shayna

My fiance and I are just beginning to plan our honeymoon for next summer. We have 10 days and are intending on spending time in both countries. We would love any advice on the highlights for a romantic honeymoon. Our thought is to stay in the Costa Del Sol for a few days to see many of the towns in the area. Does anyone have a favorite place in the south of Spain? From there we will continue on to Portugal for the rest of our trip. I have read recommendations on central portugal as well as the southern region? I don't think we will have time for both so any help chosing would be most appreciated. Thanks!

monique

Congratulations!! I am also planning a trip to Spain and Portugal, and it sounds like a fabulous place for a honeymoon! I honeymooned in Europe last year (Italy) and it was wonderful! Check out the forum at www.madridman.com.

Antonio

Hi Shayna,<BR><BR>If you're going on honeymoon I believe that, in Portugal, you will want to stay in Cascais or Sintra area with some trips to Lisbon. If you have the time I would also include a trip in Douro River (North of Portugal-Porto) That is romantic...<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR>Antonio<BR><BR>Have

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Sorry Shayna--but you did ask--I would not spend August in Iberia, especially on a honeymoon. It is just too hot. Let me know if you want other ideas.

shayna

From reading other messages, it seems that a lot of people suggest staying in Sintra. I am thinking about Quinta das Sequoias or Casa Miradouro - have you stayed at either one of these hotels or do you have another recommendations?

Julian Smith

Spain in August is really, really hot. Check out weather.com and make sure this kind of heat is want you want.<BR><BR>Secondly, people go to the Costa Del Sol for the beaches, not the towns. If you want towns, try Barcelona, Valencia, Cordoba, Granada and Seville. Not the Costa del Sol.<BR><BR>Central Portugal is very nice (Coimbra etc) - but it is a long way from the South Coast of Spain. <BR><BR>

Teresa

Shayna, other hotels in Sintra that you could check are Lawrence's House and Palacio Seteais. And I recommend that you stay in Pousadas in the rest of Portugal. They are charming, with good portuguese food and the best option for a romantic holiday. Congratulations and have a lovely honeymoon.<BR><BR>Teresa

Maira

Shayna, congratulations on your upcoming happy ocassion(s)!! <BR><BR>I can't help it, though, to agree with BOB. The whole concept: honeymoon - 10 days- August- Southern Spain- Portugal does not really adds up to a romantic, honeymmon-type of vacation. If I may suggest, Portugal ONLY, with stays along the coast. I am biased towards the Costa Verde (northerly coast) and Cosat de Prata (central coast), but that the only parts of Portugal that we've been to. The advise about staying in Pousadas is right on. Check out the following website to get an idea of what so many fodorites are discovering:<BR> http://www.manorhouses.com/pousadas/portugal.html<BR><BR>Strongly advised you to look into this alternative, and most certainly to seek out BOB's past post on Portugal, which I used for my own travels and found them to be right on the money. Have fun planning!

Alec

I suppose you have no choice about when you take your honeymoon (and congratulations to you both for the upcoming event), but August is far from ideal for honeymooning in Spain and Portugal. Both countries get really, really crowded, and all coastal resorts are filled to capacity with holidaymakers from the rest of Europe, predominantly families and groups of young people, which all add to noise levels. To give you an example, last year I went to Costa Brava, once in May and then in August. In May it was lovely, still warm and sunny, ideal for sightseeing, uncrowded, good service all round and met more locals than visitors. In August, it was like a human zoo. The quiet beach which I strolled in the spring had become a mass of tanning bodies, and the whole place was bursting at seams with perhaps four times the resident population. And heat levels especially in Andalusia is perhaps the highest in Europe. Inland cities like Seville and Granada could reach over 40C (100-110F) in the shade.<BR>Portugal and Spain are lovely destinations, but not in August and not if you are looking for romantic, secluded time together in relaxing surroundings outside the confines of luxury hotels.

Antonio

Just a comment on Alec's post.<BR><BR>It's definitely true that all beaches in the south of Portugal &amp; Spain are overcrowded during July. However, if you avoid these areas you will find that it's still one of the best times to visit large areas Iberia. Like for instance Lisbon...I love August in Lisbon it's thee tim that you can go around without traffic, find places in restaurants..and so on. Everybody is the beaches down south.<BR><BR>Regarding the temperatures...Avoid south and the Interior on the Iberian Peninsula..and you'll quite fine with temp. ranging between 20-30ºc.<BR>One last word to Sintra...it's definitily not a hot place (not even in August) and it is definitily one of the most romantic places in the world. As for the hotels..teresa's reccommendation is definitley right!<BR><BR>Have a wonderfull honeymoon!<BR>Antonio

Kristen

shayna - stayed in Casa Miradouro last winter. It's a great B&amp;B - the owner is extremely nice, and the property itself is very cozy and quaint. The only downside to the B&amp;B is its location - its not a very friendly walk into the center of town. We rented a car (you can easily park on the street in front of the B&amp;B) and took it everywhere.<BR><BR>Sintra is fantastic, and very romantic. I've been twice and would go back again in a heartbeat!!! Congratulations and happy planning.

Zé

Congratulations Shayna both for your wedding and for your choice of Portugal for your honeymoon! Even though August can be really hot in Portugal, the humidity is low which makes the heat much more bearable... in any case, along the coastline, the weather is always agreeable. Living in Lisbon, I can tell you that the best spot to enjoy both city-life and its diversity and the secluded romantic corners of Sintra, located just 40 minutes away from downtown Lisbon (by train) and the sophisticated resorts of Estoril and Cascais would be the Seteais Palace Hotel. This highly recommendable place (that costs around USD 250.00 per night) is truly superb. Another good choice in the same region would be the Penha Longa Hotel and Resort which is quite close to Cascais and not far from a huge mall (ideal for a shopping spree...)<BR>I would like to finish by adding that your itinerary is feasible since the Costa del Sol is located only 600 km (5 hours) from Lisbon and Seville, for instance, can be reached in just three hours and a half.<BR>Hope that you enjoy your stay<BR><BR>

shayna

Ze, Thank you so much for your advice. I appreciated your comments on our trip and hotel recommendations. Do you, by any chance, have an suggestions for places to stay in Lisbon? We will stay there the last two nights for easy touring of Lisbon and also to fly out early in the morning. Thanks again!

Zé

Hi There!<BR><BR>I'm glad that you've appreciated my comments. <BR><BR>In relation to a Hotel in Lisbon, and in case you are looking for top-range accomodation, I would recommend Tivoli Hotel since it is centrally located and, even though it is a fairly big building, it has a Portuguese ambiance, unlike the other hotels from famous brands (Sheraton, Le Meridian, etc.) that are identical throughout the world. <BR><BR>Located in the old center of Lisbon I would suggest the Avenida Palace that has an imposing facade and is still quite elegant. This one is next to the central railway station and all the shops. One disadvantage, though. Even though located in a bustling and lively area during the day, at night you shall only be able to see the commuters rushing to catch the suburban trains...<BR><BR>However, a much more modest hotel, Hotel Borges, with very limited amenities, is located in the true center of Lisbon (Chiado), lively both during the day and well into the night with several cafes, bookshops, the only mall in the old center of the city and plenty of elegant shops just a few steps away... it would probably be my choice...<BR><BR>Well, it seems that I have given some ideas for accomodation but, in case you wish further information, do let me know.<BR><BR>Z&eacute;

antonioramos

Hi<BR>I have found some sites that may help you, for hotels try:<BR>www.hotelsportugal.com<BR>for cars please check:<BR>www.portugal-spain.com<BR>www.drive-portugal.com<BR>www.travelers-portugal.com