Hotel Santa Marta -- a resort not far up the coast to totally veg out, avoid the Costa Brava driving and stay put. -- it is all-inclusinve and like Sea Island without the golf. Less expensive as well.
Farther north to Figueras, Pubol and Cadaques for all of Dali's stuff -- fascinating. Not sure what the driving conditions woulkd be in August. Head for the mountains and save Sevilla for spring.

When I suggested the night tour of the Alhambra, I was thinking about the heat. But I'm not sure I'd want to drive all the way back to Marbella afterwards. That's a long drive.
Vera

misha - for the Barcelona-Sevilla trek - fly. There are cheap flights between the two cities, check Iberia or Spanair (I forget if they both do that route). They are far apart, and this would save time.

Karen