Spain and Portugal
 

HI
My family of four adults intend spending about 18 days in Spain and possibly Porto in Portugal. We plan to arrive in Madrid on 13/12/13 and depart from Madrid on 01/01/14.
Can you please suggest some places we should visit, transport, & accommodation. Cost of fod advice would be helpful too. I am concerned about the cold weather.
Any suggestions will be welcome.
Thanks
Charmaine

If you have booked then I feel it is too late to advise you on much, besides your questions are too general.
Public holidays: 25 Dec and 1 Jan.
If driving in Portugal ensure you understand the use of the electronically tolled roads.
Public transport either train or bus.
http://www.alsa.es/
http://www.renfe.com/
http://www.cp.pt
http://www.rede-expressos.pt/
National tourism websites
http://www.visitportugal.com/en
http://www.spain.info/

Why Porto? I would visit other areas of Spain rather than choose Porto as a destination. Southern Spain might be a better choice than Porto.

We have not booked yet. But were considering booking a return from ADhabi to Madrid. Then work our way in Spain. Southern Spain does seem like a god option weather wise. Should we hire a car or are we better to use the trains? Can you give us some tentative itinerary for the time from 13/12 to 1/01. What would you suugest we do Madrid for New Years eve.
Also can you please advise of accommodation for 4 adults.
Thanks

This was our itinerary in Spain for approximately the smae amount of time you are allocating: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...75757180/show/

I forgot: we drove.

What it looks like is that you are wanting someone to plan you entire trip from scratch. Have you done any research? Do you have any idea of where you what to go? What are your interest?

May I ask why you have chosen to go to Spain (and maybe Portugal)? It does not appear that you have done much research, so what is the appeal?

We are joining both our children. Our daughter has to go for two days of training in Porto for a start up business. She is travelling from Melbourne jn Australia. Our son who is at university in New Zealand will be joining her. We are currently based in Abu Dhabi and since our holidays coincide with their plsns we thought it might be a good idea to meet up in Madrid, as a central point and see some of Spain in the 16 or so days we have away. I did wonder whether Paris could be sn option from there. However as we are a family of 4 we would like to reduce costs as much as possible. Therefore my posting ...to get an idea. I have looked at some wbsites and it seems that for this period South of Spain would be better weather wise.
I am also keen to know about transport for the 4of us.
Thank you all for the suggestions thus far. It is greatly appreciated.
Love
Charmaine and Parama

For transportation, rent a car. It allows you to set your own schedule.

I have suggested the options in my first response to you.
I feel that you have to do some sort of planning.
2 other websites that gives you some more ideas, this time about flights is: http://www.whichbudget.com/
http://www.skyscanner.es/