I am planning my first trip to Spain December 25-January 6. I will have 11 days, excluding travel time, to spend in Spain. I am arriving and departing from Madrid. I'd like to see Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Tangier, Gibraltor, Rhonda, Nerja and Granada in that time frame. Is that too much to see? I will be traveling by car. Can you help me plan an itinerary from your experiences? Any bed and breakfast hotel suggestions (charming, quaint, romantic), $80-$100 price range, would also be great. Please help!!!

Dear Michelle, <BR>You chose a great period and a beautiful part of Spain. If you think to really visit Both Madrid and Sevilla and all the rest you risk to run out of time. I would cut Gibilterra (there was a message, a few days ago saying that was really disappointing) and Tanger and concentrate on the rest. I did like very much the whole Toledo region, the Mancha, where there are beautiful little villages with the windmills and an out-of time atmosphere. Just go to the Tourism office in Madrid and ask for information on the La Mancha region. Regarding to Andalucia, I liked very much the interior part of the region. Grandada is wonderful. Try to vist the Alhambra on the 1 of January at the opening time. Not very crowded.... <BR>Don't miss Cordoba, with its beautiful Moschea and allow yourself to stop where you feel like. <BR>We had a beautiful weather a few years ago, and I remember eating cheese and olives in the countriside in t-shirts.... <BR>ciao, <BR>Anna

I was in Spain awhile back. The thing that most stands out in my memory is the Al Hambra (sp?). Unfortunately I can't remember what city it is in, Sevilla perhaps. Try to make it there. Sorry I couldn't give you more info. By the way, I did the driving tour when I was there. You've made the right decision. I think it is the best way to see the country. I spent 3 weeks there and never made it out of Andalucia. I'd go back in a minute. If you'd like more info. email me direct and I'll try to jog my memory for specifics.

Michelle, My husband and I spent a month in Spain last October, driving from the very north (the Picos de Europa) as far south as Sevilla and Granada (and yes, the Alhambra is well worth it--try to see it at night as well as day as I believe that time of year it is open one night a week). First of all, I would advise getting the Michelin maps of each region of Spain you plan to see. It is the only way to realistically plan how much territory you can cover--the Spain-on-one-page kind of map will make you think you can see a LOT more than you really can. Secondly, buy Karen Brown's Guide to Spain--not only does it have lovely, reasonably priced lodging suggestions, it also has itinerary suggestions. There is also an 800 number in the back for the U.S. reps for many of the hotels--all the people who work there are very knowledgeable & helpful, and the ones with whom I spoke were Spanish and knew their country well. Buen viaje!

Michelle: Xmas time is a very special time to visit Spain, a very Catholic country with beautiful traditions. The music, food and decorations are very unique and meant to be enjoyed; try turron (mix of honey & nougat), a very typical Xmas candy. <BR> <BR>You could visit all the cities you listed, but you are going to be on a tight driving schedule; if you don't mind that then this is why I would propose be a draft itinerary: <BR> <BR>DAY 1-2: Madrid <BR>DAY 3: Drive south to Toledo (AM); Drive to Granada (PM) (make a stop in Consuegra; beautiful windmills) <BR>DAY 4: Granada (La Alhambra!; great souvenir shopping, Burial Chapel of Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand) <BR>DAY 5: Nerja and Ronda (breathtaking; mountain roads!) <BR>DAY 5: Continue on to Gibraltar by taking Road 339 to Road 340 (do not waste time going in; the view from the road is as good as it gets...) Continue on to Seville. <BR>DAY 8-9: Seville <BR>DAY 10: Start heading back to Madrid <BR>DAY 11: Madrid <BR> <BR>As you may have notice, the only place I would skip is Tangier. In my opinion, is worth the visit any other time of the year; with your schedule and the holidays, not a good idea. <BR> <BR>I would recommend you get the guidebook from Frommer's (sorry!) Spain's Best Loved Driving Tours (well detailed & ilustrated!) <BR> <BR>I would probably try to trim the schedule by flying out of Malaga to Madrid....hope this help or at least gives you something to think about. <BR>Please e-mail me if you have any questions. <BR> <BR>P.S. Practice some basic phrases in Spanish; English is not very common in Andalucia (southern Spain).

Hi Michelle. We did the same trip you are talking about in 12 days (didn't get to Nerja, but went to Cordoba). I agree with the above posts regarding Tangier-I thought it was dirty and really just an opportunity for the locals to part you from your money. If you do go, its probably a good idea not to drive there as I've heard there's a high rate of car theft and a lot of the car rental companies don't cover you if you go. <BR> <BR>I did like Gibraltar but I think a lot of people think its a waste of time. If you do want to venture in, you can park in La Linea (we found a spot on the street) and walk into Gibraltar. Yu don't need to change money once you're there, they will take pesatas. If you end up with any money that says Gibraltar on it, spend it while you are there, otherwise you will have a souvenir because they won't exchange it in Spain. <BR> <BR>Seville was wonderful as was Granada and the drive to Ronda was fabulous. If you're a reader, make sure you read "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Hemingway before you go there. <BR> <BR>Any questions, email me direct.

We just returned from 10 days in Southern Spain. The scenery is wonderful and varied. One caution: the country is in the process of renumbering all roads. We bought 1998 maps that didn't match the road signs. Be sure to have a compass and look for town names on signs rather that relying on route numbers.

Michelle, <BR> <BR>During my visit to Spain I followed a similar itinarary. I know that it is far, but my favorite city in Spain is Barcelona. This city is full of life and and the locals are friendly. Anyway, if you cannot make it during this trip, I would try in the future. If you want more info, e-mail me.

Michelle, <BR> <BR>During my visit to Spain I followed a similar itinarary. I know that it is far, but my favorite city in Spain is Barcelona. This city is full of life and and the locals are friendly. Anyway, if you cannot make it during this trip, I would try in the future. If you want more info, e-mail me.