Through reading through other threads and getting feedback on other questions I've posted regarding our upcoming trip to Spain, I'm getting the idea that having a car in the south of Spain is the way to go, especially with kids (it will be me, my husband, my son then age 4 and my daughter then age 1). We have been to Europe many times and once with our son when he was two, so generally we know what to expect on a trip like this with kids. (What's also helpful is that my husband is fluent in Spanish.) I'd love suggestions on how to go about our itinerary, specifically when to pick up the rental car. We'll have two weeks in Spain in May and plan to spend it like this:

17: Arrive in Madrid
18-21: Madrid and daytrips (including a day set aside just for the kids)
22: AVE to Seville
23-24: Seville (including one day just for the kids)
25: To Granada
26: Granada
27: To Costa del Sol (not exactly sure where yet, Marbella or Nerja perhaps)
28-31: Costa del Sol (relax)

Does this itinerary make good sense? If a rental car would help, where would be the place place to pick it up? Seville? Where in Seville, the train station? I've heard parking in Granada is a real nightmare. Specifically is there parking at the Alhambra? Or should we head straight to the Costa del Sol (with the car) and day-trip up to Granada, avoiding another new hotel and the need to unpack and pack up the whole crew one more time. Would a daytrip from the Costa del Sol to Granada work?

I'd also love ideas for family friendly hotels and restaurants. Thanks for taking the time to help!

I think that a rental car from Granada to Costa del Sol would be a good idea. You probably won't need one while in Granada.

I can't comment on family friendly hotels and restaurants, as I'm not a mom, but I have seen entire families even in bars, so I think all of Spain's restaurants for the most part of family friendly. Oh, I do have one comment. We often stay in the Gran Hotel Lar in Seville which is great for families on a budget (if you're on a budget, of course).

You'll be in Madrid for the San Isidro (Madrid's Patron Saint - 15 May) festivities. There should be plenty of goings on (concerts, etc.). One day of the week (Thursday?) Spanish nationals tour the Palacio Real free. It can be a 'mob scene!'

There are several car rental companies (incl. Avis) at Sevilla's Santa Justa station.

Pentecost Sunday is 30 May, 2004. The Feria del Campo, highlighted by the Pilgrimage to the Santuario de la Virgen del Rocio happens during the week leading up to that Feast Day. If you don't get to participate, watch it on Andalucia TV: 1-million participants dressed in Rocieras and Trajes Cordobes walking, riding on horseback and in Pony Carts across the Donana to Almonte.

If you're not 'locked into' the Costa del Sol, you might consider the Costa de la Luz and even take a spin into Portugal (to Faro or Lagos). There's a Columbus monument near Palos de la frontera (and a Parador nacional).

Thanks olivia for your thoughts, and for the hotel tip.

And NEDSIRELAND thanks for the info on the festivities in Spain while we're there--that's extremely helpful.

Anyone else that can help me with my questions? Thanks!

You might want to drive from Seville to the Costa del Sol first, then end your trip in Granada, dropping the car and flying to Madrid from there. This would move your beach time to mid-week, which is a great advantage because the the crowds will be much less, and the rental rates more reasonable. If you stay near the Alhambra, you won't need a car (there is a free shuttle). It would beautiful ending to your trip.

patg, that is an excellent suggestion! Thank you! Perhaps resort rates will be cheaper midweek too.

Any other ideas/suggestions?

We did a similar itinerary last year with 3 couples but did Ronda instead of Granada. Excellent suggestion by patg. Booked a van online through www.rentacar-europe.com. They are a clearing house for many rental companies. Took a cab to the Budget lot near the train station in Sevilla and drove to Ronda and then on to Marbella. I think parking in any large city will be a hassle. We parked the van in the hotel garage for all 3 days while in Marbella. Marbella was nice but...I would compare it to a Miami Beach. Aside for the 'old town,' it was not very 'Spanish.' The beaches were nothing to write home about either. I can't offer any alternative suggestions, but definately do research on other beach locations. A great day trip in Madrid was to take a bus to Segovia (about 75 minutes). Highly recommend Las Casas de Juderia Hotel in Sevilla. I would agree with the above poster about families in restaurants...almost all restaurants are good for families. A great site for Madrid and Spain research is multimadrid.com. It has an extenisive discussion board with every topic you could think of.

Just returned from A similar trip but in reverse. We actually altered itinerary while in Spain. We flew into BCN 2 nights at Hotel Colon very nice. Took Spanair flight to Malaga and rented car from Crown. Go to all-inclusiverentals.com. They include insurance our opel corsa was 22E/day. We drove from Malaga to Marbella about an hor. Stayed at El Fuerte. What a disappointment. We checked out a day early. Musty smell and some staff have attitudes, some are very nice. Old is OK. The best restruant was a place called LA CUISINE. It is owned by a Swiis man named HANS. Most food and atmoshere in city was substandard. Took a daytrip to Gibraltar. It was beautiful. Your kids will enjoy the Barabary Apes. They run loose and are some what tame. Just keep up your guard.This about 1 hour from Marbella. The beach is gravel in Marbella. Took a guided tour to Granada. Granada is a DUMP. Skip the Alhambra unless you have to honor your Spainish heritage. It was a very klarge disappointment. The formal gardens were impressive as was the repetitive Moorish architecture. The rest was nothing to write home about. We then drove to Ronda. What a beautiful town. Stayed at the Parador on the edge of the gorge. Very cool. There is a Tapas bar on the pedestrians only walk way called Maestro, doesnt look like much but cheap good tapas. And friendly too. Drove to Sevilla. Two nights here. Stayed at the Casa De La Juderia. Very well located, rooms very nice. Breakfast very good. Had great food at the Bodegas Santa Cruz. Cathedral is beautiful. Plaza Espana has possibilities but was under restoration and beyond filthy. The only dirty place we saw in spain. If you miss US food there is a TEX_MEX restruant off catherdral square in an alley. Good food and Sunday NFL football. Next we took AVe to Madrid and stayed at the Hotel INTUR San Martin. What a great find a 100E. Tough to find. Our taxi driver could not find. It is close to Puerto Sol. Finally a policia helped us find the hotel. Madrid has great architecture.If you need help just ask.