Spain/Portugal
Feb 13th, 2005 | 03:24 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
Spain/Portugal
I have just returned from a month in Spain/Portugal. I rented an apartmentin southern Spain between San Pedro and Estepona..west of Malaga..yes, in the Marbella area. I would say skip it!! It is pretty much settled by the British..the primary language on menus etc. is english with subs in Spanish...the local food is mostly un-edible! Marbella has the "old town" area..tiny streets (one way).Construction going on everywhere, large building cranes all over..soon there will be no visible land!!
Went to Sevilla for an overnight..had reservations at the Amadeus..old town, streets may or may not be wide enough for your car, and one way. No signs for Amadeus and not on a street, but a walkway that you may not be able to stretch you arms out fully. Cute little hotel. Went to Granada and did the Alhambra and on to Jaen for an overnight at the Parador. Was very disappointed..had read how wonderful it was..well, it was built in 1977 on a site that previously had a convent. High ceilings..rather like our National Park Hotels....food not good. Then on to Cordoba and stayed at the Conquistador. Good hotel and locaation. Had dinner at Churraskos..they have charcoal warmers under the table. Then was off to Portugal where we spent nights in 4 different Pousadas..Al Portal, Sousel, Crato and Marvao. Again, they were like our National Park Hotels..the food very mediocre. The back into Spain to Caceres and an overnight at the Paradore in Merida.
The people in Portugal could not have been nicer, or friendlier. Also, a lot of English spoken as it is mandatory that the children begin a 2nd language in the first grade. The most popular is English! Went to the Royal Stud Farm near Sousel..enjoyed my visit there, and bought some things.
We visited Ronda and many other area villages. The traffic must be horrible in the summer months..and the heat!!
I would not go back to the South. I will go to Northern Spain for the Basque Country.
Oh, if possible avoid the Madrid airport. I thought Frankfurt was bad....Madrid easily has them beat! Be sure that you allow a minimum of 2 hours time, within the airport, for any connections as you have lines, lines and more lines. You have to check in with airlines to get a boarding pass BEFORE going to a gate. People not friendly or very helpful.
If I can help anyone with added information, you can contact me directly.....
Went to Sevilla for an overnight..had reservations at the Amadeus..old town, streets may or may not be wide enough for your car, and one way. No signs for Amadeus and not on a street, but a walkway that you may not be able to stretch you arms out fully. Cute little hotel. Went to Granada and did the Alhambra and on to Jaen for an overnight at the Parador. Was very disappointed..had read how wonderful it was..well, it was built in 1977 on a site that previously had a convent. High ceilings..rather like our National Park Hotels....food not good. Then on to Cordoba and stayed at the Conquistador. Good hotel and locaation. Had dinner at Churraskos..they have charcoal warmers under the table. Then was off to Portugal where we spent nights in 4 different Pousadas..Al Portal, Sousel, Crato and Marvao. Again, they were like our National Park Hotels..the food very mediocre. The back into Spain to Caceres and an overnight at the Paradore in Merida.
The people in Portugal could not have been nicer, or friendlier. Also, a lot of English spoken as it is mandatory that the children begin a 2nd language in the first grade. The most popular is English! Went to the Royal Stud Farm near Sousel..enjoyed my visit there, and bought some things.
We visited Ronda and many other area villages. The traffic must be horrible in the summer months..and the heat!!
I would not go back to the South. I will go to Northern Spain for the Basque Country.
Oh, if possible avoid the Madrid airport. I thought Frankfurt was bad....Madrid easily has them beat! Be sure that you allow a minimum of 2 hours time, within the airport, for any connections as you have lines, lines and more lines. You have to check in with airlines to get a boarding pass BEFORE going to a gate. People not friendly or very helpful.
If I can help anyone with added information, you can contact me directly.....
Feb 13th, 2005 | 09:59 AM
#3
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Probably you would have prefer the primary lenguage to be Spanish ? Well...if your Spanish is good enough...
Regarding the heat, could it be ought for being only half an hour trip by plane of North Africa? The traffic in the area villages, could be ought to be villages? I could continue with this, but is boring. By the way, probably there is too many people because Spain is the 2nd holiday destination country in the world. Cheers
Regarding the heat, could it be ought for being only half an hour trip by plane of North Africa? The traffic in the area villages, could be ought to be villages? I could continue with this, but is boring. By the way, probably there is too many people because Spain is the 2nd holiday destination country in the world. Cheers
Feb 13th, 2005 | 11:12 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,823
Likes: 0
Hello Joan,
Welcome back!
We are going to Portugal in July - a first time for us. We plan to stay about 2 and 1/2 weeks splitting it between the Lisbon area and the Algarve region. I have posted a request for information. We hope to find a lovely place to stay in quaint town with great views, shops, restaurants, etc. within walking distance. I guess we are looking for something like the apartment in Villefranche-sur-mer which was nice, wasn't it?
Glad to hear that the people are friendly but I hope we have a better food experience than what you have mentioned here!
Welcome back!
We are going to Portugal in July - a first time for us. We plan to stay about 2 and 1/2 weeks splitting it between the Lisbon area and the Algarve region. I have posted a request for information. We hope to find a lovely place to stay in quaint town with great views, shops, restaurants, etc. within walking distance. I guess we are looking for something like the apartment in Villefranche-sur-mer which was nice, wasn't it?
Glad to hear that the people are friendly but I hope we have a better food experience than what you have mentioned here!
Feb 13th, 2005 | 11:31 AM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
Marianna,
The Algarve in the summer is mobbed and the heat is terrible!! I would suggest that you go elsewhere. There are many areas to go to. Do you want beach locations or mountain locations..they have it all..........
The Algarve in the summer is mobbed and the heat is terrible!! I would suggest that you go elsewhere. There are many areas to go to. Do you want beach locations or mountain locations..they have it all..........
Feb 13th, 2005 | 11:50 AM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
Marianna,
http://www.greatrentals.com/Portugal/10792.html
Check this out..not in town, but a great area..looks cute
Joan
http://www.greatrentals.com/Portugal/10792.html
Check this out..not in town, but a great area..looks cute
Joan
Feb 13th, 2005 | 03:50 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,823
Likes: 0
Hi Joan, we realize it will be hot but we love the beach areas (any and everywhere) and want to be near Lisbon since it is our first time visiting. We survived 100+ and humid in Sorrento last July and we were out walking for miles every day! The villa apartment we rented had a pool and AC so that helped a lot.
We hope to find a place in a nice area in the Algarve and also closer to Lisbon with a pool and AC. We were looking all day today - there are so many places to choose from! We just booked our flight - July 1 through July 17.
We are very excited about visiting Portugal!
We hope to find a place in a nice area in the Algarve and also closer to Lisbon with a pool and AC. We were looking all day today - there are so many places to choose from! We just booked our flight - July 1 through July 17.
We are very excited about visiting Portugal!
