FRANCE - SPAIN - PORTUGAL
 

Planning on 3 weeks in France - Spain - Portugal in April of 2014. Would appreciate feedback on proposed itinerary as follows :

Day 1 - USA to Paris
2 - Arrive CDG - rent car and drive to Bayeux (3 nights). Don't feel drive after crossing the pond will be a problem.
3 - Normandy
4 - Normandy
5 - Mont Saint Michel (1 night)
6 - return drive to Paris (4 nights)
7 thru 9 - Paris
10 - CDG to Lisbon in AM (Air France has $77 O/W fare). Balance of day in Lisbon (3 nights)
11 and 12 - Lisbon
13 - train to Seville (3 nights)
14 and 15 - Seville
16 - train to Granada (3 nights)
17 and 18 Granada
19 - Granada to Toledo (1 night)
20 - Morning in Toledo. Afternoon train to Madrid (3 nights)
21 and 22 - Madrid
23 - Return to USA

Have spent time in both Paris and Madrid in past so willing to cut time away from there if it would allow for other destinations in Portugal / Spain.

Appreciate any feedback or must sees in Lisbon, Granada (obviously the Alhambra), Seville.

Three days in Granada is a lot. I would make a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon which can easily be done. You can also visit Malaga from Sevilla 2 or 2 1/2 hours by train.

If you have seen Madrid, you can visit Avila or Segovia on day trips.

I agree, two nights is plenty for Granada, just make sure you book your Alhambra tickers in advance, and do the evening visit. Add the time to Lisbon.

What train from Lisbon to Seville? Night train to Madrid, or buses.

The best way to get to Seviile from Lisbon is by air (1 hr, TAP Portugal) but it's usually pricey. Bus is cheaper (presently around 39€; there 2 daily departures: daily takes around 7 hrs and nightly - over 8. Info: http://www.alsa.es

Don't know which train yet on Lisbon - Seville. Haven't gotten that far into details. Any suggestions as best way to travel between the two ?? I looked at air but TAP wants $289 each for cheapest ticket.

Just looked at ALSA site but they wont give prices / schedule out this far.

Have you priced out flying from Lisbon to Madrid and taking the high speed train to Sevilla?

As suggested can always fly from Lisbon to Madrid (lots of cheap fares on that route) & then AVE train from there to Seville but I think you'll spend close to the same time as with the bus and will spend $ more for sure.

I'd spend a night in Toledo. It is really worth it!

Sigh. I meant that there is no train from Lisbon to Seville. You can train via Madrid, take a bus or fly.

Seems that doing Lisbon really takes a bite out of itinerary as you basically waste a whole day on either bus, train (via Madrid) to get to Seville.

Thinking of just sticking to Spain. Am I over reacting to the difficulty or is Lisbon worth the additional travel hassle ??

I love Lisbon - click on my name for my Lisbon TR - much more than Madrid. I would take the night train to Madrid (it's the only train there is), it leaves Lisbon at 21:18 and gets to Madrid at 08:10, so you don't lose a day. I'd do the side trip to Toledo then. Any chance of flying home from Barcelona?

For info on the night train, the Lusitania, see http://www.seat61.com/Portugal.htm#via%20Madrid (ignore the stuff about getting to Madrid).

I love Lisbon - click on my name for my Lisbon TR - much more than Madrid. I would take the night train to Madrid (it's the only train there is), it leaves Lisbon at 21:18 and gets to Madrid at 08:10, so you don't lose a day. I'd do the side trip to Toledo then. Any chance of flying home from Barcelona?

For info on the night train, the Lusitania, see http://www.seat61.com/Portugal.htm#via%20Madrid (ignore the stuff about getting to Madrid).