shanek

It has been four weeks since we got back home to Australia from an AMAZING 5 week road trip on the West Coast of the USA. The only thing that is likely to rid me of my PTD (Post Trip Depression) is to commence planning our next adventure.

I have just woken from dream that had us travelling along the Spainish Coast, and I had an uncontrolable urge to log in and start this thread. I apoligise that I have done absolutely no research and am diving into this completely blind, but after the fantastic advice from my new friends on the USA board helped me to design a "trip of a lifetime", I thought that I would try my luck here prior to even opening a map.

I am hopeful, with a little background information about us, that I will be able to get the guidance required, a Western Europe 101 of kind, to set me in the right direction. Nothing is preconcieved apart from wanting to see Portugal and Spain, preferably using a hire car as transport. What are the places not to be missed? Where are the "hidden jewels"? What are the other countries worth seeing that would be easily accessible by road? What time of year would be best?

We are a family of 4. Kerry, my wife is 38, I have just turned 44 and the boys are 11 and 8. We are budget to mid range travellers who don't require luxury, but value accomadation that offers us a little space. We love big Cities as well as quaint coastal towns. We are adventurous and like to scratch beneath the surface to experience the cuture of the places that we travel to. As well as the States, we have travelled extensively through Asia and have been to South Africa but never to Europe. Our preference would be to spend our 4-5 weeks in a small handful of "select" locations, rather than making a "whistle-stop" tour of as many countries as we can fit in.

As I have just done in our "Californian Odyssey", I plan to start a "live, on the road" Blog whilst we travel to partly repay all help that I receive in my planning stages. I throw the hopes and dreams of a family of avid travellers open to your benevolence.

Michael

Michelin and Fodor's Guides for both countries on the Iberian peninsula would be a good place to start. The Green Guides used to have suggested tours at the front, although I have the impression that the format of the guide books may have been changed. Browsing through trip reports might help.

shanek

Thanks Michael.

I have started browsing through the lastest trip reports and as my planning evolves, I will put together a possible itinerary and then ask some more specific questions.

My trip to the States, started off in a similar "Blind" fashion, all I knew is that I wanted to take the kids to Disneyland and hike through the Grand Canyon,and it developed into an incredible journey which included all the meticulous planning. I believe that the adventure starts with the first Fodors post.

HappyTrvlr

You mention caostal so do you want to concentrate on locations near the water? It's rather easy to do in these countries. But, of course, there are many inland treasures, such as Sevilla, to see too.

shanek

I would like to have a balance between inland and coastal areas. Is there a typical "loop" that would take in most of the highlights?

I am not adverse to other forms of travel for certain portions of the trip. If we spent 3 weeks covering Spain and Portual, what would be the most appropriate way to add another destination such as Turkey or Greece for the balance of our trip? Being Australian, a trip to Gallipoli has some significance and the Greek Islands are somewhat appealling. Would this inclusion be practical or should I find somewhere else,closer,that would provide more of a contrast to the trip.

I am concious of our budget and would prefer to find locations that provide the best value in terms of accomodation and entertainment options. I dont expect to do it on a shoestring but dont want to spend the kids inheritance either.

shanek

Any other thoughts????

HappyTrvlr

I think you should choose either Spain and Portugal or Greece and Turkey.We spent six weeks traveling from Lisbon to Barcelona, traveling along the coasts of Portugal and Spain to Hondarribia, Spain, then into France, driving on the north side of the Pyrennes and down to Barcelona.. We had traveled through southern Spain on a another trip. When would you be traveling? The south of Spain is beautiful but very hot in the summer; the same goes for Greece.You can't go wrong with either of these itineraries but you r dates will help determine which would be best.

shanek

Thanks HappyTrvlr,

My time of year is flexible. The best for us would be June/July but we could go later or earlier to take advantage of the best weather. The heat is not really an issue for us as we live in the Aussie Outback and average summer temps for us are in the mid 30s with stretches of 40 celsius ++ for weeks on end.

As for our destination choice, which would be more affordable and which would offer the most for younger children?

Gina_07

We did Spain and Portugal last year. We did Madrid-Algarve-Lisbon with some side trips. We had a mix of cultural experiences, beach time, and small towns. It was very nice. My kids were almost the same age at the time as yours--12 and 7. They enjoyed it.

If you are focused on Spain, I would very much recommend Barcelona. It's a great city to go with kids. From there you can travel around in Catalonia or continue alonge the coast to France.

shanek

Thanks Gina,
Nice to know that the kids enjoyed it as it makes things much more pleasurable if they are having a good time.

HappyTrvlr

Portugal is more affordable than Spain.I think Barcelona offers a lot for children, the parks, beaches. But I love Portugal too and the local people were among the kindest we have met in our travels.

WWanderer

I agree that Portugal is more affordable. The northern part is delightful and less touristy I understand than the south. The weather is also lovely at that time of year (June, July).

Knowing what I know about the Portuguese (have lived in their neighbourhoods here in Canada for 25 years), children would be well-accepted in most places.

Porto, in my opinion, is a hidden gem, as cities go. Just a delight. But the country to the north of it, and the north coast of Spain (Cantabria, Gallicia) are very beautiful and also not nearly as tourist as the Costa Del Sol, that's for sure.

The roads are great, we found, and we got by with a few phrases and a phrasebook when local English failed.

ribeirasacra

I live in Galicia and to be honest the coast is going to be nothing like the Californian coast.
First of all there is no one road hugging the cliff tops or running right along the beach. The second is the Spanish (and the Portuguese too) have allowed developments right along the coast. The Mediterranean coast is a lot worse than the Galician and Cantabria coast for this sort of thing.
That is the bad news now the good bits. There are some very very nice bits of the coast that are well worth exploring. But I feel you can incorporate this with some parts of inland Spain too.
You have to decide on what route you wish to take. South and up to BCN or north and see a more of Portugal too then on to Galicia etc.
When planning do not forget one night stops do not allow you see anything of the area, and you should plan to bring back the car to it’s original country of registration or face a heavy repatriation fee.
Galician and the Northern coast is relatively cheap compared with the rest of Spain. Heading slightly inland it is even cheaper. At the moment Menu del dia is around 7 € persons for 3 courses.

You are going to have to do a lot of planning on this one! But we are here to help.

travelgirl2

We just came back from a trip to Portugal and southern Spain. I was surprised how difficult it was to get from Portugal to Spain.

There was an $800 USD drop-off fee to rent a car in Portugal and return it in Spain. Direct flights were in the range of $500 USD per person for a 1 or 1 1/2 hour flight. Also, there is no direct train between Lisbon and southern Spain (Seville, for example). We ended up taking a train and then a bus, but it was an 8 hour journey.

Routes going through Barcelona or Madrid and then down to southern Spain had many more choice, but we didn't have the time for a detour.

So glad you had a great time in the US! There is much to see here, although I sometimes forget that.

shanek

Thanks for the input. I will take all your suggestions on board, open up a map, and start drafting an itinerary.

I am all set for some intensive planning and will be extremely appreciative of all your help.

travelgirl2, I truly fell in love with your country, the little corner of it that I managed to get to. I have just posted a link to my travel journal and photo book on the USA forum. You may find it interesting to see an outsiders view of your beutiful West coast.

kimhe

In the South of Spain/Andalucía you'll find marvellous big cities such as Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada (with the Alhambra), Málaga and Cádiz. The two last are coastal towns, and especially the Cádiz area can rightfully boast some of Spains finest beaches. In all of Andalucía 3000 years of history is very much alive, from Phoenician times, through the Roman era and Moorish al-Andalus to the Spain of the Catholic monarchs who sponsored Colombus' journey westwards, the empire, civil wars and the resurgence after the Franco dictatorship. History and adventures to occupy you for a lifetime...

This could be a place to start, Andalucía Magazine from the very informative website andalucia.com.
http://www.andalucia.com/magazine/

If you want to go deeper into the area, there's no better introduction than Michael Jacobs' "Andalucía":
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andalucia-Pa.../dp/1873429789

Andalucía also has plenty to offer when it comes to beautiful landscapes, villages and smaller cities. A couple of suggestions:

You might want to check out the Alpujarras mountain region south of Granada: http://www.rusticblue.com/las_alpujarras.htm

Montefrío (pop 6-7000)
http://www.andalucia.com/province/gr...efrio/home.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24emisHDMbw

Archidona (pop 10 000)
http://www.andalucia.com/province/ma...idona/home.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHEcExTT17I

Ardales (pop 3000):
http://www.andalucia.com/province/ma...dales/home.htm

I'm very fond of Antequera (pop. 40 000). Known as the "heart of Andalucía" with its dolmens (5000 year old burial chambers), Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers. Antequera was the first of the Granada emirate towns to fall to the Christians in 1410.

You get a perspective on the regions history when you sit down at the corner café in the lovely and quiet plaza in front of the 16th century renaissance church Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor: 50 mtrs down on the one side there are newly excavated Roman baths, and just up on the other side is the Moorish Alcazaba.
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry.com/antequera.html

From here you have excellent views to the close by and spectacular El Torcal limestone rock formations.
http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm

And when you want beach, great restaurants etc., I recomemnd Nerja (pop. 20 000) on the coast some 35 miles east of Málaga. Nerja has got all the amenities that goes with being popular with tourists, but it also remains an Andalusian town with lots of charm and character. Close to the famous Nerja Caves. http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerja/nerja-caves/
http://www.nerjatoday.com/

If you want a quiet, quaint coastal town, close by Maro (pop 800) is a good option.
http://www.absoluteaxarquia.com/areas/maro.html

Great hiking, drives etc around Nerja.
http://www.suite101.com/content/walk...n-spain-a67360

kimhe

And about Andalucía and kids. Kids are everywhere at all hours and a truly welcomed and integrated part of daily life.

Your kids might very well love the palaces (such as Alhambra in Granada, Alcazaba in Málaga, Alcazar in Sevilla etc), the ruins (such as the Roman city Itálica - just outside Sevilla - with the third greatest amphitheater of the Roman empire (seated 25 000 spectators in the 2nd century AC) and Medinat al-Zahra just outside Córdoba, once (10th century) the paradise-like palace-town of the then Moslem rulers of al-Andalus) and the great number of fortresses everywhere.

Apart from this, always some kind of festival going on not far away with music, local food and drinks, various processions, fire-works, tivoli etc. http://www.andalucia.com/festival/home.htm

Here are some info on water parks, theme parks, fun fairs etc: http://www.coloursofspain.com/travel...ia/kids_stuff/

I also think the Wolf park close to Antequera might be spot on: http://www.lobopark.com/

suze

my only 'other comments' is to the title of your thread.
I don't think you need to find an any "where else". I think Spain and Portugal together would be fabulous for a 4-5 week car trip, just those two countries.

bobthenavigator

I have spent 3 weeks in Portugal and 10 weeks in Spain over 7 total trips and still have not seen it all. Look at the car lease option from Kemwel which you can pick up in Madrid. It will likely save you $$$ and give you total coverages. With 4 of you I would look at a wagon. Good luck!

HappyTrvlr

For excellent information on Spain look at Maribel's Guides.www.maribelsguides.com
We found them to be the most helpful guides for our six week trip.