I was planning on travelling from Madrid to Granada but it does not look as if there is a fast train to Granada the way there is to Sevilla. There is BIG difference in travel time. So I am wondering if I will really be missing out by not going to Granada or if you preferred Seville/cordoba. Thanks for your input.

Granda is worth going out of your way for. I thought it was the best part of my trip to spain. I started in Madrid, took the fast train to Seville and then took the train to Granada. The scenery is beautiful and Granada seemed more country to me than the other two cities. The Alhambra was the most facinating place I have been in my very limited travel experience.

I agree with Teri. Granada was the highlight of my trip to Spain last summer. Seville is more similar to Madrid in that it's also a city, but I enjoyed Seville (and Cordoba) as well.<BR><BR>But the Alhambra! If you love architecture, history, or gardens, you'll love it. It's magical. Another highlight is seeing Ferdinand and Isabella's tombs. <BR><BR>Also, I hope you have time to visit Toledo, which is just outside of Madrid. Another wonderful city.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip.

Hi Karen I agree Granada is wonderful so is Seville and also Cordoba, these cities have long histories full of architecture, art, customs...etc., in my opinion it is not possible to "exchange" one for the other, frankly I think it is meanless. May be if you <BR>find out a little more about these three places you could make a decision that is good for you and you alone.

Karen, I loved Seville. It was quaint and the cobblestone streets of the Barrio quarter lovely. We also went to a very good Flamenco show at Club Los Gallos. If you can, take a romantic horse and carriage ride near the Plaza de Espagna which is a lovely open square near a pretty park. The Cathedral of Seville is also very impressive and not to be missed. I was underwhelmed with Granada. Perhaps I am in the minority but I felt the Moorish palace was elegant but faded with years of passage and wasn't really a highlight of my trip. If you have time, and want to see a bustling vibrant exciting city, go to Barcelona, with bizarre architecture by Gaudi and fantastic restaurants. We loved it there. If you want to just relax, and if you're thinking of heading to southern spain, check out the town of Marbella on the water which is beautiful, esp. Puerto Banus which has a great nightlife. Just some suggestions... Anywhere you go in Spain, I'm sure you'll have fun...

We are planning a similar itinerary for October. We have decided to fly between Madrid and Granada - one way is $124 on Iberia - perhaps round trip will be better. Another thought: the AVE stops in Cordoba before going on to Seville - Granada is a 3 hour drive from there. Would love to hear about your favorite places when you return.

We love almost everything about Spain. But we especially enjoyed Sevilla. It has so many things to see, as c. fisher points out. Our second favorite city in Spain was Barcelona, again as fisher recommends. But of Granada and Cordoba, if that's the real pick, you'll be fine taking the easier route and going to Cordoba and skipping Granada. The mosque in Cordoba is a fascinating place. Smaller and with less to see than the Alhambra, but quite unique. Sometimes it's just fine to just go where the road (or the high speed train) takes you.

Thanks for all of your responses-maybe this is just something I will decide when I get there???