Me and my wife will be in Spain for 6 weeks this summer so she can learn Spanish (I am fluent).

Our current itinerary is:
1. Madrid for 7 days
2. Alicante for 14 days
3. ???? for 5-7 days
4. Sevilla for 7 days
5. Huelva (with relatives) for 5-7 days

Our problem is with item #3. We wanted to rent a house with a private pool somewhere along the coast north of Alicante and just lay in the sun and relax. We found a few places but we know very little about the areas (Denia, Altea, Javea) or where the houses are. So we're not sure what to do.

Our other option is to go somewhere else we haven't thought of - everyone keeps raving about Mojacar, San Sebastian, Granada, etc.. but we were hoping to "get away" and stay in something other than another hotel.

We're at our wits end about what to do with that extra week. Any help would be greatly appreciated and any critiques of our overall itinerary would be helpful as well. Thanks so much!

Jer - Can you hook me up with Internet Service for my trip? Feel free to email me to discuss. Great and helpful site...

Hey phelix02, ok, for starters I am going to have to pretend that you did not mean to overlook Granada for a major stop in the South

I think 14 days in Alicante is OVERKILL, but that's just me! But I guess if you just want sun & fun at the beach it is good. I have been to Denia and it was nice.

Ok, I guess that "(with relatives") comment saves you from being scorned for spending 5-7 days there, jejeje

If I were you I would spend that undecided "3. ???? for 5-7 days" in Granada and C�rdoba with maybe a quick trip to Ronda.

Try Granada for 2 days, 1 day 1-2 days in C�rdoba and maybe a day in Ronda.

If you miss Granada I will never forgive you and even worse, you will never forgive yourself.

As for San Sebastian, words can not describe it, the place is simply breathtaking but it is a bit far off the route of your central-southern itinerary above. There is a thread on San Sebasti�n HERE in case you missed it.

I have an ISP here and will e-mail you privately RE a temporary internet connection but you can get an idea of it at www.onspanishtime.com/web/pags/conexwhyuseit.htm

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. did I mention that if you miss Granada I will ban you from my board

Thanks Jer! So I guess you're saying we need to go to Granada )

I understand 14 days in Alicante is probably overkill but we are looking for sun and relaxation and not much else and my wife is taking Spanish for the duration of our stay.

I really like your suggestions, can you answer a couple more questions.

Any recommendations on where to stay in Granada, Cordoba and Ronda? We're not looking for the Ritz but we can afford some of the better, high-end accomodations.

And lastly, what is the best route to get there. We would be leaving from Alicante -- is it better to go back to Madrid, then bullet train it down to Cordoba? Is there a direct route from Alicante to Granada?

Thanks so much for your help and my only question about Internet service is whether I can get service in all those cities. Thank you so much!

Hi,

We're going to be in Spain later this week. Try this link for places to stay in Granada: www.granadainfo.com We're renting an apartment for 5 nights there: Apartamentos del Beso which is centrally located and not too far from town and from El Escorial.

For places in sevilla, try: www.sol.com
We're staying at: www.patiosdesevilla.com

Hey phelix02, I am a bit rusty on my Granada, C�doba & Ronda hostels/hotels but try an internet search on stuff like that at www.google.com .

Going back through Madrid is absoultely unnecessary and "loco" (crazy) if ya ask me.Do it the other way around and go to Granada from Alicante then Ronda and C�rdoba on the way back to Madrid.

You can see by CLICKING HERE that there is no direct train route from Alicante to Granada since the Spanish rail system was layed out ass-backwards

Check the "BUSSES" section near page bottom at http://granadainfo.com/granadatravel.htm (thanks for the tip sfslinky ) and pay close attention to the "Bacoma" bus company that does this leg of the journey from Alicant to Granada and vice versa. I would recommend the bus, it will be faster, cheaper and much more convenient.

You should not need to reserve a ticket ahead by phone since the busses will probably not be all full up to Granada but get the ticket when you roll into Alicante so as not to leave it for the last day.

Have fun, I know you will give us a full report after your trip.

Saludos,
jer...