I want to go to ANDALUCIA?

Question

Next summer. The only problem is I have never been to Andalucia,Spain period! I always thought the first ime would be better to go with someone who has been their and knows how to get around but I can't wait and I'm plannig to go next year.

I would love to visit Jerez de la Frontera and other places in Cadiz but how? What resort do you recomend? Also,do the resorts take us out to town for a spin to see somethings?

What should I do??????

Answer 1

Andalucia is huge. It's much larger than most people believe it to be. It stretches from Almeria in the east to Huelva in the west. The provinces that make up Andalucia are Huelva, Sevilla, Málaga, Cordóba, Granada, Jaén & Almería. Each one of those provinces has something special about it. As Sue mentions, the Costa Del Sol is overdeveloped, but that is too general a view. Unless you have experienced the areas on the Costa Del Sol that have history and beauty you may never know they exist. I've lived in this area for years and stay clear of the tourists, yet I can find beautiful places to visit.

Check out this website, the video will show you exactly what I mean about stunning places on the Costa Del Sol. The El Chorro Gorge is just a few miles inland from the coast. http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/chorr...

Jerez de la Frontera is a must. There is the world famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to see. I've been several times and will go again. A visit to one of the many bodegas where they make sherry & brandy. It is enough for a good day out. As for Cadiz, it isn't the best place to visit, but Chiclana de la Frontera which is close to Cadiz is worth seeing.

Airports in Andalucia operated by UK airlines are Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera, Málaga, Granada & Almeria. The most central airport and the busiest is Málaga. However, it really depends on where you want to travel to. Personally for beautifully scenery and history I would choose Granada Province. It has everything from mountains to the sea and of course the Alhambra Palace & Generalife. I would fly into Málaga and out of Almeria, but your choices are endless.

Answer 2

Okay, do you want to go to Andalucía?  Or do you want to go to one of those resorts that insulate you, and you never actually EXPERIENCE where you are?

What resort?  NONE!!!  Stay someplace where you can ACTUALLY be there, among the REAL people.   Find a hostel, if you want to go on the cheap, or a nice hotel or villa, if you want to go more expensive, or even a Parador (I'm pretty sure there's one in Jerez.  perfect!).  If you stay IN towns, you can use public transport, once again, being out and about amongst the real people who live there.  

You don't need anyone to go with you.  Go alone!  Don't worry about finding people to visit with.  You will meet people.  You might not ever speak to them after you get back but you will have people to spend time with.  I never let the lack of a travelling partner stop me!  I spent an entire winter break and then the summer running about on the trains in Europe, completely alone.  use common sense, and you'll be fine.  Besides, the local people are the nicest!  And you'll have adventures you'll be relating for years to come!

Jerez and Cádiz are both relatively small towns.  You might want to rent a car and go exploring yourself, but if you do, take my advice, and get the GPS.

One caveat:  It's HOT in Andalucía in the summertime!  around 40 C in the daytime...might be a bit cooler by the coast.

I applaud your plan to NOT just go to the Costa del Sol resorts.  They are overcrowded, and you DEFINITELY won't be in the real Andalucía, but more like an international generic resort.  Many of those towns are no longer as typical as, say, your choices.

Others in the area you might want to visit: Arcos de la Frontera, Zahara de la Sierra, Ronda (a particular favorite of mine) and Grazalema, all along the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos, and then there is Doñana park west of Cádiz, and all of Huelva...La Rábida in or near Moguer is a neat and historic monestary.   Nice coastline on the Atlantic, as well.