I hope this itinerary works and isn't too fast-paced for my mom, but we're finally taking our long-awaiting trip to Andalucia (she hasn't been since I was born there - I went 3 years ago). Here's the itinerary we have planned, what do you think?
Fly in to Madrid from Philadelphia (how is this flight on USAir? Comfy?) Take AVE immediately to Sevilla. Three days in Gran Hotel Lar, rent car for drive to Jerez and Rota, three days in Hotel Duque de Najera, drive back to Sevilla and AVE immediately to Madrid, one night in Reina Victoria, fly home the next day. Is my 60-something Mom going to be worn out or what?

I'll just chalk it up to good exercise, I guess. Thanks for any comments or suggestions along the way. I haven't spent much time in Jerez, but we hope to do a day there. Is there any shopping I can't miss?

Dear Olivia,

Wishing you a great time with your mom in Spain 8-). I'm sure you will be making some great memories for the both of you.

Sorry I can't help with your itinerary. I'm leaving for Spain for the first time next Thursday with my 75 year old mother-in-law!

Good luck to us both ><

Tam

Olivia: It sounds doable to me. I doubt your flight over will be "comfy," as getting there is usually the worst of it (assume you're flying economy). Seats are so cramped, etc. on most airlines, but once there it's always worth it.

AVE from Madrid to Seville is a pleasant trip. Train very fast and only one stop in Cordoba I believe (at least it was when we went several years ago). We loved Seville, in particular the Santa Cruz area. Lots to see and do.

In Jerez we visited a sherry bodega which we enjoyed (managed to get three bottles and two glasses home without breaking anything). Try to see the Andalusian Horse Show in Jerez. It's spectacular.

Don't know any of your hotels from personal experience so can't help there.

Shopping: Beautiful fans, great shoes, leather items and my favorite purchase was a bottle of eau de toilette, Agua de Naranjos. Wonderful light citrus fragrance. It's a favorite scent of mine. Practically put it on with an eyedropper to make it last. Wish I knew how to buy it from the US, since we have no plans to return to Spain in the next couple of years.

Enjoy your trip. Spain was a favorite vacation of ours.

Have a great time with your mom, Olivia! Please come back with a detailed trip report as I am considering visiting Madrid in 2005!

Sounds doable to me. Lucky you--I assume you speak Spanish (estudio mucho pero aprender despacio). We leave in 6 days--I'm so excited, I'm already half-way there!

You didn't say when you're leaving, but it might be worthwhile for you to check out the book The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain. I believe there some places in there around where you're headed.

Another thing--you might request the bulkhead on the plane--it's a bit more comfy.

Have a great trip!

I've flown U.S. Airways to Madrid from Philadelphia. I believe it was a B-767 but it was pretty full. So, if you're going 'off season' you might find an empty row and have a bit more comfort. Someone posted here that US Airways now charges for the earphones - not the case last year.

Have you thought about using Bancotel cheques? In off season many hotels accept them that don't in high season. At el Monasterio de San Miguel in el Puerto de Santa Maria I believe it was 3-cheques (150 Euro) for 2-nights and at the Hotel Santa Maria it was 1-cheque (50 Euro) per night for a standard double room. I don't know about the Gran Hotel Lar or the Duque de Najera but it might be worth your while to check out Bancotel's website to see if either of those hotels accept Bancotel cheques.

If you're not worn out you're not having enough fun yet ... That also goes for your 60-year-old Mom.

Have an enjoyable trip!

As an owner of a small travel biz (www.desktoptraveler.com) and as a student in El Puerto de Santa Maria I have traveled throughout Andalucia.
I think the trip for your mother sounds great and I recommend the small towns on the route of the pueblas blancas and a visit to one of the bodegas (Osborne is the largest).
Be sure to post back afterwards. I am excited to hear how the trip went.

Gracias por todo! 14 days and counting! I'll certainly report back with all the details.

And yes, I speak Spanish, but probably on the level of a 5th grader (born there, raised here). Count on me for conversation, but don't ask me to translate a contract - it wouldn't be pretty!

Thanks again everyone!