I am on my last leg of booking accommodations for our 14 day trip to Spain Sept/Oct. 2017.
Here are the options I'm considering for the middle leg of our trip, which is where I am stuck.
Option 1:
--Fly in Barcelona (4 nights, and accommodations are booked)
--Fly to Granada, getting there in the evening (2 nights, accommodations are booked)
Here's where I'm unsure:
--Rent car from Granada, to Ronda (2 nights) with day trip to Zahara and Grazalema
--Drive from Ronda to Sevilla (stop on way at Arcos for a break?)
--Drop off car at train station in Sevilla (2 nights in Sevilla)
--Take AVE train to Cordoba for 4 -5 hours, then on our way to Madrid (train tickets not booked yet)
--Madrid (4 nights, with day trip to Toledo, accommodations are booked)
--Fly out of Madrid
Option 2:
--Same beginning and end as above: i.e. 4 nights Barcelona, (booked); to 2 nights in Granada (booked);
**Undecided:
--From Granada, renting car and driving to Ronda (1 night, skip Zahara and Grazamela day trip? )
--Driving from Ronda, perhaps stopping in Arcos for a break (or not) to Sevilla, drop off car (3 nights Sevilla, with day trip to Cordoba)
--AVE train from Sevilla OR Cordoba (train tickets not booked) to Madrid (4 nights, accommodations are booked)
Wondering what the best option is ?? Can't believe I'm still pondering this, BUT: Option 1: Advantage: there are not train/bus schedules to work around from Granada until we get to Sevilla because of having a car. 2) Freedom to see 2 charming hill towns via car: Zahara and Grazamela. Disadvantage: 1) Not enough time in Sevilla?? (2 nights) , plus taking luggage to Cordoba on way to Madrid--although we can store it easily, but adhering to 2 train schedules vs. one.
Option 2: Advantage: 1) would do one night in Ronda, but without the day trip to Z and G (??--talk me into it!), leaving us more time (via Arcos? or not) in Sevilla with 3 nights; 2) Day trip to Cordoba without luggage with extra 3rd night in Sevilla. Disadvantage: 1) wishing for more time in Ronda?? and not have the ability to see Z and G as easily.
As I've mentioned (and others have echoed), avoiding 1 - 2 nights stays is always better, and I agree, in general. But having never been to any of the hill towns, it might be a real treat to fit them in (as in option 1). We certainly liked the contrast of hill towns (vs. bigger cities) when we were in Italy, and maybe these are similar?
We begin and end our trip in Barcelona and Madrid with 4 night stays, which is great-- (and I'm also comfortable with 2 nights in Granada). Is Sevilla worth the extra night if we shortchange Ronda and the smaller hill towns? And BTW, Cordoba is a must--only for the Mesquita, however, and I'm fine with a few hours there.
I realize how subjective this question is. I'd like to hear any input on Ronda, Zahara, and Grazalema, as well as Sevilla given the above options! I would appreciate any input, as this forum has already helped immensely in my planning thus far!