I had just returned from an awesome one-month long vacation in Europe (England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, and Italy). I will post pictures and a website once I move into my new apartment.

But in the mean time, I had such a blast that I am determined to go abroad again this upcoming winter vacation.

I plan to travel from December 24, 2009-January 10, 2010. Tentatively, I have the following planned:

Arrive into Madrid (2 nights),
Barcelona (2 nights),
Granada/Alhambra (2 nights),
Sevilla (2 nights) including a day trip to Cadiz,
Cordoba (2 nights),
Ronda (2 nights),
Portugal: Lisbon (2 nights), and a night train back to Madrid.

I have a few days free and am open to suggestions.

I want to avoid the beaches as much as possible b/c I currently live near one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

I am looking for a hiking experience or anything eye-opening. I did paragliding in the Alps, hiked for nearly 4 days in the Alps (including the trail in Jungfrau while it was snowing hard...not the wisest decision, but have no regrets), gondola in Venice, night bike ride in Paris, and just went out there and lived my life. I hope to have the same experience when I go to Spain and Portugal.

If you have any suggestions on hiking trails, little villages (with distinct character), adventures-must-do, please let me know. Luckily this time around, I have nearly 6 month to polish my schedule (though some hotels are booking up quickly!) as oppose to planning this past Europe tour when I only had 3 weeks to plan a 1 month long trip.

Someone mentioned that we can go to Morocco, however, according to weather reports, it is not advisible to go there in winter. Plus there are concerns regarding landmines. However, if you did make this Morocoo journey, I would love to hear about it too!

Thank you!

Landmines in Morocco? Not in any part you're likely to visit! But it will be cold in the mountains, although places like Fez and Marrakech should be fine.

I love Lisbon (click on my name for my TRs on Lisbon and Morocco), so I'd suggest longer there. In fact, you're really short-changing Madrid and Barcelona too. But for someone who likes the countryside, why all these cities?

I spent only a day in Paris and kind of regret that decision. That's why I have decided to give each city at least 2 days.

I would skip Lisbon and concentrate on Spain. You are doing an awful lot of traveling.

Two nights is only one day - you have to allow for travel time. This is really a very rushed trip. I would be inclined to drop Ronda and Cordoba, at least. I would suggest dropping Madrid instead of one of those as I enjoyed Lisbon much more than Madrid, but the Madrid-Lisbon night train would be a good way to get to Lisbon.

No me, listen to me.

I think that 2 nights for BCN is like Paris; a big mistake. The same with Lisbon...but as others have suggested leave it for another trip.
Are you travelling by car?
Everything will be closed from midday of the 24th Dec until the morning of the 26th. You will also find things closed on the 1st Jan and some places start to close early on the 31st too. Then whilst in Andalusia there are various fiestas for the 1st and 2nd of Jan. .Again everything will be closed. Another day where things get difficult is the 6th Jan. Sorry about the bad news.

I appreciate the honesty. Please do not apologize

Initially I had thought about skipping Spain/Portugal all together, and wanted to go to Morocco with a tour group http://www.journeybeyondtravel.com/travel/cultural.html
I love independent traveling through Europe, but traveling in Africa is another story. Has anyone heard about this company? They did not even include the price list. I stopped looking into this b/c it was not recommended to go to Morocco in December (ie. bad weather for outdoor activities, etc.) If you went to Morocco in December/January, please let me know your thought about traveling through this region.

On the other hand, with all the places closing in December/January, is it still feasible to go to Spain/Portugal in December/January?

My other option is to wait till my summer vacation (6/26/10-8/9/10) But it will be so hot in Europe at that time plus crowded with huge amount of tourists. In Florence/Rome there were times when we had to rest in mid-day due to the exhausting heat. I was also turned off with the mass of tourists.

" bad weather for outdoor activities" - do you ski? And although it will be cold at night in the desert, it should still be warm during the day. I spent most of last November in Morocoo - see http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...can-medley.cfm - and aside from Imlil I don't remember it being particularly cold (but I didn't camp in the desert).

Who recommended not going in December? I'd a lot rather be there in December than July! But if you want to talk about Morocco, you'll get more input on the Africa/Middle East board.

IMHO, Lisbon in out of context. Skip that for another opportunity. Until there is a TGV Lisbon/Madrid in a couple of years, the night train spends some 8 hours to run 600 km and may be very boring.

Okie! For the time being, it might be only Spain (I do realize that I want a vacation and not a rushed trip!) or Morocco.

Thursdaysd: When you talk about December over July, are you referencing Morocco or Spain?

I meant Morocco, though it's also true for me for Spain. But I don't like too much heat.

ribeirasacra

I know they swing the botafumiero at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela on January 6th, do you know what other dates and occasionsm it is done? Hasn't the Church added dates in the lst ten years?

Hobbit..I am a bit confused what are your plans?
ref the closing days I only pointed it out for things like museums and days like Christmas day restaurants are closed. You maybe able to eat at your hotel’s restaurant, but you will have to ask them and book up early so they know. Public transport will run at a much reduced service. It is the same all over the world.

Aduchamp1
This report from March of this year says it will cost have the Botafumeiro swung. It seems there is no regular programme any more.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/socieda...7697325589.htm

"It is the same all over the world." - well, the Christian world, perhaps. In the Muslim world (e.g. Morocco) the time to avoid is Ramadan.

Thursdaysd I think you may have got the wrong end of my message. Spain is a Christian country but so is France U.K. USA etc etc. But they all hold festive days at different times of the year. All I stated was that public services, at the times of festive days, or either reduced or non-existent. Spain is not different to any other part of the world in this respect.

Thank you ribeirascra.

When in Santiago last summer, I was told they were expanding the use of the Botafumeiero because it attracts tourists. Now I understand what they mean.

But I also thought, however, the bota was swung regualrly on many Catholic holidays and high mass including Jan 6.

Thank you again.