Help planning activities for Andalusia trip in Oct - Nov

Everything about Cordoba doesn't make sense to me. Why go from Granada to Cordoba to rent a car? You can rent cars in Granada. Or bus to Malaga, which is on the way to Marbella and get a car there. A day trip there from Marbella isn't a good idea - it's at least 2.5 hours driving in each direction. A day trip from Sevilla is a 45 minute train ride. Flying from Cordoba to Madrid will take as much time (or more) as taking the train. If you buy train tickets as soon as they go on sale, you will get huge discounts.

Most people park in the lot and walk across the causeway into Gibraltar.

The search function is at the top of every page on the forum.

You're so right. I meant Malaga but was interrupted whlle typing and missed the error when I proofed the document.

Unless you're extremely fond of standing in long ticket lines, you should purchase a ticket to the Alcazar in Seville in advance. I don't know whether one day ahead of time will be sufficient, but it might be if you're flexible on your timing. I can't remember whether you need to print out the ticket you receive when you order online. I know I arranged to print mine.

The Cathedral in Seville is also a problem, but Rick's book tells you how to get around that.

Chani, Thanks much for pointing out me major error of typing Cordoba instead of Malaga. Also my overlooking the search function at the top of the page (it’s too obvious 😊

We’ll take a train from Seville to Granada and from Grenada to Malaga because my wife needs to get up and walk around. When we’re driving, we make stops so she can do that. As an aside, getting older isn’t fun (we’re both in our late 70’s).

Good advice on accessing Gibraltar. My wife would like to know if she gets Gibraltar Passport stamps.

Acraven, We’re going to sit down this evening, plan the fixed dates, and make reservations - places, trains and tours/guides.

I again feel stupid. My wife’s been working with Rick’s book and I didn’t review it for his recommendations before posting.

I also found the Morocco guides in Rick’s book and will be contacting them to set a date.

Welcome to the senior travellers club on RS. I certainly understand a typo in a post, have too many of them myself.

Most sights in Spain give senior discounts, and there are only a couple that restrict it to Spanish residents. If you don't see it, ask for it.

More important is that you can get 25% or 40% discounts (depending on time and type of train) for regular tickets on high-speed trains. The only snag is that you need to buy tarjeta dorada (gold card) for €6 each and they can only be bought in Spain. It's a good idea to read this excellent article even though it hasn't been updated for a while, the info is still timely. The Renfe site only shows trains once tickets are for sale (if your dates aren't there yet, choose the same day of the week for a nearer date - schedules don't change much, if at all). This is usually 62 days in advance but can be erratic. A limited number of tickets are highly discounted, on a first-come basis. When you choose the train route, check the tarjeta dorada box. This will give you prices, even though you can only buy the tickets once you have the card number. Then you can determine if it's worth locking in to a no refund/no change ticket.

Thanks again Chani,

Last evening I booked our tickets for the Alhambra and Alcazar with senior discount for the Alcazar. The Alhambra Senior is only for Spanish residents. I looked at Renfe and you are correct, the tickets aren't for sale yet. They should be in a couple of weeks and I'll try to get them on the first day that they're available. I read the article you referenced. It appears that if I book now, I can get discounted fares. If I wait until we're in Spain and get the tarjeta dorada, will I still get the discounts associated with the card even if he other discounts are no longer available? Based on experience elsewhere in europe, I'd buy the tickets now and take whatever I can get in terms of discounts. Seville to Granada will be on a Friday and Grenada to Malaga on a Monday.

We selected one of Rick's suggested guides for Tangier and have emailed him. Hopefully we can do something with one of them on the 2 dates we have available.

Yes, the TD card gives you the discounts on full price tickets all the time, it has nothing to do with the promo fares. I just looked at the 8.00 and 10.45 am trains from Sevilla to Granada on Sept .10 (last date with full schedule showing). The TD price is €4-7 cheaper than the promo price and you can choose seats. (con enlace means you change trains). On Sept 6, the prices are about the same! The major benefit is the flexibility for changes and refunds, and of course, being able to choose your departure time on the spot.

Thanks again. I'll wait until we're in Seville and get the card before doing anything with train tickets. It's a no-brainer.

All you need for the card is proof of age. Last time, I used my driver's license. That also worked for discounts at sights. So much easier and more secure than having to pull out a passport. I just keep the DL in my pocket, worst case scenario, it gets lost or stolen, and I have to get a new one when I get home.

Interesting and a good idea.

George,

I'll wait until we're in Seville and get the card before doing anything with train tickets. It's a no-brainer.

The Tarjeta Dorada is a great deal.

However, do keep in mind that some train times will be sold out if you wait to buy your tickets once you get to Spain.

Check Renfe.com to get an idea of the trains that are already sold out (“tren completo”) for Sevilla to Granada, on 8/12 & 8/13.

When we visited Andalucía in October, a few years ago, I thought it wouldn’t be as crowded, but I learned that October is still considered high season in Andalucía.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Priscella,

I'll keep that in mind.

We've been planning our day trips from Seville. We were originally thinking of a day tour to Jerez and Cadiz but, after talking with friends, have now decided to do a self guided day in Jerez - The Horse show, Sandeman's and Rick's walking tour. We were also thinking about a day trip to Cordoba but the family that we're exchanged with has their primary home in Carmona and has offered to show us their city and have a nice day with new friends. Since people are an important aspect of our travels, we're 99% sure that we'll do that.

We like travelling without a very fixed itinerary and being able to change plans and take advantage of what we learn. It's fun to go someplace for a week with only 2 days planned with advance reservations and the remainder of the time available for exploration,