I am planning to visit Spain from 24th Dec '08 to 3rd Jan '09. I would really appreciate feedback for this itinerary:

Dec 24th - Madrid
Dec 25th - ?
Dec 26th - Cordoba
Dec 27th & 28th - Seville
Dec 29th - Jerez de la Frontera or Cadiz
Dec 30th & 31st - Granada
Jan 1st - ?
Jan 2nd - Madrid or Toledo or Segovia

I have left question marks for the holidays because I realize there may not be much to do but I am open to suggestions so that the days are not a total waste. The Madrid Vision double decker bus tours run on Dec 25th which makes me think that there may be something to do. Am I wrong?

Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to enlighten me with their wisdom and knowledge.

I would stay the 25th in Madrid - too much to do to just have the one jet lagged (?) day.

You might want to consider going to Sevilla before Cordova, especially if you are taking the train. The AVE to Sevilla will be much more convenient that getting to Cordova and, of course getting between Sevilla and Cordova is the same in each direction. That does make for a back track to Jerez or Cadiz, though.

What about 2 Sevilla, 2 Cordova, and 2 Granada, or 3 in Sevilla and make Jerez, or Cadiz a day trip on the second day?

You could stay the final two days back in Madrid and do a day trip to Segovia or Toledo, or both - 30 40 minutes by train, or pick one for the two nights - easy to get to the airport from either.

I agree with Aramis about staying in Madrid on the 25th. I also agree with going to Seville before Cordoba it will be much easier and more convenient. Maybe save Jerez and Cadiz for another trip and give more time to Seville but that is my preference. I would also choose Toledo for the end of the trip. I have found that less running from place to place and more absorbing the culture of the area is more rewarding in the end.

As much as I love Jerez and Cadiz,I'd base myself in Sevilla for 3 days. If you still want to visit Jerez or Cadiz you could easily take a train or bus. I'd take the AVE from Madrid to Cordoba, no need to rent a car and drive. Cordoba to Sevilla is another easy AVE train. I also agree about staying in Madrid the last 2 nights. Madrid will probably be a hub of excitement for the new year and you can visit Toledo or Segovia as a daytrip from madrid. With only a week basing yourself in 4 cities (Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla & Granada) is still quite a bit. I'd even consider 4 nights in Sevilla and a daytrip to Cordoba.

Thank you all for the excellent suggestions. Couple more questions:

Is the dancing horses show in Jerez any good?

Given achoice between Jerez/Cadiz or the white villages as a day trip from Seville, which would you recommend?

Hey there facube forgive the hijack...I too am interested in the answer re the horses.

Cathym when is your 09 trip?
I know you love Cadiz.

Have you a trip report somewhere to read?

Thansk facube my apologies

ana maria

Yes, performance at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is an excellent show. Well worth the time, but no camera's allowed.

http://www.realescuela.org/ing/home.htm

facube-
Although I love Cadiz, for a daytrip from Sevilla I'd probably choose either Jerez or Arcos depending on your interests. I prefer to keep my daytrips to traveling within an hour one way. Cadiz is 2 hours by bus/train/auto from Sevilla so it's a long day trip (at least for me).

Jerez or Arcos are each an hour or less from Sevilla and quite accessable by bus (and train for Jerez). Jerez has the horses, sherry and a good deal of interesting churches. Arcos is a "white village". It has a beautiful setting atop a hill and is a great place to just roam around.

I'd do some reading on Jerez and Arcos and determine which one is more interesting for you.

Ana Maria-
My first 2009 trip will probably be in April 2009. For the first time since 2003 my schedule with work and the fiscal calendar won't allow me to go for Semana Santa so I'm a little disappointed. But I'm probably going in April for the Feria in Sevilla (and of course Cadiz). I haven't yet decided where I'm going in September 09. I'm actually heading to the Basque country and the Rioja in less than 2 weeks!

I am terrible at posting full trip reports. When work is not fully absorbing my time I try to at least post advice that (hopefully) helps others. Maybe someday I'll post a full report.

Cathy not to pry but I think you & I spoke about La Espanola Meats are you in So Cal?

I would love to pick you brain a bit more without hijacking but we don't have that nifty e mail thing that Trip Advisor has...

Ana Maria-
Yes, I was whom you spoke with about La Espagnola meats and I'm in Southern California.

I'm also on tripadvisor but infrequently. My name is CathyDM. (CathyM was taken and apparently I'm not very create when it comes to screen names). You're welcome email me there. In fact, I just went in and found the Europe and detailed Spain forums....just what I need!

facube-sorry to jump in your thread. Please let us know if you have any more question.

I have twice spent time at the beginning of January at Madrid airport, waiting for an onward flight and there has both times been a snow storm outside. like Chicago and Siberia, the middle of a large country gets the coldest weather in winter. If you want to stay in Spain in winter instead of flying on to the hot Canary Islands, I would go for the coast. South is mildest (though 25 years ago they had deep snow on the beaches). A fair number of places will of course be shut over the xmas period.