Hi - I posted a message earlier today about Paris in March. It sounds fine to me. When hubby got home from work after talking to co-workers her is all excited about southern Spain. I see there are a lot of VRBO in southern Spain. Would like some advice on the best areas to stay where day trips would be easy. We love history, museums, water. We are easy to please. Just need to get away from mother staying with us and teenagers in the house! We live in northern WI, so cooler temps would not bother us. Would there be blooming flowers in mid March?

Go to Sevilla and visit the gardens in the Alcazar. See my review here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Andalusia.html Day trip to Granada and check out the Alhambra. The weather should be very nice then. You could even to a day trip to the beaches in Rota or Cadiz. Have a great time!

Oh my goodness, Alcazar looks beautiful. Do you know if there are flowers down there year round? From some pictures I looked at, there are palm trees, so the climate must be fairly mild.

Hi,

I don't know how much in bloom the flowers would be in March. We visited in early November and there were very few.

Seville is wonderful. We also enjoyed the drive to Grazalema and Zahara to Ronda then on to Nerja on the coast with a daytrip to Granada.

We were in southern Spain in March 06. It was wonderful, one of my all time favorite trips. Flowers everywhere. My photos of the trip are at: www.pbase.com/annforcier/sevilla_cordoba_granada

We did 4 nights Seville 2 Cordoba and 3 Granada, took train from Seville to Cordoba and bus from Cordoba to Granada.

I've been in southern Spain in March, and it was very rainy and cold. Now I think that was an unusually cold year, but the point is you cannot count on it being great weather in March in southern Spain. I think a couple days it was more in the 60s or even 70, but others were colder. It rained a lot and was gray. I think at night it was in the 40s.

But I'd still rather bet on that than Paris in March. Day trips are easy enough from Seville, I think it's the major city down there, so a good bus and rail hub. I was in the city so don't recall tons of blooming flowers anywhere, nor on my excursions (I went to Cordoba and Jerez). It was gray and rainy a lot and typical March weather like I have at home (Wash DC). We don't have lots of flowers blooming here in March, either, although a few crocus etc.

Christina - Your photos are fantastic! I have a new camera that I want to try out while on vacation, but will take my stand by as well. The blue skies were great. I guess it will kind of be a crap shoot for the weather. Could be nice and warm or cool and rainy - or warm and rainy! It's that way wherever and whenever you travel I guess. At least we won't be in northern WI and will be seeing new and exciting sights. That's what it is all about. Thanks for the info.

Dear yellowrose,

We were there this past April. It was pleasant, but not hot. There were some blooms in the various gardens we visited. We did do some swimming, but we are used to cold weather. I think March you may find a bit early for a "warm" vacation if that is what you are seeking.

gruezi

We visited southern Spain in early March 2005 and it was gray, chilly and rainy. No flowers in the gardens of the Alhambra but we enjoyed them very much just the same. I expect early March versus late March makes a big difference - when are you going to be there?

Hi - We aren't really seeking a "warm" vacation. I think sight seeing is perfect in the 50's and 60's and sunny. My husband is a history buff and I love architecture and water. I grew up on Lake Michigan and just love looking at water. My husband's spring break is from March 13 through March 22. So kind of mid to later March. Any recommendations of good places to stay?

Bookmarking - thanks yellowrose

Is it feasible to fly into Barcelona from Minneapolis - then rent a car. Travel around seeing what we want to see, heading west. Then return to MSP from Lisbon? Can you rent a car in Spain and return it in Portugal? Would this be insane for a 9 day trip? Thanks

we were in Spain March 2007
don't miss the Alhambra

here's link for my pix
http://www.pbase.com/wintkat/alhambr...ife_de_granada

enjoy
wintkat

way too far to drive for 9 day trip.

you can fly cheaply between these cities.

www.vueling.com
www.iberia.es
www.easyjet.com
www.rumbo.es

Thanks for that . I knew it was too far for a 9 day trip - but hubby wasn't convinced. I think he is now. Now we are trying to decide if it would be wise to fly into Madrid and rent a car and head south, or fly right into Malaga. There are so many interesting thing to see, we need to narrow down our focus. I want to see Sevilla and some of the white towns. I would like to see the sea and Gibralter, but on other postings it looks like everybody says to skip the rock. I have heard of it all my life and seems like I should at least take a look at it! So, what are things that we must absolutely do in the southern part of Spain? As I said before we love history and the outdoors and museums and culture and food.

you can still go to barcelona but later fly to sevilla or granada. then take it from there.

i will let others repeat an itinerary as there are alot of them already posted here if you do a search.

Thanks for all of your info on this thread - but I think hubby changed his mind and we are going to head to Paris instead. We thought it might be too cold - but what the heck - it will be Paris and away from home. Thanks again

Keep Andulucia at the top of your list for another trip then as you can see how much travellers love it.

We will. We have decided to bring along our two children next time (young adults) as we would like them to see all of the wonderful things to see. It is fun to have a driving vacation sometimes.