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2 month trip to spain/portugal help
My husband and I are spending January 28 to March 30 in Spain and Portugal. It will be our first trip there. We fly into Madrid, stay in an apartment for one week and end in Barcelona from March 5 to 30th and fly home. We plan on renting a car when we leave Madrid and drop it off in Barcelona. How does this itinerary sound?
While in Madrid day trips to Toledo and El Escorial. Leave Madrid Visit Segovia 1 night Visit Salamanca 1 night Visit Coimbra 2 nights Visit Batalha and Fatima on way to Nazare 1 night Stay in Lisbon 1 week Leave Lisbon visit Evora Algarve Salema 2 nights Seville 4 days Side trip to Cordoba Stay in White Villages Arcos 1-2 nights Morocco ? day trip stay in area 2 nights Gilbrater Stay Nerja 1 night Stay Granada at least 2 nights Murcia 1-2 nights Valencia 1-2 nights Barcelona What other good spots have we missed? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. We like small towns, quaint, scenery, history of the large cities. How about Maruco, Obidos, Villamoura and at what point? |
Maruco? You mean Morocco? Not in Portugal, I'm affraid.
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Sounds like a great trip. Maybe you mean Marvao? If so then definitly yes stop there. If so you would do it just before Coimbra. Also Obidos.That you would do just before Lisbon. We LOVED both of those towns. You might be interested in my July trip report and photos which are at: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34854723
There are also photos of Barcelona. I was there last March. |
lobo_mau Thanks. I meant to say Tarifa for 2 nights with a day trip to Tangiers Morocco. It might not even be worth it. A separate trip to Morocco might be better.
Isabel. Thanks for the info. I can see that I have so much to learn. We've traveled before but our first time to Spain/Portugal. The more I learn about the area, the places I want to stop. Your pictures are incredible. We actually are going to Sicily for two weeks before flying to Madrid so I'll look on the Italy sight to see if I find you. There are two issues facing us now. To train/bus or use the car. We would have free parking in Lisbon> The car for the month is going to cost $1000.00 so it's more for convenience to see the smaller towns. Also Isabel did you stay in an apartment in Barcelona? Thanks for all of your help. pjoneslake |
What a great trip !
I have been to all of those places at least once, but I am worn out just reading that itinerary. I hate one niters---you must be young. See Marvao as you transition from Salamanca. Stay in Obidos for 2 nites and see Nazare etc. from there. Skip Morocco and Gibralter. Stay in Peniscola as you drive to Barcelona but not Valencia. You really need to fine tune and cut down on short stays. Have you looked at Parador and Pousada discounts that time of year? |
Thanks Bobthenavigator. That's just the kind of info I need to have. I thought Marvao was far from Salamanca. I assume you think I should skip Tarifa also. I'll check out the Paradors. I'm trying to keep the daily lodging rate under 100 Euro unless it's very special> Thanks so much everyone. It's so great to see that there are so many others with the wanderlust.
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Since you're spending so long in Barcelona, you may want to look into daytrips along the Costa Brava. Girona is a good daytrip, too.
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Thanks Strass! I'll look it up.
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Overall it sounds like a great trip, but I agree with bob about the pace. I know it would be too much moving around for me, but if you're young and up for it, it might be fine for you. For sure check out parador.es--they are wonderful and you can get some good deals on weekly passes and such. I would save Morocco for another trip perhaps and I haven't heard great things about Gibrater. Of all the places you're going that I've been, the only one that disappointed me was Murcia. I'd suggest Allicante over it, or add the extra time on to Barcelona.
Also, $1,000 sounds high for a car. Have you checked out Autoeurope? |
I think it's a shame you're not structuring your itinerary for what's happening in those months: Carnaval in Cadiz (forget about Morocco) around 20 Feb and las Fallas de Valencia for San José, in mid-March. Those festivities continue thru the end of March in the Valencai Comunitat all the way to Alicante
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pjoneslake - no, we didn't stay in an apt in Barcelona. We were only there 4 nights and stayed at the Hotel Continental. As for Sicily, I did a trip report on that also, it's at: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34657352
Re the car: the areas you want to see in Portugal would be best seen with a car. But I think you can get to them on public transportation, it would just take longer. Marvao would be very hard without a car. |
You might want to look at this link for a pousada passport; it offers some good rates for stays all around Portugal.
https://www.portugal.com/reservations/pousadaspass.asp |
Sorry, the last link was just to the reservation page. This one describes the passport a bit better.
http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/passports/ |
Thank so much everyone. I don't feel so alone in planning this trip. My husband says "Whatever you think" but no input. Imernal, I'm looking into the Pousadas. I'd like a variety of accommadations to have different experiences. Everything but American hotels. Here's an update on itinerary based on your input.
Jan 28-Mar 4 apartment in Madrid day trip to El Escorial Valley of Fallen and Toledo Feb 4 & 5 Segovia Feb 6 Salamanca 1 night Feb 7 & 8 Marvao Feb 9 & 10 Coimbra Feb 11 & 12 Obidos |
Thanks everyone. It's great to have help! Thanks for the Pousada tip. I'm looking into it. I like to stay at different types of lodging, everything but big American hotels. It's good to immerse yourself in the country. Here's the updated itineray based on all of your comments
Madrid apartment 1/28-2/4 side trip to Toledo Pick up car in Madrid at end of week 2/4-2/5 Segovia (1 1/2 hr drive) 2 ngts 2/6 Salamanca 2 1/4 drive 1 ngt 2/7-2/8 Marvoa 2 ngts 2/9-2/10 Coimbra 4 1/2 hour drive 2 ngts 2/11-2/12 Obidos 2 ngts 2/13-2/20 apartment in Lisbon 1 week 2/20-2/21 Salema 2 ngts 2/22-2/26 Sevilla4 ngts 2/26-2/27 Arcos 2 ngts 2/28 Travel through Jerez then stay in Nerja 2 hr drive 1 ngts 3/1-3/2 Granada Stay in Parador 2 ngts 3/3 drive to Barcelona stopping Allicante? 3/5 approximately, it keeps getting pushed back Drop car in Barcelona While in Barcelona day trip to Girona and Montserrat. Is Valencia too far for a day train trip. What do you think. I could cut 2 nights before arrival in Lisbon from 2/13 to 2/11 to gain more time and catch the festival in Cadiz. I told my husband no golf clubs on this trip.No time |
Pousadas are wonderful. There may be some attractive rates available give the time of year you are traveling. Our trip to Portugal was in March....since it was low season, we found some great rates, especially during the week.
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Much better !
Two preferences of mine: Viano do Castello rather than Coinbra Lagos rather then Salema Do not always believe Rick Steves |
Bobthenavigator
How did you know? I'm impressed |
I can smell him a mile away.
He was my inspiration 25 years ago, but I quickly out grew him. BTW, I have done March in Portugal twice and have done 4 trips to Spain, one of those in March. We will return to Spain in 2008 but this time to Green Spain, perhaps in May. In between we have enjoyed 13 trips to Italy. Have fun ! |
I agree, you will be exhausted if you don't slow it down a bit. My thought would be to drive less and experience it more. We loved Villamoura, and taking it leisurely, driving north up to the Douro Valley (spectacular)., spending 4 days there,etc. We always spend at least 3 days in any one spot. The first day you are driving, getting settled, finding the lay of the land, the second day is good, then the third day is the best one, then next day you leave--check out, get orientated. Slow down.
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Hmmm Great input. You're right about the 3 day thing. We're not going to pack it tight with reservations except the apartments. I need to look at the February weather in the north of Portugal. Maybe we should cut some time from Barcelona and add some in Portugal. It's getting more and more interesting. I originally was going to rent 2 apartments, each one month to keep the cost down. I'm trying to keep the lodging down to $3000 per month for a total of $6000. Thanks for all of the help. Maybe I'll have to break it off with Steve. Haa
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Thanks so much. We are actually ok for Lisbon. We got an apartment in Lisbon and Madrid but we're looking for a list of possibles for the other areas. I'm trying to explore the train out of Porto through the Duoro valley. So much to do in the area.
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Check the dates of the train in the Duoro valley--I think it does not run until Spring--great area but hectic driving--don't be in a rush--it takes alot longer to get from A to B due to windy roads. Enjoy
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I'd like to take my laptop with me. The apartment in Barcelona has DSL so there shouldn't be a problem. Does anyone have experience with a dial up in Spain and Portugal. AOL can't seem to tell me at this point. They tell me to call back in December
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lycos, as others i imagine , is creating a wifi database of hotspots worldwide.
i found this in spanish. i assume there is something similar in english. you just need to download their wifi sniffer. wlan.lycos.es/ |
pjoneslake,
Hi again! Just thought I let you know that when we stayed at the apt, it did not have internet access. We were able to purchase some time (1 week for about 50e) and could get a signal from the Post office across the street. We told Paulo about it, and he seemed genuienly (SP?) interested in getting it for the apt, but I am not sure if he did. You may want to ask him? It helped us a great deal! |
Boy 50E is really high. I think I'll try t't reao locate an english wi sniffer. I tried the Spanish version but unfortunaly I can't read Spanish
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namaka. We have not decided to take our laptop with us. But if we do, where did you purchase the WiFi card?
Do you think it makes a difference on the price where you purchase it? I am only considering taking it because I would like to buy a GPS system that can be used on a laptop. We are really going to some out of the way places. Sherry |
www.ptwifi.pt (English version)
Tariff is 50 euros (1 week), 20 (1 day) or 5 (1 hour). It's possible to buy in advance with credit card. The buyer receives a username&password that can be used to activate ths service. Take care to acess the 1st time only when you need, because once you access the counter of the contracted period starts immediatly. McDonalds restaurants have a voucher of 1/2 hour. I don't know the price, but I guess is less than 2 euros. That's good for punctual uses. |
I'd suggest stopping in Morella on your way up to Barcelona. It's a fortified town perched on a mountaintop. We stayed there 2 nights last year and really enjoyed it. It's very quaint and much of the city centre is pedestrian only (you wouldn't want to venture there with a rental car anyway).
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Thanks lobo.
Sherry |
What's the internet cafe situation. Do they let you bring your laptop? Are there a lot in Portugal and Spain?
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i don't think you will even need to buy a card.
most of my friends actually get signals from their neighbors' houses. google "free wifi spain " and you will get lots of info. |
Thanks. It's worth taking my laptop then.
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Thanks Lobo for answering that question about the wifi! I wouldn't have known exactly what Robert did to get it activated, so once again you are to the rescue.
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Updated itinerary
Madrid apartment 1/28-2/4 side trip to Toledo train Pick up car in Madrid at end of week 2/4-2/5 Segovia (1 1/2 hr drive) 2 ngts 2/6 Salamanca 2 1/4 drive 1 ngt 2/7-2/8 Marvoa 2 ngts 2/9-2/10 Coimbra 4 1/2 hour drive 2 ngts 2/11-2/12 Obidos 2 ngts 2/13-2/20 apartment in Lisbon 1 week 2/20-2/21 Salema 2 ngts 2/22-2/23 Arcos 2 ngts 2/24 Travel through Jerez then stay in Nerja 2 hr drive 1 ngts build in 2 extra days for mishaps 2/25-2/26 DROP CAR IN GRANADA 2/27-3/1 Granada 3 ngts 3/2 train to Seville 3/2-3/11 Seville Apartment 3/11 fly to Barcelona apartment 3/11-3/30 Barcelona Fly home I'd welcome any comments |
If you delay the whole thing by one week, you are welcome to my birthday party in Lisbon.
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Oh No! Maybe you can move the birthday party up one week!
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No way. I could postpone it for you, but never antecipate, because it's guaranted bad luck. May be you can do it in Feb 2008.
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