We’ve tentatively planned - arrive Barcelona from cruise, 2 nights, fly to Granada 3 nights, bus to Seville 4 nights (including Palm Sunday), Monday train to Córdoba 3 nights, train to Madrid 5 nights, fly to US. We tried to minimize travel days with luggage since we all travel with a checked bag and carry on. We also need a couple of days for laundry and a break from sightseeing.
We’re traveling with another couple who has always gone to just one city for a week before and/or after a cruise. My husband and I usually mix 1 or 2 nights stays with 4-5 night stays. We all like to walk and wander.
We’re planning to visit all of RS 3 triangle sites. Planning on possible side trips from Córdoba to Malaga for Picasso museum and seafood, from Seville to Jerez for sherry and Carmona, from Madrid to Toledo and Segovia. We were in Barcelona last year but didn’t get to Monserrat. Our friends have not been there.
Historic and cultural sites, food, and cathedrals are our main interests. We like to savor our experiences and find some non touristy things to do. Only one of us has any knowledge of Spanish but that was from years ago.
I didn’t find a convenient place to visit an olive oil place.
Any comments about our itinerary? Should we anticipate any problems because of Holy Week? Where will we have the most problem with communication?
Trip decided on 2 weeks ago. Trying to learn a little Spanish with Duolingo. Doing well with the written questions but no luck with spoken questions.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
492 posts
- My experience with learning a language (Português) was with Memrise.com and I found that 30+ minutes per day is the necessary and sufficient amount of time.
- Solve the laundry problem by staying in AirBnB with a washer and dryer.
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
The order itinerary plan works just add or subtract daytrips as needed when you get there. In Spain it does help to know a little Spanish especially greetings and polite expressions e.g. "Quisiera" which means "I would like" when ordering something
Posted by
OP
Tennessee
9 posts
We're trying with the language and will at least get our please and thank yous and a few basic phrases down. It's the pronunciation that gets to me. I've never had an ear for language and can't hear the nuances. It's getting harder as we get older and try to learn a little from everyplace we go.
Posted by
Folsom, California
542 posts
We did almost the same itinerary this summer, but a few days shorter.
Not sure about 3 nights in Granada. Maybe a day trip from there to Ronda?
We spent 3 nights in Seville and didn't leave the city, so much to see. I would have liked to get to Jerez, but didn't make it. In Seville, though, I had many opportunities to try good sherry. A great restaurant there paired their meals with different sherries, which were quite good.
I did a refresh of my Spanish with duolingo. Basically, if you can attempt to speak their language, they are very gracious and will usually switch to English.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
I don't speak Spanish and I've managed quite well in all the places you are going and others as well. Learn the basic courtesy phrases: please, thanks, good morning . . . . and the most important aseos (toilet), used throughout Andalucia and Madrid. You may want to get a small dictionary or language app, especially for food items.
Sevilla - There is at least one coin-op laundry in the historic center of Sevilla (I've used it 3 times). I think you can drop off and pick up with no (or minimal) extra charge. The best time to go to Jerez is on a day that there's a horse show at the Royal Equestrian School. Tio Pepe's tour is the most fun, but there are other bodegas you can tour without a reservation that are also good. If you add nights here, you could day-trip to Arcos and/or Cadiz. Cordoba's my favorite Spanish city, and some very interesting sights - and of course, the Semana Santa processions. I don't know if I'd use a day of it to go to Malaga just for the Picasso Museum, and you can get seafood everywhere. Granada - I think you could shave a night off and add it somewhere else, unless you find a day trip to an olive press.
If you are big art fans, you'll want 2 full days in Madrid just for the 3 big museums, maybe one more for the other sights. If European painting is not a huge draw for you, consider if you really want 5 nights in Madrid.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Your appreciation would not be reduced significantly by leaving Carmona and Malaga out of your plans. I also think your friends will feel cheated if you don’t give them more time in Barcelona.
Day
1. Arrive off cruise ship in Barcelona (3N)
2. Barcelona
3. Barcelona
4. Fly to Granada (3N)
5. Alhambra
6. Granada
7. Train to Seville (4N)
8. Seville
9. Day to Jerez
10. Seville
11. Train to Cordoba (2N)
12. Mezquita
13. Train to Madrid (5N)
14. Madrid
15. Day to Toledo
16. Madrid
17. Day to Segovia
18. Fly home from Madrid
Posted by
OP
Tennessee
9 posts
Plans started with our friends staying for a week or so in Barcelona and then maybe one other city. They liked our plans so they decided they would come with us. The short time in Barcelona is their choice with plans to stay longer on their next cruise that ends there.