Another request for itinerary help-June-arrive Lisbon; depart Barcelona-14 days
Apr 7th, 2014, 09:59 AM
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Another request for itinerary help-June-arrive Lisbon; depart Barcelona-14 days
Hi helpful Fodorites,
With FF miles burning in our pockets, we booked flights into Lisbon on Jun 6, departing Barcelona, Jun 20. I fully realize there is a ton of country(s) in between the two and by no means are we trying to see everything. A little about us: Husband and wife (late 40s) with fairly well-travelled 13 yr old daughter from Chicago suburbs. We like beautiful natural areas, limited interest in history although like it in highlights & small doses, very limited interest in art - although looking forward to the major Gaudi sights, adults-LOVE wine, minor Foodies (even the 13yr old is pretty adventurous, but we are all slightly worried since we all dislike olives and most shell fish ;-), gravitate towards cute small towns rather than large metro cities; don't want to spend lots of time in museums. The kid loves animals (she and I are both horse lovers), sports, music. We don't mind moving frequently, but are trying to minimize 1-nighters. Husband is a capable and willing driver. Never been to either country (other than short business trip to Barcelona).
I am working on our itinerary and have gotten this far. The only thing set in stone is our inbound/outbound flights. I am starting to panic because I know I need to book another flight to get us from Portugal to Spain SOON.
Fri, Jun 6 – Arrive Lisbon 10am
Sat, Jun 7 – Lisbon
Sun, Jun 8 – Train to Porto OR Train to Sintra, pick up car and drive to Porto
Mon, Jun 9 – Porto
Tue, Jun 10 – Drive to Duoro Valley, spend night
Wed, Jun 11 – Drive back to Porto; evening flight to either Madrid or Valencia (Ryan Air seems to be only cheap option left); pick up car & overnight likely by airport.
Thu, Jun 12 – Arcos area of Andalusia? OR Chulilla?
Fri, Jun 13 – Arcos area of Andalusia? OR Chulilla?
Sat, Jun 14 – Cordoba? OR Valencia
Sun, Jun 15 – Cordoba? OR Valencia?
Mon, Jun 16 – Drop car somewhere near Madrid and train to Barcelona OR Train Valencia-Barcelona
Tue, Jun 17 – Thu, Jun 19 – Barcelona
Fri, Jun 20 – Fly out about noon
As you can see, I am most unsure about Jun 12 - Jun 16 whether to center in Andalusia or Valencia. And, yes, I fully realize we are skipping Madrid for this trip. Can't do everything!
I would appreciate your help - thank you!!
With FF miles burning in our pockets, we booked flights into Lisbon on Jun 6, departing Barcelona, Jun 20. I fully realize there is a ton of country(s) in between the two and by no means are we trying to see everything. A little about us: Husband and wife (late 40s) with fairly well-travelled 13 yr old daughter from Chicago suburbs. We like beautiful natural areas, limited interest in history although like it in highlights & small doses, very limited interest in art - although looking forward to the major Gaudi sights, adults-LOVE wine, minor Foodies (even the 13yr old is pretty adventurous, but we are all slightly worried since we all dislike olives and most shell fish ;-), gravitate towards cute small towns rather than large metro cities; don't want to spend lots of time in museums. The kid loves animals (she and I are both horse lovers), sports, music. We don't mind moving frequently, but are trying to minimize 1-nighters. Husband is a capable and willing driver. Never been to either country (other than short business trip to Barcelona).
I am working on our itinerary and have gotten this far. The only thing set in stone is our inbound/outbound flights. I am starting to panic because I know I need to book another flight to get us from Portugal to Spain SOON.
Fri, Jun 6 – Arrive Lisbon 10am
Sat, Jun 7 – Lisbon
Sun, Jun 8 – Train to Porto OR Train to Sintra, pick up car and drive to Porto
Mon, Jun 9 – Porto
Tue, Jun 10 – Drive to Duoro Valley, spend night
Wed, Jun 11 – Drive back to Porto; evening flight to either Madrid or Valencia (Ryan Air seems to be only cheap option left); pick up car & overnight likely by airport.
Thu, Jun 12 – Arcos area of Andalusia? OR Chulilla?
Fri, Jun 13 – Arcos area of Andalusia? OR Chulilla?
Sat, Jun 14 – Cordoba? OR Valencia
Sun, Jun 15 – Cordoba? OR Valencia?
Mon, Jun 16 – Drop car somewhere near Madrid and train to Barcelona OR Train Valencia-Barcelona
Tue, Jun 17 – Thu, Jun 19 – Barcelona
Fri, Jun 20 – Fly out about noon
As you can see, I am most unsure about Jun 12 - Jun 16 whether to center in Andalusia or Valencia. And, yes, I fully realize we are skipping Madrid for this trip. Can't do everything!
I would appreciate your help - thank you!!
Apr 7th, 2014, 10:34 AM
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Far too much moving around!
As far as flying from Porto to Madrid, it's always expensive when you wait too long, but TAP has a discounted fare on 14 June, afternoon flight into Madrid (one-way fare). If you book a round-trip fare, TAP has a good discounted fare on 11 June for only €74,14/person, but it should be booked now.
As far as flying from Porto to Madrid, it's always expensive when you wait too long, but TAP has a discounted fare on 14 June, afternoon flight into Madrid (one-way fare). If you book a round-trip fare, TAP has a good discounted fare on 11 June for only €74,14/person, but it should be booked now.
Apr 9th, 2014, 10:55 AM
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Thank you for your comments. Re-thinking plan a bit....
Now thinking will instead fly from Porto to Barcelona for which the flights are more available (on Wed, Jun 11 came choose from Vueling, Iberia, or TAP all for about the same decent price). Am also contemplating one more night in the Porto/Duoro Valley area (2 nights each) and flying on Thurs to Barcelona, but only flight available is a late TAP flight (8:20 pm) which still may be ok.
Then for the balance of the trip, we can spend 1/2 the time in Barcelona and 1/2 the time in Catalonia/Costa Brava (rental car) perhaps 2 nights in beach area and 2 nights inland/wine region?
What do you all think of that alternate plan?
Now thinking will instead fly from Porto to Barcelona for which the flights are more available (on Wed, Jun 11 came choose from Vueling, Iberia, or TAP all for about the same decent price). Am also contemplating one more night in the Porto/Duoro Valley area (2 nights each) and flying on Thurs to Barcelona, but only flight available is a late TAP flight (8:20 pm) which still may be ok.
Then for the balance of the trip, we can spend 1/2 the time in Barcelona and 1/2 the time in Catalonia/Costa Brava (rental car) perhaps 2 nights in beach area and 2 nights inland/wine region?
What do you all think of that alternate plan?
Apr 9th, 2014, 11:00 AM
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The alternate plan sounds better. As far as staying on the coast in mid-June, you need to find a place as soon as possible. We're heading up from Barcelona on the 26th of June and a lot of the places we know are staring to fill up. Begur would make a nice base on the Costa Brava.
Apr 9th, 2014, 11:04 AM
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Apr 9th, 2014, 11:05 AM
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San Sebastian? food paradise! we did a trip Lisbon to SS to Barcelona several years ago - I want to repeat the whole trip! By the way - for Lisbon we stayed in Cascais - out on the coast. We really liked it - easy to get into Lisbon by train and we enjoyed a nice hotel with a pool (it was hot in May) but that might not be your cup of tea.
Apr 22nd, 2014, 05:32 PM
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Our trip is really starting to come together and I am now working on booking lodging for the last 4 nights north of Barcelona (June 15-18). I am thinking 2 nights on the sea and 2 nights in an inland town perhaps in a wine area. I am focusing on the 2 nights on the sea first, but am getting overwhelmed by the number of choices. We don't necessarily want a 'beach resort'; would prefer a small quaint town. Want a beach, but it doesn't have to be a 'perfect beach'. Budget is ~$150/night. Need a room for 3 (parents and teenager). Any suggestions for towns or specific lodging?
I am also wondering on where to pick up a car. We will be staying in the Eixample area of Barcelona prior. Would it make sense to take the train to somewhere outside of the city and then pick up a car? or is it just as easy to pick up the car in Barcelona?
I am also wondering on where to pick up a car. We will be staying in the Eixample area of Barcelona prior. Would it make sense to take the train to somewhere outside of the city and then pick up a car? or is it just as easy to pick up the car in Barcelona?
Apr 22nd, 2014, 07:26 PM
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As far as picking up the car, we normally use the Avis downtown location at Corcega, 293/295. It's each access out of the city and you don't have to pay the airport rental car fee.
In June, I would head up to the Costa Brava, staying somewhere in or around Begur. It's not on the beach, but close enough, but your budget is a little light for the area.
Most places in and around the wine country (Priorat and Penedes) will not fit your budget, but you might want to check out La Font Vella de Falset in the Priorat. It should be within your budget if they have availability for your dates. It's the best deal in the center of the wine region.
In June, I would head up to the Costa Brava, staying somewhere in or around Begur. It's not on the beach, but close enough, but your budget is a little light for the area.
Most places in and around the wine country (Priorat and Penedes) will not fit your budget, but you might want to check out La Font Vella de Falset in the Priorat. It should be within your budget if they have availability for your dates. It's the best deal in the center of the wine region.
Apr 25th, 2014, 07:44 PM
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Working on the last 4 day/3 nights of our trip. After spending two nights in L'Escala (Costa Brava), here is what I am thinking:
On Tuesday, head west, with a stop in Besalu and then onward to somewhere around Queralbs for a 2 night stay. Activities would include the cog-rail train up to Vall de Nuria then hiking back, rafting adventure at the Parc Olimpic del Segre in La Seu d'Urgell, and a quick trip over the border to Andorra.
On Thursday, head south towards Penedes region. If get an early start, then possibly stop to do Montserrat. Else just stop at 1 or 2 Cava houses or other wineries. Stay overnight here. Head to airport in morning for 12:00 noon flight.
So now I am looking for lodging suggestions both in the area mentioned above and in the Penedes region. Would love our last night to be someplace very memorable. Thanks!
On Tuesday, head west, with a stop in Besalu and then onward to somewhere around Queralbs for a 2 night stay. Activities would include the cog-rail train up to Vall de Nuria then hiking back, rafting adventure at the Parc Olimpic del Segre in La Seu d'Urgell, and a quick trip over the border to Andorra.
On Thursday, head south towards Penedes region. If get an early start, then possibly stop to do Montserrat. Else just stop at 1 or 2 Cava houses or other wineries. Stay overnight here. Head to airport in morning for 12:00 noon flight.
So now I am looking for lodging suggestions both in the area mentioned above and in the Penedes region. Would love our last night to be someplace very memorable. Thanks!
Jan 24th, 2015, 07:28 AM
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We spent a week in Portugal last June and loved it. radical thought - why fly between the countries. We picked our car up at the Lisbon airport - it was crazy easy - and then drove to Evora and onwards from there. If what you love are the small towns anyway drive from Lisbon to Barcelona and there will be amazing scenery and wonderful small towns along the way. (and I hate highway driving so when I say it was easy it really is)
Feb 10th, 2015, 11:57 AM
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Hi all - a very belated thank you to all who helped us! The trip was wonderful!! This is what we ended up doing:
2 nights in Lisbon, picked up car in Lisbon, stopped in Sintra on way to Porto
2 nights in Porto
2 nights in Douro Valley
Back to Porto for late night flight to Barcelona
3 nights in Barcelona, picked up car at main train station and headed north.
2 nights in Cadaques (loved, loved, loved!!!)
2 nights in the Pyrenees
1 night in Penedes region, stopped at Montserrat en route
Flew out of Barcelona late morning back to US.
Only thing, in retrospect, I would maybe have done differently would be to skip Pyrenees, but then we had some bad weather and a small bout of sickness while there so that is maybe why.
2 nights in Lisbon, picked up car in Lisbon, stopped in Sintra on way to Porto
2 nights in Porto
2 nights in Douro Valley
Back to Porto for late night flight to Barcelona
3 nights in Barcelona, picked up car at main train station and headed north.
2 nights in Cadaques (loved, loved, loved!!!)
2 nights in the Pyrenees
1 night in Penedes region, stopped at Montserrat en route
Flew out of Barcelona late morning back to US.
Only thing, in retrospect, I would maybe have done differently would be to skip Pyrenees, but then we had some bad weather and a small bout of sickness while there so that is maybe why.
