driving tour of Spain
Dec 21st, 2000, 08:42 AM
#1
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driving tour of Spain
Help! I am overwhelmed by Spain. We will have 7-10 days to explore part of Spain in late June. We can fly in/out Madrid or Barcelona. Can anyone suggest a good book w/suggested driving tours or suggest their own schedule. We enjoy natural scenery, good food, and luxurious/comfortable lodging.
Dec 21st, 2000, 11:46 AM
#2
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I spent 10 days in Spain last Sept. The first 2 in Madrid, took the AVE train to Seville, 1 1/2 days there, picked up a rental and drove down to the coast having lunch in Tariffa, on to Algecera and spent 2 nights there. Took a day trip over to morocco, 1/2 day in Gibralter and on to Granada. Visited around the city, visited the Alhambra the next morning and then drove on to Barcelona for the last two days of our trip. A little rushed but we saw a lot and had an enjoyable time.
Art
Art
Dec 21st, 2000, 11:56 AM
#4
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I'd spend a few days in Madrid and do bus excursions to Toledo and Segovia. Take the AVE to Sevilla and spend a day or so there. Rent a car at the train station and be sure to see Cordoba. Continue to Granada and see the Alhambra. Allow time for nightlife in the Arabic Quarter-very interesting. Continue south to the Costa del Sol (possibly Malaga or Torremolinos). Drive from there through Ronda and end at Cadiz. Return to Sevilla and take the AVE back to Madrid for your return/ Andalusia is a must-see. Barcelona is interesting archetecturally, however, didn't knock me out. Cordoba is a very charming old Spanish city that all should visit. By the way, this is an ininerary I did last March so it's very do-able. Good luck & late June should be HOT so prepare.
Dec 21st, 2000, 03:00 PM
#6
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I agree that with 7-10 days you should either pick a region, or a home base. If you pick to fly into Madrid, I would do day trips to Segovia, Avila, Toledo, train to Seville, spend some days, day trips to Cordova and Merida, and train back to Madrid.
If you enjoy natural scenery, then you should probably head out to Andalucia (White Towns). It will be very, very hot, but apparently you guys are pros on that
. I would also suggest that you make a desicion pronto. Lodging will be challenging that time of the year, if you don't start looking soon.
For alternative, I would suggest Barcelona towards Tarragona. Also, the northwest region is breathtaking.
During our last trip to Spain, I found a Frommer's (sorry Fodor's) book "Spain's Best-Loved Driving Tours". Very well ilustrated with 20+ suggested drving routes including maps, distances, and highlights along the routes. It was a great planning
resource.
Have a great trip!
If you enjoy natural scenery, then you should probably head out to Andalucia (White Towns). It will be very, very hot, but apparently you guys are pros on that
. I would also suggest that you make a desicion pronto. Lodging will be challenging that time of the year, if you don't start looking soon. For alternative, I would suggest Barcelona towards Tarragona. Also, the northwest region is breathtaking.
During our last trip to Spain, I found a Frommer's (sorry Fodor's) book "Spain's Best-Loved Driving Tours". Very well ilustrated with 20+ suggested drving routes including maps, distances, and highlights along the routes. It was a great planning
resource.
Have a great trip!
Dec 21st, 2000, 03:32 PM
#7
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What do you prefer? Semi- dry ( those dates ) but sometimes striking landscape, beautiful white villages and very interesting cities --Andalucia or not as interesting cities but superb green mountainous countryside.---Castilian cities+Picos de Europa
Both make sure good food and lodging.
Both make sure good food and lodging.
Dec 24th, 2000, 11:15 AM
#11
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Hi Paulo, We left Granada at noon. We arrived at the city just 100km(60m) south of Barcelona at 9:30 pm. We stopped twice for meals along the way. Of course after living in Germany for several years (long ago) I'm still used to driving fast. The roads were great and I just got behind a MB used his draft and cruised at approx 140 - 150 km/hour. Hope this helps.
Art
Art
Dec 24th, 2000, 12:29 PM
#12
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I'm going to do the same Granada-Barcelona drive this spring after puttering through southern Spain. I'm curious: Is it a fairly scenic drive, or just a pedal-to-the-metal sort of thing? Any interesting places to stop along the way, or should I set my sights on Barcelona -- a city I love -- and get there as quickly as possible?
Dec 24th, 2000, 12:56 PM
#13
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uhm... just reread my post and decided I sound like lummox, so let me qualify my question. If I had to the time, I would drive slowly through every nook and cranny of Spain. But with only two weeks (give or take a day) for Madrid (including Toledo, etc.), southern Spain and Barcelona (including a day trip or two, if possible), I have to cut corners somewhere. Sigh.
