My husband and I will be celebrating our 35th anniversary in Spain. Other than flights, nothing has been booked. We prefer not to rent a car. We do not want to over-program ourselves. Here is our draft itinerary:
8/20 Early evening arrive in Madrid
8/21 Leisurely day in Madrid, probably a museum
8/22 Madrid/Day trip to Toledo (is being there on a Monday a problem?)
8/23 Madrid
8/24 Early train to Seville, Flamenco
8/25 Seville, Cathedral/Bullfight
8/26 Seville afternoon bus to Tarifa
8/27 Tarifa (should we spend the day in Tarifa or day trip to Gibralter?)
8/28 Tarifa/Ferry to Tangier hire a private guide
8/29 Granada (not sure of the best way to travel there from Tarifa?)
8/30 Granada/Alhambra
8/31 Granada/Fly to Barcelona
9/1 Barcelona, Sagrada Familia
9/2 Barcelona Bike tour/museum
9/3 Barcelona/Day trip to Figueres
9/4 Home:(
I appreciate any ideas and feedback that you have!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Rather than a time consuming 3 day effort to get to Tangier in Morocco, I would consider it much better value (and easier logistics) if you substitute with time in Cordoba, Jerez and Ronda. The atmosphere and experiences are very similar, and Morocco really deserves a future trip of its own.
8/24 Early train to Cordoba/ Mezquita
8/25 Early train to Seville/ Flamenco
8/26 Seville/Cathedral & Alcazar
8/27 Seville/Day trip to Jerez
8/28 Bus or train to Ronda
8/29 Bus or train to Granada
Posted by
OP
7 posts
David, thanks for you response, I will need to research the cities that you mention. Are they all accessible via the train? My husband would really like to include Morocco in our anniversary trip, so trying to figure how to make that happen for my groom:). How can we get from the cities you mention to Granada?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Ronda is better served by trains from Cordoba than Seville, so this order may be better ...
8/24 Train from Madrid to Seville (2hr 30min)
8/25 Seville/Cathedral & Alcazar
8/26 Seville/Day trip to Jerez (1 hr each way by train)
8/27 Train from Seville to Cordoba (45 min)
8/28 Train from Cordoba to Ronda (1hr 45min)
8/29 Train from Ronda to Granada (2hr 30min)
Have a look here at what is possible from Seville...
http://www.planetware.com/seville/seville-day-trips-e-and-sevsur.htm
This is a good site to check train times ... https://loco2.com/
Visits to Marrakech and Fes would make Morroco so much more enticing for your 40th annversary.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
8/22 - Monday is only a problem if the any of the sights you want to see there are closed that day. The trains in both directions sell out so you'll want to buy tickets.
8/25 - Are you reasonably certain that there will be a bullfight that day? There aren't many bullfights in Sevilla at all, only a couple in August, generally around the 15th. Or do you mean just visiting the bullring and museum?
9/3 - If you get an early train to Figueres, you will have plenty of time for the Dali Museum and still be able to spend several hours in lovely medieval Girona on your way back to Barcelona.
On my first trip to Andalucia, I seriously researched visiting Morocco and I decided not to go. Visiting Tangier is akin to visiting Tijuana or Juarez (you visit a border town but you aren't seeing Mexico) and you're using up too much to to get there and back. If Morocco is a must-see, then look for cheap flights between Marrakech and/or Fez and your Spanish destinations. Forget Tangier and Casablanca. Otherwise look into David's excellent suggestions. Cordoba is my favorite city and the Mezquita is the 2nd-best sight in Spain.
Other suggestions:
Madrid - choose a museum that speaks to you. Roughly, the Prado is painting up to the 19th century. The Reina Sofia is post-Impressionist painting. The Thyssen is painting between them. The Naval Museum is extensive and very interesting - remember Spain was at the forefront of navigation and exploration until fairly modern times. The Palace is 3rd best in Europe (says Rick and I agree), after Versaille and the Schonbrunn, and has a couple small museums as well.
Sevilla - my favorite sight is the Alcazar. My recommendation for a flamenco performance - La Casa de Flamenco. Sevilla has the best tapas in Spain (and thus, in the world :-).
Granada consider doing the night visit to the Nasrid Palaces on your first night. They are much different that during the day - both are terrific of course.
Posted by
Irvine, CA, United States
28 posts
Hi, Annotte,
My wife and I did an almost identical trip a few years ago. We also did not rent a car. I don't see any problems with your itinerary. You're going to have a great time. I think you've left enough time for everything. I might suggest for your consideration instead of Tarifa/Gibraltar/Morocco that you take a look at Ronda and Nerja. (Madrid-Toledo-Sevilla-Ronda-Nerja-Granada-Barcelona). I note that your husband really wants to go to Morocco. I did too, but changed my mind after researching everything. We liked Ronda and Nerja a lot. We found our two best accommodations there. Ronda is beautiful. Nerja has a great beach and I wrote a story about it here (http://www.ocregister.com/articles/nerja-27458-one-town.html). It could be very hot in Madrid and Seville in August. This beach town might be just what the doctor ordered. And in Madrid, the Prado Museum is well worth it. It is one of the best art museums in the world, period. I love Spain. I am going back this year. Go right for the tapas. There is no reason to eat in a regular restaurant. Tapas were a lot more fun. Have lots of Iberico ham. Have a great trip!