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First cut at Andalusia itinerary 15 nights

First cut at Andalusia itinerary 15 nights

Old Oct 27th, 2014, 01:05 PM
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First cut at Andalusia itinerary 15 nights

We're spending 7 weeks in Portugal and Spain - the Spain portion includes 6 nights in Madrid (at the end) and about 2 weeks doing a large circle south in a rental car.

Appreciate comments about number of nights/etc. Also I'm assuming we'll do this largely clockwise - any reason to do it counterclockwise? Other important information is we prefer more nights in one place and are willing to do long day trips rather than keep changing hotels. I've mapped out these distances and we're very comfortable with the longer drives (which aren't very long)

- Madrid to Granada - 3 nights
- Granada to Malaga/area - 2 nights
- 1 night near Gibraltar - I know, I know - everyone has a different opinion but we're too close not to form our own!
- To Seville for 6 nights - will do day trips from here (Carmona, Cadiz, etc) and also just experience the food! Because we're away for 7 weeks we do like to stop and stay somewhere a little longer and Seville seems like a great place to dig in.
- Seville to Cordoba for 2 nights
- Cordoba to Toledo for 1 night (I guess we could do this as a day trip from Madrid but since we have the car and it's on the way I added it here)
- Toledo to Madrid

The part I like least is the Malaga for 2 nights but no Nerja or Ronda (yet). (we would not want to do a stop in Nerja with our car full of luggage)

I could pass on Malaga and carry on to Ronda and/or we could do Gibraltar as a long day trip from Malaga (or Ronda?) So that would then be 3 nights in either Malaga or Ronda. I could also steal a night from Seville.

Suggestions are appreciated!
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Old Oct 27th, 2014, 01:06 PM
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Sorry - timing is mid February 2015
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Old Oct 27th, 2014, 01:13 PM
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Elizabeth - don't pass on Malaga - we only spent one night there and I really want to go back. One nights are hopeless for getting to know somewhere - two are so much better.

I know that you want to see Gib but for 1/2 a day is it worth it? instead of Ronda and Nerja? i wouldn't have thought so [and I've been to Gib but nor Ronda and Nerja!]

I might also think about borrowing a night from Madrid, given that you've got 6 nights in Seville.
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Old Oct 27th, 2014, 01:21 PM
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annhig - I hear you about Malaga - there was a link to a great article in my other thread (maybe you posted it?)

I could steal from Madrid I think - if we really like it we'll go back for an extended winter stay. For that matter could also go to 5 nights in Seville as it's a short drive to get there so the first day we'll be there by noon (we hit the road early)

Agree about one nighters - only do them in special cases or to break a longer trip and just
Thanks!
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Old Oct 27th, 2014, 01:40 PM
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Elizabeth - the great tips on Malaga were from Kimhe - of course!

The trouble is that however long a trip, something's got to give!

looks like you're on the right lines though.

you could of course take a leaf out of SojournTravellers' book and not book anything at all, but it would be a shame to have nowhere to stay in Seville, for example!
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Old Oct 27th, 2014, 02:59 PM
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I of course second annhig's comments about genuine and 3000 year old Malaga city (a world apart from the tourist machines to the west of the city).

These articles give you an idea, and I can give you some special recommendations if you tell me what your interests and likes are, type of restaurants, cultural activities etc.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...tractions.html
"Secret Spanish pleasures": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
"Picasso's city of hidden treasures": http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...-breaks-travel

"The emerging fine food scene in Malaga and around":
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-tapas
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Old Oct 27th, 2014, 05:55 PM
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"any reason to do it counterclockwise?"

The only things I can think of to consider before deciding are (a) can you get your tickets for the Alhambra when you want them and (b) where will your Mondays (when many things are likely to be closed) fall?

I love that you are giving Cordoba 2 nights; I wish you could give Toledo 2 nights, too -- easily worth it!

IMO, a night in Ronda is worth while, especially if you have a car. (I know you have your reasons, so I won't repeat my recommendation to use public transportation rather than a rental.)
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Old Oct 29th, 2014, 12:37 PM
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Sounds like a great plan. Don't worry about missing Nerja. Malaga is certainly worth 2 nights though. I would skip Gibraltar but if you must, do it. You can spend an afternoon in Ronda in between Malaga and Sevilla. Too sleepy for me compared to the fantastic nightlife in places like Seville, granada, Malaga, Cadiz,Cordoba etc. Many people would disagree and insist on a night or two in Ronda. I also like to end a trip with 3 to 5 nights in Madrid. Toledo definitely worth a daytrip from there. Congratulations for taking your time and doing it right. You could take a night off Granada. Spend at least 5 nights in Sevilla, it might be your favorite place.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 02:26 AM
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Fully agree with everything Egbert says!
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 02:32 AM
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Endorse the Malaga element, please try Gibralter but I'd only do a drive by on Ronda.

Not sure why you have a car for all of this, I'd hire as I go and use the train more (cheaper, easier, more comfortable, and far fewers hours spent trying to get in and out of town)
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 06:18 AM
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Thanks everyone!

Back at the itinerary today so might post a revision later.

bilboburgler - re car - we find it far more convenient to drive ourselves based on lots of experience. Also my husband has a bad back and navigating to/from train stations and in/out of trains with luggage is one of the worst things for his comfort and risks injury which could seriously sideline our trip (but I have sure noted the universal high opinion of the Spanish train system!)
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:50 AM
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We just did a similar trip: 2 nights Sevilla, 2 nights Ronda, 2 nights Granada, 1 day Cordoba, 5 nights Madrid (proceeded by an additional ten days in Prague/Croatia). Took the AVE train to Sevilla, picked up the car there and drove through Andalucia for a week. Then dropped off the car in Cordoba and took the AVE back to Madrid. It was wonderful having the car - made the entire trip relaxing and flexible.

Driving was affordable, easy, safe and fun in spite of a psycho GPS when we were in cities. We didn't mind the two night stops because the driving distances were short, so we never arrived anywhere fatigued.

Ronda was indeed touristy, but mostly locals because the annual feria was happening (the kick-off parade was a trip highlight for us). I think a stop there is worthwhile if you're outdoorsy - phenomenal scenery and hiking opportunities. You will miss out on the true vibe of the city if you just go for a day.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 11:06 AM
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If you are determined to go to Gibraltar, be sure you check with someone to find out how long the wait is. It's been up to five (5) hours going in AND going out.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 11:20 AM
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I take it you're planning on using the car to make day trips while staying in Sevilla. Hope you understand that Sevilla is full of narrow, one-way streets and parking can be a nightmare, depending on where you're staying.

I would highly advise dropping of the rental car once you reach Sevilla and use public transportation to do your day trips.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 01:16 PM
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Robert2533 - thanks for your help. I'm looking at apartments in Sevilla that have parking (or claim reasonable access which I will confirm). Is there something I'm missing? Bait and switch on parking? Early on I did cost out a one way rental to Sevilla but it doesn't payback.

Bedar - thanks for your comment. I was away of delays but haven't looked into it in detail. Will do so now.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 05:05 PM
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Been to Malaga twice for day trips. Said we wanted back to spend more time. Going back for a month in Feb. Will not use a car. More trips and activities that we have time. Don't know where you can find more in the local area. BTW we also plan to spend 3 days in Madrid where we have never before visited. Might think differently afterward, but I doubt it. Our second choice was Cadiz, but it paled in comparison to Malaga.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:33 PM
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If you have the street address of the apartment, you can check out the access and nearby parking using Google. Most apartments do not have a parking themselves, but use nearby underground parking garages. The more expensive hotels on the other hand do have parking for their clients.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:56 PM
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"Is there something I'm missing?" -- Maybe not, but how far is the parking from the hotel? How far is the hotel from the places where you want to spend time?
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Old Oct 31st, 2014, 05:17 AM
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Thx. I'm seeing a few apartments with on site parking in convenient locations and many with discounted parking at parking garages. When I get closer to picking a spot ill walk it out on google maps.
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Old Nov 1st, 2014, 10:31 AM
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If you have to drive around and find parking in Sevilla or Granada you will see what you were missing.
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