Appreciate input for February trip to Spain

You’d need a car for many of the places I’d recommend, but a couple accessible by public transportation are the already mentioned Segovia as well as Alcalá de Henares or San Lorenzo de El Escorial outside of Madrid, and Castillo Almodovar del Rio Castillo de Almodóvar and Medina Azahara outside of Córdoba.

Not sure how long they would take a train to reach, but Salamanca, Zamora, León, or Burgos can each be seen in a day.

Although I don't believe it sells out far in advance, you don't want to be in the ticket-buying line at the Cathedral in Seville. You can buy a ticket online.

If you find you have some extra time (since these are mostly repeat visits), Carmona is an attractive day trip from Seville if you don't mind sitting on a bus for a while.

Jerez is a good base for a day trip to Arcos de la Frontera.

To Jaimeelsabio's suggested Madrid side trips I'd add Cuenca, but it requires travel by fast train, so you'd probably need to make those plans rather early to snag a reasonably-priced ticket. You don't run into that issue for Toledo, Segovia or Alcala de Henares.

I don't see Granada on your itinerary. Have you been there previously? Otherwise, you have a good itinerary.

Have you visited Casa di Pilatos in Seville? It's a small but beautiful palace. It was a peaceful oasis when we visited in 2017.

This week's episode of Spanish Loops podcast by RS tour guides Fran Glaria andJorge Ramon happens to be on Cadiz.

Lucky you!

https://www.youtube.com/@travelingsteps6618/videos

I don't see Granada on your itinerary.

Jean, I agree with kmkwoo and will add to her push for Granada, which was wonderful. In fact it was my second most favorite place in Spain (Cáceres was my most favorite). The medieval old town is like magic. And of course there's the Alhambra which is a must-see.

Regarding Prado: highly recommend taking the English guided tour. It was a highlight of our 2023 Spain trip. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-spain-aug-sep-seville-ronda-granada-cordoba-madrid

I’m getting ready to host my neighborhood Christmas party but wanted to circle back quickly if I needed to clarify my question further.

Thanks for the replies so far! I will read them in-depth tomorrow morning. A quick glance looks like there’s good ideas being shared - thank you!

Yes, I have been to Granada - no plans to add it to this trip. Personally, I like other Spanish cities more than Granada, but we enjoyed spending some days there in 2017.

I know a great seafood restaurant in Jerez that's I off the tourist track..let me know if you want the name, or any recommendations on restaurants. (I'll be in Jerez a few weeks alter than you)

You will be in Cordoba during snail season so if you are ok with those, it's fun to eat them at one of the outdoor tents set up around the city....you a stuff yourself with food and drink for 10 euro and it's a lot of fun.

https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/live-from-spain-cordoba-costa-de-da-luz-vejer-de-la-frontera-area-madrid-1720867/

You might find this trip report useful. Scroll down to see what we did each day in Sevilla for example
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/spain-in-january-february-madrid-sevilla-cordoba-toledo-valencia-and-coast-n-s-of-alicante