kimhe

<not had the energy to look for any particular show offered on Saturday June 6th.> Arte y Sabores could be a great option. Has proved to be an excellent place. Few places that stages performances every night which is as genuine as this. But then the place also has become very popular with local aficionados and flamenco artists. A recent clip, almost a local flamenco club (peña) atmosphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8KANWoEqbM

Info and tickets: http://www.flamencotickets.com/es/ar...res-de-cordoba
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tablaoarteysabores
Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction...a.html#REVIEWS

<BTW why do you think bus from Cordova to Seville is a bad option> Just that the train is very much faster and much more comfortable.

MyriamC

Valencia has a very nice boardwalk, too, lined by bars and restaurants. And a beautiful wide beach.

kimhe

but, of course, a bus ride is more easy-going and has its own charm. And some of the daily rides are only 1h 45 mins, the price is 12€. (alsa.es)

Stephany

Myriam, yes, we can make it from Granada to Valencia . Any suggestions where to stay for one night? All we need is two separate beds in a nice(r) hotel.

Kimhe,
I think I will try the bus ride just for the experience. But that is a minor issue.

lincasanova

for small town charm go to altea or denia or javea instead of alicante.

lincasanova

i will also add that i would get rid of the car in valencia and take a late train to Barcelona AFTER checking luggage in consigna and taking the tourist bus around town at least.. or walking to the cathedral square and having an horchata or coffee slush( granizado) at one of the beautiful sidewalk cafés. Then tell me you wished you'd stayed there more time.

Be prepared to pay a LOT in tolls and gas from Valencia to Barcelona by car. Enjoy dinner in Barcelona and stay near sants station area.

MyriamC

We stayed in the historic town in Valencia, hotel Ad Hoc Monumental. We rented bikes one day and cycled in the city (a challenge!) and along the boardwalk (lovely!). It was late November and the weather was georgeous.
Check booking.com for hotels at the beach.

Stephany

Incasanova,

thank you I will search Altea, Denia and Javea. Did not know anything about the tolls from Vallencia to Barcelona. So many options. My head is starting to spin.

Myriam, thanks, the hotel looks fine, just need to check parking. Don't think I want to cycle the city though. LOL.
I only have to book two nights soon because everything is getting filled and the problem is that some hotels will not book for one night over the week-end.
I just have to find a room for Friday, June 12th- north of Alicante or in Valencia;
And for Saturday June 13th, in Falset or Cambrils or anywhere (about 2 hours south of Barcelona). Falset seems to be pretty much booked. We have reservation in Barcelona starting Sunday June 14th.
Thank you ALL for bearing with me.

lincasanova

take a look at peñiscola as a stopover on way to Barcelona if you have a car.. otherwise tarragona is an interesting small town with roman ruins.

lincasanova

actually the tolls start in alicante on the coast road.

www.viamichelin.com will calculate tolls and time for you.

Stephany

lincasanova.

you are very helpful and thank you for that. Peniscola would be my choice. BUT I think the drive from Granada to Peniscola would be just too long. PLEASE tell me your opinion:

We are driving from Granada to Barcelona and have two nights to spare on the road.

I am thinking:

Granda - Altea (1 night)
Altea - Cambrils or Falset one night

Cambrils or Falset to Barcelona.

Problem: I have to return a rental car at 10:00 am on Sunday (train station or the airport) therefore I want to be 1-2 hours south of Barcelona the last night.

If I am not clear please let me know. These two nights are giving me a headache. Yes, I checked Michelin. Gas is quite expensive, for sure. Again, I do not want to worry about every penny. All I want is an enjoyable trip. Does it make sense?

lincasanova

I don't understand your question. That looks fine. ALTEA or nearby.. and then tarragona or cambrils. or?? Just see where you can find nice lodging and book it. Also check SITGES, just south of Barcelona, a very nice beach town. Do stop in Peñiscola as a short easy detour since you will have a car.. worth the stop to take a stroll up around the quaint mount,IMO.

Sounds like a nice trip. Roads are excellent between Granada and Barcelona.
Just watch the speed limits. There is never enough warning of the lower speeds when approaching towns. remember it is 50km most places off the roads outside cities, so be prepared. Some of the highways near Barcelona also have 80 km. / hr limits..

you may find this and other sites helpful for road signage

http://wagonersabroad.com/driving-in...sh-road-signs/

and don't forget your International Driving Permit whatever you do.

Robert2533

If yu check the Repol Guide (www.guiarepsol.com) you can plot the route, avoiding toll roads, and find out where the speed carmeras are active (it's amazing just how many they've added).

Stephany

Inacasova and Robert,

I am checking out everything you are suggesting. The clock is ticking and will be leaving for Madrid on June 3rd. May be once in Spain I will have a better feel for the right questions. I do feel stupid not speaking the language, but so it goes.

lincasanova

it will be fine. Probably no need to book every single night. play it by ear. trivago.es is a great website and then go to the hotel's site direct. Booking.com is also good, but trivago does a better search of all sites IMHO.

Have a great trip! Looks like the weather may hold up for you.

mishy

I have come across this interesting thread. I am Australian and only ever before travelled to Italy on a tour. In late Sept- Oct this year my husband and I are taking a self drive trip for 24 nights through Spain. We are flying into and out of Barcelona and thought we would spend 12 nights in the north and 12 nights in the south, ending up driving from Granada to Barcelona over the last 4 nights.
We are wanting an easy going relaxed trip with no '1 nighters' to experience the culture, the old quaint towns and the delicious food etc. Not really interested in big cities other then Barcelona. Would love some opinions on this draft plan. This is our basic plan thus far....
3 nights...Barcelona
3 nights ...Begur
2 nights ...Huesca
2 nights ...San Sebastian
2 nights ...Santillana Del Mar
Fly from Bilbao to Sevilla
3 nights ...Seville
2 nights....Ronda
3 nights....Granada
Then not sure ... Thinking Valencia but have 4 nights to fill on way back to Barcelona.
Late night flight from Barcelona on day 25.

Would love to hear opinions and suggestions of anyone who might have ideas.
I have most accomodations pre booked but all on free cancellations so nothing is set in concrete just yet.