luvtotravel

My thanks to those who helped me with my travel plans. I went to Spain and Portugal for almost three weeks in September 2014, two-week tour with Grand Circle. There was debate on this board about touring versus independent travel, but I'm glad I took the tour. I've been overseas about 20 times and this was my first time not traveling independently. I was concerned about giving up control as I'm always the one planning trips for me and my friends. But it turned out well and I had a great time and am even planning to take another Grand Circle tour.

This is the link to my website where you can read my journal and see my photos. This website is mainly for my own enjoyment and to supplement my memory that gets worse every year (lol). http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...ortugal01.html

I took my new camera, Sony RX100 M2, and it an amazing camera. Small (pocket-size), but mighty. I used the flash only once and that was for an outdoor photo. All the photos inside churches were without flash. I got some beautiful ceiling shots. The camera has a tilt screen so I did not have to bend back to take the shots -- hence all the ceiling shots. I just mention this in case someone is looking for a new camera.

Diane

Ozarksbill

Let me be the first to respond...I hope. DW and I took that same GCT trip to Spain and Portugal last October. Look up my report: Spain and Portugal in Depth. And I will look at your travel notes and picts and comment. My own photos were just to remember the events. I do write extensive notes for myself. We have ourselves often traveled with groups incl. Grand Circle (9 X) with complete satisfaction. And Road Scholar many, many time.s But traveling on our own at times in South Africa, UK, and all over the U. S. So what did you like best in your trip?

Calabria62

Luv,
Thank you so much for this report and photos. The photos are gorgeous and your commentary so interesting. I've been leaning towards a trip to Spain, and was thinking of just Andalucia, but your Madrid photos have convinced me to visit there too. Thanks, again.

emily71

Gorgeous photos that brought back memories of my own Spain trip. I know what you mean about meat in Spain-since I don't eat red meat I ate a lot of tortilla patatas on my trip. Too bad you didn't have more time in Granada as the city itself has charm and the best heladeria in Spain.

I keep telling my parents they need to go to Spain as the senior discounts are everywhere and the food is almost as good as Italy. Sorry you had such bad waiters in Spain, that's pretty unusual in my opinion.

Thanks again for sharing your blog-I really enjoyed it.

Ozarksbill

So we arrived in Spain a few days after you flew home from Portugal. And we were both ill the last day but maybe you were a little more so at the end! That does happen!

Madrid: you saw museums we didn't and we focused on Prado art for an afternoon plus Royal Palace. What a nice pose at Toledo...I have one of DW overlooking ancient bridge at Cordoba. That was an enjoyable day seeing the Moorish columns and arches in La Mezquita. Wonder if you had the same guide who said, well, well, well as he paused.

And you mentioned walking the narrow streets there such as where we had tortillas and beer for lunch at Taberna Santos. And also a christening party was right there and a wedding party down the street. I do take some "people pictures" as I did here and you'll find a Fodors discussion about that: A Guide to Madrid. More comments later as I study your photos.

Ozarksbill

luvtotravel, if you check back on your report, I'd be interested in your thoughts regarding visiting a bull breeding ranch as we both did...and especially the mock contest with cape. People laughed as they took turns, but there is serious oppositon to this bloody "sport" and you can read a discussion on Fodor's topic Bullfighting. Also might read a novel Or the Bull Will Kill You. So is this an appropriate "learning experience" for the GCT itinerary?

HappyTrvlr

It's a shame you missed the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem as it was closes that day. I would think that GCT could have switched your day trip to Sintra with Belem. Now you a reason to return to Lisbon.

luvtotravel

Bill, I am opposed to bull fighting. Not much I could do about that while on the tour. A couple of people on the tour went to a bull fight on our last night in Seville. I would not be able to stomach it.

HappyTrvlr, I have no plans to return to Spain or Portugal. As I am now a senior I would like to concentrate on places I haven't been as I may not want to (or be able to) travel for too many more years. Let me take Italy out of that comment as I never tire of Italy. I am planning a Mediterranean cruise later this year and a land tour of Croatia/Slovenia next year. So many places to visit. I just need to hit the lottery.

Ozarksbill

Follow up comments. Our GCT conducted tours were certainly similar...major cathedral and such sights, churros snack, flamenco show, bull breeding ranch, home hosted meal, examining cork trees, Ronda overlook, etc. And after the supermarket tour we snacked in the exact same outdoor cafe in Cordoba. I assume you also saw the Roman ruin in Malaga? Yes, we saw the pedicure fish tank on the side street and I have their little brochure...the idea is to trim feet via nibbles! A laugh about Mijas which you liked, but when we were there the park was filled with a loud gang of bikers and their motorcycles!

We are expecting more snow on top of what we have in the Boston area.

luvtotravel

Bill, Mijas was a highlight for me. There were lots of people there but it still seemed peaceful and I enjoyed roaming the residential streets. Can't imagine with loud bikers. It just wouldn't have been the same. Roman ruins -- we saw five Roman pillars -- I don't remember where that was, but maybe that was in Malaga.

I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with GCT and plan to take another land tour with them next year. It was surprising to have so many nice people on the tour. I hope to get that lucky again.

More snow in Boston; my sympathy. I'm originally from NY so I know about snow. We were in the 80s here today in the California desert. Summers are miserable, but the winters make up for it.