Hi all,
I have learned so much on this site while planning for wonderful trips we have taken to London, Italy, Hungary, Austria and Germany. I know I will get help from many of you who have traveled to and love southern Spain. After reading many entries and trip reports on this forum (I'm looking at you GeoffB, MML, Jean, Barbara N), I have put together a first pass at an itinerary. I am hoping people will chime in. This trip will be with my hubby (he and I both 63), adult son (25) and adult daughter (23). We love exploring history and churches, architecture while in cities, but also enjoy hiking (more walking for me!) and being away from the city and in nature. Hoping for a combo on this trip. We'll be flying to Madrid after several days in Marrakesh so will be over initial jet lag (though it will be a long travel day w/ plane and train). The dates are not finalized yet. I plan to lock down dates and then book flights/get tix to places we want to visit etc. Here goes:
Friday 5/15 fly into Madrid/take high speed train to Cordoba (arriving late afternoon/early evening). 2 nights in Cordoba (explore flowers on patios since patio festival still on, Roman Bridge, Mezquita tour, explore the Jewish Quarter, Soul of Cordoba night tour, visit the ceramic shop Luque Gastrotienda). Ideally, we can do the Soul of Cordoba tour when we arrive Friday and spend the day on Saturday with Mezquita tour and exploring. I do want the "night view of the bridge" GeoffB described. Barbara N recommended a guide for Cordoba. I do like the idea of private guide. We did that in Italy and it was wonderful.
Sunday: 2 hr hi-speed train to Granada. 2 nights in Granada. Book entry tix and timed tour tix for Alhambra, tix for Basilica of San Juan de Dios (find out when mass is so we can attend), don't miss behind altar view and 4 Virtual Reality seats. Stroll RS Granada old time walk, visit San Nicholas viewpoint for pix, Los Italianos for gelato (thanks Jean) and Los Diamantes for great rice!
Tuesday: rent car at Granada train station and head out of the city. Stay at AirBnB in Ronda 2 nights (or Arriate if avail). Planning to get tix to walk the Caminito del Rey (closed Monday). Plan to get tix on-line for flamenco/guitar show at Casa Museo Don Bosco (arrive early for garden, terrace views). Take drive to Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Aguja del Puerto de las Palomas and go to Oleum Viride Olive Oil for tour and tasting. This would be our "scenic, picnic, enjoy nature day"--hoping no rain!
Thursday: head to Seville. return car at Seville train station. 3 nights Seville. Plaza de Espana (have some euros for performers), Barrio Cruz, Tix for guided tour of Alcazar, get tix to include the Alcazar Upper Rooms, (is this the same as timed tour of upper royal palace?). Book ahead Cathedral tour and timed roof top tour. Climb Giralda Bell Tower (check how ticketed, but we want all 3). See Flamenco show (book w/ Get Your Guide for flexibility to cancel --Museum of Flamenco Dance or La Casa de Flamenco.) Consider doing bike tour w/ See by Bike. Triana Ceramics and little ceramics museum.
Sort of feels like we are moving/traveling a lot, but I do want to see the 3 cities and still allow time to be outside of the city, too. We normally stay in one place for 4 nights minimum. Do you think this feels about right? I studied in Salamanca for a summer years ago. I teach English as Second Language and many of the students are native Spanish speakers, so I get to use their beautiful language sometimes when trying to explain a concept. Both of my kids studied Spanish, too. I can't wait to use Spanish in Spain!
Please lmk what you think. Both kids talked about Cadiz or a beach town, but I don't really think it's doable. Thanks for any and all advise!
Joanne