Hi Everyone! I know that many of you say not to even visit Marbella, much less stay there, but my brother-in-law has a time share there, so it is basically free for us. That said, we would love to do some day trips to some fantastic sights. We will be there for seven days and are flying in and out of Malaga. I am sure we will be renting a car. It is difficult for me to decide what to do there is just so much, so I am looking for suggestions from some of you seasoned travelers. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
From Marbella, you've got day trips to Ronda in the mountains, to Granada for the Alhambra, to Gibraltar to say you've been there, and to Tangiers. Overnight stay to Sevilla is also very worthwhile. WHen making longer day trips along the coast, use the new "autopista" (toll highway)...costs a few bucks, but definitely worth bypassing the busy coastal highway, especially in the Marbella area.
Posted by
OP
St. Augustine, FL, USA
15 posts
Thanks, Norm! That definitely gives me some ideas and some starting points. I will look in to all of those places.
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
Definitely hire a car. As well as the places Norm suggests you might want to look at a day trip to either Cadiz or Tolledo.
I hope you have a great time - it's just a shame that the English have ruined the Costa Del Sol in so many ways.
Posted by
OP
St. Augustine, FL, USA
15 posts
About Tangiers... My brother-in-law really wants to visit there, but it really seems kind of scary to me. Am I blowing it out of proportion? Is it really a neat place? I am a new traveler and haven't gone out of the USA very much except on cruises. I want to soak it all up, but I do want to stay safe.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Come on, Al, everyone wants fish and chips at some time or another ;) Lori; you can easily do Tangiers as a day trip, either on your own following Rick's suggestions in his "Spain" book, or on a tour; the timeshare main desk will have a connection with a company doing such tours. On your own, you drive to Tarifa and take the ferry over, do the town, then take the ferry back. If you DO go on your own, I would suggest you book ferry tickets in advance, since the journey is very popular. Check http://www.frs.es. They offer excursions here, too, and you can book about 2 months out, I believe. Remember when booking that Morocco is an hour behind Spain in the winter and, with no DST, 2 hours in the summer. So if you book your return journey back at, say 2200 hrs. (10 pm), that's already midnight in Spain during the summer! That's also why it looks like you arrive before you left when you head over to Tangiers!:) BTW, try carjet.co.uk for cheap auto rentals, including everything!