The Marti Family here... we are in the process of learning about how and where to go on our 10 day travel from Lisbon to Barca September 2020. And so, as we did for Paris, we are asking for some coaching and insights around the organization of this kind of trip. We are thinking an arrival day and two nights in Lisbon and ending with 3 or 4 nights in Barcelona. Hence with some coaching and open to flying and/or driving, Can folks help us fill in the itinerary?

Last time we stayed in Barcelona, we were in the Olympic area at a rather nice hotel.. name not remembered, but around the corner from a culinary school and across from the beach and a department store... WE are not able to enjoy a lifestyle beyond working class mid-americas, however by using good judgement and care, we've managed excellent vacations. Driving from City to City or rail is nice. However, once in a city we prefer tours guided or independent. Hopefully we have given enough information to get started..BTW small or larger hotels are not an issue. More important is cleanliness, reliability and a knowledgeable staff. Thanks for your courtesies.

If you pick up a car in one country and drop it off in another you will incur a stiff cross-border fee. If you want to drive, you will have to figure out how to split your rental so that the pick up and drop off occur in the same country. For car rentals, use Autoeurope or Kemwel as a base. The contract can be voided three days before pick up with reimbursement in full. It will give you an idea of wht a rental will cost. The cheapest rental option is to go with their "basic" rate which means that collision damage will be carried by your credit card--liability is always included in the rental. Check with your credit card to see if they will carry the CDW and if it comes with a deductible. Last year the rental cost jumped significantly between a mid-size car and a family size car, so traveling light is essential if cost is an issue.

To give you an idea of varying trunk sizes:

https://flic.kr/p/fboDso https://flic.kr/p/WJyBFC https://flic.kr/p/2gh8eoY
click on the suitcases to see their size. The last picture contains the luggage for three adults.

We took a taxi across the border from Porto to Vigo, Spain, €150 vs €1000 drop fee in Barcelona.
You only have ten days? You have been to Barcelona, wouldn’t you like to see and experience more of Portugal? We loved the Minho refion, north of Porto. Or add Galicia, Spain? Or fly to San Sebastián, Spain?
Two nights in Lisbon is not long enough espeially if you arrive jet lagged. That small amount of time is not worth traveling there.
We started in Lisbon and ended in Barcelona but had a six week long trip.
Portugal is less expensive than Spain, something you may want to consider too.

My goodness this is so so beautiful... thank you so much.. I hope there is more to come from others, as our trips are most infrequent and time and money budgeting will help us experience and yes leave some things for a return visit
gratefully,

The Marti Family

Yes, we will look into your suggestions, and add an additional night in Lisbon. I was hoping to introduce ourselves to Portugal via a brief to Lisbon and to go to Barcelona through Portugal into Spain. Perhaps a train into a couple of places of interest along the way. Another thought was to go from Lisbon to a location that would put us on the Eastern coast of Spain and then travel northward. Or, uptown Madrid and then down the coast from north of Spain to Barca...

Yes, the possibilities are endless, however with some continued coaching and research time, we should be able to settle into a firm itinerary and less frivolous speculation..

We continue to ask for help and we are grateful for the effort the folks here have given to help us.

The Marti Family

I have visited Lisbon multiple times for multiple days each time. I would suggest a minimum of four days/five nights, especially if you day trip to Sintra as well as Belem.

When you say you have ten days, does that include travel to/from Europe? How many nights in Europe? If it's eight nights, split them between Lisbon and Barcelona and fly between them. If it's more you could take the night train to Madrid and spend a night or two in Madrid on the way to Barcelona. For the train see: https://www.seat61.com/international...sbon_to_Madrid

Barca is the football team not the city. The residents can get testy.

Three nights in Lisbon. Four in Barcelona only leaves you three. IMHO driving makes no sense really. Depending on interests I'd fly into either Madrid or my choice Seville. Then three days later head to Barcelona.

Madrid is full of relatively cheap hostels. Basic budget hotels. You might not get an elevator or a 24 hour front desk but for the money hard to beat. Read the reviews. Barcelona has higher prices. Early or late September? There is the La Mercè end of the month which will likely drive up prices for lodging.

In Barcelona stay not to far from Plaça Catalunya . Easy to get the bus to the airport. Reasonably close to most touristy sites.

Madrid it depends on your interests. If you're looking at the museums stay in the triangle. If not you'll have more choice.

Seville is smaller and therefore harder to end up far from the centre.

Hello and Good Day.

Oh there is lots of wisdom in your suggestions, and we are grateful.
Speaking with my wife last night, we are probably leaving early September and or time as always is limited. Hence, we'll add your suggestions to our research and amble on.

The Marti Family