Southern Spain & Portugal
 

We are arriving in Malaga mid January and departing from Faro 2 weeks later. The thought was to spend a week in Costa de Sol and then a week in the ALgarve. Having read many of the messages, I get the feeling the countryside is the place to be. Any insight?

At the risk of over-simplifying, are you beach people or not (or some combinationof yes and no)? <BR> <BR>If you were going to the Carolinas, would you spend a week at Myrtle Beach, then a week at Kiawah? Or would you explore the "uplands"? (or do some of both?) <BR> <BR>I don't mean to imply that a beach is a beach is a beach - - but geography DOES dictate what a place is like, to a great extent.

Your question is not an oversimplification. I would not go to Myrtle Beach and I have golfed at Kiawah Island. I have been to Barcelona, Seville and Lisbon but never out of the cities. We are both well travelled from Nepal to Mongolia to all of Europe and most of Asia. We prepare upscale local accomodation not resort and always want to "dip our toes" into the local culture.

If you would not go to Myrtle Beach, then I think the "uplands" of Andalucia (Granada, Cordoba, Ronda and other smaller places) will be more "worthy" of the lion's share of your "Spain week" than the Malaga-Marbella-Fuengirola "Costa". The Costa del Sol is very British, as much as it is Spanish - - analogous to the New York sub-culture that exists in parts of south Florida. Not a bad thing, but it might not be what you are expecting. <BR> <BR>I actually haven't been to the Algarve, though it's on my agenda in the next few months (or Jan-Feb 2001 if I can't find the time this winter). The Algarve also exists to serve tourism in large measure - - my principal source is a friend I have made here; he lives there now as an ex-patriate and occasionally aranges golf tours for Americans. I am not a golfer so I haven't picked his brain about golf there, but I'm guessing that parts of Portugal must have something to offer. But then playing golf isn't your objective - - as far as "dipping your toes into the local culture", is it?

WARREN, I suspect you will tire quickly <BR>of the coastal areas in both countries <BR>and seek out some of the better sites. <BR>Given 2 weeks and those flights, I would <BR>hit Nerja, Granada, Ronda, Seville,and then end up at the Pousada at Sagres. <BR>The Paradors at the first 3 locations <BR>would also be good choices. Contact me <BR>directly if you need more detail.

The Costa de Sol is VERY touristy, and as stated, very British. We stayed in Nerja in Dec. '98, and were the only Americans around. A girlfriend who has a summer home there led me to believe that it was a small quaint town. Small city. That's the Costa de Sol. Maybe spend some time in Andelucia, since you're close, Seville--Arcos de la Frontera, Jerez, close to the beach, but very different.

We spent a week on the Algarve and then a week in Andalucia this past August and did not come across any Americans. The Algarve is packed with Portuguese who travel to the coast during the summer. There are some wonderful beaches to discover on the Algarve. <BR>I expected to see many golf courses but did not - I think they are tucked away in the resorts. <BR>The west side of the Algarve is quieter and less commercial.

<BR>Warren, if you do a Spain/Portugal search on here, you'll find my posts about our trip to both countries this past April/May. But briefly, have to agree with above comments about both coastal regions - touristy, high-rise (lots of golf resorts) etc. - we much preferred the Estoril area as far as coasts go.

I would pick the Algarve over the Costa del Sol any day. We were there at the Pousada de Sangres last January and were one of three parties of guests. The beaches were deserted, clean, and the little towns were interesting. One can take day trips out of there which is what we are doing this spring--finding an apartment (cheap) and touring around, with a nice place to come home to at night. costa del sol is crammed with "tourists covered with oil" and very crowded. Don't try to see it all, is my advice, as the roads are often substandard, not too many "rest stops" and not too many "7-11" type facilities, they keep certain hours, (don't try to shop during "siesta" in Spain. In general, it is much more rustic, and thus, more interesting, to our way of thinking. The main thing about travel, it would seem, is to be flexible, and it doesn't hurt to know a few phases of spainish

Thank you all!!