Spain itinerary: looking for feedback

I like that very much, and the timing looks good, weather-wise. The major quibble I have is limiting Cordoba to an in-transit stop; I find that an odd choice by the tour, given that it allows 2 nights for Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Cordoba's a 3-night sort of place for me. You probably won't want to day-trip to Cordoba from Seville at the very beginning of your trip (Seville's worth all the time you have there), but you might consider stealing a few more hours for Cordoba on your way to or from Granada at the end. You'll know by then whether you felt really cheated of time there during the tour.

I'd also wish for the opportunity to see Baeza while in Ubeda, but you never have time for everything worthwhile.

Looks pretty good to me, don't think I see any big issues,. Just very exhausting for me haha. I'd be sure to plug in some down time here and there. I think Valencia and Granada could be good places to just chill out and enjoy the ambiance.

I am surprised that OAT Tours has allocated just an en route stop in Cordoba while spending 2 nights in Ubeda, 2 nights in Ronda, and 3 nights in Toledo. I would want a minimum of 2 nights in Cordoba. Since you are spending 5 nights in Seville (a good choice), perhaps you could visit Cordoba as a daytrip from Seville during one of those days. And visit sites that are not on your OAT stop in Cordoba, if you know what sites you will be visiting with OAT. In addition to the Mezquite, we enjoyed the Alcazar gardens, Palacio de Viana, the Roman Bridge, and exploring the Juderia.

Otherwise, I think you have an excellent trip planned with the 3 OAT tours and your independent plans.

I've booked some flights and now looking for some specific feedback on one piece of this itinerary.

I will be flying two days earlier than I previously anticipated, arriving at MAD on February 11 at 5am. I booked a flight from Seville (SVQ) to Casablanca (CMN) on February 18, departing at 10:05 am.

Question: Which of these options would you recommend:

1. Fly to SVQ from MAD late morning on February 11 (Iberia has a direct flight at 11:35), stay there for 7 nights, do a day trip to Córdoba from Seville by train to cover more than I will have time for during the stop on the tour. (And possibly also do a day trip to Cádiz.)
2. Take a train from Madrid to Córdoba, stay there 2 nights, then take a train to Seville, and stay there 5 nights. (Still could possibly do a day trip to Cádiz.)

How easy is it to get from MAD airport to the train station if I go with the second option? If I go with option 1, should I perhaps consider taking the train rather than flying?

Here is what OAT says about the stop in Córdoba. (We'll be driving from Ronda in the morning.)

We’ll spend some time walking around Córdoba this morning, admiring
its architecture and getting the pulse of the city.

Lunch: On your own. Ask your Trip Experience Leader for some of their
favorite restaurants.

Afternoon: Immediately following lunch you have free time to explore
the town on your own. You may visit the ancient Roman bridge or
triumphal arch, explore the Alcázar of Christian Kings, or walk
Calleja de las Flores—a narrow, flower-lined street that ends in a
plaza.

Later, we’ll visit the Jewish quarter with the expert guidance of our
Trip Experience Leader. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, the
Jewish Quarter is an intricate maze of narrow cobblestone streets.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

I strongly prefer Option 2. Aside from giving you some quiet early-morning and evening hours in Cordoba, it means you won't be sitting in the airport, trying to stay awake, for so long.

From the airport to Atocha Station I have used the airport bus, which makes only 1 or 2 stops before reaching Atocha. There are also local trains from the airport train station (see below). Using the Metro means at least 1 transfer, maybe 2, something I would want to avoid after an overnight flight when encumbered by luggage.

The train ticket from Madrid-Atocha to Cordoba is a sort of a tricky situation. It's risky to buy that ticket far in advance (which would mean a lower fare), since your flight could be delayed. Padding the schedule a lot could leave you cooling your heels at Atocha for an unnecessarily long time, very undesirable after an overnight flight. While we usually recommend waiting until arrival to buy train tickets in this situation, it is unfortunately the case that trains between Madrid and Cordoba occasionally sell out.

There are now multiple companies running express trains on that route. I think what I'd do is monitor ticket availability for the arrival day on the Renfe and Iryo websites. If trains begin showing as Full, I'd consider buying a ticket at what seems like a reasonable time, choosing an option that allows changing the ticket (but review the details). Some people have payment trouble with the Renfe website; in that case, you could try Iryo or pay a bit extra and use Trainline.

If there's no indication trains are selling out, you can just go to the airport train station to buy your ticket. (That would need to be on Renfe, as far as I know.) The staff there will sell you a ticket to Cordoba for the appropriate departure time. I'm not sure how it works, but that ticket will cover the train from the airport to Atocha at no extra cost.

Wow, thank you acraven. This is really helpful.

One question. In mid-February, is it less likely the train will be sold out than, say, during peak travel season?

With my early arrival, I'm likely to be arriving in Córdoba as early as 8am, and probably no later than 10am. I'm sure I could have my hotel hold my luggage, but I'll probably have a long wait until I can get into my room for a much-needed shower and change of clothes. I guess I could book the hotel for the previous night so my room is available when I arrive. Or that time of year, are hotels in Córdoba likely to be not fully booked and willing to offer me early check-in if I let them know in advance? Otherwise, it doesn't really matter all that much if I have to wait at the airport or at the train station.

I know what used to be shoulder season is now becoming part of peak season, and off season is probably more like shoulder season used to be. Any insights as to tourist crowds in Spain in February?

The earliest in the year I've been in Spain was the month of April 2019, which was very busy in Andalucia, what with Holy Week and the expected fabulous weather. I would expect February to be quieter, but Google for information on holidays and local festivals that could mean a lot of locals traveling.

I am not an early riser, so I don't show up at hotels at 8 or 9 AM, but I've been able to get into my room upon arrival more often than not. I have a strong preference for hotels/B&Bs rather than single-apartment lodgings, which means only one of potentially many rooms in my price category needs to be available when I show up at 10, 11 or noon.

I think your odds are pretty good if you're staying in a hotel of some size. Even if nothing is ready when you walk in, I'd expect the desk staff to notify Housekeeping to prioritize a room suitable for you, so you are unlikely to have to wait until the standard check-in time. It could happen, of course, but it has only happened to me a very few times in the last 9 years, during which I must have stayed in over 150 lodgings.

Thanks again acraven. I really appreciate your insight.