Portugal/Spain
 

Hi all
Finally it looks like it’s going to happen so I’m revisiting my original 2020 plan for meeting up with husband in Lisbon, Portugal
He’s been sailing from Greifswald in Germany since March and I’m due to fly out July 7 from Sydney, meeting him in Lisbon Sunday 10 ( I have a two night stopover in Singapore )

He’s got car hire organised and we will be driving south to the marina in Lagos where we will be staying on the boat for much of the 8 weeks that we’ll be there

Seeking any advice from anyone who’s been there post covid travel bans, please

How are things now in Portugal and southern Spain? Getting back to normal?
Anything to expect re availability of accommodation, eateries etc?
We will cook many of our meals on the boat butId like to know if it’s pretty well business as usual around the small towns that we might be exploring
is it vital to plan every side trip in July?
Is it likely to be booked out, otherwise?

Eight weeks is a decent enough time to be in Lagos and I’m hoping it’s a good base from which to explore (have no choice because that’s where the boat will be wintering anyway)
We will have a car initially for two weeks and plan to explore what we can between Lagos and Lisbon and eastwards, as well

Hopefully we can get to Spain ( like we originally planned )
When we don’t have the car, is the train connection from southern Portugal to the major towns in southern Spain reliable ?
I’m still hoping we can see Seville Granada etc

Id so appreciate any advice re travelling around these areas or any places of interest in central and southern Portugal ( overnight is fine)
I know the temps might be soaring in July 😞 but again have no choice but to follow the boat for the next few years

Thanks in advance
Safe travels to all

Except for Tavira, all the pictures were taken while taking day trips from Lagos. Don't miss the Almansil church.

https://flic.kr/p/2grQVZW
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmENSCvb

When shopping for food, go to the municipal market. You can't miss it as it is right on the water front leading to the inner boat harbor.

https://flic.kr/p/2grQ62L

Hi
There isn't train service between Portugal and Spain except at the North end of the country- Vigo.

There is bus service between the Algarve (Faro) and Spain.
These are bus companies offering bus service between Portugal and Spain.
https://rede-expressos.pt/en/timetables
https://www.alsa.com/en/

I posted all the major public transit companies sites in the major tourist cities/ areas - click on my name and look for the post " Public transit in Portugal " posted in May.

Happy travels

There is a train connection between Madrid and Lisbon. I wrote about this the other day. It is a rubbish service.
Watch on YouTube a report by Dylan's Travel Reports called Madrid to Lisbon by Train in 2021.
To the answer the question Read what is considered the best guide on the web written by Man in seat 61. He has a guide about Spanish and Portuguese trains. You still have to wear masks in Public transport. I do not know if that counts as being back to normality.
July and August is peak vacation time. Will things get busy? That is hard to answer. There are issues with air-travel, as you may have read, that may put some off flying.A few other things that may put families off traveling is the cost of car rentals and fuel.

[QUOTE=VANAARLE;17374310]There is a train connection between Madrid and Lisbon. I wrote about this the other day. It is a rubbish service.
Watch on YouTube a report by Dylan's Travel Reports called Madrid to Lisbon by Train in 2021.

Hi
I should have specified that there isn't a direct train from Lisbon to Madrid
( used to be one called the Lusitania, it was cancelled due to the pandemic).
Happy travels

thank you!

thank you!
I’ll check out YouTube

thank you Michael!