Spain and Portugal trip ideas
Aug 9th, 2005, 01:12 PM
#1
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Spain and Portugal trip ideas
Hello Fellow Fodorites,
We are planning a trip to Spain and Portugal at the end of September. We are 4 adults renting a car, and we enjoy old, historic, medieval cities, walls, castles, Roman ruins, etc. We will fly to Madrid, pick up a car and spend 3 nights in Segovia with a day trip to Avila. Then head west, onto Merida (2 nights) with a day trip to Caceres. Head into Portugal and spend 3 nights in Evora. Spend the last 3 nights in Coimbra, with a day trip to the roman ruins of Conimbriga. Drop off the car in Lisbon, and fly home.
1. For those who have visited these places, what do you think of this itinerary?
2. Is 1 day in Merida enough, and are 3 days in Evora too much?
3. I have read some rather disconcerting information about renting a car in Spain and Portugal. Is driving safe(both from reckless and speeding others, and from break-ins)?
4. Would you recommend a day trip in Obidos, on the way to Lisbon?
Would appreciate any and all suggestions, feedback, ideas, etc.
Thank!
We are planning a trip to Spain and Portugal at the end of September. We are 4 adults renting a car, and we enjoy old, historic, medieval cities, walls, castles, Roman ruins, etc. We will fly to Madrid, pick up a car and spend 3 nights in Segovia with a day trip to Avila. Then head west, onto Merida (2 nights) with a day trip to Caceres. Head into Portugal and spend 3 nights in Evora. Spend the last 3 nights in Coimbra, with a day trip to the roman ruins of Conimbriga. Drop off the car in Lisbon, and fly home.
1. For those who have visited these places, what do you think of this itinerary?
2. Is 1 day in Merida enough, and are 3 days in Evora too much?
3. I have read some rather disconcerting information about renting a car in Spain and Portugal. Is driving safe(both from reckless and speeding others, and from break-ins)?
4. Would you recommend a day trip in Obidos, on the way to Lisbon?
Would appreciate any and all suggestions, feedback, ideas, etc.
Thank!
Aug 9th, 2005, 03:58 PM
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Before you go, you should check out the fires that are raging in Portugal (and Spain)...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...722672,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...722672,00.html
Aug 9th, 2005, 04:11 PM
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TuckH, I think you haven't read Larz is travelling at the end of September.
I hope that you are not thinking that a fire lasts for two months..
Even if Larz was travelling today there's no need to worry about it.
I hope that you are not thinking that a fire lasts for two months..
Even if Larz was travelling today there's no need to worry about it.
Aug 9th, 2005, 11:58 PM
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Hi Larz,
regarding roman ruins, Merida is far more interesting than Evora. Don´t miss the museum, the theatre, the houses or the still working after 2000 years Proserpina roman dam.
http://www.museoromano.com/
http://www.godesalco.com/imagen/plata/proserpina_presa
I might change it a little bit, maybe staying in Cáceres before going to Mérida, and staying less time in Evora.
Obidos is a beautiful place, but if you could also stop at either Batalha or Alcobaca ... that would be a real treat. Wonderful monasteries ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ines_de_Castro
http://tinyurl.com/d5yxv
Rgds, Cova
regarding roman ruins, Merida is far more interesting than Evora. Don´t miss the museum, the theatre, the houses or the still working after 2000 years Proserpina roman dam.
http://www.museoromano.com/
http://www.godesalco.com/imagen/plata/proserpina_presa
I might change it a little bit, maybe staying in Cáceres before going to Mérida, and staying less time in Evora.
Obidos is a beautiful place, but if you could also stop at either Batalha or Alcobaca ... that would be a real treat. Wonderful monasteries ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ines_de_Castro
http://tinyurl.com/d5yxv
Rgds, Cova
Aug 10th, 2005, 02:04 AM
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Are you renting a car in Madrid, Spain and returning it in Lisbon, Portugal?? Prepare yourself for a very expensive drop-off charge!! Even though both are EU Members, that apparently hasn't caught up with Car Rental Agencies yet.
Driving: people drive very fast on the limited access expressways & toll roads in Spain. In Portugal, the roads are not as good (except for the Lisbon area - Extremadura??) but people drive as fast as they can get away with, sometimes what I would call recklessly so.
There have been numerous accounts of people getting their rental cars broken into while visiting such places as Fatima.
When in Segovia, visit Sepulveda.
Driving: people drive very fast on the limited access expressways & toll roads in Spain. In Portugal, the roads are not as good (except for the Lisbon area - Extremadura??) but people drive as fast as they can get away with, sometimes what I would call recklessly so.
There have been numerous accounts of people getting their rental cars broken into while visiting such places as Fatima.
When in Segovia, visit Sepulveda.
Aug 10th, 2005, 04:12 AM
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I know this will only complicate matters, however based on your stated "likes," I would consider adding Marvao and Monsaraz. There are also ancient stone circle ruins in this general area.
One day in Evora was enough for me.
Obidos was nice (didn't like the pousada there), but also enjoyed Alcobaca and Batalha. Even better, the Templar castle and ruins in Tomar were fantastic.
Have a good map for Portugal. Driving on the toll roads was fast and easy. Secondary roads could be a bit more challenging.
One day in Evora was enough for me.
Obidos was nice (didn't like the pousada there), but also enjoyed Alcobaca and Batalha. Even better, the Templar castle and ruins in Tomar were fantastic.
Have a good map for Portugal. Driving on the toll roads was fast and easy. Secondary roads could be a bit more challenging.
Aug 11th, 2005, 04:37 PM
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I LOVED Segovia, very magical. Highly recommend a restaurant called Narizotas at Plaz de Medina del Campo. Get the "Left Hand"--you'll be stuffed but happy you ordered this.
Don't know if you have places to stay in Spain yet, but if you don't I'd recommend checking out parador.es.
Be sure to report back and have a great trip.
Don't know if you have places to stay in Spain yet, but if you don't I'd recommend checking out parador.es.
Be sure to report back and have a great trip.
Aug 12th, 2005, 12:28 PM
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Hello Artlover,
What exactly is "left hand"? Can I assume it tastes better than it sounds?! Besides the main attractions of Segovia, any others in particular you would recommend?
While in Segovia, did you have a chance to explore Avila?
What exactly is "left hand"? Can I assume it tastes better than it sounds?! Besides the main attractions of Segovia, any others in particular you would recommend?
While in Segovia, did you have a chance to explore Avila?
Aug 12th, 2005, 06:47 PM
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Larz,
"Left hand" sound weird, true, but it's just a menu selection that includes the entire meal for one price. Maybe it's the translations, but it was amazing. The only problem was that they wouldn't let you share it, and believe me, it was easily enough for two, but so well priced that I would recommend it. They have a website--www.narizotas.net--check it out.
We stayed at the Paradors in both Avila and Segovia--I loved them both and would highly recommend them. The one in Avila is right next to the wall and has a garden that is so incredibly peaceful. The one in Segovia is a bit of a walk from the main sites, and is very modern and has great views (request a view room).
The wall in Avila is awesome, as are the Aqueduct and Acalzar in Segovia.
The only thing I didn't like was the restaurant we went to Avila--it was awful--probably would have been better off eating at the Parador there.
Have a great trip!
"Left hand" sound weird, true, but it's just a menu selection that includes the entire meal for one price. Maybe it's the translations, but it was amazing. The only problem was that they wouldn't let you share it, and believe me, it was easily enough for two, but so well priced that I would recommend it. They have a website--www.narizotas.net--check it out.
We stayed at the Paradors in both Avila and Segovia--I loved them both and would highly recommend them. The one in Avila is right next to the wall and has a garden that is so incredibly peaceful. The one in Segovia is a bit of a walk from the main sites, and is very modern and has great views (request a view room).
The wall in Avila is awesome, as are the Aqueduct and Acalzar in Segovia.
The only thing I didn't like was the restaurant we went to Avila--it was awful--probably would have been better off eating at the Parador there.
Have a great trip!
