Christina

Both are easy train trips, you don't need to transfer. The AVE to Seville is about 3 hrs, and you can get a direct train from Seville to Malaga that takes about 2 hrs.

excited_confused

Thanks, I guess I have to wait until 62 days prior to book those for the discounted fares?

kimhe

Yes, you'll have to wait to get those tickets.

You should also be aware that May is serious festival time, especially in Andalucía. Most of the festivals goes way back in time and are primarily local events. Great opportunity to get under the skin of things and experience the culture.

In May, Andalucian towns - especially Granada and Córdoba - celebrate the "Cruces de Mayo"/May Crosses: http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/spani...es-de-mayo.htm

Córdoba in May is something special, the "cruces" celebration is followed by the patio competition leading on to the flamenco inspired Feria by the end of the month.
Córdoba patio exposition and competition: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/patios.htm
The Feria in late May: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/co...pring-fair.htm

Córdoba is some 50 mins from both Sevilla and Málaga with the high speed AVE train.

In May there is also the one week Horse Fair in Jeréz, about one hour with bus from Sevilla. http://www.andalucia.com/festival/jerez-horse-fair.htm

May is also the month of the San Isidro festival in Madrid, the geratest festival in the capital, celebrating the city's patron saint: http://www.esmadrid.com/sanisidro/index.php/en/

excited_confused

Thanks for the schedule Kimhe, will definitely check out the dates. When you say serous festival time, is that a good thing or a bad thing??
Right now I have planned 4 nights in Barcelona, 3 days in Madrid, 2 nights in Seville & 2 nights in Malaga, starting May 10th. The kids will leave after Madrid. I have only the inbound flight to Barcelona & the outbound flight from Malaga booked so far so have some flexibility with the other days/destinations.
Was going to book a Vueling flight from Barcelona to Madrid.
Madrid to Seville will probably be by train so would you recommend we take a morning train from Madrid to Cordoba, spend the day there & continue to Seville in the evening? I assume we can leave our bags at the station.

CathyM

If you have 4 nights and are flying out of Malaga I'd spend all 4 nights in Sevilla. This assumes your flight out of Malaga is in the late morningor afternoon so you can take an early train from Sevilla to Malaga. or spend 4 nights in Sevilla and 1 in Malaga. I'd stop in Cordoba as a daytrip en route from Madrid to Sevilla. 2 nights for Sevilla is too short IMHO and although I like Malaga i'd prefer to spend the time in Sevilla.

2 nights is horribly short for Madrid and it's too bad you'll miss Toledo and Segovia. But with only 4 nights after Madrid and returning home from Malaga i'd head and stay in Sevilla.

excited_confused

Thanks Cathy, spending 3 nights in Sevilla & 1 night in Malaga would be one option. Would you recommend a Cordoba as a daytrip over Ronda (would do it on the way from Sevilla to Malaga)

kimhe

Spanish festivals are something to go after in general, so meant as a good thing where you will have a great opportunity to experience the food, the wine and the local spirit.

On your planned route, I would certainly try to get some festival events/activities out of both Madrid and Córdoba.

All of your days in Madrid will coincide with the San Isidro festival. Here's the program for this years festival to give you an idea. Music, dance, concerts, processions, parades, bullfights, eating and drinking. Be especially aware of the daily/nightly events in majestic Plaza Mayor and in the wonderful Vistillas park: http://www.esmadrid.com/sanisidro/up...sidro-2013.pdf

You might also catch a glimpse of the patio festival in Córdoba - once the most important city in the Western world - on your way to Sevilla. And I agree with CathyM to spend as much time as possible in Sevilla - the undisputed queen of the cities in the South - and perhaps only the last night in Málaga, which also is a wonderful city. http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...el?INTCMP=SRCH

CathyM

Personally I'd recommend a daytrip to Cordoba vs Ronda. The Meaquita is incredible and a don't miss.

MaloBalo

I second Cordoba over Ronda as to the daytrip yet I am unsure whether I'd like to drop a day off the Seville time considering transit etc.

By looking onto the list of personal interests I am quite sure you'll really enjoy Madrid despite your hesitation to commit to the place even without visiting a single museum.

kimhe

I too very much recommend Córdoba, and you can go there on your way from Madrid to Sevilla, it's on the same train line. Córdoba is 1h 40 mins from Madrid and Sevilla is 50 mins from Córdoba.

The best way to do it would perhaps be to leave Madrid relatively early in the morning so that you have lunch in Córdoba (from about 1.30) and time both before and after lunch for the Mezquita and some patios. You don't need to leave Córdoba before 6-7pm to still have plenty of time to get in place at your hotel in Sevilla before dinner or some tapas at 9-10pm.

Taxis are cheap and very much recommended when you're on such a relatively tight schedule.

Always updated on Madrid (Spain's n. 1 when it comes to outdoor cafes, bazars and nightlife): http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
A new Madrid promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iie6Qii69Y4

Great intro to Sevilla: http://www.exploreseville.com/

About Córdoba: http://www.guardian.co.uk/spanish-to...-changed-world

excited_confused

Wow, this is a switch! Fodorites actually recommending adding a place rather than removing it!
Kimje thanks a lot for the wealth of valuable information, how do you come by it all?? I will definitely have more questions on the San Isidro festival as the time gets closer but thanks so much for giving me that info.
The patio festival sounds great, if we want to include Cordoba, I would probably add one night to Cordoba, stay with the 2 nights in Sevilla and spend the last night in Malaga. I am usually fine with 2 night stays, don't find them too hectic but this might be! However, leaving early from Madrid would mean cutting down on time in Madrid where we are already short of time. How about we leave Madrid in the afternoon, check into a hotel in Cordoba, take advantage of the patio festival that evening & see the Meaquita in the morning before heading to Sevilla?
If that plan sounds feasible, which would be a good, central hotel to stay in Cordoba?
I wish we could play that part by ear but I guess train reservations would have to be made in advance as well as the hotel in Cordoba.

excited_confused

Kimhe, going back to your suggestion (now you now why my screen name is excited_confused!), if we take the 2pm train from Madrid, (which will give us the morning in Madrid), we get into Cordoba at 3.42. How long would it take to get to the cathedral? Not sure how long people spend there but I would guess about an hour to an hour and a half for us. We could stop for a quick snack before checking out the patios - though I am uncertain if quick is even possible in Spain! How are distances in Cordoba? Of course we would take a cab from one place to another. Are the houses/patios in the same area?

We could then take a 8.30 or even a 9.30 train to Sevilla.
Spain will work well for us since we do not eat/go to bed early. Unfortunately that means that we do not get an early start either!

Anyone know if it is possible to leave luggage at the Cordoba station? Or where I can find that information?

Thoughts??
Thanks!

kimhe

I very much recommend the modern and great value Hotel Córdoba Centro, just excellent, some 300 meters north of the Mezquita, next door to the main Plaza de las Tendillas. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cord...?rid=702348143

If you stay overnight in Córdoba, the "other" Córdoba around Plaza de las Tendillas, the Plaza Mayor-like Plaza de la Corredera, the Roman ruins etc can be highly recommended. All very close to the main attractions (the Mesquita, Roman bridge, Alcazaba), but a totally different and more local atmosphere. Bustling outdoor cafés long into the night.

Several fine bodegas/tabernas in this area. Here you'll find great local places on every corner. Had some excellent meals in a couple of them two years ago. Taberna Salinas comes recommended in the Michelin guide, and we were perfectly happy after two raciones, a bottle of wine and a couple of brandys for some 35€. http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

Bar Santos in Calle Magistral González Francés, 3 along the eastern side of the Mezquita is a laid-back and small respite in this heavily touristy area. Wonderful Jamón Ibérico.

Felt immediately at home in Plaza de las Tendillas. The thousands of people gathering here for the midnight eating of the grapes on New Years eve is traditionally directly televised on national tv. The clock on Plaza de las Tendillas has got no bells. Since 1961 the hours has been chimed in by recorded flamenco chords from the guitarist Juanito Serrano. Great atmospehere and good spirit well into the small hours, at least in the week-ends and for sure during all of the patio festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fexMbX4EsRE&NR=1

CathyM

I would recommend sticking with the plan to spend 3 nights in Sevilla and 1 in Malaga. Personally I'd leave Madrid in the morning and arrive in Cordoba in time to do some late morning sightseeing. I'd leave Cordoba in the early/mid evening. I'd spend 3 full days in Sevilla and not leave for Malaga until late afternoon. Although you give up time in Malaga I'd do it for Cordoba during the Patio Festival. With only 4 days I wouldn't recommend 1-nighters in Cordoba and Malaga and 2 nights in Sevilla. You could easily spend double the time enjoying Cordoba, Sevilla and Malaga but you'll have to make do with the time you have. It's too bad your kids are flying out of Madrid. Otherwise it would have been better just to have headed to Andalucia and add the 2 days there since you don't seem to be very interested in Madrid and 2 days is a short pass through Madrid anyways.

excited_confused

Hi, the reason I thought of staying overnight or at least spending the evening hours in Cordoba because the patios are closed from 2-6pm. We would be there on a Saturday when they are open from 6pm to midnight, as per the website. The Mezquita is open from 10-7, there is a mention of night visits as well but I don't know how those work. In any case, it seemed like we would be able to see both if we were there from about 3 to 8 or 9pm, does that sound right?

Kimhe, apparently the Hotel Córdoba Centro is sold out for that Saturday night, Could be that they are not booking for that period yet, I can email the hotel once I decide if we are staying the night or not.

I guess I am more inclined to go with the day trip option, at least we will be in the same place for the next 3 nights!

kimhe

I can guarantee that you get a room at Córdoba Centro if you email them directly. This is the problem with booking.com, hotels are often listed as full when they obviously are not.

kimhe

...<we get into Cordoba at 3.42. How long would it take to get to the cathedral? Not sure how long people spend there but I would guess about an hour to an hour and a half for us. We could stop for a quick snack before checking out the patios - though I am uncertain if quick is even possible in Spain! How are distances in Cordoba? Of course we would take a cab from one place to another. Are the houses/patios in the same area?>

From the train station you will be at the cathedral/Mezquita in five minutes by taxi. Much can be seen in an hour to hour and a half. A quick snack is very possible in Spain, tapas can be very quick. Above I suggested Bar Santos in Calle Magistral González Francés, 3 along the eastern side of the Mezquita, a laid-back and small respite with great tapas. Wonderful Jamón Ibérico, and the tortilla is said to be the best: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

The old town and surroundings is very walkable. The patios are in the very same area as the Mezquita.

excited_confused

Thanks so much for that detailed info. Makes me feel a day trip on the way to Seville would be very doable. Of course, the more I read, the more I want to spend a night there....

excited_confused

BTW, how is hotel Viento 10 in Cordoba? Rated #1 on Tripadvisor.

kimhe

Hotel Viento 10 gets excellent reviews on booking.com from people who have actually stayed there (tripadvisor is more random). For sure a great hotel for people most interested in the Mezquita/Judería etc, but for me it was an advantage to stay close to central Plaza de las Tendillas and the local atmosphere tabernas and nightlife around there (and even closer to the Mezquita).