Portugal and Spain
Jun 6th, 2016, 06:51 PM
#1
Portugal and Spain
Hi Everyone, I am looking at planning a fall 2017 trip to Portugal and Spain. We will spend a few nights in Lisbon, one night in Fatima and then where in Portugal? We plan to spend two weeks on our trip with 6 in Portuga,l maybe two on the coast (Sintra? ) and 8 in Spain.
Places in Spain I want to see are Seville, Granada and Barcelona. I am thinking 2, 2 and 4 respectively to get a taste of Spain. I would love to have another week, but we won't be able to on this our first trip to P and S. Husband would like to see Barcelona and maybe if we are lucky a Barcelona FC game. Otherwise, I would probably would have stayed more central and up to Madrid. We were planning to rent a car in each country and fly between Lisbon and Seville. (Just the sort of plan for now). Fatima is celebrating 100 years and we are Catholic so we were both interested in visiting the site. We are thinking Sept vs Oct because Oct will be overly crowded in Fatima being the last of the 100 year apparitions. So we are thinking of trying to be there on the 12th of September to see some of the celebrations. This could be a day trip and then stay in a nearby city or just stay there and head out in the morning?
So any feedback on our rough itinerary? 3 nights Lisbon, 1 Fatima, 2 coastal, maybe Sintra?, and 2 Seville, 2 Granada and 4 Barcelona. Driving from place to place except the one flight between Lisbon and Seville. Fly into Lisbon and out of Barcelona to and from the US. Decent car rental opinions?
Places in Spain I want to see are Seville, Granada and Barcelona. I am thinking 2, 2 and 4 respectively to get a taste of Spain. I would love to have another week, but we won't be able to on this our first trip to P and S. Husband would like to see Barcelona and maybe if we are lucky a Barcelona FC game. Otherwise, I would probably would have stayed more central and up to Madrid. We were planning to rent a car in each country and fly between Lisbon and Seville. (Just the sort of plan for now). Fatima is celebrating 100 years and we are Catholic so we were both interested in visiting the site. We are thinking Sept vs Oct because Oct will be overly crowded in Fatima being the last of the 100 year apparitions. So we are thinking of trying to be there on the 12th of September to see some of the celebrations. This could be a day trip and then stay in a nearby city or just stay there and head out in the morning?
So any feedback on our rough itinerary? 3 nights Lisbon, 1 Fatima, 2 coastal, maybe Sintra?, and 2 Seville, 2 Granada and 4 Barcelona. Driving from place to place except the one flight between Lisbon and Seville. Fly into Lisbon and out of Barcelona to and from the US. Decent car rental opinions?
Jun 6th, 2016, 08:01 PM
#2
Hi Kid 
Go over this posting and perhaps you can glean some good ideas rom this post.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-portugal.cfm
Go over this posting and perhaps you can glean some good ideas rom this post.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-portugal.cfm
Jun 6th, 2016, 08:46 PM
#4
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That is a lot of running around. A week in Portugal and then pick one area, two at most for the week in Spain. Spain is many different areas, influences, languages, so visiting one or even two areas will not give you a true taste of Spain.
Jun 7th, 2016, 06:13 AM
#5
Thanks Everyone! Percy, thanks for the link and pictures!! Sintra looks beautiful!
In Spain, my husband would really like to see Barcelona. I would like to see all of Spain!
I would rather stay out of just going to big cities such as doing a Madrid/Barcelona trip. I have to still do more reading but I have read some about Seville and Granada. Should I stay more in Seville or should I go over to Valencia/and Barcelona? I would have probably done Seville Granada and Madrid, but DH is set on Barcelona.
Portugal is still a work in progress and it doesn't look like it would take very long to stay on the west coast and drive to small towns. Maybe head from Fatima down to Sintra and spend two nights there then go to the Airport, so Lisbon 3, Fatima 1 and Sintra 2? It is about an hours drive according to google maps from Lisbon to Fatima and Fatima to Sintra.
In Spain, my husband would really like to see Barcelona. I would like to see all of Spain!
I would rather stay out of just going to big cities such as doing a Madrid/Barcelona trip. I have to still do more reading but I have read some about Seville and Granada. Should I stay more in Seville or should I go over to Valencia/and Barcelona? I would have probably done Seville Granada and Madrid, but DH is set on Barcelona.
Portugal is still a work in progress and it doesn't look like it would take very long to stay on the west coast and drive to small towns. Maybe head from Fatima down to Sintra and spend two nights there then go to the Airport, so Lisbon 3, Fatima 1 and Sintra 2? It is about an hours drive according to google maps from Lisbon to Fatima and Fatima to Sintra.
Jun 7th, 2016, 06:43 AM
#7
Have you decided where you are going to stay in Lisbon ?
That is a lot of driving to get all the way to Barcelona.
You don't want to go through Coimbra to see Porto and the lovely Douro River ?
You can do Fatima as a day trip , it is about 80 miles away, you will have to leave Lisbon early to avoid the traffic.
I can understand you wanting to go to Fatima, it is a holy history place.
besides the Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima and the Sacred Heart statue of Christ and the Church of Holy Trinity ...all at the same square, you will
want to see some of the other highlite places there.
1. Monument to the Three Shepherd Children who saw the vision of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
2. Statue of John Paul II who came here in 2000 to beautify 2 of the 3 shepherd children who died in the 1918 Spanish Flu.
3. There is a lovely park with a Walk of the Stations of The Cross to Calvary Hill.
4. This Walk starts right at the Monument to the Three Shepherd Children, which is at a large roundabout.
5. Statue and monument where The Angel of Portugal appeared to the 3 Shepherd Children in 1916 to announce the appearance of the Virgin Mary
6. The Pilgrim Monument at another roundabout.
7. Visit to the home of one of the 3 Shephard children and the well where the Angel appeared.
(House is small and simple, just as it was then)
8. The monument of Jesus taken down from the Cross and given to His Mother. ( only 2 blocks from the Pilgrim Monument)
9. And if you are tired of walk, there is a little train that will take tourist around to all the spots I mentioned.
This is indeed a Holy Place.
That is a lot of driving to get all the way to Barcelona.
You don't want to go through Coimbra to see Porto and the lovely Douro River ?
You can do Fatima as a day trip , it is about 80 miles away, you will have to leave Lisbon early to avoid the traffic.
I can understand you wanting to go to Fatima, it is a holy history place.
besides the Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima and the Sacred Heart statue of Christ and the Church of Holy Trinity ...all at the same square, you will
want to see some of the other highlite places there.
1. Monument to the Three Shepherd Children who saw the vision of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
2. Statue of John Paul II who came here in 2000 to beautify 2 of the 3 shepherd children who died in the 1918 Spanish Flu.
3. There is a lovely park with a Walk of the Stations of The Cross to Calvary Hill.
4. This Walk starts right at the Monument to the Three Shepherd Children, which is at a large roundabout.
5. Statue and monument where The Angel of Portugal appeared to the 3 Shepherd Children in 1916 to announce the appearance of the Virgin Mary
6. The Pilgrim Monument at another roundabout.
7. Visit to the home of one of the 3 Shephard children and the well where the Angel appeared.
(House is small and simple, just as it was then)
8. The monument of Jesus taken down from the Cross and given to His Mother. ( only 2 blocks from the Pilgrim Monument)
9. And if you are tired of walk, there is a little train that will take tourist around to all the spots I mentioned.
This is indeed a Holy Place.
Jun 7th, 2016, 06:48 AM
#8
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It is tight but in a short time in Seville you can see the famous Chatedrale
and gorgeous Alcazar. walk around barrio Santa Cruz
In Granada you have the time to visit Alhambra and stroll around the city.
As much as I like Madrid, I would stay with Barcelona for its unique architecture,
culture, geography and vibe.
As said , Spain is a diverse.....different regions in terms of geography, culture, history,
language..etc We have been 9-10 times and still keep going back .
I visited Lisbon for 4 nights two years ago....interesting city ( VERY hilly )
There was enough to do ( including a visit to Belem ) , I did jot make it to Sintra .
and gorgeous Alcazar. walk around barrio Santa Cruz
In Granada you have the time to visit Alhambra and stroll around the city.
As much as I like Madrid, I would stay with Barcelona for its unique architecture,
culture, geography and vibe.
As said , Spain is a diverse.....different regions in terms of geography, culture, history,
language..etc We have been 9-10 times and still keep going back .
I visited Lisbon for 4 nights two years ago....interesting city ( VERY hilly )
There was enough to do ( including a visit to Belem ) , I did jot make it to Sintra .
Jun 7th, 2016, 11:54 AM
#11
Hi Danon! I have been taking college Spanish 1 and 2 this year and am hoping to use it! (If I can remember it by then 
)
Where would you go outside of going to Barcelona? If we do 4 nights Barcelona, and had 4 other nights? Thanks
) Where would you go outside of going to Barcelona? If we do 4 nights Barcelona, and had 4 other nights? Thanks
Jun 7th, 2016, 12:37 PM
#12
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We only made day trips from Barcelona...Girona, Trragona, Sitges ( by train)
Liked all of them .
Many posters have made a day visit to Montserrat near the city
or drove north of Barcelona along the coast . I cannot comment on that.
I also like Valencia very much....well, all of Spain!
My Spanish is good, but except with taxi drivers I ,seldom had to used
in big cities. Although the official language of Catalunya is Catalan,
(Castilian ) Spanish is perfectly fine to use.
Liked all of them .
Many posters have made a day visit to Montserrat near the city
or drove north of Barcelona along the coast . I cannot comment on that.
I also like Valencia very much....well, all of Spain!
My Spanish is good, but except with taxi drivers I ,seldom had to used
in big cities. Although the official language of Catalunya is Catalan,
(Castilian ) Spanish is perfectly fine to use.
Jun 7th, 2016, 12:58 PM
#13
Thanks Danon!I am waiting for my fodors spain and portugal books to do some reading and figure out where and what we want to do.
Percy, thank you for all of the information on Fatima!! I do tentatively have a hotel that is a little pricey due to the timing of the visit which otherwise would probably be cheap. It is cancellable and we could drive ourselves or even have a private tour and (driver ) and just do a day trip up there.. Still have to decide on everything. I have read a lot of negative feedback on Fatima on Fodors. It is the 100th year and so I am drawn to see the place and would like to be there at this special time. I am catholic, but not overly religious in the church sense, but was raised and grew up catholic and many of the teachings about Mary were instilled in me! Anyway, I am interested and don't wish to be there in October with the big crowds, but also like the idea of having events so I am not just standing in a open field reading a sign saying this is where this happened in 1917. Reminds me of when we went to Gettysburg and then just drove out of town.. I have read about all the gift shops and my husband will probably like them! He is such a hoarder of dumb trinket items! I am sure there will be a few glow in the dark Marys filled with Holy water in his suitcase
Anyway, thank you all. I have some reading to do on places and will come back with more definite ideas of cities and with questions or if I am torn between two cities!
Percy, thank you for all of the information on Fatima!! I do tentatively have a hotel that is a little pricey due to the timing of the visit which otherwise would probably be cheap. It is cancellable and we could drive ourselves or even have a private tour and (driver ) and just do a day trip up there.. Still have to decide on everything. I have read a lot of negative feedback on Fatima on Fodors. It is the 100th year and so I am drawn to see the place and would like to be there at this special time. I am catholic, but not overly religious in the church sense, but was raised and grew up catholic and many of the teachings about Mary were instilled in me! Anyway, I am interested and don't wish to be there in October with the big crowds, but also like the idea of having events so I am not just standing in a open field reading a sign saying this is where this happened in 1917. Reminds me of when we went to Gettysburg and then just drove out of town.. I have read about all the gift shops and my husband will probably like them! He is such a hoarder of dumb trinket items! I am sure there will be a few glow in the dark Marys filled with Holy water in his suitcase
Anyway, thank you all. I have some reading to do on places and will come back with more definite ideas of cities and with questions or if I am torn between two cities!
Jun 8th, 2016, 03:05 PM
#14
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Gosh seems like a lot of running around and driving around. I wonder if you want to cut it down some. Spain is a big and varied country. For example in March we flew into Madrid, stayed a night, took the night train to Lisbon, stayed there four nights, took the night train back to Madrid, two nights in Madrid and home. I say this because this was 10 days used up and we only went to two main destinations, with wonderful day trips to Sintra (don't miss it) and Cascais. I think I might try to cut it down a little. If he is set on Barcelona, to me, this throws the trip a bit out of whack with the other place you mention. In most cases I would rather take a train than anything else. If you flew into Madrid the Ave would get you to a lot of your destinations faster than if you flew as you avoid all the waiting around and security and such. I would think about the itinerary a bit more and cut it down.
Jun 9th, 2016, 12:14 AM
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<my husband would really like to see Barcelona. I would like to see all of Spain!>
With eight days, I suggest you concentrate on Barcelona and totally different and fabulous Andalucian cities Sevilla or Córdoba. The high speed AVE train takes you from Barcelona to Sevilla in 5 hours and from Barcelona to Córdoba in little more than 4 hours, city center to city center (renfe.com).
You should also look forward to medieval, modernistic and cutting edge Barcelona. Fabulous food and cultural scene, and many atmospheric and totally different central districts outside the most beaten tourist track (Poble Sec, Gracia, Barceloneta, Raval etc). http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ia-barrio.html
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
About Sevilla, the queen of the cities in the South: http://www.exploreseville.com/
Maybe a daytrip to small and close by Carmona? http://www.andalucia.com/province/se...rmona/home.htm
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/carmona
About Córdoba, once the most advanced city in Europe: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba.htm
This video will get you in the Córdoba mood, "vida y genio" (life and spirit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk
And only some 40-45 mins between Sevilla and Córdoba with the high speed AVE train (renfe.com).
With eight days, I suggest you concentrate on Barcelona and totally different and fabulous Andalucian cities Sevilla or Córdoba. The high speed AVE train takes you from Barcelona to Sevilla in 5 hours and from Barcelona to Córdoba in little more than 4 hours, city center to city center (renfe.com).
You should also look forward to medieval, modernistic and cutting edge Barcelona. Fabulous food and cultural scene, and many atmospheric and totally different central districts outside the most beaten tourist track (Poble Sec, Gracia, Barceloneta, Raval etc). http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ia-barrio.html
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
About Sevilla, the queen of the cities in the South: http://www.exploreseville.com/
Maybe a daytrip to small and close by Carmona? http://www.andalucia.com/province/se...rmona/home.htm
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/carmona
About Córdoba, once the most advanced city in Europe: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba.htm
This video will get you in the Córdoba mood, "vida y genio" (life and spirit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk
And only some 40-45 mins between Sevilla and Córdoba with the high speed AVE train (renfe.com).
Jun 9th, 2016, 05:55 AM
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just glad to help, and here are a couple of more to the point links about Sevilla.
Great guide to tapas bar by barrio (districts). Azahar lives in Sevilla and knows what she talks about. Apart from the famous, beautiful (and quite touristy) Santa Cruz district, I highly recommend the San Lorenzo and Triana districts: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/restaurants/
A tapas tour in Triana could look like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFE9k0E-2Y
And I also recommend a stop in the oldest tapas bar in town, El Rinconcillo from 1670: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/
And you can see real deal flamenco in one of these intimate venues. Only top of the shelf artists, no food, no drinks, just an hour of flamenco and less than half the price of the tablaos (flamenco restaurants).
http://www.casadelamemoria.es/agenda/
http://www.lacasadelflamencosevilla.com/
and Flamenquería by the Guadalquivir river. Performances every Thursday to Saturday, and on many Tuesdays and Wednesdays, up and coming talents go on stage: http://www.flamenqueria.es/es/espectaculos-y-concursos
BBC about "Seville's legendary flamenco scene": http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/2012...flamenco-scene
Great guide to tapas bar by barrio (districts). Azahar lives in Sevilla and knows what she talks about. Apart from the famous, beautiful (and quite touristy) Santa Cruz district, I highly recommend the San Lorenzo and Triana districts: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/restaurants/
A tapas tour in Triana could look like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFE9k0E-2Y
And I also recommend a stop in the oldest tapas bar in town, El Rinconcillo from 1670: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...l-rinconcillo/
And you can see real deal flamenco in one of these intimate venues. Only top of the shelf artists, no food, no drinks, just an hour of flamenco and less than half the price of the tablaos (flamenco restaurants).
http://www.casadelamemoria.es/agenda/
http://www.lacasadelflamencosevilla.com/
and Flamenquería by the Guadalquivir river. Performances every Thursday to Saturday, and on many Tuesdays and Wednesdays, up and coming talents go on stage: http://www.flamenqueria.es/es/espectaculos-y-concursos
BBC about "Seville's legendary flamenco scene": http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/2012...flamenco-scene
Jun 9th, 2016, 10:20 AM
#19
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Many would prefer the famous Santa Cruz district. I use to stay in the more local atmosphere San Lorenzo area or close to Alameda de Hercules, some 10 minutes walking North of the Santa Cruz area and the most obvious sights. http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain
The last times in Sevilla, I've stayed in Corregidor. Tranquile but just off vibrant and fun Alameda de Hercules and 10-15 minutes walking to the cathedral/Real Alcázar etc.: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/h10-...dor.en-gb.html
The last times in Sevilla, I've stayed in Corregidor. Tranquile but just off vibrant and fun Alameda de Hercules and 10-15 minutes walking to the cathedral/Real Alcázar etc.: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/h10-...dor.en-gb.html
Jun 9th, 2016, 11:41 AM
#20
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Th e first time in Seville , we stayed in San Lorenzo area ....it was o.k.,
but for the first visit not the best...walked (15-20 min)to attractions
we wanted to see.
The second time , we stayed in barrio SC ...worked much better.
but for the first visit not the best...walked (15-20 min)to attractions
we wanted to see.
The second time , we stayed in barrio SC ...worked much better.
