elmo218

Hello,

I am traveling with my parents which are in their late 60's and early 70's but very active and able. We will be in Madrid for 6 full days, one of which will be travel day since we arrive in Madrid at 9am the first day from USA. We will be traveling in the middle of April 2010. I have a few options and wanted to know if anyone who either lives in the area or has visited around this time can give me some suggestions. Also, some background about my parents. They are from the Caribbean country of the Dominican Republic, which has a past Spanish influence. Therefore, if by chance anyone has any reference to the below areas of interest with regard to the Dominican Republic or Santo Domingo (capitol and first city in the America's where Columbus settled), it is appreciated.

The choices I am looking at are as follows:

Choice 1: Travel directly to Seville via train on the day that we arrive and spend two nights in Seville. Then travel to Cordoba for one night and stay in Toledo for one night as well on our way back to Madrid. Then end the last two nights in Madrid where we plan to have two days of touring.

Choice 2: Travel directly to Avila via train on the day that we arrive and spend three nights there as we use our stay in Avila as a central place to visit Salamanca, Sergovia and Avilia. Then travel to Madrid for the next three nights and tour Madrid and possibly Toledo if time permits.

Does it make sense to rent a car for the first half of both choices until we get back to Madrid or should I just use trains and taxis instead. Also, my parents are not necessarily that interested in paintings but are interested in historical areas and gardens.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

stepsbeyond

If your parents are interested in gardens, the rose garden in Madrid is likely to be in spectacular bloom during April. It is a tiny bit removed from the most-touristed core of Madrid (the palace, the Prado), but a simple taxi ride will get you there. From there, my recollection is that a visit to the Temple Debod is within walking distance, and it can make for a very pleasant excursion (lovely cafes nearby) for people who are not going to Madrid to see paintings.

Do your parents have any experience with long plane flights and know whether they would prefer to rest after the plane touches down, or are they up for another 3-4 hours travel?

Another question: Are you traveling during Easter or the time in which Sevilla has it Fiera? Things can get jam-packed, can't-move, suffocatingly crowded on certain days.

Last question; If they are gardening enthusiasts, have they seen the Alhambra? It has the most amazing gardens I've seen in Europe, and they would look beautiful in April.

I can't comment on Choice #2, and whether that area of Spain has more connection to the Dominican Republic than Andalucia, but if you choose to go to Sevilla, Cordoba can be easily done as a day trip from Sevilla, avoiding an extra hotel change.

elmo218

Stepsbeyond, thank you for your recommendations. Especially, regarding the gardens. I will definitely add it to the trip. My parents are OK with the long trip. The travel a lot but not necessarily long trips like this, but we plan to rest on the way to Spain as much as possible.

We will not be traveling during Easter, it will be two weeks later. Also, based on your recommendations, then it looks like that Choice 1 will be best.

Again thanks much. Good day.

kja

I note that you describe your parents as "very active and able" - I would hope so, because I think you will find both of your options quite full. There is a lot to see in almost all the destinations you are considering, and with the amount of time you will spend traveling, you won't have much left to see things in any one place even if you keep on the move.

If you decide to go south and your parents enjoy gardens and history, it might make sense to try to stop in Granada for the Alhambra - but if you do that, I'm not sure you have time to visit Madrid.

If you decide to stay in and around Madrid and history is a priority, Toledo definitely merits consideration.

Hope that helps!

CathyM

With only 6 full days (one of which is arrival day after a transatlantic flight) I'd pick 2 cities for overnights.

I like your option 1 best as I think it would be an interesting contrast to the Madrid area particularly if you've never been to Spain before.

Personally I'd arrive in Madrid and immediately head south to Sevilla for 3 nights. I'm a big fan or Cordoba but with less than a week I'd probably visit as a daytrip from Sevilla. Alternately, if you still want to spend the night in Cordoba you might consider heading to Cordoba for your 1st night (directly on arrival) then heading to Sevilla for the following 2 nights. Similarly I'd base myself in Madrid for the final 3 nights and do Toledo as a daytrip. I'm a big fan of visiting Toledo for an overnight stay versus a daytrip from Madrid but with less than one week in Spain I'd limit the amount of overnight stops. Unpacking, check out/in, repacking, getting to the hotel, etc... all eat up valuable time.

Regardng Sevilla: The Feria for 2010 is April 20-25. If your trip falls in these dates I'd reserve a room ASAP as the prices will be at a premium and demand high. If you have the chance to visit Sevilla during these dates I'd grab it!

Michael

I'd choose option two but stay in Segovia rather than Avila.

lincasanova

Leave Sevilla on an early train for Córdoba. Buy a very much later ticket for Córdoba-Madrid.Check luggage at station during your touring.

portuense

cordoba overnight on the way to sevilla seems a good option. take the AVE fast train from Madrid to Cordoba (2 hrs), stay in the old city (maybe AC Hotel would be a good bet - high quality, reasonable prices), see the Mezquita and the beautiful gardens of the Alcazar. Next day to Seville. More beautiful gardens - Alcazar, Parque Maria Luisa - and the cathedral, with Columbus' tomb, plus the Archivo de las Indias which may prove fascinating for you and your parents.
obviously loads more to see/do there, at your own pace. Don't try for too many locations - take time to enjoy where you are

Egbert

I would go directly to Sevilla for 3 nights. I would see Cordoba as a daytrip.I would spend one night in Granada, I would not miss the alhambra, then I'd head back to Madrid.

elmo218

Thank you all for the valuable information. Based on the above postings I have decided on the following:

After arriving in Madrid, take AVE train to Seville and stay there for three nights (definitely want to be in Seville for Feria 2010). Then travel to Madrid and stay there for last three nights. From Madrid I can schedule some guided tours that could include either Toledo and/or Segovia.

I am looking for stay at Seville. I would like to stay near the Catedral. I would prefer an apartment style which will allow us to cook some of our food with local foods.

Also, if anyone is familiar with the annual Feria in Seville can suggest "must do" events during this time please advise.

Again thank you all

SUMMAGOLD

definitely choice 1. take the AVE train and splurge on first class. awesome! 2 1/2 hours. the train station in Madrid is really nice too. watch out for scammers asking for a cigarette or a light.

Egbert

Apartmentos Murillo, I don't know if you can rent an apt. for 3 nights though. In any case it is hard to get a place to stay during Feria and prices double. Feria is just outside downtown and consists of lots of tents that families erect to party in. You have to be invited to gain entry into them but regardless Feria is the best time to be in Seville along with Semana Santa. Well worth the extra hotel cost if you have that kind of dough.

cherrybomb

Friendly Rentals has apts in Seville that can be rented for 3 days. I have had positive experience with them in Sam Sebastian...

http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...dation-114.htm

elmo218

I have refined my trip to Spain as follows. Please advise on your experiences. If I had a choice between Toledo and Segovia, what would you choose:

Arrive in Madrid on Tuesday early morning and take AVE to Seville. Lite touring and evening in Seville (1st day of Feria)

Wednesday: Seville Touring (possibly looking at guided tour to get the most out of the day)

Thursday: Leave in the morning to Granada. Tour Alhambra.

Friday: Leave from Granada to Madrid via Ryan Air arrive in Madrid early morning. Tour Madrid

Saturday: Either Tour or Toledo or Segovia

Sunday: Tour Madrid and attend church at the Almundena Cathrdral.

Monday: Back home.

Thank you all again for all of your help

Bokhara2

I was in Madrid in March/April this year and the gardens were spectacular. I did day trips to Segovia and Salamanca by train and enjoyed both. Bus to Granada for a week and then a weekend in Cordoba (bus to & from Granada). Stayed at the AC hotel and can thoroughly recommend it, both for its proximity to the Mesquite and the old quarter and for its own facilities.

isabel

Unfortunately I think the realities of travel are going to interfere with you having any kind of pleasurable time with that schedule. I don't want to sound negative but ... by the time you get from the airport to the train station and take the train and get to and check into your hotel (doubt you can get an apartment for two nights) it will be rather late, you will be tired (even if not jet lagged), and it's the first day of the major festival so the things will be a bit chaotic in Seville. You will only have ONE day to see Seville. Most people want at least two to four days, I had four and it wasn't enough. Then you have ONE day in Granada including getting there from Seville. You will have time for the Alhambra and NOTHING else.

But the real problem is flying Ryan air to Madrid. How early is your flight? You will have to leave your hotel two hours before flight time to get there, check in, go through security, etc. And then when you get to Madrid you have to get to the hotel, etc. Really, it takes alot longer than it looks on paper.

As wonderful as the alhambra is you really should consider choosing either it or one of your other options, not both. What you could do (and this would still be pushing it) is - arrival day train to Seville. Stay three nights. On Friday train back to Madrid with option of stopping for a few hours in Cordoba (you can leave luggage at train station). Three nights in Madrid with one day trip to either Toledo or Segovia. This will be very active, and give you just a taste, but would be doable.

I've been to all these places. See my photos of them at www.pbase.com/annforcier Bear in mind I had three or four days in each place to see all the things I did (total two trips, 8 days for Andalucia and 14 for the Madrid/Segovia, etc area).

CathyM

I agree with isabel. With only 6 nights this is too much. I'd also skip Granada. You really need a minimum of 3 nights in Sevilla during a normal visit and with the feria it's an absolute.

With a morning arrival in Madrid you can arrive at your hotel in Sevilla by mid/late afternoon. My first stop would be at the tourist office to pick up a feria schedule & map (I'd also check at the train station in Sevilla as they have a tourist office that also often has this information). You really want to visit the feria twice - once during the early/mid afternoon and again at night. The atmosphere is very different. During the day you'll see people arriving on horseback and in spectacular carriages. It's quite a parade. Everyone is decked out in their best clothes & jewelry. The dresses are absolutely beautiful. Many of the women have their hair and make up done professionally. I never saw such attractive people in my life - I felt so plain At night it's a big party. Unfortunately the casatas, with the exception of a few public ones, are private invitation only but you can peek inside. You'll see people dancing sevillanos, drinking,sharing food. The public casata is still fun though.

Personally I wouldn't have the ambition or the energy to visit the feria on my first night in Sevilla (after a transatlantic flight). I'd definately stay 3 nights so you can play the first afternoon/evening by ear then the next 2 days visit the feria once during the day and once at night. This gives you time to enjoy the sights outside of the feria in between. If you really want to see Cordoba I'd visit on the way back to Madrid. You can store your luggage at the bus station across from the train station. The train station lockers were not in use the last time I checked (in May 2009). Of course, this means cutting time out of Madrid but it's your call - all a matter of your preferences with the limited amount of time.

If I had to choose between Segovia and Toledo as a day trip from Madrid, I'd choose Toledo.

elmo218

Hello Isabel and CathyM,

Thank you both for your input. Sadly enough, you are both right. Though my parents are pretty active, they are 64 & 73 and the more I think about it, doing the Feria will be too much right after arriving. I have also find out that everything is very expensive at this time. I think I will just stay in Madrid and plan some daily tours to areas such as Toledo, Segovia, Avila, etc. However, I will definitely do the Feria in Siville in the coming years with my wife. It looks like lots of fun. Besides, I will have a few years to make friends with someone who has access to one of the tents ;-).

isabel

As much as I loved Seville, I think you made the right decision. If you want a taste of Andalucia you can do a day trip from Madrid to Cordoba. And with six nights you can do both Toledo and Segovia. I had several days (and nights) in each of these cities, but a good long day trip is enough to get a good taste and there is something to be said for going back to the same hotel each night.

CathyM

If you want to base yourself in the Madrid area for 6 nights you may want to consider spending a couple of nights in Salamanca. It's an amazing city and would be a change from Madrid. Other thoughts: 1) spend 1-2 nights in Cordoba, Segovia or Toledo. You could even start your trip with a couple of days in one of these places to recover from jet lag. 2) visit Avila or Cuenca. Obviously don't try to do too much. But with the geography limited to this area you have some options.