My 24 year old daughter and her boyfriend are going to southern spain in October and they don't want to rent a car. I'd love your opinions and suggestions on their proposed itineary. A couple of notes: They've been to Madrid before and don't wish to spend any time there other than to fly in and out. They are going as tourists with lots of energy but not interested in the heavy party scene.

Itineary: Day 1 - Arrive Madrid and immediately take train to Toledo (spend 1 night)
Day 2 & 3 - take train to Sevilla (2 nights with day trip to Cordoba or should they stay one in Sevilla and one in Cordoba? Day 4 train/bus to Ronda (1 night) Day 5 & 6 train/bus to Tarifa (2 nights?) with day trip over to Morocco , Day 7 & 8 train/bus to Grenada (2 nights?) and then Day 9 flight/train back to Madrid (final night before flying home). Please remember these are young travellers, with more energy than many of us have. We're trying to give them at least 2 nights in 2 towns to give them a chance to catch their breath. I've been told Cordoba is best as a day trip but I've never been there. I stayed 3 nights in Grenada and thought 2 would have been plenty.

9 nights and staying overnight in 6 cities is way too much even for young and energetic travelers IMHO.

First of all, I'd consider skipping Toledo (at least at the beginning of the trip) and heading straight to Sevilla. Otherwise they'll have to go back to Madrid, then wait for an Ave to go to Sevilla. One night in Toledo, when they are jetlagged (even a little) just isn't worth it.

I'd budget 4 nights in Sevilla, with a daytrip to Cordoba. This will give them time to recover from jetlag and enjoy 3 full days in Sevilla. I highly doubt this could happen but if they have seen enough of Sevilla after 2 full days they could easily take several daytrips (Jerez, Sanlucar, Cadiz, Carmona, etc...).

2 nights Granada - I'd budget 2 nights. I agree 3 is about one too many. But Granada has a great vibe for young travelers.

1 night Madrid (final night).

This realistically only leaves 2 nights. There is still Ronda, Tarifa and Toledo (from your original list). I think at least one needs to be dropped. It would be possible to do one night in Ronda (between Sevilla and Granada) and one in Toledo (as the night before Madrid) - especially if their energy level is high. Or 2 nights Tarifa and skip Toledo and Ronda.

marking for later comment

I'm not sure why so many posters give such high marks to Sevilla over Cordoba. I just spent 24 hours in Sevilla and another day in Cordoba--I would have loved more time in Cordoba and found the time in Sevilla adequate. Also went to Granada for 24 hours and could have added another day there. It's especially inspiring to see the monuments (Mesquita, Alhambra) at night.

I've been to Sevilla 9 times in the last 10 years and to Cordoba 3 (once as a daytrip and twice for 3 nights each). I prefer Sevilla for the beauty of the city, the food, the energy, etc... I do agree that many travelers short change Cordoba as a daytrip. However, many people don't have time to visit as an overnight. So, I'd visit as a daytrip versus not at all.....but personally I wouldn't visit Cordoba vs Sevilla.