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-   -   Spain....which basic itinerary to start with (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/spain-which-basic-itinerary-to-start-with-1659604/)

kja Oct 26th, 2018 05:30 PM

It really depends! IMO, that is an extremely ambitious (read "very, very rushed") itinerary, particularly with young ones along. That said, you know your family, and I trust you've been doing your research.

Good luck!

twk Oct 26th, 2018 06:01 PM


Originally Posted by rizzo0904 (Post 16815463)
Friday - land Madrid early AM, train to Seville
Saturday - Seville
Sunday - Seville
Monday - Seville to Cordoba, store bags, Cordoba to Grenada
Tuesday - Grenada (Alhambra)
Wednesday - early train to Madrid
Thursday - Madrid
Friday -fly home

Or take a night from Seville and add a night in Grenada to do this: https://www.oliveoiltour.com/ My kids love that sort of tour

In February, I'd seriously think about skipping Madrid and sticking to Andalusia, given your limited time. Another thing to consider is that, as of last week, the high speed line linking Granada to the rest of the rail network still was not complete, meaning a trip from Cordoba would involve getting off the train at Antequara Santa Ana, and taking a bus from there to Granada (Renfe arranges the bus, and they pick you up at the station, so it's not a regular bus trip). When we were going from Granada to Madrid, we ended up killing almost five hours at Antequara (and the station is out in the country--you can't leave and do something else). I wanted to fly from Granada to Madrid, but was overruled--that's still how I'd do it, so long as they have that bus link, not that I have anything against buses, but Renfe will never be confused with the Swiss rail system when it comes to timing links.

kja Oct 26th, 2018 06:29 PM

Good point, twk!

And checking the likely weather would also seem worthwhile. And to do that, it would likely be necessary to spell place names correctly: Granada. You can use sites like timeanddate.com or weatherbase.com

janisj Oct 26th, 2018 07:14 PM

Sublime is not exactly how I'd describe it. YRMV

rizzo0904 Oct 27th, 2018 02:19 AM


Originally Posted by kja (Post 16815537)
Good point, twk!

And checking the likely weather would also seem worthwhile. And to do that, it would likely be necessary to spell place names correctly: Granada. You can use sites like timeanddate.com or weatherbase.com

I apologize for my spelling errors.

I have checked weather. I know it will be cool in Madrid. However it will be freezing where I'm coming from. 55 degrees F will be lovely.

rizzo0904 Oct 27th, 2018 02:38 AM

I have 3N Seville, 2 N Granada, 2N Madrid. I can easily omit the stopover in Cordoba.

We don't go on vacation to relax We can do that at our beach property. We go on vacation to be active and experience as much as we can. With that said, if this is simply too much, I can scale back.

isabel Oct 27th, 2018 03:08 AM

I don't think there is anything in Madrid (and I spent almost a week there) to compare with the Mezquita in Cordoba. I would definitely cut one of the Madrid nights and do Cordoba. In addition to the Mezquita, the Alcazar and Roman bridge are worth seeing.



I would do a night there but if you don't want that another option would be to go to straight to Granada on your arrival day in Madrid, spend the two nights. Then go to Seville for 3, and then do a stop over in Cordoba on your way from Seville to Madrid.

Traveler_Nick Oct 27th, 2018 03:29 AM

Sounds like you'll be in Spain the first week of March. If so the first Wed the solemn changing of the guard happens at the Royal palace in Madrid. My guess is the kids will like the mounted guards in the shining armour.

Not sure how much else in Madrid will appeal to younger kids. But then I was a kid last millennium.

rizzo0904 Oct 27th, 2018 04:01 AM

What if I cut out Madrid except for our final night?

Friday arrive and take the train to Seville. Spend 4N in Seville with a day trip to Cordoba. Then 2N in Grenada. Train or bus back to Madrid on Thursday so we can fly home Friday.

StCirq Oct 27th, 2018 04:47 AM

That sounds good to me, but I'll admit Madrid is one of my least favorite places in Europe. I certainly wouldn't miss Cordoba.

twk Oct 27th, 2018 05:16 AM


Originally Posted by rizzo0904 (Post 16815632)
What if I cut out Madrid except for our final night?

Friday arrive and take the train to Seville. Spend 4N in Seville with a day trip to Cordoba. Then 2N in Grenada. Train or bus back to Madrid on Thursday so we can fly home Friday.

Sounds logical to me. Good luck.

PalenQ Oct 27th, 2018 12:25 PM

I'm more positive about Madrid than most and I'd spend the last two nights there - want to see Prado perhaps and the lovely Plaza Mayor - certainly one of Europe's finest city plazas and nearby Royal Palace:

https://www.google.com/search?q=madr...ih=625&dpr=1.5

Plus Madrid has excellent shopping for things to take back.

MinnBeef Oct 30th, 2018 05:46 PM

I’d vote for Madrid and day trips. I assume “NH” is New Hampshire so I’d think you’d handle Madrid just fine. And I think your boys would love both the 2000 year old Roman bridge and Alcazar of Segovia as well as the Alcazar and Cathedral of Toledo. Having been to Spain twice, Toledo makes my top 3 of favorite cities in Spain. And I’ll be in the minority of those who preferred Madrid to Barcelona.

scdreamer Oct 30th, 2018 06:02 PM


Originally Posted by MinnBeef (Post 16817529)
I’d vote for Madrid and day trips. I assume “NH” is New Hampshire so I’d think you’d handle Madrid just fine. And I think your boys would love both the 2000 year old Roman bridge and Alcazar of Segovia as well as the Alcazar and Cathedral of Toledo. Having been to Spain twice, Toledo makes my top 3 of favorite cities in Spain. And I’ll be in the minority of those who preferred Madrid to Barcelona.

I agree - and if you do go to Segovia, in addition to the Alcazar, you can take a short cab ride to the summer palace (La Granja). Also if it's chilly, treat yourselves to some amazingly delicious Spanish hot chocolate and churros.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/desti...m-madrid-spain


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