July trip to Spain.

I like that you are having a few nights in a place -- so critical to get quality time for the town. I don't see the Mezquita in cordoba -- it really is a must. https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/the-mezquita-at-least-the-catholics-had-the-good-sense-not-to-destroy-it-when-they-desecrated-it/
You can stop on the route from Seville to Madrid (leave luggage at bus station) by train and you can see the Mezquita and the highlights of the town in a few hours. Have a great trip.

Just curious why you are breaking up Madrid - why not go Valencia - Toledo - Madrid and save yourself an extra check-in/out of hotel

I do better counting nights. Your plan is Barcelona 6, Valencia 4, Seville 3, Madrid 2, Toledo 1, Madrid 2.

Without knowing what kind of experiences you're looking for. . . beaches, history, art, food/wine. . . I would take a night from Valencia and stop in Cordoba for 1-2 nights. It's about 45 minutes by train between there and Sevilla. You could stay in Sevilla and day trip to Cordoba (or stop on the way to Madrid), but I find Cordoba much nicer in the evenings than Sevilla, so I'd spend my last day in Sevilla sightseeing, then evening train to Cordoba for 2 nights, 1 full day, and then early train to Madrid. Cordoba has the most interesting medieval Jewish quarter and the not-to-be-missed Mezquita and a few other excellent sights, including a horse show at the Royal Stables several times a week.

I don't think it makes much difference if you break up your Madrid stay for Toledo or not, if you're quick to pack/unpack. The only train to Toledo, used by commuters and day-trippers, is from Madrid. Just pack a small overnight bag and leave the rest with your hotel in Madrid or in a locker in the train station. Depending on the time of your flight home, you may be able to go to the airport from Toledo - commuter train to Atocha, then Cercanias train to Barajas. The first train from Toledo is at 6.30 am during the week, but on weekends only at 9.30 (no commuters ☺). Also, consider 2 nights there with one day for sightseeing. Toledo is another place that is great in the evenings if you want to walk the ancient streets when they are delightfully deserted.

Read this article, everything you need to know about the trains in Spain. There's a 7.15 pm train from Valencia to Cordoba (3 hours). There's a 6.30 pm train to Seville (nearly 4 hours). Either of those would be a good option. [There are only 2-3 other trains a day and they take longer.] Taking an evening train gives you a full day of sightseeing in Valencia, then you can relax, rest, and have a picnic dinner on the train. There are fast trains to Madrid (under 2 hours) but then you'd have the round-trip travel to Sevilla, which doesn't make sense.

I'd spread myself round a bit more, with less time in Valencia, and stays in Córdoba and Toledo.

1-6 Barcelona
7+8 Valencia
9+10 Toledo (train via Madrid)
11+12+13 Sevilla (train via Madrid)
14+15 Córdoba
16+17+18 Madrid

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!! I got up at 4:30 this morning to all your responses and have modified my trip accordingly. Now: Barcelona is the same 6, Valencia 2, Seville 2, Cordoba 3, Madrid 2, Toledo 1, Madrid 2 (thanks Chani for this format). I have rearranged the already booked hotels and added Cordoba.

I like to get up and on the road/train early mornings, this also allows me to see where I'm going once I'm in a new city. I've checked out the Renfe schedules and think I can make that work. I'll order tickets on-line (the TripAdvisor article was very good).

My trip begins in Barcelona on July 5th after an overnight flight from Seattle. I love to simply explore and to feel a new culture. Some museums are great, Gaudi is a must for me and his tile work, architecture and people watching. Not a fan of big crowds and I know that July is a busy tourist time in Spain. Also I know it will be hotter inland. I love the bustle of local markets and all the food possibilities. Baked goods and ice cream every day.

I'm feeling much better about the trip now and am looking forward to seeing this beautiful new country. Thanks again for your time to provide me feedback. Dave

If you are interested in my journey to Mexico this is my blog: http://casalucero.typepad.com/mi-casa-en-bucerias/

Hmmm, I hope all our hype about Cordoba hasn't raised expectations too high. I'd consider Sevilla 3 nights and Cordoba 2 nights. A lot depends on the train times and what you've decided to see in each place. You certainly can find lots in Cordoba for 2 full days, I'm just a little afraid you may not have time enough in Sevilla.

Note the sunrise/sunset times in Spain. They are later than usual in Sevilla-Madrid, because Spain is on Central European time, but west of the prime meridian. Sometimes, I like to spend an entire day sightseeing, then relax on an evening train, then go out for dinner in the new place. While you can get tapas any time (and fill up on them, yummy), dinner isn't usually before 9 and typically at 10.

I recommend the Barcelona TI walking tours. The Moderisme tour was excellent. So was the Bari Gotic (good way to start). Along with Gaudi, consider visiting the Domenech i Montaner sights (Palau de la Musica, Hospital de Sant Pau, Casa Lleo Morera) and Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Amatller.

Me again, Dave. I was just looking at your photos, some of them are amazingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing. You mentioned that you turned 65 (I was in Cordoba that day☺). Are you aware of the discounts in Spain?

You can get a tarjeta dorada for €6 at any train station (show photo ID with proof of age). With that, you can buy train tickets (once you're in Spain, natch) and considerable discounts. They vary from 25%-40%, depending on the type of train and the day of the week. Don't try to figure it out, but when you look at trains on renfe.com, put "1" in the tarjeta dorada box - the site will then show you the best prices. When the list of trains comes up, click on the options box for the train you want, then there's a drop-down for the fares. If the promo fare is only a few euros cheaper, you may want to wait until you're there and be able to choose trains as you go. You will also get a discount on the local trains when you buy the ticket.

Many places give discounts to 65+. Always ask, you've lived long enough to earn it. Only a very few are limited to Spaniards only.

Chani, thanks so much for the suggestions! All worth considering. What I may do is take a late train from Seville to Cordoba and have my picnic dinner on the train as you have suggested. Here in Mexico dinner is also between 9 and 10 however, as an old guy, now 67, I usually eat before 6 and am in bed by 10. LOL.... My full days in Cordoba are Saturday and Sunday and Monday morning I am on my way to Madrid. I'm not sure what Sundays are like in Spain but here in Mexico many places are closed on Sunday and it's a family day. I'm not opposed to a quiet day in Cordoba simply walking and looking around. Wandering back streets and seeing how people really live has always been a joy for me.

I did read before about the senior discount card and will look into that when I arrive. I had planned on figuring out all my train times before I leave, purchase and print the boarding passes. I will have 6 train trips during my time there. I'll look to see the discounts for the senior card and decide how to proceed. My sense is that most trains are not booked full with maybe the exception of the Madrid-Toledo route as it is a commuter train as well. I'm still a month away from landing in Barcelona so I have time to research.

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions. Dave (glad you liked the blog photos)

Oh, 2 years ago I was at home on Easter, but in Cordoba in February! I thought I loved Italy best, then I went to Spain for the first time just over 3 years ago, and I've been back twice since then!

The best way from El Prat to the city is the Aerobus (cheap and comfortable, leaves every 5 minutes) to Pl. Catalunya (if you are staying nearby). I went to a Spanish guitar concert at one of the old churches - superb. The Barcelona tourism's official website has all the info on tours, events, and more.

The trains to/from Toledo sell out, so you'll want to buy in advance, but you only need to do that a few days ahead.

Harold hasn't chimed in here. He's one of the (very few) real fans of Madrid - maybe PM him for suggestions. If you aren't going to spend your time looking at paintings, consider the Naval Museum. It's mostly about the golden age of exploration; it's run by the Navy, so you need to bring your passport to get in.

A good place for flamenco is La Casa del Flamenco in Sevilla, not touristy.

A good start for Cordoba is a walking tour. I took the evening tour in March. You must book in advance (through the TI) to ensure there will be a tour. My guide was very good, the walk covered most of the landmarks I wanted to see. There's a folk museum in the Calahorra tower that's interesting, plus it gives access to the roof for a good view of the cathedral side of the river. I wasn't impressed by the Alcazar but the gardens are supposed to be beautiful. I was there in February and to my surprise, gardens in Spain are at their worst then - here, everything is lush and blooming in winter, by mid-spring it's all turning brown. There's a night time sound/light show.