Hello! I will have about 3 weeks in Europe between the end of March and middle of April before meeting up with friends in Bordeaux in a river cruise. I'll be in Lisbon at the end of March I'm looking for a town or two to relax (jog/bike by a river/scenic area, good food, people watching, day trips) as I start my online job search for a new job. Just to give you an idea of my preferences, when I traveled to Italy, I preferred towns/cities like Verona or Florence over Milan and Rome. Any guidance or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Going by car or train

Starting in Lisbon and 3 weeks later to be in Bordeaux?

Salamanca could be just the type of town you're looking for -university town and sweet old town-lots of joggers, etc.

Avila, Segovia and Burgos are other towns towards San Sebastian that are neat regional cities.

All can be reached by train:

For lots of info on trains:www.renfe.com - Spanish Railways official site; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (peruse their online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots on places to go in Spain); www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Thank you PalenQ. I will be using the train so your recommendations are perfect! Yes, I will be staring in Lisbon and ending in Bordeaux. Thank you so much for your recommendations. ��

Here is our three-week 2015 trip to Barcelona, Granada, Ronda, Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid (in words and photos). One of our best trips ever. it should give you a multitude of ideas..have a great trip!

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/</B>

I will be using the train>

and buses are good in Spain and Portugal too!

You might want to consult some of the guidebooks that include high-quality photographs for inspiration -- something like the <i>National Geographic Traveler</i>, <i>Insight Guide</i>, or <i>Eyewitness Guide</i>.

In the meantime, I agree with PalenQ's recommendations for Salamanca and Segovia. And although it would take a slight detour, you might want to consider Toledo.

If you are interested in some spectacular sightseeing, you might also consider Granada, Cordoba, and Sevilla -- all thoroughly delightful options forming the heart of Andalusia.

Hope that helps!

Of course San Sebastian is a nice last stop perhaps before Bordeaux.

Although Seville is a bigger city, it sounds like it would fit your requirements at least for the first half of your trip. You would want to move out of that area before Semana Santa when it will be extremely busy.

Are you only interested in Spain? You could do a week in Toulouse on your way towards Bordeaux.

San Seb might be a little chilly yet for your purpose.

The only direct train between Lisbon and Salamanca is the overnight hotel train - that however gets into Salamanca about 5am-the train goes on to Madrid. Check on buses.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions and guidance. I really appreciate it!

We did a week in Seville for spring break last year and loved it. It didn't feel like a big city to us since the old part of the city is so compact. Easy access by train to Cordoba, Cadiz, and Jerez. We also really liked the blend of Moorish and Gothic architectures in the region.

If you go to San Sebastian - a natural stop before Bordeaux IMO - to go by train to France take the tiny Tren Eskro - which goes thru numerous Basque towns -sometimes right down the main drag to Hendaye, France train station for trains north to Bordeaux.

More details:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-sebastin.cfm

Here are my trip details and photos of my solo 2 week trip to San Sebastian, Barcelona, Granda, and Seville. I provided all travel details between cities as well as excursions.

http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...-in-spain.html

Enjoy your trip planning!

Another vote for scenic San Sebastián/Donostia on the Atlantic coast and by the Urumea river. The culinary capital of Spain, if not all of Europe, and a distinct culture that people take great pride in. http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...y-for-foodies/

And tons of options for day-trips in the area: https://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/

Thanks so much to everyone for your responses!

please report back when all is said and done!