Southern Spain

Toledo and Cordoba absolutely. Not a fan of Malaga. Segovia and Avila are also worth a visit. Of the group, Toledo would top the list, but the aquaduct at Segovia is the best in the world.

Yes, yes, and yes.
Toledo is one of the jewels of Spain, a former capital of Spain and one of the best places to see how the Christian, Jewish, and Moorish cultures co-existed. Once reconquered by Christian forces late in the 11th century, it became one of the major sources of knowledge that stimulated the Renaissance in western Europe, as Arabic learning, and Arabic copies of lost Greek material, were translated into Latin. It's also the home of a huge collection of magnificent paintings by El Greco.
The seat of power during Toledo's heyday was Cordoba, capital of the Moorish dynasty that controlled virtually all of Spain frm the 8th through the 10th centuries. Its gems include the Mezquita (the grand mosque) and the Alcazar. There is also a magnificent Roman bridge.
Malaga, too, has a wonderful history, and it baffles me why Rick insists it's not worth a visit. It was founded as a port by the Phoenecians, and used by the Romans, who built a forum (being excavated). It was an important Moorish city, and one of the last to fall to Christian forces, in the 15th century. Important sites include the Alcazaba (a mini Alhambra), the Gibralfaro fortress on the mountain overlooking Malaga, and the forum. The old city (lying to the east) is your typical rabbit warren of streets, with fine restaurants and lots of great outdoor cafes. It's cathedral is magnificent (called La Manquita, or "one-armed woman" because a lack of funds meant only one of its two towers was finished.) Malaga is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso (2 museums in his honour) and, for what it's worth, Antonio Banderas.
If you're into history and you have the time to plan, you can take a journey that starts with 25,000 year old cave paintings, proceeds through the Bronze and Iron ages, to Phoenecian influence, Roman and Visigoth times, the Moorish conquest and the Christian Reconquista all the way to the modern day, and you'll be able to find all of these sites within a day's drive!

The more recent and larger Picasso museum features about 180 works of Picasso including his ceramics and sculptures. The smaller one shows the apartment where he was born in the Plaza de la Merced. Of course when he was five his father accepted a position in La Coruna and they left Málaga. The big surprise is you can go to the basement and find Phoenician dwellings that have been excavated. I also often visited the CAC. It's the Center for Contemporary Art located near the train station. Free entry. And, remember the famous piece "Malaguena" is an homage to the woman from Málaga. Any woman from the province is a Malaguena. When I was in Granada, I passed the Ayuntamiento where chimes of their famous song "Granada" are played every fifteen minutes.

I would defintely put Toledo on your must see list. I have visited three times - the first for a day, and the other two for multi-night stays. I stay each time at Posado de Manolo, a great hostal adjacent to the Cathederal. Central location with great access to the many historical venues. (By the way, no car in Toledo, use your feet or perhaps a taxi.) History abounds in The Cathederal, St. Tomme Church, The Museums, El Greco -all are the best around. I will be glad to provide additional information if you wish.

I would defintely put Toledo on your must see list. I have visited three times - the first for a day, and the other two for multi-night stays. I stay each time at Posado de Manolo, a great hostal adjacent to the Cathederal. Central location with great access to the many historical venues. (By the way, no car in Toledo, use your feet or perhaps a taxi.) History abounds in The Cathederal, St. Tomme Church, The Museums, El Greco -all are the best around. I will be glad to provide additional information if you wish.

Certainly Toledo... but if you're in Toledo, you definitely need to spend a couple nights in Madrid, which is only an hour away by train. I'm assuming you will probably be flying into Madrid.

If Madrid is your starting point, I would also recommend Segovia - it is another short trip from Madrid. The town square is overshadowed by a beautiful Roman aqueduct. I don't know if this exactly qualifies as "Southern Spain"... but it is worth a visit.

Cordoba is soaking in Moorish influences... but I would guess it is only worth a day or so. The Mezquita in Cordoba was more impressive to me than the Alhambra in Granada.

All of these places sit on the AVE, Spain's high speed train network, so transportation would not be problem.

As for Malaga, I've only ever passed through their airport - I listened to Rick and spent my time elsewhere... but I was also in Southern Spain in the winter... I'd imagine it is more attractive in summer-time.

I am also firmly in the camp of Malaga loathers....I know the old city is quite nice but to me that is about it and the rest is pretty horrible. But others differ of course. Cannot comment on Toledo but Cordoba is lovely and well worth a visit. The Mezquita is wonderful but Cordoba is much more than that. We like Jerez too, and Nerja on the coast is pretty, if touristy.

I am a big fan of Toledo. It is an ancient city with tons of presence. In fact, I'd rather stay there and visit that upstart, Madrid, as a day trip than the reverse.

So yeah, you should definitely go there.

Liz...I agree that, other than the old city (which is quite extensive), there's not much else to see in Malaga. After all, it is a big, modern, bustling city.
But, by the same token, when you drive to Caceres, you approach through a gritty industrial park development, and leave through high-rises and sprawling shopping malls. But that wouldn't stop me from recommending a stop there to enjoy the wonderful old city. Rick's complete lack of mention of old Malaga, and its important role in Spanish history, still mystifies me.

Hi Norm

Oh Caceres - what a wonderful place. I have no recollection of the drive into it, but it is a gorgeous old town and one we plan to go back to.

Would be hard to convince me on Malaga but I know many many people feel differently about it. Perhaps it is the nightmare of navigating in and around it on numerous occasions which colours my view!

Liz....two tips I always tell people when they drive into Malaga....avoid rush hour....and avoid the start and end of the university day. Unfortunately, that gives the highway across the top of Malaga 4 rush hours per day instead of 2.
P.S....the 4 lane autovia into Caceres is almost finished!