Spain and Portugal in February
Apr 19th, 2015, 08:19 PM
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Spain and Portugal in February
I've decided to plan a trip to Spain and Portugal in February of 2016. I'm just in the first stages of planning, and trying to figure out exactly where to go and how to get there. Right now I'm thinking start in Barcelona, going to Sitges to check out Carnival, go to Madrid, maybe some other places from there, then Lisbon. We're thinking at least 2 weeks. My main questions are:
-Are there certain places we should definitely avoid because it's February? From what I've read it sounds like maybe we should avoid some of the towns in the north that can get cold and icy? We're from Oregon, so we're used to very rainy winters. The weather in Madrid actually sounds pretty similar to what we are used to, but with perhaps a little less rain.
-Transportation: I don't want to rent a car. I was looking at Eurail passes. I thought we would just take that everywhere, but then I saw how cheap it was to fly to Lisbon from Madrid, so we will probably take a plane for that hop. Are we going to miss out on things if we don't rent a car? Any thoughts on Eurail would be helpful.
Any other suggestions for places to go and things to see would be much appreciated. It's a little overwhelming at the moment. Here's a little background on us and what we're looking for: I'm 30 and he's 34. I've never been to Spain, but have been to other parts of Europe. My boyfriend has never been to Europe. In fact, he's never left North America! So he's definitely looking to see some history and culture. The oldest buildings he has ever seen were in Boston. I'm really looking forward to the food, as I used to work in the food industry. We like to eat and go to bars. I'm a big fan of cured meats, cheese, and wine, so any food related suggestions would be awesome. I'm also a landscape designer, so I would be interested in hearing about any gardens, though I know it's not going to be a good time of year to go. I'm fascinated by cork oak savannahs. We are both art fans, however I would say we both are more interested in modern and contemporary art. I would probably appreciate breaking up our time in big cities with some quieter areas. I get tired of constantly going from one historic site to the next, and the crowds, so I need to take relaxing breaks to keep from getting travel fatigue. Our last trip was to Kauai last fall, so we're not really looking for beach time or stunning landscapes.
It looks like there is so much to see, I'm sure we will find plenty to do in any city we go to. But any suggestions would be helpful.
-Are there certain places we should definitely avoid because it's February? From what I've read it sounds like maybe we should avoid some of the towns in the north that can get cold and icy? We're from Oregon, so we're used to very rainy winters. The weather in Madrid actually sounds pretty similar to what we are used to, but with perhaps a little less rain.
-Transportation: I don't want to rent a car. I was looking at Eurail passes. I thought we would just take that everywhere, but then I saw how cheap it was to fly to Lisbon from Madrid, so we will probably take a plane for that hop. Are we going to miss out on things if we don't rent a car? Any thoughts on Eurail would be helpful.
Any other suggestions for places to go and things to see would be much appreciated. It's a little overwhelming at the moment. Here's a little background on us and what we're looking for: I'm 30 and he's 34. I've never been to Spain, but have been to other parts of Europe. My boyfriend has never been to Europe. In fact, he's never left North America! So he's definitely looking to see some history and culture. The oldest buildings he has ever seen were in Boston. I'm really looking forward to the food, as I used to work in the food industry. We like to eat and go to bars. I'm a big fan of cured meats, cheese, and wine, so any food related suggestions would be awesome. I'm also a landscape designer, so I would be interested in hearing about any gardens, though I know it's not going to be a good time of year to go. I'm fascinated by cork oak savannahs. We are both art fans, however I would say we both are more interested in modern and contemporary art. I would probably appreciate breaking up our time in big cities with some quieter areas. I get tired of constantly going from one historic site to the next, and the crowds, so I need to take relaxing breaks to keep from getting travel fatigue. Our last trip was to Kauai last fall, so we're not really looking for beach time or stunning landscapes.
It looks like there is so much to see, I'm sure we will find plenty to do in any city we go to. But any suggestions would be helpful.
Apr 20th, 2015, 05:02 AM
#2
Yes you will miss things if you don't have a car and yes you will miss things if you don't take the train. For this sort of trip I'd be happy to use trains only but up to you
Madrid can get cold in Feb (look how high it is) so I'd avoid the north, centre and even the west coast (rain). I'd focus on an arc from Barcelona Grenada, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, Faro, Lisbon. The main oak is in the Alentejo and I think you can do tours of them from the Algarve. Malaga has a wonderful modern art museum, Barcelona is a modern art museum.
Sherry and black foot dried ham is a perfect lunch time snack which you can get in Seville market.
Madrid can get cold in Feb (look how high it is) so I'd avoid the north, centre and even the west coast (rain). I'd focus on an arc from Barcelona Grenada, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, Faro, Lisbon. The main oak is in the Alentejo and I think you can do tours of them from the Algarve. Malaga has a wonderful modern art museum, Barcelona is a modern art museum.
Sherry and black foot dried ham is a perfect lunch time snack which you can get in Seville market.
Apr 20th, 2015, 06:47 AM
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I was looking at Eurail passes. I thought we would just take that everywhere, but then I saw how cheap it was to fly to Lisbon from Madrid, so we will probably take a plane for that hop. Are we going to miss out on things if we don't rent a car? Any thoughts on Eurail would be helpful.>
Well you would look only at the Spain-Portugal Eurailpass - a 2-country pass that is cheaper than the more country Eurail Select or all country Global Eurail. but you'd have to have a beter idea of exactly what rail trips you would take - then go to www.renfe.com - the Spanish Railways site to see normal fares and compare with a pass.
a pass provides flexibility to chose which trains to take once there - the cheapest tickets are discounted ones that typically since they are sold in limited numbers sell out weeks early and are non-refundble non-changeable I believe but much cheaper than a walk-up fare. So a benefit of a pass is you can use it on any train and decide once you're there - if flexibility is key compare pass prices to full-fare tickets on www.renfe.com - but with a pass you still must have a mandated seat reservation before boarding and that will cost about an extra 10 euros or so on top of using a day on a pass.
But if you go Barcelona - Madrid - say Seville and area - Lisbon a pass may be cheaper than paying for full-fare tickets. There is an overnight train between Madrid and Lisbon that the pass would cover except for the optional sleeping accommodations - save on the cost of a hotel and time even over flying as you travel at night. Only if using it for Madrid to Lisbon would the pass perhaps be a good deal I suspect.
Anyway for tons of great info on Iberian Peninsula trains check these superb sources: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.set61.com - the latter a good look at discounted tickets if you want to book everything in stone weeks ahead of time - that would be the cheapest way for sure. For me flexibility is key for others not.
Well you would look only at the Spain-Portugal Eurailpass - a 2-country pass that is cheaper than the more country Eurail Select or all country Global Eurail. but you'd have to have a beter idea of exactly what rail trips you would take - then go to www.renfe.com - the Spanish Railways site to see normal fares and compare with a pass.
a pass provides flexibility to chose which trains to take once there - the cheapest tickets are discounted ones that typically since they are sold in limited numbers sell out weeks early and are non-refundble non-changeable I believe but much cheaper than a walk-up fare. So a benefit of a pass is you can use it on any train and decide once you're there - if flexibility is key compare pass prices to full-fare tickets on www.renfe.com - but with a pass you still must have a mandated seat reservation before boarding and that will cost about an extra 10 euros or so on top of using a day on a pass.
But if you go Barcelona - Madrid - say Seville and area - Lisbon a pass may be cheaper than paying for full-fare tickets. There is an overnight train between Madrid and Lisbon that the pass would cover except for the optional sleeping accommodations - save on the cost of a hotel and time even over flying as you travel at night. Only if using it for Madrid to Lisbon would the pass perhaps be a good deal I suspect.
Anyway for tons of great info on Iberian Peninsula trains check these superb sources: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.set61.com - the latter a good look at discounted tickets if you want to book everything in stone weeks ahead of time - that would be the cheapest way for sure. For me flexibility is key for others not.
Apr 20th, 2015, 06:58 AM
#4
With two weeks you will need to be selective. Barcelona, Sitges, Madrid and Lisbon would easily fill that time, and I (perhaps not you) might feel rushed.
There is a night train between Lisbon and Madrid which will save you sightseeing time.
There are buses and trains between Lisbon and Evora, which is in the cork district (bus is probably better). You could do a day trip or an overnight, but on a first visit your time is really better spent in Belem and Sintra in addition to Lisbon.
There is a night train between Lisbon and Madrid which will save you sightseeing time.
There are buses and trains between Lisbon and Evora, which is in the cork district (bus is probably better). You could do a day trip or an overnight, but on a first visit your time is really better spent in Belem and Sintra in addition to Lisbon.
Apr 20th, 2015, 08:54 AM
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Sintra would be my suggested day trip from Lisbon - Evora is great but about two hours or so each each - Sintra is practically in Lisbon - it is the royal retreat in olden days so has sumptuous castles and a nice park around one.
Apr 20th, 2015, 01:55 PM
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In Madrid don't miss a day trip to nearby Toledo - to me and many one of the dreamiest old-world cities in Europe - stunning mujedar decor in churches - a hill town - less than an hour by train.
Many get tired with a loud traffic-clogged Madrid that for the most part is rather modern - Toledo is the type of place you dream about going.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tole...=1600&bih=1075
Many get tired with a loud traffic-clogged Madrid that for the most part is rather modern - Toledo is the type of place you dream about going.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tole...=1600&bih=1075
Apr 27th, 2015, 02:23 AM
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It seems you're looking for culture immersion and good food and wine... If you plan to visit Valencia I highly recommend you a small business run by a local family arranging cultural immersion holidays... They're lovely people and very friendly and hosty... and the area, known as the Valencian Tuscany, really worthwhiles! Besides, it's not a very touristy area so you'll find peace and prices are very competitive... Have a look to their website, you'll find there a lot of info about the region. www.coolfoodvalencia.com Good luck!
