I've been reading up on Malaga and trying to decide how we should spend our day there. I've read a lot of things, and gotten lots of feedback, that we should take the full-day tour out to Granada to see the Alhambra. But I've also read that this is a pretty grueling trip, involving a minimum 90-minute bus ride each direction. I'm not so sure I want to spend such a large chunk of my day in transit on a bus, y'know? Plus, that would preclude our doing anything else in that port, as it sounds like it's a good ten-hour tour.

So...any opinions on this? Should I spend my day enjoying the sights closer to the port, or is the Alhambra truly a sight that I would regret skipping? Thanks!

No questions here. Take the full day tour to Alhambra. Radisson tour was excellent with wonderful lunch. You learn a lot on the bus and also have time for napping. IF you have already seen the Alhambra, then, and only then, would I recommend seeing something else in Malaga.

Absolutely the Alhambra! It is one of the most beautiful and interesting places to visit in all of Spain. It is worth the 1.5 hr. bus ride each way.
Malaga is also a very interestng city. If you have time ( which I doubt) the Picasso museum in town is really worth a visit.
Enjoy this area.

Ditto this is a must see!.. If you want to speed it up you might hire your own driver instead of the ship tour. If you do that you would need to have reservations at Alhambra and be there at the scheduled time.. can't be late or can't get it.. they run everything by specific appointments there.
If you are interested in a great guide/driver ..I think they can make all those arrangements too.
Try Spanish Fiesta tours ( Gerri)
http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/

Well alrighty then! :) The overwhelming consensus among those who've visited the area (here and elsewhere) appears to be that the Alhambra is not to be missed. So I guess we'll be riding the bus! It does sound beautiful and fascinating. I just wish that it didn't take up the whole day, as I would have liked to see Ronda as well. But I guess I just have to accept the reality that on a cruise, you only get a taste of what there is to see in the region.

I thought about trying to see if we can do this on our own (not the ship's tour), but given the long drive (and Marc's touting of RSSC's tour) we've decided to go with the bus.

Thanks for your input!

We've done it both ways. I agree that you should do the RSSC tour to Granada as first choice. It's a long day, but worth it. If you decide otherwise, I would recommend the RSSC tour to Marbella and Puerto Banus, especially if you're there on Sunday. Everything is pretty much closed, except in Marbella, and the shopping there is very good. If you decide to remain in Malaga, the walk up to the fort on the hill and a snack at the Parador hotel offer some fantastic views.

Thanks Doug. We're there on a Thursday, so we'll be good. We'll be on Marseilles on Sunday, so I'm still not sure what we'll be doing that day as I understand much will be closed.

LeeAnne,
When we were in Marseilles we took a private guide and spent most of the day in Provence with enough time to see the ND Cathederal and a few highlights of Marseilles at the end of the day. It was a delightful day.
You are doing an excellent job of research for your trip.
Pat

patw, we visited Marseilles in Oct. and picked up a cab for a tour of Aix. We will be there, again, in April and wish to spend the day in other small towns such as Le Baux. Can you e-mail me the guide's address ?

Marbella has one of the first class hotels in that region and it's called Los Monteros. Do, under any and all circumstances, make sure you have lunch down on the beach!@! An unbelievable banquet and top service. After two pitchers of sangrilla, the whole world will have just a rosy aura about it! Do yourself a favor, and make this happen - I hired a car and drove to Granada to see the Al Hambra and it was just another castle with a pretty view. Nice scenery, however, and therefore worth the drive, but if I had only one small chunk of time in Marbella, I'd make sure to visit Los Monteros at lunch time!

We used
Http://www.taxidurand.com
owned by sweet gal called Louisette Durand. She uses Mercedes vans ( hold 6 plus her) and her prices are very reasonable compared to many of the other drivers there. Her English at times limited. but her personalty great and we all had a great time.

Loved the Alhambra. Worth the trip.