CarolM-
You can visit Cordoba on the way between Madrid and Sevilla but have to deal with the locker situation. The lockers are not available (security reasons) in the Cordoba train station so you have to go across the street to the bus station where they have lockers. However, the lockers can get full the later you are in the day.

As to if there's more to see in Cordoba than just the Mezquita - the answer is a very big YES. Unfortunately, most people just run into Cordoba to visit the Mezquita and the Juderia and then leave without taking the time to really visit the town.

I'm still unclear as to when this visit would occur as it has alot of bearing on where to visit.

I do appreciate the itineraries however we need rest too. Going in early April so I hope it won't be to hot.

We love to get to know the people, we run from restaurants with menus in English. A little art, some old city center, great meals and experiencing the local culture. Going down a less traveled street and finding a shop or cafe where locals go to get way from people like me...jaja

Fly into Madrid change planes for Seville E$ 100.00 There by 1pm.

I think we will stick with our original 3 and 3. This discussion really did help!!

Thanks,
john

Yeah... It comes down to what people want from a holiday... I personally prefer the "intense" sort of trip. That way I can always cut out activities rather than being at a loss as to what to do. You wouldn't believe what I managed to pack into 20 days in Asia last year! The wife was a little tired by then end :-)

CathyM (don't you love the symmetry of our screen names?)... thanks for that good point about the lockers. I'm trying to figure out my trip for Christmas week. Sounds like a night in Cordoba isn't a bad idea, but I read not many options on places to stay, true?

Planning my particular trip feels difficult, between weather concerns and the holidays :) (Don't want to end up with things closed, so I'm playing with dates.) I'd fly into Madrid, maybe do Toledo as day trip the next day, then AVE to Cordoba, Seville for a couple days, end back in Madrid. Still in early planning stages!

anguspm, I usually like short intense trips too! However, I always forget to take time off after I come home 'cause I need a vacation from my vacation!

"Sounds like a night in Cordoba isn't a bad idea, but I read not many options on places to stay, true?"

Not true. Check out their tourism web site: http://english.turismodecordoba.org/index2.cfm

Lots of places listed. You can cross-reference with Tripadvisor, this board, Lonely Planet, etc and certainly find something in all price ranges.

NanBug, wow -- boy was I wrong! Must have confused Cordoba with another place. I'm on guidebook overload right now ;) Thanks!

You're welcome. I've read that about Cordoba as well. It's something that has been copied erroneously by travel writers for years. Lots of hotels and guesthouses popped up when the high-speed train went in, I believe. But the myth lives on.

FYI, the Cordoba tourism website also has PDF files of the opening hours of all its sites and attractions. They update it monthly and it's been a huge help in my planning. It's actually one of the better Andalucian tourism sites I've found. Have a great trip!

"We love to get to know the people, we run from restaurants with menus in English. A little art, some old city center, great meals and experiencing the local culture".

In Sevilla, I would recommend that you also explore the area north of the more touristy Santa Cruz district; not only the hectic shopping streets in the Centro, but also the area from the excellent arts museum Museo de Bellas Artes towards the Alameda de Hércules, Basílica de la Macarena with the city's most beloved Virgen, the Moorish Walls and lots of local Baroque parish churces and convents. These are excellent places for lunch/dinner in this area: The local and extremely popular Eslava in C/Eslava, 3.
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/eslava/
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...9/41102/Eslava

Or El Rinconcillo, dating back to 1670:
http://www.elrinconcillo.es/en/home.html
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/

I would also suggest that you go to the bustling Triana district on the other side of the river Guadalquivir, the former gypsy quarter and a cradle of flamenco that has gone through a process of gentrification during the past 20-30 years. Lots of good local tapas bars and restaurants, and why not drop by Casa Anselma in Calle Pagés del Corro, 49 late at night to get a feel of the flamenco culture?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34OB1o_JoWI

April is not to hot and an ideal time to visit Sevilla. Easter (Semana Santa) is celebrated between 26th of March and 4th of April in 2010, followed by the Feria de Abril from 20th to 25th of April. During these most spectacular Andalucián celebrations the city is turned completely upside down. We've been quite happy to go in between...

Have had good use of this practical and informative guide to Sevilla (also includes Granada and Córdoba):
http://www.cadoganguides.com/guide.a...=74&Dest=Spain

If you want to dig deeper into fascinating Andalucía, this is a must: http://www.michaeljacobs.co.uk/andalucia.html

http://andalucia.com/ here is a good link on andalucia, and here is one for Sevilla
http://exploreseville.com/

If not for museums stay sevilla instead og Madrid and take day trip to another of Andalucia cities.

kimhe this is good stuff man! wow thanks!!!!! rjsol, thank you too

CarolM-
Sorry it took so long - I was super busy with work. Yes, I noticed the symetry with our names. In fact I had to do a double take on one of your posts when I thought it was mine! Personally I like Cordoba. Most of the guidebooks focus on the Juderia and Mezquita and suggest Corodba as a good daytrip between Madrid and Sevilla. Of course I have to visit hte Mezquita when I go to Cordoba but I really don't like the entire Juderia and area around it. It's jammed packed with tourist groups and too much for me. I actually prefer to return later in the day when they've all gone (probably why I also like to stay the night in Toledo). Cordoba has some lovely squares, unspoilt neighborhoods and great churches outside of the Juderia area which is where I base myself.

anguspm,
I have to respectfully disagree with you. I actually think that there is more flexibility in an itinerary where you are based in just a couple of cities versus floating around with 1-night stops. (With the caveat that the base cities have good public transportation options like Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona). When you have a fast-paced set itinerary you have to get up at a certain time because you have to keep moving to get to the next place. You are rushing more to get to the next activity then if you were in one place. If you have a base with good daytrip possibilities in the off-chance you're actually bored (with just 3 days in Madrid, Sevilla, or Barcelona I don't know how you could be) you could easily jump on a bus or train for the day and visit somewhere else. I've often started the day with the intention to do one thing but an opportunity arises and you end up doing another. I remember stopping at a cafe for some breakfast churros and started chatting (or attempting to speak spanish) with the family next to me. Before long they're sharing churros with me and asking me out for tapas that evening. If I had been locked into going somewhere with a frantic itinerary I wouldn't have had time to do this. The poster seems like the type that likes to take his time and get to know a place, which is very difficult to do with a fast-paced trip.

Just to chime in 2 nights in Madrid, 3 in Seville (daytrip to cordoba) and one in Granada is a perfect trip. If you go all the way to Andalucia, Granada is a must see. Just got back from Barcelona, nice but Seville and Granada are my favorite places in spain, oh and San Sebastian too.