HELP FOR MY SPAIN TRIP!
Replies: 15 - Last Post: Nov 29, 2012 7:17 AM Last Post By: anillos_de_satu...
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HELP FOR MY SPAIN TRIP!
Hi Everyone,I'm new to TT will appreciate any help/advice provided. I am from Sydney, Australia and will be travelling for the first time ever to 5 European countries starting in mid April, 2013. I plan to start my adventure in Spain and stay for about 7 days. I would really like to go to Cordoba, Madrid and Barcelona.
Do you think I should fly into Madrid and make a day trip to Cordoba? Or will I need more than a day at Cordoba?
Can anyone suggest any "must do" activities or "must see" places in these 3 cities. I am open to all ideas, except any that involve alcohol as I do not drink.
After Spain, I intend to head to France. So Barcelona will be my last stop in Spain.
Thank you in advance!
1
Do you think I should fly into Madrid and make a day trip to Cordoba? Or will I need more than a day at Cordoba?
If you want to make a day trip to Cordoba, best doing that from Seville (closer). If yuo have only 1 day then La Mezquita is a 'must' see. If you have more time then there's lots of churches, Andalusian horses, and palace just to name a few.
3
Thanks for the replies. I am in the process of working out my itinerary for Spain, which will be my first stop. Do you recommend that I fly into Madrid spend a few days there and then make a day trip Cordoba? and then back to Barcelona? Or is it more logistic to fly into Seville, then go to Cordoba, Madrid and Barcelona?I would like to see/experience the Spanish culture, popular attractions like La Mezquita, architecture, shopping, going on walking tour/bike tour.
Thank you :)
4
Cordoba as a day trip from Madrid? Did you have a look at the timetable? Including getting to and from the railway station you're talking of 3,5 hours. One way.Everything is, of course, a question of taste, but you should seriously consider a trip from Madrid to the Escorial. It would also be a shame if you miss the musea.
Barcelona is Gaudí country. Very popular, but for good reasons.
7
re: 4 and 5.To clarify - Madrid to Cordoba by train is not less than 1 hour 40 minutes and not greater than 2 hours 12 minutes each way by the fastest trains. Walking to the Mezquita probably 30 minutes at most, bus a little less or taxi in 10 minutes. I would say a feasible 'big' day trip for many (and gives some hours for the rest of the 'sites' and time for a good meal).
9
The Park Güell is a must.
Disagree. Although I do appreciate the artwork and layout I think that Parc Güell lacks the WOW factor of other attractions like La Sagrada Familia or Montjuïc Magic Fountains.
12
Az07 - as its your first Western European adventure are you trying to pack to many countries into a shorter number of days/weeks.1. Getting to Spain from Oz - probably the most direct routing is via Emirates (through Dubai) 14 hrs to DXB 2-4 hrs on the ground and then 6-7 hrs to either Madrid or Barcelona. Whether you start the Spanish section with Madrid and end in Barcelona is up to you. Seville is probably the closest major airport to Cordoba (less than two hours) from there your choices are buses and/or trains. Both are frequent - but I can not vouch for their cheapness or reliability. The southern part of Spain has a lot to recommend it and you could easily spend a week taking in Seville, Cordoba and of course Grenada. For me Madrid would be just a stop-over, but for others the Prado and other places can not be so easily dismissed.
You do not say what other countries you are taking it - but Emirates now has a deal that allows you to arrive via one major destination and then depart via another without incurring the "one way" charges. (I have not tried it so far but will investigate as I will be in Spain and Portugal myself next May/June/July). Hope you have a great adventure, miss the southern winter and come home safely with your head full of the places you wish to visit on your next adventure. Cheers.
