Need Spain itinerary advice
 

Going to Spain in September. Plan to fly into Barcelona (7 days) and fly out of Madrid (7 days) Want to see Valencia, Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Toledo.

Have a total fo 25-30 days to spend in Spain.

Will travel by train. I know a day trip from Madrid to Toledo is easy but not sure what order to do the other cities for max efficiency. Any recommendations.

Also, should I get train tickets before departing the USA or is it just as as easy to get them when in Spain? Concerned that if I schedule a train and unable to make it I will lose the ticket and of course $$$. Can you purchase a ;month pass from USA and book trains when in Spain?

Finally, does the above itinerary look realistic or am I missing something?

I think this is realistic.

Barcelona: I'd try to time the visit to Barcelona around La Merce festival, the biggest festival of the year. I believe the dates this year are Sept 20-24. With 7 days for Barcelona you'll have time for 2-3 daytrips. My personal favorites are Tarragona and Girona.

Madrid: I'd take a couple of days from Madrid and add to Salamanca. With 5 nights in Madrid you'd still have time for a couple of daytrips - Toledo and Segovia are my favorites.

Valencia - I'd advise 3 nights for Valencia.

Andalucia:
Sevilla - I'd budget 4 nights at least and more if you want to do daytrips. It would be a nice city to base yourself if you want to stay put a little longer. If your visit is during the middle of the month you may want to take a daytrip to Jerez for the wine harvest festival (or even spend a couple of nights)

Granada - 2 nights

Cordoba -most people only have time for a daytrip (from Sevilla) for Cordoba and this suffices. But you have time for a couple of nights - so I'd suggest this approach

This puts you at 25 days if you use my suggested times. It appears you like to spend a longer time in a base city versus moving around - other than that if you have 30 days you'll have some days you could potentially play with - lots of possibilities but hard to give advice without knowing your specific interests.

Have you already purchased the airfare? If not it may be good to fly into Valencia and return home from Granada to avoid any backtracking.

Barcelona and Madrid airports offer more frequent flights and often cheaper itinerary options, so I can see the practical value of anchoring on both. Consider also flying into BCN out of Seville or Malaga.

Your plan is certainly realistic; it is a matter of defining what your likes/dislikes/expectations are. Guessing by the cities you listed, you seem to favor history and cultural sightseeing. I would, get an apartment in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Valencia. All these close to train access points so you can daytrip from there. Google maps and Street view are your friends; use these tools. Do not get train tickets until you get to Spain. Early September in Southern Spain can be crowded, so the later part of September may be a better time to be there.

I responded to your other post.

I'd spend a couple of nights in each of Toledo, Segovia, and Salamanca. I don't think day trips to these locations gives you enough time to see and enjoy them.

Thanks to all, your responses have been a big help. Do you think the following itinerary will work?
Barcelona 7 Days (Is this too long?) Train to Valencia 3 Days Train to Granada 2 Days Train to Cordoba Just the one night then train to Sevilla 5-6 Nights may take a day trip to Gibraltar Train or bus any thoughts? Train to Madrid 7 Days (Is this too long?) will take a day trip to Toledo.

We don't want to be rushed but this will probably be our only trip to Spain so....We both enjoy historical sights, mosques, castles, etc and of course museums and just walking around the town stopping in for a beer or coffee here and there.

Have looked at the Renfe sight and also The man in seat 61. Very confusing. Had hoped to just buy a ticket and go like we did all thru Europe in the 70's and 80's but things have changed.

Spain Pass or just separate tickets?? Buy here or when in Spain?? Have to make a reservation even after buying a ticket Can't purchase before 60 days of use, 2nd class Premium, Plush, Club P+ etc etc Wow, they don't make it easy. Am hoping my Fodors book which I should receive in a couple of days from Amazon will explain all this - In the meanwhile, Do any of you frequent train travel folks have any recommendations?

Next item on agenda is to check out Apartments in these towns. Want to be able to have breakfast and some dinners in the apt so a small kitchen of some sort would be nice. I understand that dinner starts around 10pm which is just about the time we get out of our comfies and go to bed to read for a while - Yes! I know we are going to have to adjust, hey thats half the fun of traveling.

Regarding the itinerary:
I'd find a days in Madrid or Barcelona to shave off and add to Cordoba so you have 2 nights. Many people visit Cordoba as a daytrip from Sevilla because they just don't have more time and it logistically fits. But you have time for a couple of nights and it really does warrant it. I'd go from Granada to Sevilla, then Cordoba with 2 nights in Cordoba. Personally I have 1-nighters and would rather do a daytrip to Cordoba en route from Sevilla to Madrid. But optimally you do have alot of time in Barcelona and Madrid that you could find an extra night for Cordoba.

It's hard to answer the question about 7 nights being too long in Barcelona or Madrid. It really has to do with travel style and preferences. Personally if I had 7 nights for Barcelona I may consider taking a couple and staying in Cadeques or Begur. Or instead of a daytrip to Tarragona/Girona spending a couple of nights. It's more moving around but it gives you a feel for something outside of the big city and sometimes doing a daytrip versus an overnight gives you a different perspective of a city. 7 nights in Madrid does seem a little long for me - but I'm not a museum person. As I said before I'd take a couple and go to Salamanca (which is a World Heritage city and too far IMHO to do as a daytrip). Some people (me included) like to spend a couple of nights in Toledo versus a daytrip - but again, it's more moving around so there are positives and negatives.

I can think of many more daytrips I'd do over Gibraltar from Sevilla (Jerez, Sanlucar, Cadiz, Osuna, Carmona, Arcos, Ronda, Ecija, Aracena, El Puerto)- all easier and quicker too.

Regarding transportation:
I'd consider flying from Valencia to Granada as there is only one train and it's an overnighter. You can train or bus from Granada to Sevilla. Since you seem like someone that likes to plan ahead you can purchase your train tickets at greatly discounted prices on the renfe site. I've attached a tutorial (from TA, I can't take credit) on how to purchase tickets on renfe. It can be a little frustrating but I've experienced luck once I contact my bank.

For apartments I've had good experience in Sevilla with sevilla5.com - prices are good, they speak good English and are very responsive and professional.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...ts.Online.html

"Personally I have 1-nighters and would rather do a daytrip to Cordoba en route from Sevilla to Madrid."

I meant to say - I hate 1-nighters!

My other post seems to have disappeared into cyberspace - I hate when that happens!

I'm with joannyc on many of these destinations. I think Toledo and Cordoba each deserve 2 full days, Segovia at least 1, Madrid 2 to 4 depending on your interest in art. Consider adding Salamanca; it really deserves at least 2 full days IMHO.

You'll see some wonderful places!