kja

"and maybe Madrid to Segovia and back on a day trip"

Segovia is VERY easy to reach from Madrid by public transportation.

maitaitom

I have added some days to our trip, and I'm not really happy with my plan…I'd really only like to spend four nights in Madrid as opposed to five. As far as problems go, this is pretty minuscule in the scheme of things, but still….

Itinerary

4 1/2 Days - 5 Nights Barcelona
FLY - 2 Nights Granada
TRAIN - 3 Nights Sevilla
TRAIN - 2 Nights Cordoba
TRAIN - 3 Nights Toledo
TRAIN - 5 Nights Madrid

Option 1 - There is a train from Toledo to Cuenca that arrives about noon. Spend the night?
Option 2 - Add a day to Barcelona
Option 3 - Add a day to Granada
Option 4 - keep as is and do 1 or 2 day trips out of Madrid (El Escorial and/or Segovia)
Option 5 - or maybe you have a better plan

The White Hill Towns really have not interested me in all I've seen and read…coastal towns seem too far to be viable and relaxing.

Thanks.

kja

I think any of these options could work. Let me ask: Do 2 nights in Granada give you 1 day, or 2, or 3? For me, two days worked well there. And how many DAYS do you have in Sevilla? For my tastes, three days would be the bare minimum. I enjoyed Segovia (be sure to try the roast suckling pig!) and was glad to see El Escorial (you probably need only 1/2 day for that). Another day trip option from Madrid is Avila....

thursdaysd

Surprised you are dropping the white towns, I loved Ronda, and they would contrast nicely with all the cities you seeing. Have you been reading this TR - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment - the most recent post is for the white towns. I would stay away from much of the coast unless you want to eat fish and chips with a bunch of Brits.

maitaitom

Thursdaysd...

so maybe rent a car in Granada, drive to Ronda and spend the night in Zahara de la Sierra. On to Sevilla the next day. This way I get some hill towns...and water. Thanks for the link (don't know how I missed that trip report).

yestravel

Completely agree with thursdaysd on the white village, staying away from the coast and suggestion to read that TR. Loved driving around the white villages and Ronda stands out as a place we loved. The countryside was lovely and covered in spring flowers. You would drive around a curve in the road and come upon a field of poppies--just beautiful.

annhig

I would stay away from much of the coast unless you want to eat fish and chips with a bunch of Brits.>>

I think that a lot of resorts on the Costas are as full of places offering "Currywurst" as they are of fish and chip joints. but that's still not what you want to see when you're in Spain, I would agree.

Grandma

If you rent a car you might consider staying at the Parador de Carmona outside Sevilla.
Another vote for Segovia and El Escorial.

danon

Three nights inToledo would not be my choice...a really small town.

Valencia..a beautiful city is often missed by Barcelona- Madrid- Andalusia itineraries.
Three hours by train from Barcelona, 1:40 from Madrid.
I would rather spend some In Valencia than more time in Barcelona, Granada or 3 nights in Toledo.

lorifrombama

Here's an itinerary that I recently took with a group of 50 and it was great! Your trip is longer than ours so I left of the days but thought you might like to see the travel path.

Fly into Malaga
Drive to Granada
Drive to Sevilla
Drive to Cordoba
(Toledo? We didn't visit but would good to add it here)
Drive to Madrid
Take AVE to Barcelona
Fly home.

maitaitom

So many ideas…so little time. Thanking you all for the interesting input.

Spain seems to have so many more varied responses on where to spend our time.

Some love Barcelona…some not so much.
Ditto Madrid
Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla, Segovia, White Towns, all seem to have their fans…and detractors…not to mention how long to spend in each place.

So different from, let's say, France, where virtually everyone loves the Dordogne, Provence and Languedoc (and, of course, Paris), or Italy…you don't hear too many disparaging remarks about Umbrian or Tuscan towns.

This is going to be fun figuring out the eventual final itinerary of this trip (and mode of transportation), but no matter what the final plans, I have a feeling the four of us will have a blast. Thanks again.

lorifrombama

Also, if you have found accommodations for Sevilla, check out Hotel Murillo. It is located in the Jewish quarter. It's a must for me when we go back.

http://www.hotelmurillo.com/en/

thursdaysd

"I have a feeling the four of us will have a blast."

And we will enjoy the trip report, lol.

Spain is not my favorite country, but there is plenty to see. (I prefer Portugal, maybe next trip.)

joannyc

I recommend at least one or two nights in Toledo and Segoia.

joannyc

Sorry, meant Segovia

joannyc

And, I meant one or two nights in each town!

Grandma

Just to muddy the waters…. did you consider a trip to Avila? It's an hour or so from
Madrid and something that's stayed in my mind for many years.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/348

IMDonehere

Three nights in Toledo is far too much. And when you are in the south, try and pop over to Malaga.

When you are in Barcelona be sure to have churros and chocolate at least one morning. http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc..._loc=Barcelona

kja

'Spain seems to have so many more varied responses on where to spend our time."

Indeed -- so trust your own research. IMO, there is no bad choice here!

lincasanova

I agree the trains are great, but you really miss the special small town uniqueness of this country if you are only on trains.

If you are inToledo three nights, perhaps rent a car one day and go see Oropesa, and Consuegra and return the car. Three nights in Toledo is a lot just for Toledo but not so if you will make a nice day trip with a car elsewhere.

If you DO get to Valencia AREA, or even CUENCA on the AVE from Madrid.. please let me know. I'd love to meet up for a coffee at least!