girlonthego

Is Seville too hot in mid September? Would I be better off traveling through northern Spain to San Sebastian and then flying to Barcelona? Or flying from Porto Portugal to Valencia and then head north into Barcelona? Or is Seville not to be missed? I really hate the heat and we are planning to travel mid September.
Thanks Fodorites!

kimhe

Mid September is usually still pretty hot in Sevilla, you can expect some 85-90F. And the greatest flamenco festival in the world goes on in theaters all around Sevilla September 9 - October 2: http://www.labienal.com/en/

Belle Epoque San Sebastián would be a fabulous and milder alternative. But if you plan to go here, you should book soon. September is hectic here with the Basque culture and sports Euskal Jaiak festival in the beginning of the month and the international film festival towards the end.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/

Euskal Jaiak, September 1-11: http://www.donostiakultura.com/index...id=396&lang=en

The film festival, Sept 16-24: http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/

San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain, if not all of Europe: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...y-for-foodies/

Some of the finest city beaches on the continent: http://www.sansebastian.travel/en/beaches/

And San Sebastián is European capital of culture 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRWCdjw1C8Q

girlonthego

Thanks kimhe for all this great information! Our trip will be Sept 2017 so we have time to book, but San Sebastian sounds great in September! If you were coming from Porto Portugal, is there somewhere you would spend the night along the north coast on your way to San Sebastian? We could train from Porto to Vigo and then pick up a car and drive. I believe it was 7 hours between Vigo and San Sebastian. So which town would be a great place to stop, and spend the night?
Thanks! You have been very helpful!

Whathello

Hi

Sintra is beautiful but not on the beach. We just walked 2 hours in the hills, more hiking than walking actually - no sand here.

If you need a nice apt in Lisbon, we weer in hell olisbon Rossio (?) - in the center of historic Lisbon - great.

girlonthego

I am also looking at the Costa del sol area of Spain. I am all over the map of Spain! Literally!

Thanks Whathello! I think we will do a day trip to Sintra while staying in Lisbon. Most likely we will hotel our stay for a few nights, but I will check into your apartment. Thanks!

girlonthego

Whathello, the apartment hotel looks very nice!

kimhe, It looks like the film festival will be in San Sebastian when we are in spain in 2017. The hotel prices are pretty high and so I might avoid that area because of that. If we were to go to the costa del sol and be at the beach, then the higher temperatures wouldn't be so bad. Being in a city with 90 degree temps is hot. Just checking all the options and areas of spain. Thanks for all of your links and advice!

Olgavictoria

Fatima in my opinion, even though is very spiritual and fulfilling, is not worth to spend the night, you may visit in your way to Porto, which you shouldn't miss.

Olgavictoria

We do a lot of driving every year in Europe, and always receive negative comments in this forum about it. Each person is different and enjoy life and travel in different ways. If you like the road, Spain is a lot about little beautiful towns with friendly people and delicious food. Explore the option of staying at the many "Paradores de España" and don't be afraid of long distances, you will have plenty of opportunities to relax, detour, take a rest and keep on going.
Don't take me wrong: I love this forum and appreciate all the advice but stick to your own style.

Olgavictoria

We do a lot of driving every year in Europe, and always receive negative comments in this forum about it. Each person is different and enjoy life and travel in different ways. If you like the road, Spain is a lot about little beautiful towns with friendly people and delicious food. Explore the option of staying at the many "Paradores de España" and don't be afraid of long distances, you will have plenty of opportunities to relax, detour, take a rest and keep on going.
Don't take me wrong: I love this forum and appreciate all the advice but stick to your own style.

girlonthego

Thank you olgavictoria! Fatima is celebrating its 100th year and will have special events and it may be our first stop in Portugal depending on how we plan things out.

On driving, we are not opposed to driving and staying in small towns/cities. I can only see so many famous sights. Sitting in a cafe and trying out my espanol with locals is something I am hoping to do!

Whathello

On driving, Sintra was a nightmare. Small roads, already congetioned in mid of june and very difficult to find a parking place. When you're visiting the castles of the Moors and Pena, the parkings are awful... The rest of the trip is uneventful with a car.

kimhe

<where you would spend the night along the north coast on your way to San Sebastian>

I have a very soft spot for small Llanes, but now I would have stopped in Gijón, wanted to go there for a long time.

Llanes: http://en.llanes.com/
Gijón: http://en.turismo.gijon.es/
http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres...nos/gijon.html