Please critique my Andalucia itinerary
 

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions, I've looked into them all and here's what I've come up with. It's almost final, just the last couple of days are not.

NY --> Malaga, take the bus straight to
Granada - 3 nights at the Hotel Morisco
Rent car, drive to
Ubeda - 1 night, Parador
Carmona - 1 night Parador (see Cordoba on the way). Ditch car and take the train to
Seville - 4 nights Casa Numbero 7

Now comes the tricky part.. I'm thinking of finishing like this:

Take train from Seville to Cadiz, rent car.
Cadiz - 2 nights Parador
Ronda - 2 nights Parador

However, I am not sure about the Cadiz Parador (it does not look very charming although nice view), and I'm not sure if it's better to stay in one place for 2 days in Ronda and the surrounding villages, or break it up another way. Perhaps 1 night in Cadiz? Any further suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks again!

P.S. - the Cadiz Parador is 163 euros a night...

and we would ditch the car at Malaga as we catch our flight home..

You don't need 3 nights in Granada. Make it 2. Ditch the car in Seville. Or, simply park it. You could have a look at Jerez de la Frontera and Puerto de Sta. Maria on the way to Cadiz. 1 night in Cadiz should be sufficient. 2 nights in Ronda might be too many.

Thanks Bedar.. anyone else?

anyone?

Disagreeing with Bedar...Granada for 3 nights is good. I personally would prefer less time in Seville, I know many many people will insist Seville is far better. On my first trip I easily saw most of the best of Seville (in Oct.) in 3 days.
-why are you spending a night at Carmona and then 4 in SevilleStay that night in cordoba instead?
-Agreeing with Bedar.one night in Cadiz and ronda are sufficient. maybe consider a night in Grazalema, halfway between Ronda and Jerez, very scenic, great hiking..
-where are you flying home from? Malaga?

Thanks for the feedback Wildfire.. I chose Carmona because I heard it's very nice and most people on the other threads didn't seem to think Cordoba was a town they'd like to stay in. I originally had planned to spend two nights there. Seville is 4 nights because originally we were supposed to see an opera on the 4th night but it got canceled. We'll be OK with the extra day, I think. I don't want to do 4 one nighters towards the end of the trip, which is why I was thinking of 2/2 Cadiz/Ronda, but am open to other suggestions. Flying from Malaga.

I realize most people only fly in and out of Malaga and never see it at all, but if you're interested in art, the recentely opened Museo Picasso is fabulous (this was his birthplace and the people are rightfully proud of it) and well worth your time, as is the Gibralfaro--a Moorish palace with its great views and the Alcazar. We also enjoyed visiting the house where Picasso was born. Since you're going to be there anyway, I'd suggest taking the time to see some of the sites.

Thanks, artlover. I love Picasso, so I will stay a couple of hours in Malaga either on the way in or out.

Seville is definitely worth 3 nights. Its a vibrant city especially on weekends and a Thur-Sunday stay would be the best timing. Do not miss the tapa bar hopping in the evenings and at night. Cordoba warrants maybe1 and a half days as does Granada which I did not find particularly attractive apart from the Alhambra. Malaga and Marbella one night each and a special mention to Ronda which is in a unique setting. It is a very quiet and relaxing place in the evenings after the tourist hordes have left and 1 night would be enough. Cadiz is ugly. Its basically a port town with dirty surroundings and run down pensions.

ttt

Carmona is gorgeous...in fact my boyfriend and I got engaged there just 2 weeks ago. We had a fantastic room (if you can, ask for room 413 - it has a huge balcony and is on the top floor so you have amazing views). Carmona itself is quite a sleepy little town but it's perfect for one night and is only a short drive from Seville.

I loved Granada, there is more than enough to see to fill three days. Cadiz I was not crazy about. Ronda is absolutely beautiful and I could have stayed for a week just walking around. This town is about the sights, not about doing things(aside from hiking). We had a blast in Cordoba. Aside from Madrid (and possibly better)Granada and Cordoba were the best places to go Tapa/Bar hopping.

I'll side on staying 2 nights in Ronda. I did when I was there, and I easily could have stayed another day. But, I hiked and took my time enjoying the scenery etc. It is small, so it depends how busy you need to feel. It's lovely.

And, if you'll have a car, you can use Ronda as a base to visit some of the other white towns.

I haven't been to Cadiz.

Karen

Thanks for your responses. It seems one either loves or hates Cadiz. I am going to stay my last 2 nights in Ronda, and am still open on the other 2 nights. Cadiz is still an option, but maybe there are other seaside towns/villages in the area.. does anyone know of a romantic hotel with a waterview anywhere in the vicinity? Much obliged...