check out www.toprural.com for country inns.

hi, garrick,

looks as if your plans are coming together nicely.

regarding car hire, if you are hiring one in Granada, you might as well keep it for the rest of your stay in andalucia - you could drive to Cordoba, sevilla, down to jerez and cadiz, then finally onto algerciras for teh ferry to Morocco.

for hotels in the country, have a look at the paradors - they have an offer on now which may help.

you could do Ronda on the way back to Malaga - again a car would help.

good luck,

regards, ann

I would definately add another night in Sevilla especially as you plan to do a daytrip to Cordoba. I'd cut a night in Vejer or Itrabo and add one in Sevilla. I'm not much of a big city person myself when I vacation but Sevilla really has a small town charm. You won't be bored there and the food is wonderful.

The cities that you've chosen for Andalucia will make it much easier if you have a car. Vejer de la Frontera is not as central for public transportation as other cities but it is a good choice. I've never heard of Itrabo but it has received very good reviews in trip advisor.

I think you've done a great job in the rush that you were in to book hotels and ink the itinerary. We'll miss each other by a day in Barcelona!

Use this area guide http://www.way2stay.com/area-info-Barcelona-en-52.htm
to sort out your itinerary for Barcelona. also useful airport info etc.

"you could drive to Cordoba, sevilla, down to jerez and cadiz, then finally onto algerciras for teh ferry to Morocco."

Driving in Seville is a nightmare! I have family there and last time I was there my aunt gave me a driving tour of Seville at night..which was gorgeous with all the lights. However it was a scary experience(aunt is NOT the best driver_...I thought for sure I was on Candid Camera, though I couldnt find the camera...my hands hurt after that drive from the gripping of the seats!

Thanks again to everyone for their very helpful advice. I incorporated a lot of it into our...I can't believe I get to finally say this...FINAL ITINERARY. We leave tomorrow, so feel free to send us restaurant/bar/tapas recommendations for each city...we'll be checking the board while we're there. I'll post a detailed report when I get back.

- Garrick

Sep 14 – SFO to London (Hoxton, www.hoxtonhotels.com)

Sep 15-21 – Fly to Barcelona (Hotel Pulitzer, www.hotelpulitzer.es and Cocoon apartment, www.cocoonbarcelona.com)

Sep 21-25 – Fly Vueling to Granada, Palacio del Patos, www.hospes.es and Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, www.alcubilladelcaracol.com)

Sep 25 – Bus to Cordoba (Palacio del Bailio, www.hospes.es)

Sep 26-30 – AVE train to Sevilla (Petit Palace, www.hthoteles.com and Sevilla Lofts apartment, www.sevillaloft.com

Sep 30 – FRS ferry to Fes, Morocco (Dar Roumana, www.darroumana.com)

Oct 3 – Ferry back to Algeciras (AC Algeciras, http://directorio.ac-hotels.com/hoteles-cadiz-1.asp)

Oct 4 – Bus/rental car to Ronda and then Malaga (Molina Lario, http://molinalario.warwickhotels.com)

Oct 5 – Fly back to London (Hoxton, www.hoxtonhotels.com)

Oct 6 – Fly back to SFO

Have a great trip and a wonderful time in Fez!! We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Pulitzer in Barcelona.

Favorite tapas in Barcelona were:
Cerverseria Catalana (Calle Mallorca, 236)
Cal Pep
Ciudad Condal (Rambla Catalyuna 18)

For a special dinner Cinc Sentits or Commerc24.

I think you've developed a great itinerary! I was a little worried earlier when you said you didn't like to drive then had alot of moving around. This seems like a good choice to base yourself and take daytrips - if you feel like it - plenty of flexibility.

Hope your first trip to Spain is incredible. I'm leaving tomorrow for trip # 14 since 2001 - the country is addicting to me!

Hi, Garrick!

In Cordoba, I had a wonderfully memorable meal at El Caballo Rojo.

Enjoy your trip!