<BR>Greetings - This was our first <BR>trip to these two countries, and <BR>enjoyed both, but mostly <BR>Portugal. Found them to be <BR>downright cheap compared to <BR>other European countries we've <BR>been too. Wonderful food and <BR>wine, 4 star hotels very <BR>inexpensive. Flew into Madrid, <BR>rented car, spent two days <BR>there, went to Toledo - <BR>wonderful place. This was not a <BR>whirlwind trip with lots of <BR>must-sees for us, decided to <BR>relax. Spent couple days in <BR>Estapona, on the Costa de Sol, <BR>couple days in the Algarve, and <BR>wandered up to what ended up <BR>being our favorite - the Estoril <BR>coast, stayed in Cascais - <BR>beautiful area!, went to Sintra. <BR> Had to be in Porto for a few <BR>days and didn't have much time <BR>to see Northern Portugal. Then <BR>down to Lisbon, turned in the <BR>car, and enjoyed Lisbon before <BR>flying out. Experienced all <BR>kinds of weather from cold and <BR>rainy and windy in Madrid to <BR>really hot in Lisbon over the <BR>two weeks. Would definetly <BR>recommend these two countries <BR>for budget minded travelers, or <BR>anyone just wanting a pleasant <BR>trip with much to see, and good <BR>food/hotels at very reasonable <BR>prices. I'll be happy to answer <BR>questions - (didn't see <BR>Barcelona, Granada, Seville, so <BR>can't help you there.)

Hi Cheryl, <BR>Loved Portugal. <BR>Going to Spain for the first time -Madrid and Barcelona - in June with my wife. Heading first to the Prado then what? Museums, gardens, theatre I shouldn't miss? A resturant or a dish I must try? <BR>Thanks, <BR>NC

<BR>Nick - you might enjoy the "art walk" - the Paseo del Prado, unique walk and covering three museums. You won't want to drive in Madrid. During our two days we left the car parked, took tours, weather was awful and I didn't get to walk as much I'd like to. Took a panoramic city tour and a half day trip to Toledo. Hope you have time for Toledo. Try to do on your own if you like to walk around at your own pace. We did a tour because of the weather, but were "rushed" by the guide. In Madrid, we had dinner our first night at a neat little place just couple blocks from our hotel, the Crown Plaza (which is in the Plaza de Espana) called Restaurante Aymara. My husband had steak, which by the way is almost always served very rare in Spain and Portugal too, so be specific if you want it more well done. I eat seafood, and the meal was excellent, and cheap. Good local wine too. The next night we met friends who were there at the same time on business, at a fancier place but still fairly inexpensive, Tres Encinas, at 33 Preciados. Really good food and service, specializing in seafood. Also had lunch at an Italian restaurant called Da Nicola if I remember correctly, also close to our hotel, which actually had a non-smoking section! You will almost always be charged for the bread, which you probably already know having been to Portugal. If by chance you wind your way down to the Costa Del Sol on the long way to Barcelona, see the little village called Casarus up in the hills above Estapona. Caesar tried to conquer this but couldn't because of how the village is built into the hills. Ruins are at the top but you're not able to go thru them. Very picturesque drive too. Hope you have a great time and better weather in Madrid than we did which I'm sure you will.

Cheryl, <BR>I'll take your notes with me on the trip. <BR>Thanks for the tips, <BR>NC

Hi, Nick: We spent 5 days in Madrid last month. Besides the museums (esp. Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen), I would recommend a tour of the Palacio Real (The Royal Palace). If you enjoy "working neighborhoods" and walking, explore the La Latina area - wonderful shops, family-owned, steep, narrow streets. A restaurant I would recommend is Cuevas de Duque (in the Plaza de Espana area off the Gran Via). We also ate at the Aymar - try the paella for two. My son's favorite place was the Botin, supposedly the oldest restaurant in Spain. On the touristy side, but memorable (roast suckling pig is the specialty; if you don't like your food to look like what it was while living, don't order this). Several times we bought picnic fixings including wine at the El Corte Ingles, which is the major department store but it has a food market, too. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Cheryl, <BR>We have planned to spend two weeks in Portugal coming up. Had thought of a couple of days in Lisbon then hire a car and take it leisurely. Would you recommend a rental company in particular and, where and how far do you think would be appropiate for 7-9 days? <BR>Thanks !!

<BR>Chris - I don't think you need (or would want to drive) a car in Lisbon. Taxis are very cheap. The old section is great to walk around in. It's easy to get to Cascais, Sintra, via train from Lisbon. It might be nice to have a car to drive up the coast from Cascais, to see the coast line, go to Cabo de Roca. We used our car for that part of the trip but it was before we got to Lisbon. As soon as we arrived in Lisbon at the end of our trip, we turned in the car at the Lisbon airport (Hertz, and this was the most efficient, most polite, and hassle free car drop off we've ever had). Driving and parking was typical - crazy and maniacal! But after you've seen Lisbon,you could get a car and you'd probably enjoy the ride up the coast, above Porto, which we didn't have time for, but friends did and loved the Northern coast line. I think you'd have enough time for that. And I'd recommend staying a night or so in Cascais.

Cheryl, <BR>I'm hoping you can give me some highlights in the Algarve. I haven't been there in years and I'd love to go back. What did you do there, what was most enjoyable?

I'll be going soon to Algarve and would also love to get some recommendations from you. Many thanks in advance. <BR>

<BR>Jane and Joellie - the part of the Algarve we saw we were not impressed with as far as scenery, beaches, local architecture, etc. were concerned. It was ok, just not what we anticipated. We were in Vilamoura and Quarteira area. However, had we more time, we would have proceeded further along the coast where I understand it's prettier. We stayed at Dom Pedro Hotel, nice double room was about $80-90.00 US, we upgraded to a suite at about $l23.00 US. Included big buffet breakfast, and also had a non-smoking section in the restaurant. We enjoyed the marina area, lots of nice, inexpensive restaurants with good food. to choose from. Lots of golf/tennis available. Not much in the way of sightseeing, and we decided to leave after couple nights. When we arrived in Cascais on the Estoril Coast, we were in heaven. That coastal area is more what we had in mind (and maybe parts of the Algarve we didn't see are more like that.) I don't want to discourage you from visiting the Agarve though, these are just my opinions of the small section we saw. I'd give it another try myself and also explore the rest of the southern coast. I was never disappointed in the food or local wines. I always tried the local fish, I'm a vegetarian, and was always happy with the huge salads too. If you do eat fish, a reminder - often it was served whole WITH the head, and not filleted. Even filleted, often had bones so always clarify. My husband usually had steak, usually huge, but served very rare as in Spain. While he does like it on the rare side, he learned to be very clear about requesting "medium" but still occasionally had to have it cooked more. I Hope this helps and you all have wonderful trips!

CherylZ, <BR> <BR> I am planning a trip to Portugal in July and my husband loves the beach and water sports, can you give me some direction as to where we might stay close to the water and the hotels that are nice but inexpensive. Any tips will be appreciated, Thanks, pattie

<BR>Hi Patti - if you've read any of my posts you'll notice I'm partial to the Estoril Coast, west of Lisbon, rather than the part of the Algarve we went to. Especially Cascais. Beautiful coast line, some nice beaches (Guincho especially) and such easy access to Lisbon, Sintra which are musts. Don't recall lots of hotels actually right on the beach. Ours, The Village Cascais, had beautiful ocean view. Big pool. It is a 4 star, rate was about $97.00 US. There's a 3 star in the center of the Marina, Hotel Bahia, that looked decent, but don't know the rates. Didn't see alot of people (if any) actually IN the water either here or in the Algarve - maybe it was the time of year (end of March, beginning of April). The waves were very big and powerful, very impressive. Both these areas are very popular with the English and the Germans, as well as locals from inland, especially during hot summer months. Hope this helps.

Cheryl: Thanks for all the info. Have been to Portugal and Spain in the past and was on tour. Going again in July but will do more walking - any advice on good footwear? Particularly interested in appropriate and comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestones.

Where exactly did you stay on the Estoril coast and how can I get in tough with them. Also, did you drive to the Estoril Coast? How do you get there? <BR>Glad you had a wonderful time, any information about the coast of Portugal would be helpful and appreciated. pattie

<BR>Jan, I wear flat black Easy Spirits with rubber soles all over, including on cobblestones, and also flat Aerosoles, suede with criss-cross straps, can't think of the name of the style. <BR>Pattie - we stayed at the Village Cascais, email is [email protected], phone is 483-70-44 and fax is 483-73-l9. <BR>Big rooms with full bath, ask for view of the ocean; nice, big pool area, breakfast included; within walking distance into village past lots of neat buildings and scenery.

<BR>Pattie - forgot to address your driving question. Yes, we drove up to Cascais on the Estoril coast after being disapointed in the Algarve section we went to. That coastal area is only about 20 minutes from Lisbon. You don't have to drive if you're coming from Lisbon, it's easy to take a train from there. Sintra is only 20 minues or so away too.

Hi Cheryl, <BR>My husband and I were thinking of including Estepona on our trip to Spain in September. How did you like it? Was it clean? I've heard horror stories about some of the other cities in Costa del Sol. Where did you stay? <BR>Thanks, Holly <BR>

Hi Cheryl, <BR> <BR>Thanks for offering to share information about Portugal. My husband & I are in the process of planning a trip to Portugal in late Aug./early Sept. for one week to 10 days. We know NOTHING about this country & would like feedback on maybe two places to stay. I heard Lisbon is a must but would also love to frolick in some of Portugal's beautiful beaches. What two places would you recommend for two people looking for beach life, culture, perhaps some sight-seeing? <BR> <BR>All information is appreciated! <BR>Thanks again, <BR> <BR>Mary <BR>[email protected]

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Joelle, <BR> <BR>Re: Algarve <BR> <BR>We just returned from a tour of europe on Saturday and spent the last five days in Praia da Rocha. It was great!!!! <BR> This is a small resort area, just east of Lagos, which has several all inclusive resorts and many independent hotels. The area has one main street which is closed to autos every evening. 50 feet from the mainstreet(Ave. Tomas <BR>Cabreira) are the 60th sandstone cliffs that drop off to huge beautiful beaches. <BR> <BR> <BR> We stayed at an inexpensive clean hotel on the main street. We got the <BR>room for only 7,000 escudos and had a full bath and continental breakfast. <BR> <BR> <BR> Residencial Sol <BR> Av. Tomas Cabreira 10 <BR> Praia da Rocha <BR> 8500 Portimao <BR> <BR> Fax: 351-82-42-40-71 <BR> Tel: 351-82-41-71-99 <BR> <BR> Other nice but more expensive hotels are the Bella Vista, Jupiter and <BR>Algarve Casino! <BR> <BR>Have a good Trip! <BR>