Spain in two weeks
For our first post pandemic trip we spent a couple of great weeks in Spain. This trip was focused on the sunny south of Spain for a heavy dose of Moorish Andalusia. Obviously it would be better to visit Spain outside of the peak summer heat, but we made the best of it in August. We flew into and out of Madrid and I knew we would spend some time in Granada and Sevilla. Fortunately, we made time for a quick stop in Cordoba, which was a highlight, and in Toledo, which is also very scenic and great for a day trip. I found a way to work in Ronda on another day trip, and we had a pretty good two week plan. Alternatively, you could work in some beach time on Malaga or jump over to Morocco if you have enough time. Our kids were ages 13 and 15 on this adventure, so one major attraction per day is usually ambitious enough. Lucky for me, they are great travelers so I can always shove some history in there and the kids act like they are having fun.
We split our Madrid time into a couple of days at the beginning and end of our trip. For details, check out the Madrid blog. Our Madrid time centered around Plaza Mayor where we were staying and featured a couple of great museums. The bulk of our vacation was spent in the famous Muslim influenced towns in the south of Spain. Granada, with the memorable Alhambra fortress, and Sevilla, which has a great atmosphere, were both incredible. Adding Cordoba, which has similar architecture due to a fascinating shared history, is highly recommended. The influences of the Moorish period and the Christian Reconquista make for great sightseeing.
The trains in Spain will connect this itinerary with ease. It took just over 3 hours from Madrid, to arrive in Granada, temperature 109 degrees. This heat wave definitely affected our trip as the midday siesta was a must. We usually do this anyway so as not to overwhelm the teens (and spouse) with too much scheduled fun.
If you are pressed for time, you could do Granada in three total days (with Cordoba as a day trip possibly) but I would recommend staying in Cordoba for a night, even if it cuts Granada to 2 days. Check out the Granada & Cordoba blog.
Seville was probably the most enjoyable town to relax and stroll around, whether you are in to food, shopping or history. We spent four days in town including one day trip.
The day trip from Seville to the white villages and Ronda was the highlight of the trip. Check the Seville blog.
After a last couple of days in Madrid, we were flying back home. Spain was great. Spain was very easy for English speakers, of course. The Mudehar architecture was cool. I want to hang out in the pueblos blancos for a week. The art in Madrid is impressive. It was hot.
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