I would definately stay the extra time in Andalucia. Logistically, although Asturius and Cantabria are beautiful areas, it is just too far north for the short trip in my opinion. This area is the heart and soul of Spain with excellent tapas, flamenco, sherry, guitar music....

I have a few ideas that you may want to look into further:

Ubeda/Baeza: beautiful parador in wonderfully preserved Renaissance city admists groves of olives. About 3 hours by train from Sevilla (if memory serves me). 2 nights

Carmona: nice Andalucian village with castle parador. 1 night

Arcos/Ronda/Vejer/white villages drive: spend 3-4 nights staying in a couple of the white villages with drives between.

Cadiz-I just spent 3 nights in Cadiz during Semana Santa and loved it! On a peninsula surrounded by the ocean, the city is not glitzy nor does it have a huge amount of "sites" but it has alot of charm and the people are very nice. Cadiz is not a glamorous modern city and it doesn't have the charm of Sevilla. It's a little "worn" - after all, it's supposed to be the oldest european city. Prices for lodging are reasonable (modern parador on the beach in the old town even) and food is excellent everywhere. The sherry towns of Jerez, Peurta de Santa Maria, and Sanlucar de Barrameda or easy daytrips. You could even do daytrips to some white villages from here (Arcos, Vejer). You could easily spend 3-4 days here.

I don't know if you're flying into Madrid or where you're coming in from (US/England/?). With only a week more or less and the fact that you like the seaside, I'd go for the Cadiz option. It would be relaxing and you'd get a chance to do daytrips to nearby villages.


Hope this helps. I didn't know if you'll have a car or be using public transportation. All of the cities above are accessable by public transportation.

CathyM, thank you so much. Your info is very very helpful!

In Seville, I highly recommend the flamenco show at Los Gallos. I loved Seville--it's a great place! I also liked Nerja, especially the caves and the nearby white village of Frigiliana. And of course Alhambra is not to be missed--if you plan to go, I suggest you get tickets in advance on the Internet.

In Andalucia the Parador at Jaen is also very special and romantic. It's in a reconstructed medieval castle on top of a hill with stunning views of the surrounding olive goves. Delicious food, too!

CFW-do you have any idea how long it would take to drive from the Parador in Jaen to the Alhambra? Also the best route to get to the Parador Jaen from Seville? Thanks.

Hi Chrissy,
Read your post and had a few suggestions and feedback..

My wife and I honeymooned in Spain/Portugal last July and visited some of the places mentioned in your post and subsequent threads.

We stayed in Seville midway through our journey at Casa Numero 7. Let me assure you it is a wonderful little hotel. Wonderful and very quiet. If you have not, ask for the top room (I think it was # 2), secluded, with access to the terrace. Hard to find, so have it mapped out, especially if by taxi/car. Cross the Guadalquivir (sp?), explore the San Telmo area, especially if there is a street fair there.

Ronda is a great place. Visit Hotel Alavera de Los Banjos..if not to stay, a must to eat. We have been attempting to reproduce the dishes we ate there ever since.

Hot in both, but not unbearably so.

Canuckuphereathome, Sorry I didn't see your question until now. As I recall it was about a two hour drive from Jaen to the Alhambra. Check www.mapquest.com for directions. The parador in Jaen is worth the trip.

Check out http://www.madridman.com for a wealth of information, great discussion boards, links, etc.