Three week itinerary: Spain and Morocco

I would suggest three nights in Barcelona. Train on the 4th morning to Madrid (about 3 hours), then to Toledo for 2 nights (1/2 hour via AVE from Atocha in Madrid) Posada de Manolo near the cathederal is a good central location and has a great continental breakfast overlooking the Cathedral, then back to Madrid and on to Sevilla from Atocha in Madrid 2 1/2 hours. At least 2 nights in Sevilla - Check out Really Discover Sevilla Tours, small groups, good knowledge. I will let someone else comment on the remainder as I am still to see the other places. From other comments I have read, I am not sure I would spend 5 or 6 nights in Morocco.

I think you're going to overstay in most places. Four is pretty good for Barcelona - - three would do if you're only going to stay in the city. For the other places, two is plenty, even one for Granada depending on your arrival and departure time. Valencia doesn't offer that much and it's out of the way. Jerez and Arcos are rather fourth-tier. Cadiz is also worth a thought. I agree with HJ on Madrid and Toledo. If there's time (by making cuts elswhere), you could maybe add Segovia and Avila to that loop and get a taste of more than Catalonia and Andalucia. I think HJ is nuts on diminishing Morocco, the more time there, the better. Maybe skip Spain?

Agree wiht others that say you are spending too many days in - well, everywhere. First, there's no reason to spend so much time in Cordoba. In fact, I think Cordoba is best done as a day trip when you're going between Sevilla and Madrid on the fast trains. You can see all that's worth seeing there in half a day if you plan well. 3 nights in Granada is plenty - get your Alhambra tickets soon.. It would be extremely unwise to skip Madrid, one of the world's great cities (worth at least a couple days) and Toledo is a must (nearby, quick and easy - spend one night for best effect). I like Morocco but I'm not sure that 4 or 5 nights on a tour there is the best use of your time.

We are leaving in 8 weeks for 20 days split between Spain and Morocco. We start with 3 days in Madrid which includes a day trip to Toledo. We are then renting a car and driving to Granada for an overnight. Then it's onto a Marbella timeshare for a base to day-trip to Cordoba, Sevilla, Ronda and hill towns, Jerez and Granada (we will be traveling with 2 other couples once we arrive in Marbella). The last 10 days we hired a private guide and driver to meet us at the ferry in Tangier and go on to Fes, Merzouga, Dades valley/Todra Gorge and last Marrakech. We started out planning only a 4 or 5 nite visit to Morocco but once I started researching I knew I had to add more time - we are really looking forward to this part of our trip.

Thanks for all the food for thought! I should have mentioned that my plan to stay in Seville, Granada and Cordoba for 3-4 days each wasn't to spend that much time just exploring those places, but to use them as a base to explore the surrounding area as well. I don't want to pick up and move to a new place every day or two. Chris, your trip sound terrific! Can I come with you? :-) I'm trending with those of you who are hot on Morocco. I will maybe consider adding Madrid and Toledo and reducing the time in Andalusia. Thanks again for all your ideas! Definitely a lot to think about.