Maribel

packmybags,
To enter Spain by air you'll need to fill out the Spain Health Form. Iberia will check this before you board your flight in Vienna and it will be checked upon your arrival at Barajas Madrid. There is no requirement for a PCR or antigen test for US citizens double vaxed and boosted but the form is mandatory.
https://www.spth.gob.es

We fly Iberia regularly, no better, no worse than any other airline. We have 4 upcoming Iberia flights this year and just returned from an Iberia flight MAD-LHR.

I assumed that the issue was with the automatic car rental. Automatics are still somewhat thin on the ground in Spain and are usually found at the airports where there is a bigger demand. When visitors need an automatic, their itinerary often needs to be based entirely around where they can pick up an automatic and also where they're allowed to return it. Yes, the logistics.....And it can be frustrating.

3 nights for me would be 1 night too many in Córdoba.

The second option seems better to me, flying into Seville. That said, I have no other suggestions for those 2 open nights other than the area in or around Priego de Córdoba.
Casa Olea is very popular. I'm sorry that it's fully booked for your dates.

For option 1, I would eliminate the 3rd night in Córdoba and add it to Seville, but for your 1 open night between Seville and Jerez with the car...there just isn't any place, as it's a short, and direct drive, unless you detoured west to the 3rd town in the "sherry triangle", the manzanilla town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, staying at the new Hotel Albariza.

Personally, I would eliminate that open night, move from Seville directly to Jerez, then to Arcos, then to Ronda, then to Granada and add that extra night to Madrid so as to have 3 nights at the end, if that's even possible.

Just some thoughts.

packmybags

Maribel, I am thinking of doing something completely different and staying here and adding a cooking class or two between Ronda and Granada. Looks well off the beaten path!

https://finca-las-encinas.com/

Maribel

Is this a substitute for Casa Olea?
Iznájar is just below Sierra de Subbetíca Park and well off the beaten tourist trail. Glad you discovered it.
From there you could make a driving loop through Zuheros, Cabra and Priego de Córdoba with quick detour to Carcabuey from that loop. Iznajar and those 4 are considered the prettiest towns in the Córdoba province.

Debbielynn

My husband and I were in Spain about 10 years ago and really enjoyed out time at the Turkish https://beaire.com/es/aire-ancient-b...tacion_digital

it was very relaxing , clean and beautiful inside. My husband opted for a massage, which he enjoyed. Of course, that was pre Covid but I would go again if I went back to Seville.

Maribel

And here's one for Granada (there are several in the city)
https://www.alharamgranada.com/en/home/

packmybags

Maribel, yes, it looks like Iznajar will be a substitute for Casa Olea. We will take a cooking class there. I love going to places no one has heard about!
Debbielynn, thank you for the Turkish bath suggestion. I am still undecided about whether to do that in the COVID era. Maribel, if I do go, can you also provide a Cordoba suggestion?

so very excited about this upcoming trip.

Maribel

The Iznájar place is featured in Sawday's Best Places to Stay/Spain. His selections really run the gamut from some high end, some mid-range and some rustic. I would put this one in the more simple category but the photos look very inviting, it gets fantastic reviews and the surroundings and food should be lovely.

https://www.sawdays.co.uk/spain/anda...a-las-encinas/

A hammam in Córdoba:
https://cordoba.hammamalandalus.com/en/.

packmybags

Thank you all for the great input.

here’s the current itinerary plan.Morocco is save until next time. If you have any specific suggestions for the below cities,meet me know.

Day1-4 Seville
Day 4-6. Cordoba
day 6-8 Jerez de La Frontera
Day 8-9 Arcos
Day 9-11 ronda
Day11-13 Iznajar
day 13-17 Granada
day 17- 19 Madrid

Maribel

packmybags,
What sort of other specific suggestions for your destinations do you need?
On post #10, I mentioned lodging suggestions, but your hotels are now booked, correct? So you're all set on that.
Post #3 mentions my favorite dining spots.
Up thread I mentioned a possible driving loop from Iznájar to take in some of the Córdoba province's prettiest white towns.

For Ronda you might check to see if there will be an evening guitar concert by Paco Seco during your stay.
https://rondaguitarmusic.com/eng/daily-concerts/
https://pacoseco.com/english/projects-rondaguitarduo/

Here's a list of visitable Ronda wineries-
https://www.lacazalladeronda.com/la-...in-ronda-spain
https://www.turismoderonda.es/en/ron...as_vinos_ronda

Anything else?

packmybags

Maribel, I have been out of pocket for the last few days. I will have a few more questions but in the meantime, I am re-looking at Granada accommodations, March 26-29. Looking at booking.com, I am intrigued by Casa de La Cathedral, Palacio Cabrero Lilli, La Corrala del Realejo and Apartmentos Alhambra. Do you have any thoughts about these choices, especially locations. These all have more reviews than the Apartment Aljibe Rodrigo del Campo. Prefer an apartment to a hotel. Thoughts or other apartment recommendations for this time period?
I will be back in touch with more questions and thank you, thank you, thank you.

Maribel

packmybags,
As far as location is concerned,
Casa de la Catedral is the most central, right next to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel. Everything downtown will be perfectly walk-able, about as central as it gets.
Palacio Cabrero Lilly is down by El Corte Inglés, so not nearly as handy. I wouldn't choose it.
La Corrala del Realejo is in the Realejo quarter, but in the lower section, so no climbing. It's a 12-minute walk from Plaza Isabel la Católica where minibuses depart for the Alhambra. Not bad and a quiet location.
Apartamentos Alhambra is in the former ancient Arab quarter of Albaicín. Not very handy for a short stay and lots of steep climbs in the Albaicín, if that matters. I wouldn't choose it unless there is a truly stunning Alhambra view from your apartment and not just from a terrace shared with other guests.

My choice for the handiest possible location-----Casa de la Catedral BUT my choice for that typical granadino charm and style, La Corrala del Realejo. I really like its style. I've stayed in the Realejo quarter, above the Corrala, so needed to climb a bit, but these apartments are in the lower section. I think you'd be fine there, and it has more Andalusian charm.

packmybags

Thanks Maribel, I see that Casa de La Cathedral is more a hotel than an apartment so I think I will go with La Corralla unless there are any others you think I should look into.

Maribel

If you like La Corrala, go with it! And thanks for bringing it to my attention.

packmybags

it looks like it will be raining all next week, which is when I will be in Seville, Cordoba, Jerez de la Frontera and Arcos.
many suggestions for indoor activities that you have done in this area? Cooking classes? sherry tastings? Any other things to substitute for long outdoor walks?
does anyone know how this weather pattern works - I know that in Spain it’s supposed to rain mainly on the plain🤣🤣🤣. But do you know if it will rain all day this time of year or just morning or afternoon?

Maribel

In Spain it doesn't mostly rain on the plain, it rains most in the north. They call it "Green Spain" for a reason! But yes, it's very, very rainy in Sevilla today!

Indoor activities in Sevilla-
museums, museums, museums: Alcàzar, Cathedral + Giralda + Iglesia del Salvador (joint ticket), Casa de Pilatos, Palacio de las Dueñas, Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija, Museum of Fine Arts for Spanish Baroque paintings, tour of the bullring (La Real Maestranza), a cooking class at Taller Andaluz de Cocina inside the Triana market, evening flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria or Casa de la Guitarra or Tablao Alvarez Quintero

Indoor activities in Jerez-
the horse ballet, "Como bailan los caballos andaluces" at the Royal School of Equestrian Art at noon (not daily, so check the schedule), sherry tastings at Tradición with its own private art collection, González Byass Tío Pepe, Sandeman, Real Tesoro, Domecq, have tapas and sherry at one of the many Tabancos

Indoor activities in Arcos-
??? (there are more in Ronda but I think you decided on Arcos instead?)

Indoor activities in Córdoba-
Mosque-Cathedral + tower, Museum of Julio Romero Torres (famous local 19th c. painter), Casa de Sefarad, Casa Arabe, shop at local handicrafts market for leather, silver jewelry, etc.(Zoco de Artesanía), Palacio de Viana for its collection of patios (but in the rain, not fun), tiny synagogue (takes minutes to see), Arab Baths of the Alcázar (the genuine article) or spa like modern day hammam, Museo Taurino, Museo Arqueológico, evening horse ballet at Reales Caballerizas (but check schedule to see if there's one on your 2 nights), night sound and light visit to the Mosque, El Alma de Córdoba (buy tickets at Mosque--only 80 visitors per season, but check schedule

ms_go

We are in Seville right now and it is, indeed, not looking good for the upcoming week. Today was pretty rainy, so we spent our time in the Cathedral and a couple of markets. Tomorrow should be dry, but we appreciate the suggestions from Maribel for the days after that.

Maribel

Hi ms_go, sorry about the rain! We're having it over here next door in Portugal and people are advised to stay off the coast. Have a great time!

packmybags

what are you wearing? Do you need a parka to stay warm or just a waterproof windbreaker?
i have signed up for a cooking class in Seville!

Maribel

I'm wearing a lightweight, waterproof North Face puffy coat with hood when it's rainy. In Lisbon it hasn't been that cold, even today in the rain. We've had temps from 54 to 61 F.