Where to stay: Madrid, Toledo, Sevilla, Granada, Barcelona

Just back from 3 weeks in Spain. Used a cross-body medium size Bagallini purse plus a RS money belt under my clothes. The money belt had passport, credit cards and large banknotes. The purse had the usual assorted stuff plus cash for small purchases and an ATM card. Walked around at night and fought through crowds on La Ramblas without feeling vulnerable.

Threw away the money belt the moment I got to the airport...it's the travel accessory you love to hate, lol.

If you would rather not "schlep" around too much with luggage then consolidate Toledo into Madrid ...

Fly in to Madrid, 5 nights (day excursion to Toledo)
Train to Sevilla, 5 nights (day excursion to Cordoba)
(pick up rental car)
Drive to Ronda, 2 nights (day excursion to pueblos blancos)
Drive to Granada, 3 nights
(return rental car)
Fly to Barcelona, 5 nights

By all means, vrbo is a good reliable choice for apartments. Look at ...
La Latina in Madrid
Santa Cruz in Sevilla
Eixample (Dreta) in Barcelona

Splurge at the Parador in Ronda, and get an Alhambra view in Granada ...
http://www.parador.es/es/paradores/parador-de-ronda
http://www.hotelcasamorisca.com/en

We toured Spain this past Spring. With the exception of Las Ramblas, I never worried about being a pick pocket target. We just took the usual big city precautions and I tend to use a neck wallet more because then I don't have to worry if I've set it down somewhere and forgotten it. I have enough cash in my purse to handle small incidentals and lunch. The neck wallet has a credit card, passport copy and more cash. I tend to wear a cami that I can slide the neck wallet into if I feel the need. The thing that I found humerous was that it seemed like every woman walking Las Ramblas had a cross-body bag with her hand on it.

You can use train station luggage storage to lessen the amount of luggage schlepping. Toledo and Cordoba are much better as overnight (1 or 2 nights) stays than day trips. You have to return to the Madrid train station from Toledo to connect to any other destination so you might as well leave your luggage in a locker there and take an overnight bag to Toledo. Then in Cordoba, you can take an overnight bag and store most of your luggage. I think the luggage storage is in the bus station across the street from the train station.

If you want to spend 2 days or more seeing the pueblos blancos it makes sense to rent a car on leaving Seville and returning it when you get to Granada. Otherwise just take the train or bus from Seville.

Just came back Friday from 2 weeks in Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Seville and Toledo. I used a leg wallet for passports, extra credit cards and the bulk of the cash, worked great. Carried everything else in a baggallini. Also, tried a SholdIt (the original version) and it's an easy place to store a few euros and a credit card, the later hang it from your purse if it's too hot for a scarf. At one point, after shuffling thru the Madrid metro on a busy morning, I did find my bag unzipped, but had the money tucked away in an inner pocket, so no issues. I felt very safe, but always try to stay aware of my surroundings.

My suggestion is bus from Seville to Ronda and then train to Granada which would eliminate the need for a rental car.

My husband wears a money pocket which is more comfortable than a money belt. I had a pacsafe cross body bag with a small lock which thwarted a pickpocket at Atocha station in Madrid.

I use a money belt AND a neck wallet. I keep all the stuff for daily living in the neck wallet -- credit card, atm card, passport. Other credit cards, atm cards, etc., go in the money belt. Never had a pickpocket problem and this configuration works pretty well for me.
Places to stay> Just back from two weeks in Andalucia so my experience is fresh. In Sevilla -- Hotel Murillo, ten minute walk to all the sights and the Casa de Flamenco, great restaurants less than five minutes away, very, very nice hotel with a rooftop bar and breakfast; Granada -- Hotel Los Tilos, five minutes from sights, TI, and ten minute walk to bus stop for Alhambra; Cordoba -- stayed at Hotel Calipha but it is a longer walk to everything but still a very nice hotel; Madrid -- Hotel Europa, stayed there four times and will probably do so for the fifth trip whenever that might be, access via subway is a one minute walk, location is unbeatable, staff incredibly accommodating. Hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your trip. P.S. I would not rent a car to visit the cities you mentioned as the train service is really good and reliable. See my note about train service to Granada in this forum. Adios!

For the last ten trips to Europe,yearly I have carried a small wallet in my front pocket with the daily basics,I had the cleaners Velcro the pocket,have never had a problem,this includes Ramblas in Barcelona,Rome,Paris Metro and Prague the most popular picket cities.
Mike

As for securely carrying your stuff, I've really enjoyed my Scottevest, easily the best travel purchase I've ever made. It has around 24 pockets, most zippered, about half are inside the vest or jacket. Even carries an ipad. It is great for air travel because you can carry a lot of stuff in the jacket & that doesn't count as a carry-on item. It is great for everyday use while traveling because it carries a lot, very securely, and doesn't usually show any bulges.

The man from Oz and Chani are right on target, as usual, with their travel counsel. Someday I hope to have the pleasure of meeting them.

Sunny days, marble skies.

Come on over, Marbles. It's pleasantly warm and sunny here now.

28C here today, and a bit sticky.
http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/brisbane.shtml?ref=hdr

Hi there, not sure if you still need this advice. But I carried a PacSafe bag while touring Spain. They boast a mesh that cannot be slashed and have secure fastenings. Mine also has a spot for a water bottle. I'm not seeing it in their current catalog(bought mine over 5 years ago so styles have changed) but the closest one now is this one: http://www.pacsafe.com/metrosafe-250-gii-shoulder-bag.html

There wasn't as big of a selection when I purchased mine either. Gosh, I might need a new one :)

When you fly from the south (near Granada) to Madrid or Barcelona - what airport do you leave from? Malaga or other?

Thanks!

Tracy

"When you fly from the south (near Granada) to Madrid or Barcelona - what airport do you leave from? Malaga or other? "

Granada has its own airport, although it does not have as much service as the larger airports at Malaga or Seville. So, look for flights from whichever city works for your itinerary; there's no need to change cities just to catch a flight.

To find flights, use Skyscanner: http://www.skyscanner.com/

I don't use VRBO because it's unfair to the actual permanent residents of the apartment building or area. I've lived in a lot of apartments. Having a place to live does not come with a right to make money from it. All my leases have forbidden this type of usage.