latebloomer

Thank you all for your help with Part I of this trip, which is just my 2nd overseas on my own. I'd really appreciate your thoughts about planning the last 16 days of a 40-day trip. (I arrive in Frankfurt early in the morning on May 21 and depart from Barcelona on June 30.)

The last 16 days are in Spain, my first time in the country. The principal problem is my aversion to 1- and 2-night stays, especially after a month of traveling. This aversion is tripping me up with Cordoba (and to a must lesser extent, Granada.) It's not a question about what interests me and what doesn't - it all interests me. What I'm concerned about is the quality of the experience (and my sanity).

For context, the itinerary before Spain itinerary is as follows:
Berlin - 7 nights
Prague - 5 nights
Krakow - 6 nights
Budapest - 5 nights

Then to Spain:
Madrid - 4 nights (probably firm based on travel times, interests, and expected level of exhaustion)
From Madrid:

OPTION A
Seville - 4 nights (day trip to Cordoba while based in Seville)

OPTION B
Cordoba - 1 night
Seville - 3 nights

OPTION C
Madrid to Cordoba for the day; then on to Seville same evening for 4 nights in Seville

OPTION D
Skip Cordoba entirely b/c: I'm not doing it justice; something's got to go at this point in a long trip; Spain isn't going anywhere, etc.)

Remainder of trip (after Seville)
Granada - 2 nights
Barcelona - 6 nights (with travel day and early departure, this turns out to be 5 days in Barcelona, which isn't really 5 because of 1-2 short day trips along Costa Brava).

Many thanks for your thoughts.

sandralist

Although I personally would prefer staying in Cordoba to Sevilla, for you it looks like Option C might be best because you don't need to decide now. You can decide while you are in Spain. Option C includes the option of doing Option A or Option D.

sandralist

(or maybe the better way to express it is to say that if you "pencil in" Option C, you can decide at the last minute to skip Cordoba on the way down to Sevilla if you don't feel like stopping, but if you feel like it while you are in Sevilla, you can day trip there. Or just not go at all.

latebloomer

I'm an idiot. Of course. But I've now got to ask - why do you prefer Cordoba?

sandralist

i've nothing particularly against it, but I've just never warmed up to Sevilla and there are number of small towns near Cordoba that would interest me to visit. I am pretty sure I am in a very tiny minority of people who would opt for Cordoba, partly because Sevilla has many more attractions and tapas bars, etc. Just a lot more oomph and corners to explore.

No matter where you stay, if you at all have the energy, the mosque in Cordoba is one of the great architectural sights of Europe, despite being violated with renovations. It's a marvel. I highly recommend stopping by to see for yourself.

kja

I thoroughly enjoyed evenings in Cordoba, after daytrippers had left. BUT given your time frame and preferences, visiting Cordoba en route to Sevilla or as a day trip from Sevilla seems well worth considering. Do NOT skip Cordoba, as the Mezquita is truly wonderful.

Don't forget to visit Toledo from Madrid.

danon

We actually skipped Cordoba the first time in Andalusia ... Sevilla and Granda was enough.
Second time in Seville , we made a day visit to Cordoba .

You have a a long trip and ,as you said, Spain will be there.

kimhe

I also have a very soft spot for Cordoba. I especially like the local atmosphere "Roman Córdoba" around central Plaza de las Tendillas and the Plaza-Mayor-in-Madrid-like Plaza de la Corredera. Genuine and affordable tabernas on every corner. Have had some excellent late nights in terraces on Plaza de las Tendillas, the absolute best atmosphere and crowded with groups of friends and families as late as 3am in the weekends. http://www.fmschmitt.com/travels/spa...Tendillas.html
http://www.artencordoba.com/English/...as-Square.html

Outside the Mezquita area, Córdoba is much less touristy than Granada and even Sevilla, and you can easily get a very pleasant and laid-back Andalucian feel for life here. I think there are perhaps no better place in Andalucía to reflect upon what this very special and almost mythical region is and how it developed.

Few other cities in Europe beats the history of Córdoba, from Roman Corduba to the capital of Muslim al-Andalus after 766 AD, and then through Christian times after the 1236 reconquista capture and eventual steep decline. Córdoba was the most advanced city in Europe during caliphate times about 1000AD, some 500 000 inhabitants, and a great cultural, political and economic centre with 300 public baths and the greatest library in the world. http://www.theguardian.com/spanish-t...-changed-world

I have visited Córdoba in relation to magnificent theater performances, ended up in never to forget flamenco nights, had some of the best no fuss meals ever and met brilliant people. Perhaps the best description would be to say that Córdoba - outside the absolute most beaten track - is a place where Andalucía just tend to happen.

The video "Córdoba, life and spirit" suggests a nice Córdoba state of mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk

bilboburgler

Option A makes most sense to me, it is roughly what I did last time. You could just as easily stay in Cordoba for 4 nights and do a day trip to Sevilla

latebloomer

Thanks everyone.

kja: Yes to Toledo. It's my one day trip from Madrid, which I'll likely take with a small group tour with Context Travel. (I know I can do it alone, but I used them in Rome and Vienna for several outings and thought they were first rate and enriched the experience. It also helps with the loneliness and I met some nice people.)

kimhe: I'm bookmarking.

I went ahead and booked my accommodations in Sevilla and Granada last night because I wanted to nail down all accommodations and flights for the trip. (I can't believe how much time I took, but it is DONE.) So, assuming I'm still mobile at that point, it'll be Option A (day trip from Sevilla to Cordoba, principally for the Mezquita). Hopefully, I can spend a nice long day there, but I'll have to check the transportation situation. While Spain certainly will survive me, I think it'd be a shame to miss Cordoba since I'm so close and Spain likely won't be up again in the travel rotation lineup for awhile.

It occurs to me I may be overly focused on the fatigue factor based on the last trip, when I carried luggage that was too big and heavy; made too many short stops; walked everywhere - not once considering that a bicycle might do wonders for my blistered feet; did little advance planning re: what to do when I arrived; and so on.)
.... But these are First World problems.

bilboburgler

Catch a train, the stations are in the centre and there are regular ones.

http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/

kja

"It occurs to me I may be overly focused on the fatigue factor based on the last trip,..."

Great insight! You might be able to do MUCH more than you think. Still, better, IMO, to plan for a pace that you are reasonably sure you can meet -- but with a sense of your options to add things -- than to struggle en route with what to cut.

or2nh4me2

I have been to Cordoba-1 night, Seville-4 nights and Granada-2 nights, Madrid-4 nights. I agree with previous posters that Cordoba is well worth a visit and I would strongly encourage an overnight. IMHO it is totally doable as either a side daytrip from Seville, or a 1 1/2day overnight on your way to Seville. For us it was our first stop-we flew ECoast to MAD then train to Cordoba. We particularly enjoyed it in the p.m. when the crowds were gone and the compact area around the mezquita was peaceful. Highly recommend the alcazar with it's lovely gardens, the Roman baths (relaxing & will transport you back in time & you can get a massage!) and the yummy and economical tortilla espanola at Bar Santos. Seville is delightful is another way and is much larger. Either way, enjoy!!!!

latebloomer

Thank you, all. I'm going to have to settle for a day trip from Seville, leaving Córdoba as late as possible in the eve. I decided I could not check in and out of even one more hotel given my itinerary,
especially for a night. I just don't have this "easy in/out, just bring out the toiletries" superpower yet.