I am going to Spain for the first time in May for about 2 weeks and am trying to decide if I want to add a stop somewhere in Portugal, perhaps in Lisbon. I am flying into Madrid and already know I will be going to Barcelona and San Sebastian. The choice is between seeing Southern Spain (Seville & Grandada), or instead going to Portugal. They both sound great, what do you think? Night life is not all that important for me. Also, I am wondering if the distance between the places I have chosen will be a problem? Thanks for suggestions.

We spent a month in May 2000 in southern Spain and Portugal and I'd recommend southern Spain in a second. Loved Portugal, really, but Andalucia had a charm and energy that Portugal couldn't match. <BR><BR>Madrid is worth some time (some will disagree but we enjoyed it) and then Granada and Seville are good, accessible stops. If you rent a car, consider stopping for a night in Ronda, in the mountains near Seville. Cordoba also worthwhile, but with limited time it could be skipped in favour of Granada and Seville.<BR><BR>(Note that in Spain intercity buses are often cheaper, faster and more reliable than trains. They're modern coach buses so no sacrifice in comfort. For long journey like to Barcelona, train may still be the better option though.)<BR><BR>Portugal is a terrific trip in itself. We started in the south (Algarve) and drove our way up to the top and flew home from Porto. Spent 11 days in total and enjoyed them all. Much to see. But if I had to choose, I'd choose Andalucia.

Portugal is a trip on itself, two weeks for the first time in Spain is not that much. Seville, Cordoba, Ronda,Granada...you can go wrong.

Portugal had the friendliest people I have ever met when I went there several years ago.<BR><BR>Two examples. I couldn't find the train station in Lisbon. I asked a local who was in a business suit carrying a breaf case, where the station was located. He walked me several blocks out of his way to the train station.<BR><BR>On the southern coast of Portugal on a very hot day I needed to make a phone call back to the US. At the time, you needed to go to a post office to make the call. A Portugese guy I met at the hostel I was staying at went to the PO with me to help with translation, etc. He stayed with me for hours in that extremely hot small-town PO for hours to make sure I got my call through.<BR><BR>In both cases they asked or suggested nothing of me in return. It was genuine helpfulness.<BR><BR>Something to consider. Go to Portugal!

Jor is bang on about the people. We had many experiences of people gushing with accommodation and help while in Portugal. Certainly the hospitality was warmer than in Spain. That said, if I had to choose which of the two regions to visit I'd choose Spain, but the Portuguese people were undoubtedly exceptional hosts.

Glad to hear that the people of Portugal are still as great as I experienced. Everyone can site examples of rude behavior where they have traveled including myself. And when people have been hospitable I think they should be rewarded with praise.

While Seville and Granada are very nice places to visit, you can't compare them to Lisboa, which is a world-class city. There is far more to see in Lisboa than Seville or Granada. I even think Lisboa is better than Madrid. (But, I love Barcelona to death.) But, I really think you should just stick to Spain for this trip, and see Portugal at a later date when you have more time. I have spent 9 days in Lisboa and could have stayed another 3.

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