Spring Spain Itinerary

Old Aug 29th, 2016, 06:05 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Spring Spain Itinerary

Hi - Looking for some advice on our spring itinerary to Spain.

My husband and I were looking all over Spain and Portugal for a trip the last week in April 2017 (some flexibility but our anniversary so an easy choice and seems to be in between festivals - let me know if I'm wrong) and we have decided (for the most part) on Andalucía/Madrid.

It looks like we'll have 10 nights for our trip. We're planning on flying into Madrid (would prefer direct flights) and then immediately taking the train to Seville. (Does it make more sense to not take a direct flight and fly into Seville?)

Here's what we're thinking...

Seville - 4 nights, day trip to Cordoba
Granada - 2 nights
Madrid - 4 nights, day trip to Toledo

About Us:
1. We like both big cities as well as smaller towns.
2. We are really interested in a football game and would change our itinerary to accommodate (looks like possible for spring, all events are TBD/where should we do this?)
3. We're not big museum people but do enjoy architecture/historic buildings (for example one place that interested us in Madrid was the Royal Palace).
4. We love the coast/beach. I know it won't be swimming weather in April/May but could we fit in a coastal town? Leave out Granada (or even Madrid?) Where to? We would enjoy walking around/any outdoor activities. (For example, we were in Ireland in April and loved the beaches and sea kayaking as well as bike riding along the coast).
5. We'd be interested in visiting a Vineyard. Any suggestions on where to do this?

Appreciate any advice. There are so many options but I know we'll have a great time pretty much whatever we do. Thanks in advance!
Cag2087 is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2016, 06:25 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You're not saying where you come from - can't tell about flying into Madrid or Sevilla without knowing that. Sure you can fly into Sevilla, I'm not sure what the question is. And if you get a car, you can do a loop around Arco de la Frontera (drive around it and marvel at its situation on the rock cliffs), Ronda (the bridge and the "abyss), Cordoba (the old-town streets and the mosque-cathedral), Granada (Alhambra - book online for a time slot for the Palace within the grounds) - that's all the obvious good stuff in Andalucia.

From what I read, and keeping in mind that you're going when the days are not really long and swimming not in the cards, I suggest you fly into Madrid, spend a few nights, and head for the north - San Sebastian (Donostía in the local Basque), and explore that region. Bilbao, Pamplona in the mountains - all that. Incredible food culture, much of which will be new to your palates. Impressive buildings (Bilbao!), Santander - a great part of Spain and not overrun at that time of the year.
michelhuebeli is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2016, 06:26 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is your departure airport?
RonZ is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2016, 08:18 PM
  #4  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Given your stated interests, this plan could work, but might be a bit rushed. Some comments:

I like your idea of pushing on to Sevilla immediately upon arrival. FWIW, I would route my flights straight through so I don’t have to claim luggage and find the train in Madrid; YMMV.

Many people visit Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla. I thought Cordoba worth 2 full days. Your call.

Likewise, many people visit Toledo as a day trip from Madrid, but I was very glad that I gave it 2 full days.

Granada’s Alhambra is, IMO, among the most magnificent buildings anywhere in the world. Consider keeping Granada in your itinerary. Plan on a very long day visit (starting as early as you think possible) and an evening visit to the Nasrid Palace after your day visit. If you will be there while the Generalife is also an evening option, visit it during the evening of the day before you main visit. Book well in advance. And note that Granada is not just the Alhambra, so you might want a bit more time there.

If beach time is a must, consider cutting Madrid because you don't have enough time for everything on your wish list, and because Madrid has an international airport, it is the easiest place to revisit.

Should be a great trip no matter what you decide!
kja is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2016, 10:57 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Train info here:
http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#.V8UgXSjvBg0
RonZ is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2016, 10:58 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Frequent trains from the Atocha station in Madrid to Sevilla take 2.5 hours. Then it’s about 3.5 to Granada and maybe 5.5 back to Madrid. It’s customary to add abbout an hour on either end of a train journey when changing hotels.
RonZ is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 01:51 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
April/May will be normally be beach weather in the South along the Mediterranean coast. Weather statistics for late April and early May around Málaga says highs at 72-80F and average 9 hours sun pr. day. (wetteronline.de)

Málaga city beaches (with lots of great and affordable beachfront restaurants that are very popular with locals): http://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga-...ty-beach-guide

The sea temperatures would normally be some 64-66F: http://www.seatemperature.org/europe...malaga-may.htm

3000 year old Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Europe but it's also one of the most cutting edge cities in Spain. All kinds of things happen down here now, and Málaga is therefore also on NYT's "52 Places to go" list for 2016 as one of three cities in Spain.

The luxcury Gran Hotel Miramar from 1926 will be recently reopened by the spring. Right on the Malagueta Beach. Great promotional offers if early reservations. http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.com/en/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s6t-9Rsl7s

Fabulous food scene here, this gives you an idea: https://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/...ry-perception/
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...odie-traveller

I just made a reservation in Óleo for our next stay here in a few weeks, look very much forward to Málaga cuisine with a Japanese touch in the terrace by the river: http://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga-...ants-in-malaga
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...Andalucia.html

Málaga is 2h 30 mins from Madrid with the high speed AVE Train, and also a huge international airport in Málaga.

AND michelhuebeli's suggestion is also an excellent one. The Basque Country is a totally different adventure, fabulous and very different citiies, the culinary heartland of Spain if not all of Europe, spectacular landscapes and a local culture that people take great pride in: http://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/
kimhe is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 03:28 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the advice so far. I guess we just have to decide what we really want to do/see. We had decided to go south instead of north because of the weather originally. And because we'd really like to see Seville.

Good point about having to collect bags for the plane Kja. I'll work on convincing my husband that a direct flight might not make the most sense this time!
Cag2087 is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 04:24 PM
  #9  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In April, I'd head south, not north. And while I enjoyed the north of Spain, I was awed by Andalusia. JMO.
kja is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 05:21 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If planning on seeing the Cathedral in Seville, google how to beat the line.
RonZ is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2016, 07:53 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Looks like a near perfect itinerary to me.
Egbert is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2016, 08:41 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks eveyone. That's what I was thinking Kja so thanks for the confirmation!
Cag2087 is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2016, 08:11 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any other suggestions if we were to scratch Madrid for a few relaxing beach/coastal scenery days? (April or May, okay if if the water isn't warm enough to swim). I've fell into the research rabbit hole and am way off track now. Is there a good place to do this and keep a similar itinerary? I would love to visit one of the Balearic Idlands but realize for a 10 day trip it's probably not the best use of our time.
Cag2087 is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2016, 04:21 PM
  #14  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
See kimhe's post about Malaga, above.
kja is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kedar5150
Europe
7
Mar 31st, 2016 01:50 AM
dfaye
Europe
6
Jan 22nd, 2013 10:01 AM
paulfeigenbaum
Europe
11
Feb 7th, 2012 10:43 AM
JArret
Europe
16
Aug 19th, 2011 06:53 AM
HARVEY
Europe
7
Sep 11th, 2002 02:07 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -