Provence and ?Spain/Portugal combo - advice please?
 

Hello fellow travellers.
We hope to spend a month in Europe from late May 2012. We have previously visited quite a bit of France but love Provence and will be attending a conference in Marseille so plan at least another week in Provence this time.

I would like to add at least Spain and maybe Portugal, into the remaining 2 1/2 - 3 weeks approximately. Last year we stayed for a week in the Languedoc region, another week in the French Pyrenees town of Gripp and managed a day trip to Sans Sebastian but that is as close as we've been to Spain.

We are generally more country than city, but love old towns, history, markets, gentle hiking, the coast and most especially photography! We generally like to book a cottage/villa for up to a week rather than stay in hotels but obviously overnighters are required at times (we will have a car.)
The coast between SW France and Barcelona looks intriguing and Barcelona obviously deserves some time.

I am reading avidly but would appreciate any help with itinerary suggestions that may fit the above bill.

Some great ideas from the following trip report, does anyone have any other comments re areas to include/ not to include please?


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-madrid.cfm?15

With 2-3 extra weeks, I would just visit Spain. Take a look at the Parador system which concentrates on smaller towns and cities and has old castles, monastaries, and other interesting locations as hotels.

http://www.paradoresofspain.com/?gcl...FQPc4AodJwo-Yw

Thanks aduchamp, these do look interesting. I would prefer the self-catering for longer stays but if we have shorter stops will definitely check out Parador.
Any other comments anyone?

The coast that you mention is very beautiful in North eastern Spain, running from barcelona up to the French border. You can easily spend all of your time there with the activities that you list.

In no particular order, you should see the Bay of Roses area, Girona, Figueres (for the Dali Museum), Tossa de Mar and then Barcelona. You can spend weeks in Barcelona and not see it all. Either stay North of the city and commute in, (leave the car where you're staying and catch a train or bus) or stay in the city for a chance to see the place.

You should be able to find a wide variety of self catering accommodation in the area.