Travel itinerary help needed: Feb/Mar 2017

We are heading to Spain in March as well.
Based on your interest in the countryside, nature, etc. I would suggest traveling in the hill towns of Anduluscia. Check out Ronda which is accessible by train. We decided to bypass Madrid and are renting a car after Granada to drive in this area-we will visit Zahara and Grazalema (quaint , picturesque towns) and then head to ronda for the night, spending most of the next day exploring Ronda.. From there we will head to Seville-by train, or if you like by car. The drives and towns look beautiful.

We are traveling to Barcelona-Granada-Ronda and hill towns-Seville. You could leave Seville for Barcelona. We are flying rom Barcelona to Granada-quicker and cheaper.

I have never been to Spain, so others on this forum may be able to help you better, but like you we also enjoy the quaint towns and driving through picturesque areas. We thought our trip was a nice combination of that and experiencing the history and beauty of the large cities.

February/March will still be quite cold in the interior and mountain areas, where snow would still be possible. For that reason I would focus on Barcelona and Andalusia, leaving Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca for a future time. Nerja and Mallorca are best visited during warmer parts of the year.

With 12 nights ...
Barcelona (4N) >> fly to Granada (2N) >> Ronda (2N) >> Seville (4N)
Visit Cordoba and Jerez from Seville.
Ideally it would be best to arrange a Seville departure flight, rather than returning to Barcelona.

Who knows what the weather will be!! I've been to Spain in February/March 3 times in the last 5 years, always had mild weather and very little rain - Barcelona, Toledo, Granada, Andalucia. But this year winter's crazy-cold in Europe.

I did nix a planned day trip to Segovia from Madrid because the forecast was for snow in Segovia, but Madrid and Toledo were pleasantly sunny and relatively warm (50s-60s). Mallorca in winter? Mallorca on a short trip? nah.

The Alhambra is absolutely amazing, so is the Mezquita in Cordoba. The main reason to visit Madrid is to see the art museums, not what you are looking for. AFAIK there are no night trains. The day trains are really fast. But Barcelona is not close to Andalucia, so look into flights. You could fly into Granada (2N), see the Alhambra, then rent a car and spend 3 days driving through the hills. There are prehistoric dolmens in Antequera, interesting hiking in El Torcal, maybe stop to see the flamingos at the Pink Lagoon, end up in Ronda (2N). See some of its sights and nearby pueblos blancos, then drive through more of them to Arcos, and end in Sevilla. Day trip from there to Cordoba and fly back to BCN.

I'm a little confused because you say you prefer the picturesque countryside, nature and offbeat / hidden gems, yet you're traveling by train. to do what you like, you need a rental car. I love Ronda, Segovia, and Salamanca equally. If you like castles, there is one near Toledo along with it's windmills. Cuenca also has a very pretty and quaint historic center. There are also the windmills at Campo de Cryptana made famous in Cervante's Don Quijote. Castles are all over the country in many of those small picturesque towns. Near Segovia and Salamanca is Avila, a nice old walled city. As far as weather, up in the Madrid area you could still run into some snow. Down south may be chilly but that's about it. Even though you don't like churches, visit the Cathedral in Sevilla. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and 3rd largest cathedral in the world. What to recommend really does depend on what your personal likes are.

It will still be cold in Spain in February. If you will be originating in Barcelona, go to Valencia. I loved that city! It is pretty close, and I believe I took the ALsa Bus. From there I took another bus to Denia, and then on to Nerja. I LOVE Nerja! I lived there for a month and a half in May. You have a lot planned for only 10 days. A lot of people come to Nerja just for a few hours, visit the Balcon de Europa, the town and maybe the Cuevas, or like me, I came for a day and saw how beautiful it was and decided to stay for a while!

Plan on wearing coats, sweaters, and scarves. I would also bring gloves and hats just in case. I ended up having to buy some warmer clothes when I was there in Feb-March. It's the wind that will get you cold.

Have fun!