Message: Am posting our itinerary so far and would appreciate advice from those who've been there and done it, as it's our first trip. We are 2 Australian couples arriving Barcelona 27 August.

27 August (5 days Barcelona apartment Placa de Catalunya): Pick up car for remainder
1 Sept (2 days Hotel Vistabella in Roses, Girona, with dinner El Bulli on 2 Sept)
We then intend to drive to La Rioja (Laguardia) for 4 nights. This is where we need advice (esp from Maribel, whom we are indebted to for so much expert advice). Accom for 4 nights? - Posada Mayor de Migueloa,Castillo de Collado or Antigua Bodega de D Cosme Palacio? We are into food and wine but also want authentic Spanish accommodation.
From here we thought Hondarribia (Parador) but what about Hotel Bispo, Hotel Pampinot or perhaps Agrotourism (?Txaharrenea). We then drop our friends off at Biarritz and head to Southern Spain. Yet to work out but looking at perhaps Seville as a base (3 days - where?) That's it so far, but need to get bookings in soon. Restaurant advice also much appreciated. Intend writing detailed Trip Report for those interested. End of trip is 3 days at Ibiza.

IMHO you are concentrating too much on deluxe accomodations and dining and not enough on travelling between places you have on your itinerary.

Biarritz to Sevilla will be a long, hot drive. Consider dropping off your rental car in Bilbao and flying (SpanAir?) to Sevilla (via Barcelona or Madrid). You can always rent another at Sevilla's Santa Justa rail station or the airport.

The Alfonso XIII is THE 5-star deluxe hotel in Sevilla but you might also consider el Monasterio de San Miguel in el Puerto de Santa Maria or a similar property in Jerez de la frontera.

NEDSIRELAND: have you stayed at the Alfonso XIII? My husband and I are going to Seville in a couple of weeks. Still trying to nail down hotel accomodations. Is it worth the price? THis is a special trip, so we don't mind spending the money, just want to know if it its worth it. Many thanks.

Alfonso XII is an amazing place. The Euro has made it slightly out of reach for my wife and me this year, but I HIGHLY recommend it.

I've travelled here twice before, and am going again in two weeks with my mother, grandmother, and two sisters. Three generations! Day trips out of Sevilla are easy, but driving in the city is, in my opinion, a nightmare. Therefore, we're staying at the Hotel San Gil in the Macarena district and cabbing to city central. In the past, I've hired a horse carraige for the whole day for not too much, stopping along the way for tapas and sherry. I shared with the driver, and I believe he cut the price. I've stayed at the Simon before and did not like it a bit, so I was interested in upgrading, but in researching my current trip, I've read some iffy reviews of the Alfonso. Look at Tripadvisor.com. Anyway, we're also going to Jerez and got VIP tix to the horse show (so Grama could walk right in) which is supposed to be fabulous, then are going to the Gonzalez Byass bodega. We're trying to decide whether to go over to Cadiz right after or back to Sevilla for flamenco. Then we're on to Ronda (want to stop in Arcos but am afraid of the streets there with our minivan for five). Two nights in Ronda with a stop in Marbella for lunch. I've stayed at the Marbella Beach Club and it was wonderful... then we're on to Granada for two days, then Malaga for one (staying at Paradors). Does anyone recommend a private guide of the Alhambra as opposed to audio? We'll stop in London for a day to break the trip up then home. Does anyone have the files from Maribel on this part of the trip?? They are apparently infamous!

Good luck with your trip!

Jeni

the alphonso Xlll is a great hotel with very large rooms and a great deal of character. If you have the budget you will not be disappointed.