RobinSue

I'm looking for feedback on our planned itinerary. For background - I have visited Spain before (several years ago) but my companion has not. I've seen Barcelona, Madrid and surroundings so we are focusing a bit more on the south. Let me know what you think:

Fly into Barcelona early Oct 11, spend 11th at my brother's apartment. This gives us two days in Barcelona counting day of arrival.
Night of 12th take night train to Sevilla (is it preferrable to fly vueling morning of 13th? we like the idea of the train even though flights are cheaper)
Spend 2 nights in Sevilla
Travel to Granada (bus or train?), stay 2 nights there.
Travel to Madrid (bus or train?), stay with friends for two nights.
Fly home early October 19.

If we can fit in day trips out of Granada or Sevilla what do you recommend seeing as a first priority?

Any comments are welcome! Thank you!

NEDSIRELAND

12 October is a Holiday in Spain: two, actually, if you want to count la Virgen del Pilar.
The overnighter I took from Barcelona to Sevilla was 'todo Preferente' and sleeping accomodations were not cheap! If you have free lodging in Barcelona I would recommend a morning flight. Check out Iberia, though. They compete with Vueling head-to-head and they may give you a better deal on baggage allowance.

Also, if you take the train you arrive Sevilla around 8:30 AM and most Hotels won't check you in before 1:00 PM.

InMiami

ttt

josele

I have already posted answers to your questions about Andalusia; clic on my name to get to them.

pavfec

Is there a particular reason why you're going to Seville from Barcelona, then backtracking to Granada? It would make more sense to do Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Madrid.

I don't think you'll really have time for day trips, unless you rent a car and stop on the way to the next city. I would just stick to the main sights in each city.

RobinSue

Some of my reasonings are complicated, so bare with me. Our dates aren't flexible and we wanted to head somewhere for the weekend with my brother and his wife who will be living in Barcelona fall quarter. We are starting our trip in Barcelona since my friend has never been there and then will be traveling south with my brother and wife (via plane thanks to NEDSIRELAND's advice). When I originally made these plans it seemed like something was closed on Mondays and it made the most sense to spend the weekend in Sevilla, though I can't off the top of my head think of what it was. My brother will be spending 3 weeks touring Spain before his classes start and is saving Sevilla to do with us. It would make more sense to do Granada first but this is how we're going to do it, so I just need to make it work best.

I find myself distressed that I can't see more of Andalucia but I don't want to crowd too much into our limited time there either. I don't think I'd be comfortable driving in Spain so we are limited to other means of transportation.

Is it best to take a bus from Sevilla to Granada? How about from Granada to Madrid - train? Should I book any of these tickets in advance?

This message board is loaded with useful information. Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to respond and point me in the right direction. I really appreciate it.

josele

The bus Seville->Granada I think a good idea. The road is hiway all the time. Make sure to board a direct one with no (or few) stops along the way.
Train info you can find at www.renfe.es where you can book in advance, though I don't think you'll have ticket problem on those dates.
I cannot recommend you train or bus as I always travel by car. Just that Madrid Atocha station is better situated (re. tube/bus access) than the Bus station.