Our family of four (boys ages 11 & 16) will be staying in Marbella for 9 nights during Semana Santa. We are planning on doing day trips to Granada, Gibraltar, Ronda, Nerja and hopefully Seville. I know most of those trips can be done in a day. But am concerned about making it to Seville and back in one day. Are we crazy to try? We traded a time-share to stay at the Marriott in Marbella, so would rather not spend the night in Seville, since we already have a 2BR condo. Plus we probably couldn't get accomodations this late in Seville for any night that week anyways. We will have a rental car, and my husband's used to driving in Europe. We thought that we would try to visit Seville on the Monday after Palm Sunday, thinking that would be the least crowded day. Please share your thoughts. If we would go, where should we try to park? What would be the top things to do in one day? Would it be better to take a tour bus there, or ride the train? We've heard such wonderful things about Seville, that we'd hate to miss it. But also don't want to kill ourselves getting there. Thanks for any suggestions you may have!

A day trip by car is fine, ELB. I suggest you start early (7.30-ish) and go via Ronda. The drive is beautiful at this time of the year, with wild flowers in abundance at the side of the road between Ronda and Sevilla and the journey should take you no more than two and a half hours, probably less.

As you come into Sevilla from this road, you will come to a football stadium on the left hand side, called the Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, which is the home of Real Betis. (Boo! :p ) I would advise you to start looking for parking on the main road anywhere around here, otherwise if you don't know the city too well it can be a bit difficult to find your way around and parking is difficult at "normal" times of the year.

There are usually men who will wave you into a free space. Although it is free parking, give them a Euro and make sure there is nothing in view in the car at all. From here you can either walk (you are near the Maria Luisa Park) or catch a passing taxi to go the remaining couple of kilometres into town for five Euros or so.

Enjoy your day - you'll have plenty of time to look around. When you walk round Barrio Santa Cruz you must call in for tapas at Cafeteria Santa Teresa and have the pork wrapped in bacon

Don't forget the Saturday morning market at Puerto Banus when you're in Marbella and Mijas is well worth a visit too. Have a nice trip!

Thanks so much for all the great info Anchovy Front! We have been planning this trip for a year - and now we finally leave this Friday. We can't wait!!! Thanks again for taking the time to share your wisdom.

Thanks so much for all the great info Anchovy Front! We have been planning this trip for a year - and now we finally leave this Friday. We can't wait!!! Thanks again for taking the time to share your wisdom.