Hi All-

My husband and I will fly into Malaga, Spain on Oct. 7 and leave on Oct. 15th. Here is the itinerary that I have tentatively planned...

Oct 7- We get into Malaga in the morning. Bus to Granada.

Oct 8- Granada

Oct 9*- Rent car and drive to Sevilla (and/or through pueblos blancos)---OR should we bus/train from Granada to Sevilla, then rent car and head to pueblos blancos

Oct. 10- Sevilla/pueblos blancos

Oct. 11- Drive to Tarifa- ferry to Morocco for day

Oct. 12-15 --resort in Marbella/Estepona with day trip to Gibralter

As a history, I have been to Granada and Sevilla, but not the pueblos blancos, Costa del Sol, or Gibralter. My husband has never been to Spain.

My concern is that there is too much I want to do in not enough time.

I would greatly appreciate ALL suggestions!

Thanks-
Jordan

Do the Morocco day trip while you are in the Marbella resort or get a hotel at Tarifa and leave your luggage at the room. But don't leave anything inside your car if you are going to leave it at Tarifa's port parking. Anyway, there's not very interesting what you will see of Morocco on a day trip from Spain, I wouldn't do it.
I would add that day to Sevilla for your husband to see it not so rushed.
Costa del Sol is nothing special, good resorts to relax I've never been in Gibraltar.So this is my suggestion :
Oct.9 rent a car and drive through pueblos blancos, take a hotel for the night in Ronda.
Oct.10 continue driving to Sevilla.
Oct. 11 Sevilla
12-14 Marbella/Estepona (do the day trip to Gibraltar if you want, but I won't do it, really)
15 Malaga (I will book a night in Malaga 14-15 and see it a bit, it's better than Marbella in my opinion)

Have a great time I hope the weather would be ok, today it's raining and thundering all over Spain.

My husband has now stated that he only wants to stay in 2 hotels.

Is it possible to stay between Granada and Sevilla and day trip to both cities and the pueblos blancos?

We could also then stay along the coast in Marbella or Estepona and day trip to Ronda, Gilbralter, and Tarifa (if we decide to do that).

Any ideas? Recommendations for hotels on the coast? We would want something right on the water.

Sorry for your husband, but both cities and pueblos blancos with only 2 hotels I find it difficult. The car you'll need it to go from Granada to Seville (pick it, leave, arrive and leave it). Driving is very difficult in both cities, and parking a real task. Kenderina post is wise, stay two nights in Granada (the Alhambra and surroundings may take you one day, the Capilla Real, Cathedral and city center another) stay in Ronda one or two nights and then Seville. Skip Morocco (I have friends that go there regularly and sometimes it takes a long wait to take the ferry) and Gibraltar is wasting a day (I have been there). Post your final itinerary for more suggestions.

After speaking with my husband again, we are only staying in two places. Another point is that my husband likes to go as he pleases and not have much of an agenda. I can usually flow with this and decide what we want to do at the time, etc.

So, here's the revised plan:

4 nights in Arcos de la Frontera at El Convento. The Parador was booked on the 7th, so we decided to stay here. Supposed to have one of the best restaurants.

4 nights in Marbella at Hotel Puente Romano. This hotel looks really nice. Any other thoughts?

We are thinking that we can take day trips to the cities that we want to visit--Granada, Sevilla, and the white villages. And Gibralter and Morroco if we decide to do that.

Thanks for the suggestions-
Jordan

El Convento claims to have the same views to the gorge as the Parador. Several years ago I stayed there and they gave me the room with worst view of the lot, as it was a narrow access to a common terrace, the room itself with little privacy. We had checked for two nights but stayed only one. Sorry I cannot remember the room number, but you better make it clear with them you want a room with a front line view.
Best restaurants in Arcos are the Parador's and the Marques de Torresoto, all very near.