SBROWNELL

I can only convince my husband to get away for 10 - 11 days. So I really need help. So far this is what I think we want to do.

Day 1 - Arrive Madrid
Day 2 - Madrid
Day 3 - Madrid - visit Toledo
Day 4 - Madrid - Cordoba
Day 5 - 10 Cordoba - ???
Day 10 - Malaga - Fly home day 11.

Need help filing in day 5 - 10. We will pick up a car and want to visit Granda, maybe Ronda, but would love to hear other's suggestions on towns, and routes. Seville is not a must for us, but you tell me.

We saw a program that had some very cool adventures in the Cazorla Preserve (tandem paragliding, horseback riding thru white pueblos). We would love to see some of Southern spain in an adventurous sort of way.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Sorry for the double post - I forgot to post this in the Spain forum.

kaneda

Spain is a large country with not always the best roads and Madrid is right in the middle. Consider getting a cheap flight to somewhere like Seville from where you could get a coach trip into Portugal. A day in Cordoba was enough for me. Little in Ronda apart from a much photographed bridge and it is quite out of the way.

Normally if you pick up a car in one place and drop it off in another, there is a large extra charge, since sopmeone has to return it to point A. You can take a day trip to Toledo or Cordoba from Madrid. Madrid itself is easy to get around using the subway system. I would not bother with a car on your holiday as coach tours and flights are easier and Spanish roads are normally crowded, and single lane for endless miles in some places. If in Madrid on Sunday, don't miss the Rastro market. It gets a little crowded around midday. A helpful site:


http://www.madrid.world-guides.com/

sgerhar1

Now for a completely different view...I thought the highways were very easy to drive on and navigate. Driving through towns was a completely different story. We took a train from Madrid, through Cordoba, to Seville, then rented the car there. Also, we loved Ronda. There is a lot more than just the bridge if you take the time to see the rest of the town. We spent two nights and enjoyed the hours without the rest of the tourists. You can do this if you drive yourself and wander off the beaten path.

marigross

Consider day trips from Madrid or spending the night to Avila, Segovia, Cuenca, or Toledo.

Ronda is a gem after the tourist leave.

The roads in Spain, even up in the mountains, are (IMO) excellent! Very easy intercity navigation. OTOH, as soon as you come into a town you should park the car and forget about it. Public transporation is quite dependable.

zootsi

I would take the train from Madrid to Seville, stopping off in Cordoba. Seville is wonderful, and easily worth 2 nights. Rent your car in Seville and explore the white villages near Ronda, which are quite spectacular. From here, it's just a few hours to Granada. You can also do a day or two in Nerja or even the Apuljarras. Check out this site to get a feel for rural Andalucia:
http://rusticblue.com

SBROWNELL

If you take a train and spend the day in Cordoba, where do you put your luggage? I have heard people talk about doing this, but I could not imagine walking thru town with my luggage. I have also heard people on these boards say that Seville was too big for them and disappointing. Any thoughts otherwise?

SBROWNELL

Still want to know how you go from Madrid to Cordoba (spend the day), on the way to Sevilla with luggage. Where does one store the luggage?

sgerhar1

There are lockers at the Cordoba train station where you can store your luggage for the day. Go to the security entrance for the tracks and ask the guard to scan your bags. Then he will take you to the lockers. I believe the cost was 4.50 for a large (we fit 2 duffle bags and a backpack). You will get a slip of paper with the combination to re-open the locker. Once you open it, you must pay again to relock it.