Abbie2207

Hi there. A little bit about me and my summer itinerary. I am flying into Paris the 8th and flying out of Portugal the 25th. (I am a teacher so I have this great luxury!)

My plan is to travel (with my boyfriend) from Paris to Barcelona to Madrid to Lisbon. My major interests when traveling include food, wine, experiencing new and unique things, and soaking up the culture. I would like a day or 2 of museums/tourist sightseeing but do not want it to fill my whole trip.

Although this will be my FIRST time ever going to Europe.. I have traveled all around the world (through much of Asia, Africa, and a bit of South America) and my most memorable memories have been from just walking around and being in the moment. I have added many things to my itinerary that I know I would like to do but as I am not very familiar with these cities...I do not want to miss out on the must-do's or any suggestions you may have that align with my interests.

Trust me, I have done hours of research but it is talking with people with first hand experience that will help me the most with my decisions. I have many blanks I need suggestions on filling in.

Here is what I have so far...

Summer 2014 Itinerary
Paris July 8th-July 13th
Monday-Flight arrives at 10:30 am.
1. Check into apartment in the 14th arr (not officially booked, but it's #1 on my list at the moment) and unpack.
2. Walk around neighborhood, get lunch, get groceries for the week.
3. Seine river cruise at 9:30 PM with Vedettes du Pont Neuf departing from Pont Neuf Bridge.
4. Get a good nights sleep. 
Tuesday-
1. Sandeman’s Free Paris Walking Tour @ 11 AM.
2. Lunch after the tour at La Petite Rose des Sables
3. Revisit any museums/sights that interested us on the tour.
4. Visit the Eiffel Tower at night
Wednesday-
1. Dinner at L'Ange 20 Restaurant
2. Go to the Opera Garnier at night to see the ballet (hopefully!)
Thursday-
1. 10:30 am Market and cooking class with Ooh La La Food.
Friday-
1. Free Montmarte tour @ 11 AM with discover.walks
2. Creperie Broceliande for lunch
3. Go back to any sights we were interested on the tour/find a nice place to relax/go back to the apartment
4. Le Moulin de la galette or Chez Toinette for dinner.
5. Moulin Rouge show at night. (9 PM)
Saturday-
1. Port De Vanves flea market in the morning or in the 14th arr “marche de Puce s’il vous plait” – pronoucned [maarchay du pooce sil voo play]
Sunday-
1. Fly to Barcelona in the AM


FLY FROM PARIS TO BARCELONA ON 7/13


Barcelona July 13th-17th (any suggestions on which neighborhood to stay in?)
Sunday-
1. Arrive in Barcelona
2. Check into apartment, walk around neighborhood
Monday-
1. Taste Barcelona Walking Tour (5 PM to 10 PM)
Tuesday-
1. Barcelona Free Walking Tour with TravelBar at 11 AM
Wednesday-
1.
Thursday-Fly to Madrid

FLY FROM BARCELONA TO MADRID ON 7/17

Madrid July 17th-21st (any suggestions on which neighborhood to stay in?)
Thursday-
1. Arrive in Madrid
2. Tapas, tapas, tapas!
Friday-
1.Walking tour and museums
Saturday-
1. Corral de la Moreria at night (flamenco)
Sunday-
1. Plaza de toros-bullfight
Monday-
1. Fly to Portugal

FLY FROM MADRID TO PORTUGAL ON 7/22

Lesbon, Portugal 22nd-25th (any suggestions on which neighborhood to stay in?)
Monday-
1. Arrive in Lesbon, Portugal
2. Check into apartment and get lunch
3. Sandemans Free Walking Tour at 1 PM
Tuesday-
1. Visit Alfama using Tram 28 and go to the Feira da Ladra flea market.
2. Visit more sights and/or museums
Wednesday-
1. Lisbon Walking Food Tour with yourfriendinlisbon
Thursday-
1. Atlantic Frontier Tour with Around Lisbon Tours (Hiking, Kayaking, and Snorkeling)
Friday-fly home!


There is a lot you could critique about my itinerary (including my random notes for myself) but please only give constructive criticism. What I have listed so far are MY personal must do's. I GREATLY appreciate anyone who has read this and is willing to help.

Abbie

IMDonehere

Sounds good except for changing the sexual orientation of the Portuguese capitol.

Abbie2207

Hahaha sorry about that. *Lisbon. Any suggestions to add to it?

Robert2533

Unless you'll be camping out at the airport, I'd take the train from Paris to Barcelona and from Barcelona to Madrid. It's city center to city center. Flying Madrid to Lisbon is fine.

The bullfights at Madrid's Las Ventas on 20 July will probably be a corrida de novillos, as the major matadors will be attending fieras elsewhere, but it's too early to tell since the cartel has not yet been announced.

Can't say anything constructive about the some of the choices your tour guides. A few are fine, others are not officially licensed tour guides.

Abbie2207

I wanted to fly because it was cheaper and faster from my research (so I thought) Haven't booked those yet though. Do you know of a good website with train options?

Robert2533

The new high-speed train from Paris to Barcelona takes a little over 6 hours. You can book the train on SNCF or Renfe.com. The Barcelona-Madrid train can be booked on Renfe.com.

If you have an trouble, then you can book through Petrabax.com, the official Rep for Renfe in North America.

joannyc

While in Madrid, the Temple Debod and the fountain behind it are a great photo op at sunset!

Here's a link to a couple of photos I took there. The thread also contains my itinerary from my trip to Madrid. Maye you can find something useful in it.

http://www.rewards-insiders.marriott.com/thread/11307

Abbie2207

Thank you Robert! And Thank you Joann, that was very useful to look at.

IMDonehere

For Barcelona look into all things Gaudi

For Madrid consider a day trip to Toledo and a visit to the Prado

ribeirasacra

The so called free tour is not so free. These sort of tours are run by expats, who have no specific training in the local history and work for tips. It is highly recommended you find official tour guides in each city.
More information on the trains between France and Spain.
http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm#.Uu1khrR5Ebw

Abbie2207

^Yes, I know. But I need to save money somewhere, right? The companies look legit and have good ratings on tripadvisor. I feel as though I will get good information from my other paid food tours which are also a walking tour. Thank you for the train information!

kimhe

Just one thing about your flamenco night in Madrid. Excellent artists at Corral de la Morería, but the best tablao in Madrid and all of Spain the past few years is close by Casa Patas (just off central Plaza Santa Ana). Often loads of tourists at Corral de la Morería, more genuine atmosphere at Casa Patas: http://www.casapatas.com/

Some clips from Casa Patas the past couple of years:

Fuensanta La Moneta, voted best female flamenco dancer 2009 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO_lw2xWtU

Pastora Galván, voted best female flamenco dancer 2010 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY6Vy9tKW3U

Olga Pericet, voted best female flamenco dancer 2011 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55waEsaBzjM

Israel Galván has revolutionized male flamenco dance during the past decade. Won all the prizes there are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9Wav9v7Jc

Estrella Morente, now the world's most famous cantaora (female flamenco singer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sejSYMSQDZo

IMDonehere

Our favorite way to save money is to eat lunch out, which is usually cheaper and have diner in the hotel room. That is done by buying whatever strikes your fancy as you walk around the city-bread, chocolate, wine, cheese, meat, dessert, etc and sticking it your backpack.

If you are checking in your luggage put in a corkscrew, knives, spoons, and forks. If you are taking carrying on, buy a cork screw upon arrival and get plastic this and that.

I call this our continental dinner and it is most satisfying.

Abbie2207

Kimhe thank you so much for that suggestion! It looks amazing.

IMDonehere I was already thinking of doing that too! We will be renting apartments in each city, so I definitely plan to make meals in the apartment! Meals of wine, cheese, and baguette probably.... Having a place with a balcony in Paris is a must for me just for that reason.

Magster2005

All four of these are terrific cities. Be sure to book your Paris ballet as soon as ticketing becomes available, and if you book a box, be sure to get seating in the front row. (I was up at 3:00 a.m. not long ago to get Garnier tickets on the first day they went on sale.)

I second the idea of including a train ride -- great experience. And I second the day trip to Toledo from Madrid!

I love the El Born neighborhood in Barcelona -- so atmospheric. I can recommend Inside BCN for an apartment: http://www.insidebarcelona.com/ Be sure to see Palau de la Música Catalana for either a tour or a concert. It is the most beautiful perfomance space I have ever seen.

In Lisbon, I recommend a day trip to Sintra to tour Pena Palace and hike around the Moorish Castle.

Have a fabulous trip!

Abbie2207

Thank you Magster! The website is a little confusing to me, do you know how far in advance you can book?

Magster2005

Hi Abbie2207 -- I just booked for September (can't wait to return) so you should have no problem with June. Not sure what is confusing you -- the date format is DD/MM/YY (click on the calendar to be sure).