Spain-Help w/ Itinerary, Lodging, Transportation 14-16 days
 

Planning a trip to Spain with a friend in April-May 2014 for 14-16 days. Want to be sure we leave enough time to see major sites plus Jewish historical sights in each place. Also interested in beautiful natural sites. Need advice on itinerary including order of towns, # of nights, to know best mode of transportation and inexpensive lodging recommendations. Here's our tentative plan:
Madrid 3 nights
Toledo 1-2 nights
Cordoba 2 nights
Seville 3-4 nights
Granada 1 night or day trip from Seville?
Stop in Jerez/Cadiz?
trip to Gibraltar (ancient and still active Jewish community) ?
Barcelono 2-3 nights
Girona 1 night?
fly back from Madrid or Barcelona?

I know we probably have to pair back from above, so your feedback would be so helpful!

Sory - this is simply too much territory to cover and really see much.

I would do either Madrid, surroundings and north or just Andalusia. You just can;t do justice to it all - since you have not allowed any time to get from one place to another.

For instance - you have only 1 day in Cordoba, 2 or 3 in Seville. Have a look at the train schedules to see how much time you need to - take out of a day (usually 1/2 to 3/4 of a day to get from one city to another).

I agree with nyt - you are trying to cover far too much territory.

I'm not familiar with the jewish heritage of spain, but if it is important to you to go to Gibraltar for that reason, [and i really can't think of any other reason for going there] then that makes the choice between north and south a lot easier.

if you are going to do a round trip flight [as opposed to an open-jaw - ie into one city and out of another] into Madrid, I suggest flying into madrid, and then going straight away to toledo, then Cordoba, Seville, etc. spend any time that you want in Madrid at the end of the trip so you will be in the right place for going home. if you do an open jaw [say, into Madrid and out of Malaga] you would obviously spend any time you want in Madrid at the beginning, and time in Malaga at the end.

BTW, to see Granada and the Alhambra properly, you need at least 2 nights there - and do book in advance for both the day time and evening visits to the Alhambra. it's especially beautiful at night.

Hi, I would take out Girona and Barcelona for this trip, and I would take the train directly to Toledo and finish with a couple of days in Madrid. I agree with previous post about Gibralta, you will be disappointed. I would also stay away from Malaga unless you want beaches. You will find references to Jewish culture in lots of places in Spain but you will need to search them out, they are not obvious and easy to find. I wouldn't miss Cordoba or Grenada or Seville, and Madrid is a good base for a few day trips (Avila, Segovia, El Escorial) We use the trains and buses extensively when we go to Spain, don't be put off the buses, they are clean, convenient and cheap to use, particularly in the south. A car can be a nuisance with parking etc. Trains will take you into the centre of things in most cases and therefore check distances to accomadation and sites to see. The midrange accommodation in Spain is of a good standard and don't worry if your Spanish is awful, you will find most people generous and helpful, have a great trip.

If you are interested in Jewish sites then I would concentrate on Cordoba (Moses Maimonidies' city). I home exchanged in Spain last summer but one of my great regrets is not getting to the South (saved for another trip). The only other city I saw that had a Jewish area was Segovia, but you only see the outsides of the houses. There is an awakening as to Spain's lost history when the unconverted Jews were forced to leave in 1492. They are beginning to do things like mark sites, etc., but have a long way to go. The moorish influence can be seen in many places.

Many Jews who think they have Eastern European ancestry could trace themselves back to Spain if they could find the documents. Sometimes last names can provide a clue. (e.g., family came from the Pale of Settlement in Russia but has a last name that is obviously of Spanish origin). Many Spanish Jews ended up in Poland after 1492 because the Polish king welcomed them.

You will enjoy Spain wherever you go, but the others are right that you need to cut down your itinerary. My home exchange home was in Salamanca. To read about my recent trip, you might want to check the blog from the trip here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...pain-2013.html

There is also a shorter blog on Madrid:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...pain-2013.html

There are photos in subcategories under the blogs if you want to see photos.

I absolutely loved Spain--and I am sure you will too--wherever you go.

Thanks so much for the quick responses! We'll definitely take out Barcelona and Girona and save for another trip. Also will delete Gibralar. Like the idea of Madrid at the end!

Any advice on where to stay inexpensively?

If you choose to do Andalucia which we did and just returned after a 2 week trip, click on my screen name and you will find a very detailed trip report including hotels, restaurants, sights, etc.

<Any advice on where to stay inexpensively?>

All these places are basic hotel standard (private bathroom, bathroom, safe, AC/heating, 24 desk etc) in excellent locations "close to everything".

Madrid, Persal: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/persalmadrid.en.html
Close by lower budget Perla Asturiana: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/la-p...uriana.en.html

Córdoba, Córdoba centro: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cordoba-centro.en.html

Sevilla, Museo: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-museo.en.html

Granada, Rodri: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-rodri.en.html

Glad you are cutting down your destinations and going to Andalusia. I'd add another day to Granada which allows you to see the city. As my trip reports said, I feel in love with the city-it's not as "pretty" as Seville but the free tapas, architecture and plazas were more manageable. Do try to see the Cathedral where Ferdinand and Isabella rest and it's also the least Baroque and ornate church in Spain-quite refreshing. I would also note that many parts of Granada still observe the siesta and the churches and other attractions closed for a few hours in the afternoon.

You will love Spain.