chubbymamma

Where should I go in April for a week?
1) Prague + Budapest
OR
2) Andalusia (Cordoba, Seville, Granada)
OR
3) Tuscany
We are a middle aged couple seeking visual overload, good walking weather (even 5deg C is OK but sunny skies), and some shopping (art/antiques). We have been to Tuscany, but not to Prague, Budapest, and Andalusia. Any other places that anyone could recommend? Thanks!

fourfortravel

Some comments:

1). If you are traveling in early April the weather across Central Europe can be unpredictable; and, you'll lose the better part of a day traveling between. Have you ruled out Prague/Vienna or Vienna/Budapest? There is plenty of visual overload in each of the cities; and in Vienna you'll find no fewer than 400km of walking/hiking trails.

3) Where in particular have you been? Where in particular are you interested in going?

Kathie

You will have the warmest weather in Spain and Tuscany.

KarenWoo

Andalusia is beautiful, and April is a great time to go there. However, the Easter celebrations will be in early April so will be crowded and expensive. Might be too late to get accommodations. What are your dates in April?

ToujoursVoyager

In April I would choose Andalusia

bilboburgler

I'd choose Andalusia and I'd add Malaga to the three you already have.

IMDonehere

Having been to all those places, it depends on you.

Very different people, cuisines, and attractions. I would read up on it. It was me, I would eliminate Prague and Budapest and then flip a coin.

It is wise of you, however, to stick to small area and get to know it better. The Spanish bus and train systems are far superior to the US and the buses from the major sites in Tuscany are also reliable and comfortable.

Bedar

April says Andalucia ! Great weather, a feast for the eyes and all senses. Go for it !

PalenQ

In April Andalusia too - take trains Cordoba, Malaga, Granada or Seville, etc. Great info on trains - www.renfe.com (book own tickets); www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

I would highly recommend the Nice area which has many walks in country of all types and good weather.

chubbymamma

PalenQ, you said Nice, oh how I looove getting distracted! I've been to the Côte d'Azur once but that visit was a hurried sampler, and it was too hot (July) for extensive walking; I have been wanting to go back and spend more time exploring one place. I'm always torn between whether to revisit places I have loved or go to an entirely new destination.

Fourfortravel, I went to Vienna and Salzburg a long time ago. We've visited Siena, SanGimignano, Pisa, and Florence in Tuscany. We stayed 5 days in Florence and did day trips, next time I would like to stay in Siena and one other place (possibly an agriturismo) that is more off the beaten path.

IMDonehere, thanks for the clear recommendation to eliminate Prague and Budapest. I also realized that there are no direct flights from the east coast until May, so Option 1 is out.

KarenWoo, we will be going after the Easter celebration.

A friend who recently went to Morocco suggested I spend 3 days in Marrakesh or Casablanca and then go to Seville but that sounds hectic (although I was briefly distracted by the idea of sampling a new country). In keeping with my efforts to slow down, I am even contemplating spending more time, say 6 days in Seville and skipping either Granada or Cordoba. We may stop in Madrid before our flight back for a night so our kids can meet friends from camp.

KarenWoo

I am in my 60’s so I understand the desire to slow down while traveling. However, I would not skip Granada or Córdoba. The Alhambra in Granada is magnificent, and the Mezquita in Córdoba is amazing. I can’t imagine going to Andalusia and skipping these two beautiful and historically important sights. Both cities are wonderful, and Córdoba was one of our favorites, with its white-washed walls, narrow lanes, flower pots on the outside of buildings, the Roman Bridge lit up at night with gorgeous views of the illuminated Mezquita. I recommend including both cities. Some people stop in Córdoba to visit the Mezquita as a day trip on their way to Seville. I recommend staying 1 or 2 nights. Córdoba is a lot more than just the Mezquita.

In a week, you could do 4 nights in Seville, 2 nights in Granada, and 2 nights in Córdoba.

StCirq

If you want to go to Morocco, a country I love and have visited several times, don't shortchange it and don't bother with Casablanca. Spend your whole week there.

And I can't see 6 whole days in Sevilla, as pleasant a place as it is. I also can't imagine not taking advantage of the proximity to Granada and Cordoba, both of which are fabulous destinations.

Christina

I would never spend 6 days in Seville without going to Cordoba at least. I don't believe in telling people they "have" to see some particular ancient building if it doesn't fit in with their trip, though, and Granada is tricky to fit in to itineraries due to its location in comparison to the main train lines and other places people want to visit. I enjoyed seeing many other things in Spain just as much or more than the Alhambra.

chubbymamma

Thanks everyone, I have 10 full days not including travel time into and out of Madrid. Should I change my tickets to fly out of Seville and do Madrid-Cordoba-Granada-Seville? Or do the reverse, fly into Seville and out of Madrid? Can I squeeze in a day trip to Toledo or does it merit an overnight stay? I dislike packing and unpacking often.

Many thanks!

bilboburgler

You can do Toledo as a day trip from Madrid, trouble is the pausa in the middle of the day can be frustrating, so I'd try and catch an early bus or train or a late one and make it a half day visit actually in town. It will be a bit rushed but does work.

BTW I'd do mornings but then I'm an early bird.