Itinerary
 

It has been way too long since I have posted on here or gone to Europe, but we are taking our children (9 and 13) to Spain and Morocco for 2 weeks in mid March this year (yes, this was a late planned trip). My kids have a lot of travel experience in cities and elsewhere, but this is their first international trip. I have never been to Spain or Morocco. We are concentrating on only Andalucia in the Spanish leg. Our flights are into and out of Madrid, as that turned out to be best all around when shopping for flights. We arrive in Madrid around 1:30 on a Saturday and fly out on Easter, 15 days later. I also timed this trip to get us to Seville before Santa Semana to make hotels easier and less expensive, although as a photographer, I would not mind being in the city for a day during the processions.

I am just piecing together an itinerary, and my greatest concern is trying to fit in a bit of Morocco. We really want to visit there as well as Spain. Fez is my first choice, but I am considering Chefchaouen as an alternative if it saves time. I would even spend all of the time in Tangier but would prefer not to do that.

Here is my first run at an itinerary, and any input from Spain veterans would be extremely helpful in making this work best. We are used to early and late travel if that helps maximize time available for sightseeing.

Saturday - Arrive Madrid 1:30; take train to Cordoba (although considering Seville instead for the first stop)
Sunday - Cordoba
Monday - early train to Seville
Tuesday - Seville
Wednesday - Seville
Thursday - Seville
Friday - To Granada
Saturday - Granada (see Alhambra first thing in the morning)
Sunday - Granada; rent car and drive to Ronda. Overnight.
Monday - Drive route of the white villages; especially interested in Arcos de la Frontera
Tuesday - ferry to Morocco and hopefully reach Fez same day (have read several good posts on here about how to possibly make that work). Would it be easy for me to drive from Arcos de la Frontera and drop off a car or leave it at the ferry port?
Wednesday - Fez
Thursday - Fez
Friday - Journey back to Spain (perhaps Seville?)
Saturday - Seville and late afternoon/evening train to Madrid
Sunday - fly out of Madrid at 6:45 am

I am considering 3 instead of 4 days for Seville on the front end to make the final week less hectic. Thanks for any help offered!

Oh, and sorry for the vague title. I realized it after posting.

I've confessed before on other threads that I am not as huge a fan of Sevilla as others, but I don't that's overly influencing my suggestion that you plan to stay 2 nights in Cordoba just to give the kids more time to adjust if need be. You might need Sunday afternoon just to rest and not do any sightseeing. Cordoba is certainly a pleasant town to get to know Andalucian culture, and get used to the Spanish dinner hour. (Actually, you will probably need to track down in advance a dinner/tapas option for your family Sunday night, when many places are closed in Spain).

Here are some things to do in Cordoba beyond the mosque:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/spanish-to...-changed-world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina_Azahara

Honestly I'd skip Morocco, which you have only budgeted for 3 days, and instead stay in Andalucia. I'd also stick with the 4 nights in Sevilla as it will make a good base with children and if you feel like daytrips there are plenty of choices. While Sevilla is quite expensive during Semana Santa other large cities aren't quite so bad and some are very reasonable. It seems a shame to be in Andalucia and leave it during Semana Santa - I'd stay perhaps adding time in Malaga, Cadiz, Jerez, etc..... - where you'll witness beautiful processions without the price or crowds of Sevilla. Or start off with Sevilla for 4 nights and visit Cordoba during Semana Santa for 2-3 nights (it's one of my favorite spots).

If you do decide on spending 3 nights in Morocco you may have trouble booking a hotel on Friday of Semana Santa in Sevilla for 1 night - it will be expensive and most hotels will have minimum night stays. Also, make sure you book you long distance train service in advance during Holy Week. The discounted fares are already being sold and trains will eventually either sell out or only offer the very expensive full fare club or preferante cars (I found out the hard way one year when I procrastinated!).

> Saturday - Granada (see Alhambra first thing in the morning)

I thought the Alhambra well worth visiting in both the daylight and at night. During the day, more of it is open to tourists -- and there will be a LOT of tourists -- and you can get a guide, audio or otherwise. At night, you can only the Nasrid Palace OR the gardens and VERY few people are allowed in, so it is very quiet and IMHO absolutely magical. I don't know if your children would be up for that, but give it some thought. And whatever you decide, reserve in advance!

Enjoy!