ediemay

Trying to plan a trip for November to Spain and Portugal. We are 3 generations ranging from 70's to 8 yrs. we would like to go to Madrid , Andalusia, ending in Lisbon. We need to have two nights wherever we stay to keep everyone "sane". There are 4 adults and 3 children( 14 girl, 12 boy, 8 girl, Mom, Dad, and one set of grands. I've not been to Spain for 52 years so it will be all new to me as well as everyone else.
Looking for any suggestions for routes of travel as well as any suggestions for lodging, dining must see or do, best places to spend the nights . Right now thinking of going from Madrid to Córdoba, Granada,,Seville , Lisbon. Thanks for any advice!

danon

If you are planing to visit 5 cities in 10 days, you might wish to check
train/bus/ flight connections first.

kja

Are you sure you can see and do what you want with this plan? I would find it unpleasantly rushed, particulary in November when daylight hours are short, but maybe your interests are different than mine. Here's what I recommend: Get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library) and plot your wish list on a calendar. Each time you propose to change locations, pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting lost/oriented, etc.). Many things in Spain are closed on Monday, and often for all or part of Sundays too; and many things in Spain will also be closed daily for a very long mid-day break.

I found the Rough Guide and Michelin Green Guide particularly useful for these areas, but ANY guidebook will give you a wealth of information at your fingertips. Note that the cost of a good guidebook or two will be nominal in comparison to the cost of your trip.

janisj

10 day trip (BTW, is that 10 TOTAL days -- i.e. 7.5 days free on the ground, or a 12-13 day trip netting 10 days on the ground), 7 people, multi generations, late Fall . . . much MUCH too ambitions IMO.

Not only will the days be shorter, everything will take longer herding 7 people around. Different body clocks, different interests, different endurance. Then you will lose about half a day every time you move. Pick at MOST 3 cities.

Whathello

Same. Actually I would do lisbon and Porto with a stop inbetween ( obidos ?) and some day trips from there. Sintra a from Lisbon valley del Duoro from Porto etc.

ekscrunchy

Too rushed. Choose Spain or Portugal. Not both in so little time with so many travellers.

This might be the time to use a seasoned travel planner specializing in Spain/Portugal; I would very highly recommend this company, owned by Maribel, whose online guides have led me to marvelous, little known treasures in many regions of Spain and beyond:


http://www.maribelsguides.com/travel-planning/


I would recommend flying into one destination and returning from another. For example, fly into Madrid and home from Sevilla.

Will you be renting a van, or taking public transport?

Bedar

52 yrs, that makes it 1965, no ? You will recognize the same ole Spain. The biggest differences will be there's no smoking in the usual places, nor in bars and restaurants, and the prices are much higher. Spain in '65 was awfully cheap; now it's still reasonable but not cheap.
If you drop Lisbon, it's a perfectly doable trip. Obviously one would want more time in all these places, but you have the time that you have so must make do with that. The train is a nice experience, but it's expensive, esp. for 7 people ! I'd rent a commodious van with good luggage space. And, never leave your luggage visible while you're looking at something or other. See AutoEurope for van prices but call them to make reservations
Save Portugal for another trip.

PalenQ

t 1965, no ? You will recognize the same ole Spain. The biggest differences will be there's no smoking in the usual places, nor in bars and restaurants, and the prices are much higher>

And the grinding poverty testified by horrible slums in make shift tents along major rail lines where were endemic later than that are gone too.

A much nicer Spain - no militia everywhere- a modern fairly well-off European country.

Yes a van would be best IMO too - check drop-off charges for renting in Spain and dropping in Portugal - could be stiff?

Or trains too as you are going just to large cities where cars are a problem more than useful- check www.renfe.com - Spanish Railways web site to book your own tickets - at a discount if early enough; also check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Bedar

Pal - We don't remember any shanty towns alongside rail lines, but you probably did more train trips than we. Grinding poverty still exists. Look at their unemployment figures and the numbers of people who are squatters. Also, militia, the Guardia Civile, police are still everywhere. You just don't recognize their new uniforms ! But, that said, generally speaking, the standard of living has greatly improved tho' Old Spain is still recognizable.

PalenQ

Yes 1969 my first trip and I remember distinctly shacks lining rail lines into Madrid and Barcelona and other cities. It was shocking to me. Yes poverty still exists and more of a safety net than under Franco fascists regime (long-haired guys turned away from youth hostels that were run by dictators; long-hairs refused entry at border sometimes!)

Bedar

Pal - I think you might be confusing Spain with France. Now there were plenty of bidonvilles along tracks there. My husband had long hair from '61 to '65 but never had problems in Spain. In '63 when he went into Briton he did and was only given entry for 2 wks.

PalenQ

No - there were miles of shacks along Spain's rail lines near large cities - I have no doubt bout that but long hair may have been more hearsay than true. Anyway Spain is now from outward appearances a very modern country - OP and family will be very happy.

Bedar

Amen !

Whathello

PQ is right and Franco was not a nice chap. But some loved to live under fascist rule. It was Er organised ? No union no strikes no freedom of speech.

Poverty yes france wasmuch richer than Spain which was at the time a third world country. There is still hardly an industry in Spain btw.

janisj

What on earth do shanties in the 60's and Franco have to do with the OP's questions/trip?!

Another thread off the cliff.

ekscrunchy

I saw shacks along the tracks on the train from Rome to Anzio a few years ago...would those have been Roma?

Sorry, Janis..sometimes people get interested in stray topics.....not sure that is illegal here.

Bedar

Guess Janis didn't read the OP's original post about 52 yrs ago.

janisj

>>Sorry, Janis..sometimes people get interested in stray topics.....not sure that is illegal here.<<

Sure -- but so many threads get hijacked. And now we are supposed to include poverty in Italy and Roma? If Pal and Pariswat want to talk about Franco -- let them start a thread and hash it out -- has no bearing on the OP's trip.

MoBro

In order to stay "sane", you might want be three nights minimum in each place.

We loved Lisbon, and are headed to Seville and Madrid next month.

But, I suggest you choose one or the other for this multi-generation jaunt.

Bedar

Pal - I consulted my ex who has been in Spain since '61. He said that it's only been in the last ten years that the "favela-like" communities have disappeared, and there was one around La Coruna where he now lives up till two years ago. Glad these blights have gone.