Reservations Needed??? Spain
Sep 17th, 2005, 06:28 AM
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Reservations Needed??? Spain
I've got 13 of 15 nights of our trip to Spain booked with reservations. Haven't decided on an exact plan of where we will be on 9/29 and 9/30, only that we want to see Ronda, Grazelema & Arcos de la Frontera (and to Cadiz if we have enough time). Will be driving from Granada towards Ronda sometime on 9/29 PM or 9/30 AM and want to get to a reserved hotel near Marbella around early afternoon on 10/1. Trying to avoid the feeling of being rushed (getting to a reserved hotel before it gets dark in an area that has tricky driving) but don't want to get stuck without a decent room. Mappy.com says 2:40 from Granada to Ronda. Any advice for a first time traveler to Spain is appreciated.
Sep 17th, 2005, 07:15 AM
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Try to head out to Ronda early or to put it another way, avoid driving in/out to Ronda in the darker hours. It is a good road, but it is a windy, mountain route, definitely not recommended drive-in-the-dark for first time visitors. I recommend staying in Ronda at least one night. The Parador would be my choice. From Ronda, explore other Pueblos Blancos. Mappy has it about right; approx 3 hrs is a good estimate. My advice would be honestly to swing it; unless you are set in staying in a Parador, then just head out and find your way to a hotel once there. The area has too many undiscovered gems and someplace may tugged at you guys. Let it flow.
Sep 18th, 2005, 03:39 AM
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We decided to leave Granada 9/30 AM. This would leave us about 1.5 days to visit the Pueblo Blancos (Ronda, Grazelma, Arcos de la Frontera) before heading to Marbella. Are there any "must-sees" b/t Granada and Ronda?
Sep 18th, 2005, 04:36 AM
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It all depends what is a "must see" for you; west of Granada, on your way towards Ronda there is a small town called Santa Fe. For a history buff, this town is a must see: this is the towm where K/Q Fernando & Isabel signed the sponsorship agreement with Cristobal Colon. The surrender of Granada (Moors to Christians in 1491) was also signed in this town.
Loja is often overlooked by tourists rushing on their way to Ronda. They miss on a town with strong and well preserved Moorish architecture. Even as today's Christian chuches, you can still admired the evidence of a Moorish past in the Convent and Church of Santa Clara. If nature is your thing, there are two gorgeous waterfalls in the area; Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail) and Los Infiernos (Hell).
Antequera has a strong prehistoric, Roman, and Moorish past (isn't Spain's history fascinating!?). If anything, make a stop at the town's ramparts, climb up and take a look from there. You will fully understand the strategical importance this town had during the Reconquest.
Have a great time in Spain!
Loja is often overlooked by tourists rushing on their way to Ronda. They miss on a town with strong and well preserved Moorish architecture. Even as today's Christian chuches, you can still admired the evidence of a Moorish past in the Convent and Church of Santa Clara. If nature is your thing, there are two gorgeous waterfalls in the area; Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail) and Los Infiernos (Hell).
Antequera has a strong prehistoric, Roman, and Moorish past (isn't Spain's history fascinating!?). If anything, make a stop at the town's ramparts, climb up and take a look from there. You will fully understand the strategical importance this town had during the Reconquest.
Have a great time in Spain!
