I have just started planing our (my wife and I) trip to Grenada \ Sevilla and Toledo in Novemeber. Plan to arrive in Madrid on 11\2 and take the train to Grenada, will stay there for 3 nights (going to Grenada first because I made our reservation for Parador San Francisco for the 2nd - 5th). Will then take the train to Sevilla for 3 nights. Then up to Toledo for 2 nights then back to Madrid for 1 night and then home. Other than Grenada no hotel reservations have been made so my options are still pretty open. While I am just beginning my research and have already found some great info via a search of this site any help or insight will be greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks

I got back from Spain in the end of January. We did the same itinerary but we spent a couple more days in Madrid and a day in Barcelona. We loved Seville and Toledo. Madrid is very modern. I don't know if you already bought your plane tickets, but why don't you do an open-jaw? You will fly into Granada and then fly out of Madrid. So you don't have to bother with the train ride, which is a long ride.

Mark, <BR>I agree with Teresa about flying rather than a long train ride. <BR> <BR>I stayed and really enjoyed the Casa de los mercaderos ( most likely misspelled ) in Seville. Plenty of atmosphere, great location, modern plumbing. The same groups owns the Casa de los Juderia which is really charming. Right in the Santa Cruz area, its separate rooms enjoined by a courtyard. It really feels like Moorish Spain. There are quite a few recommendations on the forum for hotels in Seville.(and restaurants). We really enjoyed Casablanca for tapas and El Cordero for lamb (try the shoulder). <BR> <BR>In Granada try to have lunch at the Hotel America.(right next to the parador) Pretty dining room and patio ( might be too chilly in November) and very good regional specialities. <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR> <BR>

Please be careful. You are going to Granada, not Grenada. You don't want to end up making reservations to/from the island. <BR> <BR>That said, the Parador San Francisco is fabulous - Nothing like waking up on the grounds of the Alhambra. Of course, in November the Generalife won't have too many flowers, but it's still great. While in Granada, take a taxi to the Mirador San Nicolas just before sunset to watch the sun go down over the Alhambra. <BR> <BR>There are several ways to move around in Spain. If you get your transatlantic ticket on Iberia, you can get a "Visit Spain" pass for an add on fare and use it to fly between cities. Also, you might want to consider going back from Sevilla to Madrid, then to Toledo because there is a high-speed train Seville/Madrid which is great (the AVE). Travel to/from Granada is difficult via surface, but then the Alhambra is worth it.

MarkJ <BR>Ditto to either of three "Casas" in Seville (Casas de los Mercaderes, de la Juderia or the new Casas del Rey de Baeza, on the edge of the Santa Cruz quarter) or for a bigger splurge, the "Casa Imperial". <BR>Since you'll have 2 nights in Toledo, which gives you plenty of time to sightsee, I'd splurge on the Parador, 2 miles outside of town but with really beautiful views. Very comfortable, but book ASAP, even for Nov!

Cecilia: Thanks for the spelling correction. <BR> <BR>Maribel: If we stay at the Parador outside of Toledo how difficult is it to get into the city and back? Is the Parador Conde De Orgaz? <BR> <BR>Michele: Thanks for the Sevilla hotel recommendations. <BR> <BR>Haven't booked airfare, think I'll wait until later in the year for dicounted tickets so thanks for the ideas and please keep them coming!

Re Mirador San Nicholas, can you give me an estimate on what time the sunset will be end of April. We will be placing our reservation for the Alhambra late pm and we would like to make sure that we maximize our time there but also not to miss the sunset at San Nicholas. Thanks.

MarkJ, <BR>The Parador is indeed the Conde de Orgaz. When we stay there, we simply taxi back and forth because there's a surfeit of easy, street parking in Toledo. We've been ticketed more than once. The distance from the Parador to the Plaza del Zocodovar is about 3 km. -cab fare is not expensive and certainly worth avoiding the hassle of deciphering the parking or no parking signs. There is a public underground parking lot on Paseo de Recaredo, right beyond the Puerta Nueva de Bisagra and the Hostal del Cardenal, on the right and near the escalator that takes you up the steep hill to the top of the city, where we've stashed the car in a pinch.

The parador is great with wonderful food (one of our favorite meals in Spain). The parador gets you tickets for the Alhambra, but try and make your own reservation to see the palace late in the evening. We didn't know you could do this, but it would have been great at night without the crowds and all the mysterious shadows. <BR> <BR>In Seville we stayed at the Alfonso XIII. Expensive, but great location and it's an unbelievable place with the moorish style. It's also a Westin, so you may be able to use points to get a cheaper rate or travel agent may be able to get a discount since they are part of Starwood. Two nights in Toledo may be a little sleepy, but it is a great town. We also did a day trip to Segovia from Madrid which is where the roman aqueducts are located. Also, out side of Segovia is La Granja (the Spanish Versaille) which was unbelievable). Although expensive, we hired an English speaking driver for that day and were able to see Segovia and the palace (located about 8km outside of town) without being exhausted. Have fun.

The parador IS magnificent- eat there (the goat is superb), and PLEASE ask the bartender for the finest Spanish brandy you will ever have- "1866"- you'll make a friend for life...My husband and I were sorely disappointed in the "evening tour" of the Alhambra- the lighting was poor (in some spots, merely a floor lamp a la Target), the upstairs was blocked off, and the magnificent pools were not illuminated...thankfully we had visited the site earlier in the day, or we would have missed the true beauty and serenity of this most magnificent palace. Madrid is merely a big city- the Prado is good (the Velazquez, Goya, and the sole Caravaggio are worth it)- the tapas bars will kill you with their salt! Try to fly from Granada to Barcelona- a MAGNIFICENT, architecturally lively city- the Gaudi's are amazing, the food is great, and the food markets/Las Ramblas etc are fascinating and delightful. Have fun!!!

We just got back from a trip to Spain where we visited all the cities you mentioned. We stayed at the Parador in Granada and really enjoyed - we would recommend asking for a room in the old part though. We had one in the new part (and it was great) but the old part is much more magical and has more character. Also - the parador DOES NOT supply you with tickets to the Alhambra. We were offered to buy tickets packaged with a tour (which we didn't want) but if you just want tickets you have to go get them yourself. For us this was no big deal. We went at 2:00 and they were giving entries into the Palace at 3:00 - don't know how it will be in November. Seville we stayed at Casas de la Juderia. The setting was awesome - however our room was a little damp - probably should have requested a change but didn't. The Alphonso looked very nice but be aware that it is in a very busy part of town - the Santa Cruz area is more pedestrian friendly. We daytripped it to Toledo - so no comments on hotels but loved the city!