Like a lot of other people, I am torn between seeing everything in Spain at one time (Madrid! Seville! Barcelona! Granada!)and focusing on one or two regions. I will be travelling with my family (2 kids age 16 and almost 13). I have been to Madrid for a few days and loved it and want to explore the rest. We only have 8-9 days in mid-March. After reading almost every wonderful posting, I think this is do-able and would love any input at all. I find "fodorites" better referals and advisors than any book or travel agent!!

Arrive Madrid Monday (is anything open?)- not looking to take kids to museum on 1st day!!)
Tuesday : Day trip to Toledo (read that it is mostly closed on Monday)
Wednesday: Train to Seville
Thursday: Seville
Friday: bus, car?? (heard parking is bad) to Granada - overnight Granada (parador?)
Saturday - Seville to Cordoba to Madrid
Sunday- day trip to Segovia
Monday - depart.

Thanks so much!!

I found the two most interesting and fun places in Spain to be Barcelona and Grenada. Barcelona has the Gaudi influence and is easy to get around. If you go, stay on LaRambla. It's an easy plane hop from Madrid. Grenada is fantastic and you can easily spend a day there touring the Alhambra. We also went to Sevilla and Toledo and with hindsight, I would have spent the time elsewhere. It sounds like you are packing a lot into one trip.

This winter we stayed 5 weeks in Southern Spain, mainly Costa del Sol, and drove Seville, Cordoba, Granada.

Liked Seville best - old town, Plaza Espana, gardens, river,lots of variety. Cordoba interesting, much smaller. Granada has attractions, but big and busy. Driving in all three was a nightmare (and ive driven in many countries) - you need a detailed city map to have any hope. I advise train/bus to keep your cool.

Enjoy

One man's opinion: I'd drop Cordoba [with the exception of the Mezquita which is special, you won't see anything you won't see in Sevilla and Granada] Take the train to Sevilla, and then train to Granada [3 hours]. I'd consider flying from Granada back to Madrid. It's 35E and saves a great deal of time over the train.

I love Segovia but given your time frame, I'd do two nites in madrid, two nites in Sevilla, two nites in Granada, and the the "night before" in Madrid.

As to the Parador in Granada: It's a bit pricey but is adjacent to the Alhambra which is convenient. From there you can take a shuttle down the hill to town. I prefer to do it the other way around. Stay in town and take the shuttle up to the Alhmbra so I have easy access to other sights in town as well as shops and restaurants.
You might consider the Inglaterra, the Melia, The carmen or the Dauro hotels.

I think you might want more time in Seville... that being said, I wouldn't cut out the trips to Toledo or to Cordoba - they're both wonderful. Remember that in your touring, you'll not get to do much for the 2 hours of siesta - that cuts into sightseeing quite a bit. Perhaps cut out Segovia??

In Toledo, allow time to get "lost" as it's inevitable. As for Granada, try to take a walk in the late afternoon up the hill opposite the Alhambra...I believe they refer to it as the old Arab quarter of the city. From there, you will have a wonderful vantage point to see the Alhambra opposite from you during the sun set - breathtaking! BTW, when I was there I stayed in Seville for 5 days (not enough!), one of which was a day trip to Cordoba (on a small tour bus; there were only about 8 of us and after the guided portion of the tour we had a couple of independent roaming hours. I arranged this upon arrival in Seville). Then I went on to Granada (via train) from Seville.

Best of luck & enjoy!

wow - thanks for all the good advice.
Does anyone know how to book flights within Spain here in the U.S.?

www.iberia.com

They have online ticketing for most of their flights and the website is also in English.

We flew on Continental from Newark, direct to Madrid. It was about 6 hours and pretty easy, although coach does not give you much room!