My family will be in Spain in January 2010. While we are still tweaking our itinerary the current plan is to arrive in Seville on 2/1/10 (from Lisbon on overnight bus) and depart for Ronda on 6/1/10 where we will spend two nights before continuing on our way - all via public transport.

We're considering taking a 'white towns tour' with Andalusian Minibus Tours out of Seville and have 2 options:

1. do the standard tour on say 4/1 which goes to Zahara, Grazalema, Setenil and Olvera or
2. take a customised tour on 6/1 and miss out on Olvera but be dropped off in Ronda so they'll be no need to backtrack from Seville

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on wheter we'd be better off with the customised tour thus saving time is getting to Ronda or whether you consider Olvera to be a "must see" white village - from pictures I've seen it looks particularly picturesque.

I'd definitely take the second option and skip Olvera. It is a nice town, but you won't find anything much different to what you'll see in the others.

I agree with Josele. After seeing Grazalema, Ronda and Zahara you don't miss anything. Take the second option.
The Nature park of Grazalema is very nice, and Grazalema is my favourite small town over there. It's charming. We spent four months over there last year.

A timely question! I've been thinking about doing the same thing.

Is he charging you extra to be dropped in Ronda?

Here's another option that may work for you, that I'm still investigating: Taking the Ronda-bound bus from Seville, but hopping off before Ronda in Algodonales, which is close to Zahara. Take a taxi to Zahara, wander around, then take another taxi to Grazalema. Then, bus to Ronda from there on the late afternoon bus.

It's definitely cheaper and less rushed than doing Paul's all-day tour, but we'll only see 2 villages this way.

I'm still undecided. Keep us posted!

Thanks for your thoughts - very much appreciated. We'll opt for the second option.

NanBug, Paul is charging extra to drop us in Ronda. Still need to clarify the price - he has provided the following quote based on 2 people but we are a group of 4 (mum & dad in very early 50's plus 2 sons (18&20)):

"..180 euros for 2 people if you're okay with other people coming or 250 euros if you just want the trip yourselves.."

I know it's a lot more expensive than doing it yourself. I've looked at your suggestion of getting the bus to Algodanales then taxis to Zahara and Grazalema (not too great a distance according to google maps) before getting the afternoon bus to Ronda but I'm not sure of the logistics of this option as we'll be carting around a backpack each plus daypacks.

I suppose it comes down to what we want to see and I'm very keen to include Setenil in the itinerary.

Setenil is worth visiting, and a guide shall be handy.

Thanks for the info. I understand your concern about schlepping bags.

Have you also considered leaving his tour in Setenil (skipping the last town, Olvera) and then taking a bus into Ronda? There's one at 18:45 Monday - Friday, I believe.
I still need to confirm that.

Let us know what you decide. Have a great trip, I can't wait to go...

RE: The Setenil > Ronda bus I mentioned above.

For schedules see www.pacopepe.com.

Thankyou NanBug for the bus schedule. After a number of e-mails between Paul and ourselves and rethinking our itinerary we've decided to do Paul's tour on the Monday (4/1/10) and return to Seville. Then, we'll head for Ronda on the Wednesday after experiencing the Three Kings Procession in Seville the night before. Good luck with planning your trip!

You're welcome. That sounds great -- please post after your trip and let us know all about it! Have a great time.