Spain in 12-13 days. Suggestions on below itinerary!
 

Hi everyone,

My husband and I have decided to go to Spain in May (weeks 2 and 3). We have never been to Spain and are excited to go. In general, we love cities, museums, good food, people watching, relaxing in cafes and also love the beach. The below is a rough first draft of an itinerary and we would love your thoughts. Any suggestions for lodging is also much appreciated! (cap at ~USD 200 a night for hotel. Willing to spend more if it's worth it but in our experience, the service is around the same in the 200-300 range).

Fly into Madrid (spend around 4 days there - any ideas for day trips?)

Take the train to Malaga in order to get to Marbella (Should we rent a car? Do we need one in Marbella?).

Spend around 4 days in Marbella - R&R and day trips (possibly to Tangier, if it's worth it)

Fly from Marbella to Barcelona. I saw cheap flight tickets on local/European operators for around $50-$80. Does any stand out, in particular?

Spend 4 days in Barcelona. Fly back home!

Thanks so much in advance!

Personally I'd stick with 2 geographies for a 2 week trip max. With 4 days in each of these places you'll get a taste for each but really have no time to explore the surrounding areas. It seems a shame to be in Andalucia and not visit Granada or Sevilla. Not enough time in Madrid for more than one daytrip (I'd choose Toledo or Segovia). And really not enough time to do any daytrips from Barcelona.

This is doable if you don't ever plan on returning and these are your absolute must-sees in Spain.

I'm not sure what rates will be, but I would recommend checking out the Westin Palace (especially if you're a Starwoods Rewards member). It's a gorgeous hotel in a turn of the last century building, right across the street from the Prado as well as a couple of blocks from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and Parque Retiro.

I went to Tangier for the day when living in Seville, but if you only have a total of four days total in the Andalusian region, I wouldn't say it's worth it. I would however have Seville as your must-do day trip while in Marabella. While the Alhambra is fantastic, I found everything else in Granada to be disappointing. Another easy day trip in Marabella is to Nerja, my favorite town along the Costa del Sol.

I agree with the other poster about only doing one day trip from Madrid as it's still a major city with tons of things to see and do and you wouldn't want to short-change it.

traveltalesfromtheredheadedtraveler.blogspot.com/
(My travel writing blog!)

I am not familiar with the cost, but if you like some time on the beach - why not!
Four days in Barcelona and same in Madrid is fine to enjoy both cities.
There is no reason one must make day trips.

If you "love cities, museums, good food, people watching, relaxing in cafes and the beach", I think you should go to Málaga city itself (pop. 500 000). Vibrant Andalusian atmosphere, excellent tapas bars, restaurants, cafés, shopping and perhaps the most easy-going people in all of Andalucía.

Within three hundred metres in the center, you'll find the recently excavated Roman theater, the 8-11th century Moorish Alcazaba, the great 16th century Cathedral and both Picasso's birth-place and the new Picasso museum (2003).
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/home.htm

Read the article "The authentic city of Málaga" to get a better idea:
http://www.andalucia.com/magazine/en...ed2/malaga.htm

Have a chocolate con churros or a coffee at Casa Aranda, one of the best cafés I've ever visited in Spain, tapas at El Tapeo de Cervantes or in some of the great places in and around Calle Granada, some Málaga wine at Antigua Casa de Guardia or a late night drink and a bite at famous and high-spirited Bodega El Pimpi.

Go to Pedregalejo just east of the city center for nice beaches and affordable beach restaurants serving excellent fish and seafood. http://www.andalucia-travelguide.com...galejo-malaga/

I also have a soft spot for more touristy, but small and charming Nerja some 35 miles east of Málaga city. 9 beaches in town, quiet El Salón is my favourite. If you consider going here, I can give much more detailed recommendations based on your preferences.
El Salón beach:http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerjabeachguide/el-salon/
Fabulous La Marina restaurant, as good as you get a seafood freiduría in all of Andalucía: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
About Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/

Fabulous time of year to go!

...and if you consider going to Sevilla, I just wanted to let you know that plain fantastic flamenco dancer Rocío Molina premieres her latest work in the beautiful Lope de Vega theater on the 17th of May. 26 year old Molina recently won the highest dance award in the country, the Premio Nacional de Danza, as the youngest flamenco dancer ever.
http://www.teatrolopedevega.org/inde...ents/view/223#

A clip from her 2008 Oro viejo/Old gold:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_sV6R14Mrs