Spain...Need to rework trip as The Champions League Final is in town $$$$$

Thank you for the suggestions. I had hoped to spend a few days before we began our trip in Madrid and did not think it would be a problem getting a room we liked in a location we wanted but we have been to Madrid so we are not really missing anything. Especially with the crowds. We will also fly out of Madrid July 1st so we can get to the city then. We love Madrid but don't need to be there with all of the craziness. In fact we were blessed to stay at the Ritz last trip before we went to Barcelona.

I have been working all morning to figure out another plan of action and decided to rent a car from the airport the morning of the 20th when we fly in. I think we will drive to Toledo for 2 nights where we can catch up on some sleep (overnight flight) spend a day and then head to Cordoba. I realize we do not need 2 nights in Toledo but I am using it as a stop to rest as well. I am going to dropped the car in Cordoba as I think we will be booking in the old city. Just got an email that they do have rooms for the nights we were checking.

Then we will take the train to Seville and either train or bus back to Marbella where we will relax by the pool for a week before flying to Italy.

When I posted several months ago others felt 5 days in Seville would be great as we could travel from there to other destinations. We also don't like to keep checking in and out especially since we have luggage with us.

Thank you for the hotel...I am going to check that out as well...

Karen

I'd hate for you to miss Madrid...it's a wonderful city. The Ibis hotel at Valentin Beato, in the Suances area of eastern Madrid has three nights starting on May 22nd available for about 49 Euro/night for two people. It's modern, clean and comfortable accommodations that, while basic, is more than adequate....I mean, how much time do you spend in your room? It's half a block from the Suances metro station, there are several cafes along the main street there, Calle Alcala, and it's about a 20 minute metro ride to downtown. I't also only a 15 minute cab ride from the airport.
When you leave Madrid on the train, you'll be leaving from Atocha station.
Frankly, three nights in Cordoba is excessive, if you don't have a car to get out and about...try hard to spend time in Madrid.
Personally, I would also think 5 nights in Sevilla would be excessive. If you don't plan a day trip to Granada from Marbella, then chop a couple of days from Sevilla, take the bus or train to Granada for a night to see the Alhambra, then bus back down to Marbella.

If you have a car from Sevilla then, yes, you could fill 5 days easily...day trips to Merida, Arcos, Cadiz. Without a car, these day trips become a lot tougher.
If you are heading for Toledo right after your arrival, then two nights there isn't overdoing it at all....you're wise to give yourselves that time to recover from jet lag.

Thank you Norm...that is what I needed to know. Plan for now is to pick up a car in Madrid 11 AM after the flight which arrives at 9AM. Will drive to the Hilton outside of Toledo for 2 nights just to sleep one and tour the next day. Now this all changes if they do not have an automatic for us as neither of us can drive a manual. Have not had a problem yet (with automatic reservations) but almost did years ago in Venice when we drove to Sorrento.

Then drive to Cordoba. I am holding a room in the Historic Center where we do not want the car since parking is 29 Euro's a day and we can walk everywhere. Also the car has to be dropped in Cordoba (university contract and good rate). So maybe I will get another car or just train to Seville.

The question of the day is should we just do 3 nights Cordoba and 3 Seville. Or 2 Cordoba and 4 Seville? Rmemeber we will be traveling some of these days checking in and out of hotels so that eats time up. Also we enjoy just getting to know an area and don't need to run all of the time.

This will end this portion of the trip....and then we go to Marbella for the week before flying to Sicily.

Thank you all for all of your help.

Karen

ah, this would explain why our hotel room rate is higher on 5/22(but not $1200, yikes!) than the rest of our stay in Madrid. I made our reservations last fall. now I'm thinking we will make that day trip to Segovia that day instead of Friday. the things one learns on the internets....I'm so glad I read this post.

regardless, I hope you enjoy your stay in Spain Karen!

Honestly, Karen, unless there's some reason you want to drive the countryside from Toledo to Cordoba, I wouldn't rent a car just for those couple of days.
You could easily take a cab to Atocha station, and the AVE is in Toledo in half an hour.
The drive from Toledo to Cordoba is about 4.5 hours, and you'll get to see the plains of La Mancha. The drive through the mountains north of Jaen is also spectacular, but a bit of an issue for southbound traffic, since it winds through the mountains on the old Franco-era highway.
On the AVE, though, you can be back in Madrid in half an hour...and even with an hour-long wait for the next train, you'll still be in Cordoba in less than 3.5 hours.
Just wanted to mention those points for your consideration.
Personally, I would set 4 days for Sevilla and two for Cordoba. There's much more to see and do in Sevilla, so it should get more time.

Norm

Well I am leaning toward the car just for 2-3 days. I thought it might be easier with the luggage even though we are trying to keep luggage down. It is always more than we want and we have a cruise we need to bring clothes for as well. But I will consider the train. I also thought it would keep us out of Madrid.

Todays plan
2 nights Toeldo (one just to catch up on sleep)

3 nights Cordoba HOSPEDERIA DE EL CHURRASCO in the old city(actually 2 days but the extra night there.

3 nights Seville (we will probably have 4 days to play with there. Reading thousands of reviews. Amadeus only had 2 of the nights we need. Have narrowed it down to Las Casas de la Juderia and Petit Palace Santa Cruz..

I really like the reviews of Silken Al Andaluce but would prefer being in the old town. We even thought of splurging with the Alfonso XIII but the overall reviews did not warrant it for us.

I have read everything written on Las Casas and am not totally sold on it. I think we are leaning towards Petit Palace Santa Cruz.

So that is the plan for now. I put in a full days work on this.

Karen

Toby

I love all of the boards. This is what I do all day..read them.

We loved Segovia. We were there with a private guide several years ago.

Enjoy.
Karen

It will be an enjoyable drive...just watch out for the old twisty highway through the mountains north of Jaen....the mountains there shimmer with greens and golds...fascinating! Luckily, the old Franco-era highway is now one-way southbound. When you drive it, wonder at how people did it when it was for 2-way traffic!!

And, if you get a chance, stop in the town of Consuegra, less than an hour after you leave Toledo. There are 7 or 8 old windmills in the Don Quixote style, and an old castle, high above the town, looking out over the plains of La Mancha. You can drive right up to them, and the tourist office is in the second windmill.

Will do....thanks.
Karen