Hello Spain experts!
I could use some itinerary help from those in the know. Experienced European traveler, first time to Spain with my husband (except for a brief couple of days in Barcelona 30 years ago). Hoping it won't be incredibly hot the first two weeks of October. (Nearly died last June in the Paris heatwave.) Is A/C a must at this time of year?
When we travel, we like to anchor our trip with a major city or two and then explore small villages. Bonus points for anywhere that helps us connect w/locals and skip tourist hoardes. Here's what I'm thinking right now:
10/4 Arrive BCN 6 pm. Sleep BCN
10/5 Explore BCN. Sleep BCN
10/6 Day trip to Montserrat. Sleep BCN
10/7 Train to Seville. Arrive early afternoon. Sleep Seville
10/8 Explore Seville. Sleep Seville
10/9 Day trip to Cordoba. Sleep Seville
10/10 Pick up car. Drive Arcos de la Frontera (Sleep here?)--Husband's grandparents hailed from here. (Wonder how we could find some relatives.)
10/11 Drive Gibraltar. Explore Gibraltar (Sleep here?)
10/12 Drive Ronda. Sleep Ronda
10/13 Nerja. Sleep Nerja.
10/14 Granada. Sleep Granada
10/15 ?? Then fly/train back to BCN.
10/16 One more day in Barcelona or Cadaques (but hoping to be rid of the car by now). Sleep Barcelona
10/17 Fly home to LAX 4 pm
Some questions: A way to condense one night stands for sleeping? Recommendations for 10/15? As I said, we love immersive travel. I'd love any recs for experiences you loved along those lines. Or, some friends want to meet in Valencia for a day but is that realistic without too much driving or train? What should I cut from the itinerary to add Valencia?
Thanks so much!
Chris