Help Spain and Portugal Itinerary??
Sep 18th, 2016, 05:08 PM
#1
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Help Spain and Portugal Itinerary??
We are planning a first time visit to Spain and Portugal in June/July with our boys (13&15) for about 3-weeks. Flying into Barcelona. I would appreciate any ideas for must see cities or hidden gems. We enjoy staying in one location for 3+ days or more if possible w/day trips. We have rented cars in Italy but not sure it will benefit us to rent a car in Spain/Portugal.??
We know it will be HOT so goal is to stay in coastal towns w/day trips.
Early stages of planning but cities we would like to visit: Barcelona, Algarve, Lisbon and San Sebastian (fly out of Paris?). Yes, we know we will need to take trains to get around too.
We appreciate good food and some leisure time at each stop.
Looking forward to any suggestions you may have!
Thank you!
We know it will be HOT so goal is to stay in coastal towns w/day trips.
Early stages of planning but cities we would like to visit: Barcelona, Algarve, Lisbon and San Sebastian (fly out of Paris?). Yes, we know we will need to take trains to get around too.
We appreciate good food and some leisure time at each stop.
Looking forward to any suggestions you may have!
Thank you!
Sep 18th, 2016, 07:24 PM
#3
Portugal-There are coastal areas north and south of Lisbon withpit having to go to the Algarve.
We were very disappointed in Obidos. It is quaint and pretty but exists for tourism. We wished we had sropped by on a day trip but not stayed for several days although the Parador there is terrific.
Look at Nazare. I would definitely rent a car in Portugal.
Spain- you can get to the main cities with high speed trains. For San Sebastian, I would fly. Rent a car once rhere to explore the Basque villages and towns in Spain and nearby France.
Why dly out of Paris? Madrid works well.
We were very disappointed in Obidos. It is quaint and pretty but exists for tourism. We wished we had sropped by on a day trip but not stayed for several days although the Parador there is terrific.
Look at Nazare. I would definitely rent a car in Portugal.
Spain- you can get to the main cities with high speed trains. For San Sebastian, I would fly. Rent a car once rhere to explore the Basque villages and towns in Spain and nearby France.
Why dly out of Paris? Madrid works well.
Sep 18th, 2016, 07:28 PM
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Travel by car is very easy throughout much of Portugal- toll roads are lightly utilized by the locals and we found them to be excellent for getting around the country (never did figure out the toll system which seemed very random, but not excessively expensive). We loved Evora as a base to explore neighboring castle towns, which are fascinating (Highly recommend the ADC hotel in Evora), although it is not a coastal town.Obidos is indeed charming but very small. You will no doubt get some good recs for towns outside of Lisbon, be sure and go to Sintra (which will be cooler also as it is in the mountains).
We found the Algarve a little disappointing as it is very overbuilt in places, but greatly enjoyed Tavira on the far eastern end; some great day trips from there too like the Loules market.
Highlights of Spain include Sevilla (the Alzazar and the flamenco shows are amazing,the flamenco here is very doable for kids as you can take in great shows at places like La Casa de la Memoria at 7:30pm at a reasonable price and be done by 9) and Granada (the Alhambra is not to be missed and we loved taking both a daytime and a nighttime tour- reserve in advance). Madrid is OK for a couple of days, especially if you take in the museums, but Barcelona will probably engage everyone with the variety of options from the beach to Gaudi architecture, the Boqueria market, etc. I love the high speed trains in Spain and also recommend taking lowcost flights (eg Vueling) to cover some of the bigger distances.
Look carefully at whatever coastal towns you're thinking of as IMO many of the more beautiful areas have been terribly overbuilt and overrun with EU residents, largely from the UK, looking for sunny second or retirement homes...
We found the Algarve a little disappointing as it is very overbuilt in places, but greatly enjoyed Tavira on the far eastern end; some great day trips from there too like the Loules market.
Highlights of Spain include Sevilla (the Alzazar and the flamenco shows are amazing,the flamenco here is very doable for kids as you can take in great shows at places like La Casa de la Memoria at 7:30pm at a reasonable price and be done by 9) and Granada (the Alhambra is not to be missed and we loved taking both a daytime and a nighttime tour- reserve in advance). Madrid is OK for a couple of days, especially if you take in the museums, but Barcelona will probably engage everyone with the variety of options from the beach to Gaudi architecture, the Boqueria market, etc. I love the high speed trains in Spain and also recommend taking lowcost flights (eg Vueling) to cover some of the bigger distances.
Look carefully at whatever coastal towns you're thinking of as IMO many of the more beautiful areas have been terribly overbuilt and overrun with EU residents, largely from the UK, looking for sunny second or retirement homes...
Sep 18th, 2016, 11:58 PM
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Use https://www.rome2rio.com because if you do the route as written down it will be hard not to have to backtrack if you use Public transport.
It will give you some ideas about long each leg will take in a car too.
Using a non-Portuguese car means you will have to prepay the tolls on the Portuguese toll way. http://www.portugaltolls.com/
It will give you some ideas about long each leg will take in a car too.
Using a non-Portuguese car means you will have to prepay the tolls on the Portuguese toll way. http://www.portugaltolls.com/
