We are planning a trip that will primarily include a five or six day stay in Sevilla. However, we would like to spread our wings out and are trying to decide whether the remaining overnights (two or so) should be in Cadiz ( or the nearby towns) or Ronda or Arcos.

Anne: <BR>I have had the pleasure in staying and visiting all three: Cadiz, Arcos, and Ronda. The latter two are more interesting for exploring and walking although the inclines are significant. Arcos and Ronda are one of a kind places in my experience whereas Cadiz is a beautiful seaside town with a more cosmopolitan feel. I liked all three but would opt for Arcos at the Parador there or Ronda at one of the local hotels if time was a question.

my husband and I spent two weeks touring spain--we didnt go to arcos but both loved Cadiz--we stayed at the parador there. After our trip friends asked us what was our favorite stop--we both said cadiz and then rhonda(our other stops included seville,cordoba , granada) I cant explain it but watching the ships sail by on the other side of the atlantic ocean, walking along the promenade--it was magic. I stumbled upon an enclosed old genuine food market selling everything from produce to fish that made me feel that time had stopped and I had gone back a century or two. I definately advise you to buy a travel book called Discovering Spain by Penelope Casas--IN ANY CASE HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

Spent a few weeks in Spain last year..did not like Cadiz but LOVED Ronda....not much to do there but relax..the Parador in Ronda is breathtaking...we sat on the balcony all afternoon and drank wine (and ate ice cream)! If you have extra time, spend it in Sevilla...great city! <BR> <BR>

Cadiz was charming and historic. Columbus set sail from Cadiz. About 1 1/2 hrs from Seville by train.

Ronda and Cadiz are absolutely different proposals. If you like to have contact with the sea and the weather is important for you, you will probably like Cadiz. Its situation almost entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and its unique history ( Once the most important port in Europe trading with the Caribbean, specially Cuba, which you can see in its particular architecture, somehow, a remain of those links. ) make it quite characteristic. If you want to enjoy the city, stay at the Parador Atlantico and eat at El Faro ( great! ), and just take some time to stroll the narrow straight streets of Old Cadiz. Something that few people knows when in Cadiz is that in the pavement in front of the Cathedral just in the middle of Cathedral Square you have the architecture plant of the Cathedral itself on the floor, made of white marble pieces. You usually walk over it without noticing that it is actually a plan. <BR> <BR>Ronda is a strategically situated city as almost everyone founded by arabs on the top of a cliff overlooking the mountainous surroundings. It has an special charm and its small size make it perfect for wandering around the small white-washed streets. The oldest bullfighting building and the best kept arab baths in Southern Spain give a touch of exotism to this lovely town. Its accommodation offer is also quite good being new a great number of hotels. <BR>The Parador, La Casona de la Ciudad, San Gabriel, Alavera or Reina Victoria might be good options for lodging. To eat we usually like to go to Meson Santiago, traditional home-made cuisine inside an old mansion in front of a church. A short trip to Grazalema allows you to see one of the most scenic towns in Spain. <BR> <BR>Arcos do not offer so many sights to see but its situation,picturesque white alleys, stunning views, the lovely Parador and El Convento to eat, make a visit to Arcos also worthwile.

We've been in Cadiz twice and enjoyed it both times. I do believe one's perspective will be colored by whether one stays at the Parador. The Parador is an excellent location -- great ocean views from some of the rooms -- and is in the "old" part of the city. Try to stay there Saturday night (if you are middle aged) -- the Parador is the "in place" for the over-40 crowd -- and there is a good market within walking distance on Sunday morning.

I forgot to mention that I think there is a ship line between Cadiz and El Puerto de Santa Maria, called " El Vaporcito". It was an old traditional link among the most important towns in Cadiz Bay is a good way to see Cadiz from the sea. El Puerto is part of the Wine Triangle ( Jerez, Sanlucar, El Puerto ) and it is famous by its wineries, castle and seafood in " Ribera del Marisco ". <BR> <BR>If you like roman ruins, 8 kms away from Sevilla, you have Italica roman ruins ( amphiteater, theater and some houses ) quite interesting. Also if you are walking in the city center ask somebody about Calle Marmoles, where you will see three roman columns part of an old roman temple, surrounded by buildings. <BR> <BR>I would point out a couple of museums if you are into them: Bellas Artes( the second in Spain after Prado, superb collection and beautiful building )and Archeological ( set in scenic Plaza de America, Carambolo Treasure, remain of the oldest civilisation in Iberia ).

Anne: <BR> <BR>I am going to give you my opinion. I have not read the other opinions, its something new that I am trying for questions that I think are "real"... <BR> <BR>Cadiz, The Costa De La Luz, is the oldest inhabited city in the western world, founded in 1100BC. <BR> <BR>My DH and I LOVED Cadiz. We were able to dine at the infamous El Faro de Cadiz <BR>which was excellent. It is actually one of the best restaurants in the provence. <BR>We stayed at a tiny hotel called Hotel Regio 2. We selected this place because we knew that our dinner would be expensive and that our time in our room would be short because we were spending the day out seeing Cadiz. We were also leaving very early the next morning to catch a ferry to Tangier, Africa. Our next destination was Marrekesh NOT Tangier. <BR> <BR>When we were leaving Sevilla we drove 80 miles to the town of Arcos de la Frontera, another beautiful place. We throughly enjoyed our stay at the Parador, dinner was exquisite. Our next stop was to Jerez de la Frontera for a very full day of Sherry tasting. <BR>We made it to Ronda after time in Puerto Banus and Marbella. Ronda is a real DO NOT MISS. <BR> <BR>My deciding factors would be driven by how much time do you want to spend driving, what are you interested in experiencing and is your five or six days in Sevilla enough for Sevilla. You could spend an entire summer in Sevilla. <BR> <BR>Hope my experience and opinion helps. Sorry to skip around but we were there for 2.5 months and our trip included all of Spain, time in Portugal, Africa, France, Andorra, The Baleric and the Canary Islands. It was a great trip. <BR> <BR>Happy Travels <BR>Oaktown <BR>