I just bought my tickets to head out to Madrid in March -- I'm flying in on the 19th and flying out on 29th... so I have 9 days to make the most of spain. Can anyone give me suggestions on "must see" places and cities? I'm also a photographer -- love to shoot documentary type stuff. I'm interested in art, architecture, small towns/cities with a lot of character, interesting people, old forts, and of course the regular touristy stuff - flamenco, bull fighting etc.

Any ideas on how I should plan my trip? I definitely want to fit in Barcelona and Madrid... aside from that should I see Seville? Granada? Salamanca? which one of these? Other places I may not know of? So many questions! Any help would be -- well -- very helpful!!

thanks!

hi and welcome to the board

there is TONS of info here so i suggest you do some SEARCHES

try teh word "itinerary" for the searches.

you will get A LOT of results on recommended routes.

saludos,
jer...

Hi ! I just looked at your own photographs of Arizona and New York during the 'black out' last August and they are exceptionally good. http://www.saurabhwahi.com/ You really must do a 'photo' tour of Spain and get JER to make special room for some of your best. They are really professional. (Maybe you are a pro?)
Clearly there is already much information about Itineraries already contained within the multimadrid site, but the first thing I would want to do, is find out whether there are any important FERIAS/festivals happening during your last days of March trip. As 'Holy Week' is starting 5th April, you will miss the religious processions and other events centred around Easter. You will also miss the 'Carnaval' season especially in Cadiz, that lasts until 29th February. (for info: http://www.antonioburgos.com/enlaces/varios/enlaces_carnaval.html )

I am sure that you would find an Andalucian trip worth while for photo opportunites. But they are very much more colourful during the Feria days. I have visited India and know the music/dancing of India is echoed in the Flamenco of Jerez and other towns in the south. In fact after Seville, I would consider stopping off in Jerez for the flamenco atmosphere. The light is so much better (normally) in the south.
I just thought that you could fly from Seville to Barcelona (about 1 1/2 hours) which makes getting from one side of the country to the other so much FASTER ! I looked up www.iberia.es and a one way ticket is very reasonable. (Euros 32??)

So maybe you should go south to Cordoba and Granada then Seville and if possible stop in Jerez, then fly to Barcelona !

Happy snapping.
Nige
PS Have a look at one of my pictures taken in Mumbai recently. Mumbai taxi

As a further comment on Internal flights, and thanks to the miracles of cyber space, I ventured onto www.iberia.es website and managed to book seats from Seville to Madrid for around Euros 30 on a flight that is convenient for when I want to fly back to UK courtesy of a cheapo fare from Easyjet. Other flights during the day seemed double the price. Euros 30 for a one hour flight is good. It's probably not that much different to enduring the rigours of a bus journey. (Long legs) Or as boring as a train. And certainly quicker! The 'cyber ticket' came through with no problems and I have printed it off to show at check in. As with these deals, you lose your money if you 'no show' but I think if your itinerary is already tight,then getting cyber tickets is one way of planning your tour inside Spain and paying for it in advance. And if your times can be flexible,the price is right !
Nige

Nige -- thanks so much for all the excellent info you've given... I will look into Cordoba and Jerez -- sounds like i should definitely check these places out... Do you know if the high-speed train service from Madrid to Selville is any good? (I believe its $12 - one way) Maybe I'll take that to seville - and then fly from there to Barcelona... I'll look up where Granada, Cordoba and Jerez are on the map - and work out a trip accordingly. Thanks again - and if you think of anything else, please let me know.

PS: I checked out your picture of the mumbai taxi. Do you know who Steve McCurry is? (he's the guy who shot the afghan girl that was featured on National Geographic's cover many years ago... Very very famous photographer) Anyway - definitely follow this link to see a picture he shot... http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0101/south02.htm (see anything familiar??? )

IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS/ITINERARIES ON A 'PHOTO TRIP' TO SPAIN - PLEASE LET ME KNOW! THANKS!

Wow ! That picture is very familiar. I may have a new career. Thanks for that.
The AVE high speed train is more like Euros 65 one way but is so smooth. Takes about 2 1/2 hours from Madrid to Sevilla. First stop is Cordoba so you could overnight in Cordoba before either going down to Granada and then Sevilla. Or missing out on Granada and going directly to Sevilla. Choices choices. Look at the other itineraries on multimadrid.
Nige

I will be in Spain the same dates. Were flying into Madrid and heading north to Luanco in Austurias where we will stay in a friends apartment. I dont have a set schedule however it will be mostly in the north end because of the short amount of time there.

I just realized you posted in Jan 2004, I thought you ment March of 2005...oops sorry