Spain Sep/Oct Itinerary help
 

Flying into and out of Madrid late Sep/Oct for 12 days. Want to see Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Will I be on the train or in a car too much? How can I do all this and not exhaust myself? Want down time to sketch and sit in cafes too. Suggestions for getting from point A onward?

While in Madrid you should also see Toledo as a day trip --and I like Segovia too (you can combine it with a stop in cute, although admittedly a bit touristy, Pedraza). Seville/Corodoba/Granada make a nice package...5 days, including travel, might be a bit rushed? And maybe you should allow for a day trip to Jerez and the white villages too?

I do love Barcelona (it has the best cathedral in the country IMHO) -- but, that said, it is something quite different than "Spain." If you are tight for time (and I think you will be), I'd probably save this for another trip, perhaps combined with southern France.

This topic sounds very similar to this one :

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/spain-.cfm?4

Have a look at what the comments were, and see what you think.

kanadajin

I'd cut one area: Madrid, Barcelona or Andalucia. Otherwise it will be somewhat rushed.

My personal minimum for each of these cities:

Madrid: 4 nights (daytrips to Toledo & Segovia)
Barcelona: 4 nights (no time for daytrips though)
Sevilla: 4 nights w/daytrip to Cordoba
Granada: 2 nights

So, you're already over your 12 days with the bare minimum I'd personally allot.

Does 12 days include travel days (so you only have 10 days in Spain)? Or is 12 days actually on vacation in Spain?

If this is your first trip to Spain a somewhat relaxed and easy trip would be:

Madrid: 4 nights; AVE to Sevilla

Sevilla: 4 nights

White Villages (Ronda, Arocs, etc...): 2 nights (rent car in Sevilla and drop off in Granada)

Granada: 2 nights

You could do this in reverse or swap Barcelona for Madrid. But this would be a great time of the year for Andalucia.

"How can I do all this and not exhaust myself?"
Depends on your stamina, but I would not recommend it.

Also, you'll be seeing a lot of train and bus stations in
the process.
Depends on your interest, but I would do either Madrid ( with day trips) and Barcelona or Madrid, Seville, Granada.

This all makes sense and just confirms what I suspected all along which it was too much in the time alloted. Great tips for where to go and for a how long. I think this time we will concentrate on Madrid and Andalucia. Thanks!

Any thing additional to know re: hotels, restaurants or those hidden gems not to be missed??

In Sevilla, I've had a great time staying in Hostal Museo, in the city center and close to the Museum of fine arts. Ten mins walk to the Cathedral and the Santa Cruz area. Friends have also deeply recommended Hotel Murillo in the midst of the beautiful and a bit more touristy Santa Cruz area. Murillo also have an apartment section close by.
http://www.hostalmuseo.com/english.htm
http://www.grupoadhra.com/?idLang=2&secSel=1&micro=1

Both the hostal, the hotel and the apartments can be booked at excellent and always reliable booking.com.

Our fellow fodorites may rightfully get tired of me insisting on this, but there seem to be quite some people going to Sevilla in late Sept/Oct, and I can't help keep informing that the world's most important flamenco festival is taking place in the city from September 15th to October 9th. Sevilla will be packed with performances from the greatest flamenco artists around when you visit, and you would most likely have a night to remember if you join one of them.
http://www.flamenco-world.com/notici...al22032010.htm

About restaurants/tapas bars, I recommend to have a look at this excellent site:
http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/eslava/

Again.. what is your interest?
museums, palaces, gardens, food, parks, beaches, small towns, etc.????

One person's "hidden gem" is another person's waist of time.

IMHO too many places in too few days. We have been to Andalusia twice - one 10 days and one 12 - and still have a lot to see. Madrid was on top of that.

I think you should do either Madrid and north or Madrid and south - or you will spend too much time in travel - and not see much of any one place - never mind smaller towns or countryside.