Has anyone been to Caceres? I heard it was great. We are taking our 18 year old daughter and 16 year old son to Spain for her graduation trip. I lived in Spain during college, but have never been to Extremadura. Goal of the trip is to really practice our Spanish and immerse ourselves in Spanish culture.
June 7 Arrive Madrid. We are staying in a friends' home in Las Rozas- right outside of Madrid. We should have the whole place to ourselves - no hotel bill! We will rent a car because I think this will be more economical for the 4 of us.
Spend time in Madrid- visit Retiro, Prado, spend time with friends etc....
June 10 Drive to Toledo for the day and then drive to Caceres to spend the night. I have a hotel reserved- NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo
Caceres, ES. Caceres sounds very interesting, I have never been there and hopefully it is not as crowded as other places in Spain.
Here is where I need help planning between June 11-14- although I have flexibilty.
From Caceres I would like to visit Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada. I am not sure how many days I need to do them justice.
We also are visiting friends outside of Lyon, France. We need to fly there from Madrid because it is too far to drive. I plan to be in France from Monday June 15- Friday June 19th. I would like to be back in Madrid Friday, June 19 or Saturday June 20 so that we can spend the weekend there with our friends before we fly home on Tuesday June 22.
Posted by
6 posts
Hi
I have only just visited these locations and I think you will need a good deal more than 3 days to do them justice. It will also be hot and busy.
Seville needs 2 days at least, so much to see. Don't forget the Metropol Parasol (sunset is best). Cordoba you could do in a long day, at a push. The journey between these is beautiful too so it would be a shame to rush them. If you want to visit the Alhambra in Granada then make sure you book in advance - the sooner the better - you will never get in otherwise. Also take a short taxi ride at sunset to the site which overlooks the Alhambra. Watch and then enjoy a meal. Fabulous.
Lyon is also a beautiful city and really needs more than a day.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I think if you are locked into Caceres there is no way you can include all three places (Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada) with just 4 days at your disposal. My sad suggestion would be to drop Granada as this is a minimum 2 days to do it justice.
Also, its a 3 hour drive Toledo-Caceres and Extremedura will be extremely hot already come June.
Perhaps June 10 overnight in Toledo.
June 11 overnight in Caceres.
June 12 overnight in Cordoba (drive via Merida)
June 13,14 Sevilla
June 15 Fly to Lyon
Check Vueling Sevilla departure 0700 connecting in Barcelona for Lyon (arrive 1115)
You do have AVE high speed train option France-Spain for returning to Madrid June 19.
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/larga_distancia/productos/AVEFrancia/index.html
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Right now we are not locked into anything except that we fly into Madrid on the 7 and out on the 22nd.
Have you been to Caceres? I am read about it and it seems interesting, but I am not sure if it is worth visiting.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
I made a few changes. Please take a look and let me know if this looks more manageable. I can make any adjustments as needed.
I read recently that Cáceres is an interesting town. I have never been to Extremadura. I thought it might be interesting to drive to Toledo, spend the day and then drive on to Cáceres and spend the night.
The next day we could drive to Sevilla( passing Merida on the way) spend the night in Sevilla, see Sevilla, drive to Granada see Granada spend the night, drive to Cordoba spend the night and then back to Madrid. I am not sure if this will be too much driving or too little time in each place.
Should we take one city out and spend more time in another place?
Sunday, June 7 Madrid
Monday, June 8 Madrid
Tuesday, June 9 Toledo, Cáceres
Wednesday, June 10 Merida, Sevilla
Thursday, June 11 Granada
Friday, June 12 Cordoba
Saturday, June 13-Madrid
Sunday-June 14 Madrid
Monday-June 15 Fly to Lyon, France.-We have friends that we are visiting there.
Tuesday, June 16-Lyon
Wednesday, June 17 Lyon
Thursday, June 18-Lyon
Friday-June 19 Fly back to Madrid
Saturday, June 20 Madrid
Sunday, June 21 Madrid
Monday, June 22 Fly home
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
You are describing a journey of 900 miles in 5 days, 3-4 hours solid driving each day.
When you say "see Sevilla, see Granada, see Cordoba" I am sure that's all it will be - no experience, no enjoyment. In fact if you blink at the wrong time you may miss seeing anything.
Something has to give, that is my strong recommendation.
There would be no point going to Granada for 1 night for this allows no time to visit the Alhambra.
Even 1st night in Cordoba after Toledo, 2nd night in Sevilla and 3+4 in Granada (allowing time to see the Alhambra) would be way too rushed in most people's opinions.
Ultimately it's up to you but the reason for this forum is to be guided by the the experiences and insight of others.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
All good points. I really would rather spend more time in fewer places so that we can really explore and get the feel of the place. I just need to decide what to cut.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I hope you didn't think my comments harsh.
I would say you need to choose between Caceres and Granada.
It would then be 'do-able' if your energy levels are high and you are prepared for long days on the go without any lingering.
Hey, who said holidays were fore relaxing? You would be on a beach if that was your desire.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
I am just happy to have someone to bounce ideas off of. My family is sick of this discussion. Have you been to Cáceres before? The New York times said it is a must see location.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Your family, you mean, just want to end the to-ing and fro-ing, and for you to make a decision for them to go with?
If they are "sick of the discussion" then I say leave them at home.
No, sorry, I have not been to Caceres (yet) but I do know my Spanish friends baulk at the thought of Extremadura in summer heat.
Everything is relative. I like www.spain.info for unambiguous overviews.
http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/ciudades-pueblos/otros-destinos/caceres.html
One of the good things about Spain is you are guaranteed to make your own 'discoveries' wherever you choose.