Cavangal

I've been hoping to join escorted tour to enjoy some nice day trips and now asking for help planning itinerary in event I do not get a tour to match my dates.

I will arrive Barcelona late evening September 2 and would like to explore some scenic areas over approx. 6-7 days. Am not particularly interested in spending much time in city as have been there previously. I booked my flights but need help finding a hotel evening of my arrival after 10 pm. Have read about many tours based at Costa Brava, Costa Susana and beyond and need to know which would be best choice. I am senior, traveling solo. I like the idea of a good tour that would include half board and good hotel. Please give me some leads on planning my route.

I will then travel to Lisbon and Porto for about 4-5 days. Any ideas of best transportation getting to Lisbon. My flight leaves from Lisbon on September 15 and I will overnight in Dublin to connect with my flight home next morning. Hope there is lots of help with my route. Many thanks.

Robert2533

Don't have any tour info for you to check out or to join, but see Spanish Trails (spanish-trails.com) and see if what they offer fits your needs. They are on the top of our list for our clients.

The only reasonable way for you to get to Lisbon would be to fly.

SeeDee

As you don't appear to be considering self drive from Barcelona, you need to check out the websites for the Sarfa and Sagales bus companies for routes they operate.
Teisa are a different operator worth looking at if you are interested in visiting Besalu, Figueras or Girona.

Cavangal

Many thanks. I'll stay overnight in Barcelona on arrival after 10pm. I will keep watching the UK escorted tours but know its going to be hit or miss getting something on the dates I have selected. I booked the flights as I got good fares all on one ticket.

I need lots of suggestions, please: I need help selecting best coastal area to make my base for next 5 nights. I have not visited Costa Brava area, only Barcelona city for 2 days. Some groups mention Girona, Costa Susanna, Lloret. Which restort north of Barcelona would be my best choice to be able do a few day trips and easy to get public transportation. I am senior so need safe resort that will be good for walking. I won't be driving. Most tours visit Monserrat and if there is a tour along Catalonia route would like to see mountains and other groups visit Girona which doesn't seem too far.
I have been traveling in Europe for many years and enjoyed doing day trips as long as there is a good bus/train system.
I might take the train from Madrid to Lisbon. Will be staying north of Porto for 3-4 nights and then back to Lisbon to get my afternoon flight.

Will need hotel in Barcelona on arrival and prefer one that is not too far from buses and if there is shuttle from airport can try taking it. Will begin my journey north morning and settle at resort for several days. I'll keep watching for tour group and will look at the itineraries offered by them which can give me more help. Thanks to all.

kimhe

The airport bus stops at Placa Catalunya, and this hotel is just a few meters walking from the bus stop: http://cataloniaplazacataluna.barcelonahotels.it/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cata...ues.en-gb.html

kimhe

And you might take a look at Cambrils in Costa Dorada: http://www.cambrils-tourist-guide.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrils

Pvoyageuse

The bus station (estacio del Nord) is near Arc de Triumf. I usually stay at this hotel which is very close (200 meters) : http://www.hoteles-catalonia.com/es/...born/index.jsp
Lloret is very crowded in summer, mostly with stag parties. Lots of night-clubs and lots of drunks! However there is an excellent hotel far away from the noise : ttp://www.hotelguitartmonterrey.com/en/
Do you mean Santa Susana?
The problem with staying at a resort and wanting to go on day trip is that there are few buses going from one coastal place to another. You'll have to backtrack to Barcelona (http://www.catalunyabusturistic.com) or to Girona. I suggest you contact the tourist office and ask them if they have day trips : http://www.girona-tourist-guide.com/...on-office.html

Cavangal

I'm thinking of changing my plans as Costa Brava resort might not be right choice. I like day trips to historic places, gardens and nice walks. Would not want to sit around pool at hotel as I am active. I go to Florida in December and have Jones Beach in NY when I feel like beach walk.

Now might consider spending just 3 nights in Barcelona, do a day trip to Girona and visit Montserrat. Will look into taking train to Madrid for next 3 nights before leaving on overnight service to Lisbon. I like Povoa which is easy to reach from Porto by metro system. Have only booked flights so will need to get ideas about hotels in Madrid and Barcelona. Know I will have more choices and can avail of public transportation from both cities. Was not encouraged to spend my time on coastal route as would have limited access to buses. Any better ideas? Thanks to all.

debbie_vardi

I have a related/similar question. We will be in Barcelona at end of May for 4 days. We want to see the coastal area and historic sites in the Jewish Quarter. Does anyone know of self-guided walking tours for these areas? We really don't want a tour guide and we're good with maps and suggestions. Thank you.

kimhe

I just suggested to do a "day-trip" within Barcelona itself on another thread:

You could also do a day-trip within the city itself by going to Montjuic (Jewish mountain) right in the centre. Spectacular views of both the city and the sea from the castle on the top, and Montjuic in general is lots of museums, theaters, 1992 Olympic sports arenas and greens. Take the Teleferic up here (or bus or taxi or walk): http://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/

Two of my favourite restaurants in town are at the foot of Montjuic. La Perla is as genuine and traditional as it gets, only open for lunch (until about 5pm). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

And I had one of the best meals in my life in close by Xemei a few weeks ago. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is unlike anything I've ever tasted before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU

Went to Xemei late at night after seing out of this world Rocío Molina in Mercat de les Flors some 300 meters away (in the so called Theater city): http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...el-teatre.html

A "day-trip" to Montjuic could start with an early lunch at La Perla, then up to the castle on the top with the Teleferic, then take the 20-25 mins fine walk down to the beautiful Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. After that perhaps a glass or cup of something in close by, tranquile and secluded La Font del Gat (http://www.lafontdelgat.com/) before a visit to the mind-blowing Miró museum just up the road. Prepare for a theater performance or concert in one of the venues in the Theater city in the fine little cafe in the Teatre Lliure, and round the night off with food from heaven in Xemei.

Given the natural and cultural richness of the Montjuic area, there are of course innumerable variants of this plan. You should also know that at the bottom of Montjuic, you'll find the very local atmosphere Poble Sec district with it's many great tapas bars and restaurants. https://www.airbnb.no/locations/barcelona/el-poble-sec

About Montjuic: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

kimhe

Two of the most known annual cultural events in Montjuic:

The cutting edge Ciutat Flamenco festival towards the end of May. http://mercatflors.cat/en/ciclesifes...amenco-2015-3/

The Grec festival in July, most of it goes on in the outdoor Teatre Grec. http://lameva.barcelona.cat/grec/en/...ival-barcelona
http://lameva.barcelona.cat/grec/en/...s-catalan-musi

But concerts and performances in the many venues up here all the time.

debbie_vardi

Kimhe Thank you Soooo Much! I will follow-up on all of your leads. Thanks again! y Muchas Gracias!!