Help me plan a 2 week trip to Spain and Portugal
Dec 26th, 2015, 08:58 AM
#1
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Help me plan a 2 week trip to Spain and Portugal
My wife and I are considering celebrating our special wedding anniversary in northern Spain and Portugal this March. A few years ago we were in Malaga, Granada, Ronda, Sevilla and Barcelona. This year we want to plan an itinerary that includes : Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Portugal ( possibly Porto, Sintra and Lisbon over a two week period. How would you plan this itinerary? How many days in each location? Transportation? When in March would it best to travel? Our travels will begin in NYC.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Dec 26th, 2015, 09:38 AM
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I must admit that I think it ambitious to try to see all of that in just 2 weeks, but it depends on what you want to see and experience. I recommend that you spend some time with the Rough Guides and Michelin Green Guides for these areas. Happy anniversary!
Dec 26th, 2015, 11:09 AM
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And Donostia-San Sebastian is 2016 European Capital of Culture. Here's info, agenda etc: http://dss2016.eu/en/?view=default
Dec 26th, 2015, 11:11 AM
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Weather is going to be totally unpredictable. Even weather history sites can not fore tale what will happen.
Yes you are taking a lot of locations into just 2 weeks.
24 - 28 March 2016 is Easter time so things will get booked up and it will be classed as high season then too.
Yes you are taking a lot of locations into just 2 weeks.
24 - 28 March 2016 is Easter time so things will get booked up and it will be classed as high season then too.
Dec 26th, 2015, 01:12 PM
#6
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Thanks for the responses. A few questions:
(1). We are very flexible with " when " we can travel since our actual anniversary is in January so would it be best travel in April?
( 2 ). Also what makes this itinerary so ambitious or difficult? Would it be best to either cut out either Portugal or Bilbao/San Sebastian?
(3). If we didn't go to Portugal on this trip and concentrated on Spain would the weather be better in April and if so what other parts of Spain would you suggest.
(1). We are very flexible with " when " we can travel since our actual anniversary is in January so would it be best travel in April?
( 2 ). Also what makes this itinerary so ambitious or difficult? Would it be best to either cut out either Portugal or Bilbao/San Sebastian?
(3). If we didn't go to Portugal on this trip and concentrated on Spain would the weather be better in April and if so what other parts of Spain would you suggest.
Dec 26th, 2015, 02:06 PM
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"would it be best travel in April?"
For my tastes, April would be better than March, and May even better than April. For parts of the north of Spain, June might be even better than May. Guidebooks should give you information that can help you decide -- "best" times to go, historical climate data, schedules of holidays and festivals, etc.
"what makes this itinerary so ambitious"
IMO, trying to fit too much into your available time. YMMV.
"Would it be best to either cut out either Portugal or Bilbao/San Sebastian? "
Your call -- only you can decide on your priorities.
For my tastes, April would be better than March, and May even better than April. For parts of the north of Spain, June might be even better than May. Guidebooks should give you information that can help you decide -- "best" times to go, historical climate data, schedules of holidays and festivals, etc.
"what makes this itinerary so ambitious"
IMO, trying to fit too much into your available time. YMMV.
"Would it be best to either cut out either Portugal or Bilbao/San Sebastian? "
Your call -- only you can decide on your priorities.
Dec 26th, 2015, 10:20 PM
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If you can choose, May through October would be my recommendation for when to visit San Sebastian. But March/April can be wonderful too, more tranquile and San Sebastian is never as beautiful as under and right after a heavy shower. http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
April statistics for San Sebastian says average highs 54-64F, rainfall every second day and an average of 6 hours sun pr day (wetteronline.de).
April statistics for San Sebastian says average highs 54-64F, rainfall every second day and an average of 6 hours sun pr day (wetteronline.de).
Dec 26th, 2015, 11:47 PM
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***statistics for San Sebastian says average highs 54-64F, rainfall every second day and an average of 6 hours sun pr day (wetteronline.de).**
Like I said this cannot predict what will happen.
For instance to day Malaga in Andalusia is colder than Bilbao in the Basque Country. Does the weather site give those details?
Benjamin Disraeli once said "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics" this was popularised by Mark Twain "Lies, damned lies, and statistics" both are quoted to illustrate that calculations are often given to bolster weak arguments.
Like I said this cannot predict what will happen.
For instance to day Malaga in Andalusia is colder than Bilbao in the Basque Country. Does the weather site give those details?
Benjamin Disraeli once said "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics" this was popularised by Mark Twain "Lies, damned lies, and statistics" both are quoted to illustrate that calculations are often given to bolster weak arguments.
Dec 27th, 2015, 12:39 AM
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<this cannot predict what will happen. For instance to day Malaga in Andalusia is colder than Bilbao in the Basque Country. Does the weather site give those details?>
Wide open doors, every idiot understands of course that weather statistics only give indications. For example that San Sebastian, Bilbao etc normally are not only cold and wet in early spring, you can expect changing weather and much rain, but also much sun and quite mild temperatures. Normally a great time of year to go if you really want to take in these fabulous cities in relatively peace and quiet.
Wide open doors, every idiot understands of course that weather statistics only give indications. For example that San Sebastian, Bilbao etc normally are not only cold and wet in early spring, you can expect changing weather and much rain, but also much sun and quite mild temperatures. Normally a great time of year to go if you really want to take in these fabulous cities in relatively peace and quiet.
Dec 27th, 2015, 10:36 AM
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"
Time to rethink this plan!
What do you all think about a new itinerary that includes Madrid, Bilbao/San Sebastian and Barcelona over a two week period?
We spent 5 days in Barcelona two years ago during the La Merce festival and absolutely loved it. We never did get to Montserrat and my wife ( who is an avid photographer and lover of street art) would love the opportunity to revisit this city.
We really can travel at any time in March- May.
Questions: Would it be best to fly into one city ( i.e. Madrid) and out of another ( Barcelona)? How many days in each location? Side trip suggestions? How necessay is it to have a car? Can you suggest a location to stay in Barcelona? Our last visit was in El Born and we would like to explore another area.
Thanks for your time and patience in helping me shape this trip!
Time to rethink this plan!
What do you all think about a new itinerary that includes Madrid, Bilbao/San Sebastian and Barcelona over a two week period?
We spent 5 days in Barcelona two years ago during the La Merce festival and absolutely loved it. We never did get to Montserrat and my wife ( who is an avid photographer and lover of street art) would love the opportunity to revisit this city.
We really can travel at any time in March- May.
Questions: Would it be best to fly into one city ( i.e. Madrid) and out of another ( Barcelona)? How many days in each location? Side trip suggestions? How necessay is it to have a car? Can you suggest a location to stay in Barcelona? Our last visit was in El Born and we would like to explore another area.
Thanks for your time and patience in helping me shape this trip!
Dec 27th, 2015, 10:58 AM
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"What do you all think about a new itinerary that includes Madrid, Bilbao/San Sebastian and Barcelona over a two week period?"
IMO, much better!
"Would it be best to fly into one city ( i.e. Madrid) and out of another ( Barcelona)?"
Yes!
"How many days in each location? Side trip suggestions? "
For Bilbao, San Sebastian/Donostia, and Barcelona, you find some information in the trip report I wrote after my time in the area last May -- just click on my name to find it. But again, a good guide book or two will give you MUCH more information and let you select what YOU want to see and do.
For Madrid -- it depends on how much time you want to spend in museums (one can easily devote 3 full days just to see the highlights of its major museums), whether you include Toledo (which I think deserves 2 full days, but which many people visit as a day trip), whether you include a day trip to Segovia or any where else....
"How necessay is it to have a car? "
For these cities, and for most side trips (including Montserrat), a car will not be necessary, and it might even be an encumbrance in the cities.
IMO, much better!
"Would it be best to fly into one city ( i.e. Madrid) and out of another ( Barcelona)?"
Yes!
"How many days in each location? Side trip suggestions? "
For Bilbao, San Sebastian/Donostia, and Barcelona, you find some information in the trip report I wrote after my time in the area last May -- just click on my name to find it. But again, a good guide book or two will give you MUCH more information and let you select what YOU want to see and do.
For Madrid -- it depends on how much time you want to spend in museums (one can easily devote 3 full days just to see the highlights of its major museums), whether you include Toledo (which I think deserves 2 full days, but which many people visit as a day trip), whether you include a day trip to Segovia or any where else....
"How necessay is it to have a car? "
For these cities, and for most side trips (including Montserrat), a car will not be necessary, and it might even be an encumbrance in the cities.
Dec 29th, 2015, 06:45 AM
#14
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Considering this itinerary:
Fly into Madrid and out of Barcelona from NYC
4 days in Madrid including side trips to Segovia and/or Toledo
** Fly /train to San Sebastian/Bilbao for 4 days. Not sure if we should split 2 days in each place or 3 in one place
4 days in Barcelona including side trip to Montserrat.
I need suggestions on whether or not to fly from San Sebastian/Bilbao to Barcelona or rent a car.
How to get to SS / Bilbao from Madrid?
Fly into Madrid and out of Barcelona from NYC
4 days in Madrid including side trips to Segovia and/or Toledo
** Fly /train to San Sebastian/Bilbao for 4 days. Not sure if we should split 2 days in each place or 3 in one place
4 days in Barcelona including side trip to Montserrat.
I need suggestions on whether or not to fly from San Sebastian/Bilbao to Barcelona or rent a car.
How to get to SS / Bilbao from Madrid?
Dec 29th, 2015, 08:42 AM
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You can fly low cost Air Europe or Iberia from Madrid to Bilbao in 60 mins. Or a relatively boring train ride from Madrid to San Sebastian or Bilbao in about 5 1/2 hours.
Suggest you do two days in both Bilbao and San Sebastian, fabulous and very different sister cities. Direct buses between the two all the time, takes 70 mins and costs some 15€.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...ilbao-tourism/
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
Two restaurant recommendations outside the most obvious in food crazy San Sebastian.
Have a lunch to remember down in the basement in Ibai: http://www.andyhayler.com/restaurant/ibai
Xarma is perhaps the next Michelin star restaurant in town. Here you can still have a fabulous meal at bargain prices, three course menu with wine and coffee included for 25€ and a seven courses tasting menu for 65€: http://xarmajatetxea.com/
And you must have some pintxos in the ground floor of Casa Urola, my favourite restaurant in town since the late 80's. Had to go here every night on my last visit in October, among the very best in town at the moment.
http://allaboutfoodmag.com/de_pintxos-en-casa-urola/
http://www.casaurolajatetxea.es/es/portada/
Suggest you do two days in both Bilbao and San Sebastian, fabulous and very different sister cities. Direct buses between the two all the time, takes 70 mins and costs some 15€.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...ilbao-tourism/
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
Two restaurant recommendations outside the most obvious in food crazy San Sebastian.
Have a lunch to remember down in the basement in Ibai: http://www.andyhayler.com/restaurant/ibai
Xarma is perhaps the next Michelin star restaurant in town. Here you can still have a fabulous meal at bargain prices, three course menu with wine and coffee included for 25€ and a seven courses tasting menu for 65€: http://xarmajatetxea.com/
And you must have some pintxos in the ground floor of Casa Urola, my favourite restaurant in town since the late 80's. Had to go here every night on my last visit in October, among the very best in town at the moment.
http://allaboutfoodmag.com/de_pintxos-en-casa-urola/
http://www.casaurolajatetxea.es/es/portada/
Dec 31st, 2015, 11:26 AM
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I think Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada are much more romantic places than Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao. San Sebastian reminds me of a small Paris on the ocean though. Getting to and from Portugal is kind of a hassle but you could split time between Portugal, Madrid and Andalucia.
Dec 31st, 2015, 03:36 PM
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Egbert wrote: "San Sebastian reminds me of a small Paris on the ocean...." Fascinating! I would never have thought so, and even trying to think of it that way, I can't. I'm not challenging Egbert's impression -- I love that different people experience places differently! -- just noting that it <b>is</b> very different from my impression.
Jan 1st, 2016, 03:41 AM
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"Image a smaller Paris, located on the water, with way fewer tourists, more relaxed & with a Basque twist...".
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
A fine, little video of San Sebastián in the 1920's, not that much have changed since then:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6om8dHEFxNM
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
A fine, little video of San Sebastián in the 1920's, not that much have changed since then:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6om8dHEFxNM
Jan 2nd, 2016, 12:45 PM
#20
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Just booked our flights: JFK to Madrid on April 12 and Barcelona to JFK on April 26!
I ended up adding 1 more day to San Sebastian and so our itinerary looks like this:
4 days in Madrid
2 days in Bilbao
3 days in San Sebastian
4 days in Barcelona
Still planning on side trips to: Segovia and/or Toledo; Biarittz, Montserrat and/or Girona.
We will be in Barcelona to celebrate St. Jordi's Day!
I need suggestions/recommendations for hotels and/or locations to stay in Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Barcelona. On our last trip ( a few years ago) we stayed in the El Born neighborhood, however, we thought we might try a different one this time around.
How difficult/easy is to do a day trip with public transportation from San Sebastian to Biarritz or should I just rent a car for the day?
I ended up adding 1 more day to San Sebastian and so our itinerary looks like this:
4 days in Madrid
2 days in Bilbao
3 days in San Sebastian
4 days in Barcelona
Still planning on side trips to: Segovia and/or Toledo; Biarittz, Montserrat and/or Girona.
We will be in Barcelona to celebrate St. Jordi's Day!
I need suggestions/recommendations for hotels and/or locations to stay in Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Barcelona. On our last trip ( a few years ago) we stayed in the El Born neighborhood, however, we thought we might try a different one this time around.
How difficult/easy is to do a day trip with public transportation from San Sebastian to Biarritz or should I just rent a car for the day?
