Spain in Nov.
 

We are two couples travelling to Spain in November from the 23rd to 4th of December.

We are trying to finalise our itinerary. We fly into Barcelona on 23rd evening (3 nights) and plan to either take a flight or train (cheapest option) to #Andalucia (maybe Seville) on the 26th. Then plan to go to Lisbon on 30th and to Madrid on 2nd Dec (2 nights).

In Andalucia we are unsure on where to go or should we stay in one place and do day trips from Seville to Córdoba,Granada, Ronda. We'd like to know the must sees in Andalucia and can we probably stay in Seville and rent a car to see the above places?

Should we skip Lisbon and spend more time in Andalucia?

Our interests especially for South Spain are local culture, food and beautiful scenery (country side, rivers etc.)

With the time you have, I'd skip Portugal. With just under 2 weeks, I think that Barcelona, Andalucia, and Madrid are plenty. I took my first trip to Andalucia earlier this month, and it is a really neat area - I will definitely be going back. I was there primary for a conference, so I only ended up with about 3 days for sightseeing, which was definitely not enough. I saw Seville and Cordoba - I thought both were wonderful, but I enjoyed Cordoba a little more than Seville.

Yes, you should skip Lisbon this trip. You barely have enough time for Spain. Cordoba can be done as a daytrip from Seville but not Granada. Just too far. I would go to Ronda on the way to Granada.

I agree that you don't have time for Lisbon, but I'd go further and say that with the time you have, you might want to consider trimming your destinations in Spain, too -- it would, IMO, be very hard to see all the places you mention in that time!

Actually, I think your time is just about perfect for JUST Andalusia, particularly because daylight hours will be short. Maybe 3 or 4 days for Seville, 2 days for Cordoba, 2 or 3 for Granada (depending on your interest), and a day in Ronda, maybe some time in Malaga or Nerva.... And for that, no car would be necessary -- trains and buses would serve your needs. Just a thought!

BTW, I found the Rough Guide and Michelin Green Guide the most useful guidebooks for planning time in Spain, and think you would do well to consult one or both (or other guidebooks) before you commit to an itinerary. JMO.

Have you been to Spain before? There is so much to see and do there.

Are your flights into Barcelona and out of Madrid set? If so, then stay in Spain. It would eat up too much time and money to go to Lisbon and back to Spain.

Consider also seeing Toledo and Segovia, both close to Madrid. You could do day trips or spend a night or two in Toledo.

Agree to drop Lisbon since you need more time in Andalusia to see much of anything. Day trips from Seville are not a great idea - too much time in transit and not enough time to see things. We have been twice - once 10 days and once 12 and there are still things we want to see.

Seeing Andalusia and either Madrid or Barcelona is plenty for the time you have. If you are committed to both Madrid and Barcelona you will need to limit yourself in Andalusia. I would choose Seville and Cordoba - but know some people prefer Granada to Cordoba. Suggest you consult the Michelin green guide and se which speaks to you more.

"If you are committed to both Madrid and Barcelona..."

Then by the time you add Toledo (up to 2 nights), Segovia, maybe Avila, perhaps magnificent Salamanca, and a day trip or two from Barcelona, you are -- once again -- out of time.

You have a LOT of options!

Can't believe I am advising to possibly skip Granada, one of my very favorite places, but I did not add up your days. If you are running short, that is what I would cut because I think the others are more enjoyable in early winter than Granada.

Rahul, cut out Lisbon and focus on Madrid, Barcelona, and choose one more smaller destination for variety and for you to feel like you covered enough ground. Madrid and Barcelona itself are worthy of a week each. With total 12 days only (assuming 12 days net of international flights), it is not that much.

I would suggest:

4N Barcelona
3N Seville
4N Madrid
1N - add to either of the above depending on what day-trip option attracts you. For example, Cordoba from Seville, or Segovia from Madrid, etc. Personally, that would be rushing it and I'd rather add that 1N to either Barcelona or Madrid depending on interests. Both cities are very different in its vibe, artistic temperament and aesthetic appeal.

Read up a bit and you'd know what are your priorities based on your interest.

Skip Portugal, for me day trips are a waste of time, I love the quietness of Cordoba during the night quite opossite with the day trippers who spend the day in Cordoba and also Rondaa and don´t allow to enjoy the places as you should do it.

Granada is a must, but buy tickets in advance for the Alhambra in order to make sure you see one of the most impressive monuments in Spain

http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/ind...5d637b1e38d/0/

http://www.ticketmaster.es/nav/landi...nk&canalMB=ALH