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Follow up on Newbie Spain

Hello - On my previous post I received lots of great advise. I have come up with an itinerary and asking for some advise on where to stay on some of those locations, which train co. to use for the high speed trains or regular train. I didn't list any details on which sites we'll be visiting, which are mainly the most popular ones for each city. Would appreciate any recommendations thank you again for reading this and any feedback.

Itinerary Draft:
Madrid 3 days
Barcelona 4 days
Valencia 3 days
Granada 3 days
Madrid 2 days

Monday Arrival Madrid @ Morning -3 days
Visiting various sites
Day trip to Toledo

Thursday Train to Barcelona – 4 days
Is Eurail /Ave the one for the High Speed Train?
Visiting various sites
Any advice on a day trip?

Monday Train to Valencia – 3 days
Eurail /Ave High Speed Train – 3 days
Recommendation on Hotels and area to stay.
Read on Thermal springs – any recommendations?
Tours ?

Thursday -Train to Granada -5 hours 34 minutes or Plane to Granada 3 hours. Which transportation is better? - 3 days

Recommendation on Hotels and area to stay.
Tours – celebrating a birthday any recommendations on a Tapas or Paella Cooking tour?
Day trip to Alhambra

Sunday - Train to Madrid Eurail /Ave High Speed Train - 2 days
A day Trip to Segovia or Avila

Tuesday 9/10 Return home

Posted by
7814 posts

Hi, there’s an on-line Zoom meeting tomorrow at 11am Pacific time that will be discussing Spain. Be sure to reply on it today, so she sends you the link with plenty of time.

I am not seeing Sevilla which is one of our favorites, but maybe you have chosen to skip it after weighing your own desires for this trip.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/travel-meetings/sf-east-bay-travel-talk-let-s-talk-about-andalucia-apr-13-online-everyone-welcome

Posted by
8248 posts

You left out Seville the Gem of southern Spain. I suggest cutting one day from Granada and eliminate Valencia to add Seville and a day in Cordoba.

Posted by
1149 posts

Whereas I suggest that you not eliminate Valencia, but rather Córdoba.

Everyone has his own perspectives, obviously, but Valencia is just such an underappreciated treasure. The long linear park in the former Turia rivercourse, terminating at the fabulous City of Arts and Sciences, is unlike anything else you've seen. The Oceanogràfic, at the south/east end of the City, is incredible. Many other fascinating things to do and see there.

Posted by
142 posts

Thank you .. My cousin was in Sevilla and mentioned that people were a bit rude. I’ll look into Sevilla and Cordoba.