Ronda Spain - A Day-trip??
Feb 3rd, 2006, 03:01 AM
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Ronda Spain - A Day-trip??
Just want to hear some first-person experiences of anyone who's been to ronda, spain. i'll be staying in sevilla this spring (april) and i'm trying to decide on four day-trips. ronda looks very interesting in my travel books. what was your experience like?
Feb 3rd, 2006, 03:14 AM
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To me , although I like it, Ronda is a little overated. I believe there are many nicer places closer to Seville. We are leaving this week end for Andalucia and plan to spend one night in Carmona (parador), and one night in Osuna ( Hotel Marques de la Gomera) before coming into Seville and leaving the car there.
In the past I have found Merida fascinating, because of it Roman Heritage, I do not know Italica..., but hopeful might go this time by bus.I also enjoyed a lot Arcos de la Frontera. Of course the coastal cities might also be an option although they might be too far. I do not know.
I am all ears to see if can profit from the replies you might get.
By the way reading Penelope Casas, the well known food and travel writer, she mentions close to Seville,
San Isidoro del Campo, Castilleja de la Cuesta, Las Marismas, Coria del Rio, Palmar de Troya,Marchena,Carmona, ITalica,Ecija and Osuna...any comments on these destinations.?
In the past I have found Merida fascinating, because of it Roman Heritage, I do not know Italica..., but hopeful might go this time by bus.I also enjoyed a lot Arcos de la Frontera. Of course the coastal cities might also be an option although they might be too far. I do not know.
I am all ears to see if can profit from the replies you might get.
By the way reading Penelope Casas, the well known food and travel writer, she mentions close to Seville,
San Isidoro del Campo, Castilleja de la Cuesta, Las Marismas, Coria del Rio, Palmar de Troya,Marchena,Carmona, ITalica,Ecija and Osuna...any comments on these destinations.?
Feb 3rd, 2006, 03:19 AM
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Of course my favorite is Cordoba but I am assuming you are going to be there for more than a day trip. We shall anyway since we are driving from Cordoba to Osuna , and from Osuna to Carmona, all in an ordely fashing LOL....because we always mess everything up.
Feb 3rd, 2006, 11:04 AM
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At last a win soul ! I am pleased that you agree. You know I believe that somehow sometimes everybody says this or that and everybody follows and it is like a baloon...I agree, Ronda is nice, but there many more exciting places for me in the general area.
Feb 3rd, 2006, 11:42 AM
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i studied abroad and lived in spain for 10 months. we went to ronda for a long weekend. it is nice but i would not use a day to go there w/ your limited time. cordoba is a beter choice. i assume you are going to granada and are allowing a full day for the alhambra and the generalife gardens...
Feb 3rd, 2006, 12:17 PM
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We went to Ronda again last year ('05) & found it too touristy this time. Had been there previously. The drive from Malaga was quite interesting with its winding road, but Ronda was (unfortunately) a disappointment. Give it a try & we hope that your impressions will be much better than ours. A lot of tourist shops (usual scene.) The "bridge" is still quite a sight & awesome, but to see some "yuppies" sitting on the ledge (opposite the bridge & with its drop of a mile +- down)is plainly crazy. They're obviously trying to "show they're with it" or such & hopefully not permanently. Make your own judgment & we wish you well. It's a one day trip in itself.
A suggestion only: Have you thought of Gibraltar? Geographically OK with a car (from parts of southern Spain > Malaga) & absolutely worth it. Enjoy.
A suggestion only: Have you thought of Gibraltar? Geographically OK with a car (from parts of southern Spain > Malaga) & absolutely worth it. Enjoy.
Feb 3rd, 2006, 04:57 PM
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I loved Ronda but the raod there is scary as hell to me. Seems people don't talk much about the caves there, which I found fascinating, as I did the setting and found a wonderful restaurant (Restaurante Dona Pepa at Plaza del Socorro 10). And yes, I love Vejer de Fontera, but it's very different, a tiny white village as compared to a larger town. So, depends on what you would like most. Both are great IMO.
Feb 4th, 2006, 02:26 AM
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One of my first visits ever to Spain was to Ronda and it seemed like such a wonderful place back then. Now, 15 plus years later, much of that charm has faded and the addition of a MacDonald's next to the Parador has really killed it for me. Try instead small villages such as Zahara de la Sierra, Benaocaz, Olvera, or any number of "pueblos blancos" in the area. With your own car there are beautiful country roads perfect for a Sunday outing/picnic. Leave Ronda to the fate it has actively cultivated: Mass Tourism!
Feb 6th, 2006, 10:30 AM
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Yes Ronda is touristy, yes it's changed, yes there's a McDonalds but yes its a must see. The whole town is not a tourist trap but the whole town is a photo op. See the bridge, do plaza de toros, have a drink at the parador and then hit some back streets, the lower bride, and the plaza when you head out of town. Enjoy
Feb 6th, 2006, 10:53 AM
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Well, I loved Ronda. Wasn't crazy about the main street where all the daytrippers seemed to hang out, but discovered that they all sort of seemed to gravitate there. Of course, their time is limited. Once we walked around the back streets and away from where the daytrippers were, it was quite pleasant and enjoyable.
But then, I thought Seville was THE ultimate tourist trap in Spain, so go figure.
But then, I thought Seville was THE ultimate tourist trap in Spain, so go figure.
Feb 6th, 2006, 01:24 PM
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I'm planning a trip (~3 days) to Seville in March. Wonder if anyone can help:
* How much time does it take to go from Airport to the city center (are there buses)?
* How about from train station to airport?
Thanks in advance.
* How much time does it take to go from Airport to the city center (are there buses)?
* How about from train station to airport?
Thanks in advance.
Feb 6th, 2006, 07:50 PM
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mmyk72
I just left in 2004 but to the best of my recollection it probably takes about 20 minutes from the airport to the city center. There are buses but the taxis are also very affordable. I think it was around 5-6 Euro during the week and I think it was 10 or 12 on the weekend. No need for a train. Don't think theirs one to the airport anyway.
I just left in 2004 but to the best of my recollection it probably takes about 20 minutes from the airport to the city center. There are buses but the taxis are also very affordable. I think it was around 5-6 Euro during the week and I think it was 10 or 12 on the weekend. No need for a train. Don't think theirs one to the airport anyway.
Feb 6th, 2006, 07:52 PM
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think I might have misread your last question.
Train station is at the edge of downtown and all of the times and prices I gave you were from a hotel right across from the train station so they are the same.
Train station is at the edge of downtown and all of the times and prices I gave you were from a hotel right across from the train station so they are the same.
Feb 6th, 2006, 07:58 PM
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As for the original poster. I was in Ronda in 2003 and 2004. It is a very nice town. Very picturesque. I am glad I didn't miss it. Yes it has a McD and lot's of shoppers but doesn't that tell you something? Places don't see growth if people don't go there for some reason. As for the villa blancas...pick one...they're all the same and they're all different. I love them but I would never make a plan to go to one. They are those wonderful side trips. The people are always friendly but like I said, one is as good as another.
