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

I have some information about Lisbon hotels at http://www.bombasticlife.com

Hope it helps.

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.

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

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

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

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).

Thanks lobo.
Sherry

What's the internet cafe situation. Do they let you bring your laptop? Are there a lot in Portugal and Spain?

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.

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.

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.

Oh No! Maybe you can move the birthday party up one week!

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.