Hi all,

My boss gave me the 'use or lose it' talk about PTO, so I just booked a flight to Spain that leaves on Monday.

Looking for feedback on my bare bones itinerary. Not looking for people to do my research for me, but looking for observations about the time I'm spending in places and whether there is something off my radar that I may enjoy.

I'm mostly worried I may be stacking my trip with too many castles and such. Interested in good food and wine, history, any seasonal festivals, and I'd like to see some nature because I currently have none in my itinerary. Not interested in clubbing, non-xmas shopping, and frankly I don't want to do anything adventurous/strenuous. It's been an exhausting year and I just want to relax. I'll save that stuff for my next trip.

I was thinking for the first few days I could get a place in Madrid near the train station for day trips to Segovia and Toledo. Avila might be nice too, but I want to save time for Andalusia.

Being in the transportation industry, I definitely want to try the high speed train to Cordoba/Seville. Is there a best way to book tickets? Is it cheaper if you buy online a certain number of days out?

I know less Spanish than my two year old nephew. I don't imagine this will be a problem, but I suppose I'll buy a phrasebook to study on the flight in.

Itinerary:

• 12/10 - Departure
• 12/11 - Arrive in Madrid at noon
• 12/12 - Madrid
• 12/13 - Segovia Day Trip
• 12/14 - Toledo Day Trip
• 12/15 - Seville
• 12/16 - Seville
• 12/17 - Seville
• 12/18 - Cordoba
• 12/19 - Granada
• 12/20 - Granada (Alhambra ticket booked)
• 12/21 - Granada
• 12/22 - Malaga (fly to Dublin in evening)
• 12/23 - Dublin
• 12/24 - Fly Home