Spain, Portugal and Morocco

Old Apr 16th, 2012, 06:49 PM
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Spain, Portugal and Morocco

Hello everyone,
Traveling is my latest passion and i am gonna be soon taking 3 months off from work and would like to travel and get some experiences in life. I chanced upon this website and boy am I glad or what. I did a lot of posts here to get some idea and I am hoping that someone here can give me some really good suggestions based on their experience. This post might end up being long with many questions. Please, be patient with me.

I have a month to kill (entire August) before I meet my friends during my second month (September) for germany, austria, prague, italy and france. My thoughts were to go to Spain, Portugal and Morocco for a certain time period and depending on remaining days go to other countries in Europe, not mentioned above (like Norway, Amsterdam, Sweden etc) and then meet my friends in Germany. My questions are:

1. How much time is good for Spain, Portugal and Morocco? I am traveling alone and am mostly interested in usual touristy attractions, experience the place.
2. What all cities should I try to cover in all 3 countries? I know I wanna do Barcelona, and Granada. I have no clue what all cities and how many days should I plan for?
3. Similar suggestions for what areas / countries to visit in Portugal and Morocoo. As you see time is not an issue for me. I want the most optimal plan. I saw some itineraries starting in Madrid, going to Portugal, morocco and back to Spain but none of them included Barcelona and that is why I thought of putting the post.
4. Most importantly, I do not drive (I know! I know! I have no excuse for not knowing driving but even at 30, it is just not my thing... lol), so it will be really helpful if friends here could give some guidance on trains/buses and help me plan my journey accordingly based on time spent on travel.
5. Based on days remaining, if you guys have more suggestion on countries that I could cover in my one month, that will be super super helpful.

Once I get an idea, I will book my tickets soon. Should I be flying into Barcelona or some other country? I am flying from New York and taking one way flight since I would be further going to Asia after 2 months in Europe.

Thanks everyone. Thank u so much for reading and I am hoping I have some good suggestions rom experienced travelers coming up.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 06:52 PM
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Spain, Portugal, and Morocco could easily take up 6 weeks of your time. Or more, depending on your interests.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 06:54 PM
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To narrow down your interests you probably should start browsing through guidebooks such as Fodor's and the Michelin Green Guide.
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Old Apr 17th, 2012, 01:21 AM
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Well, that is going to be a hell of a trip. Great places to see, countries and cultures to experience. Lets give you the downside of your trip first, so it is easier to plan.
August in Spain and Portugal, this is the month when all and everybody is taking a holiday in these countries. That means: Prices are up, tickets for buses and trains are hard to get, accommodations have to be booked way ahead. As a former travel writer and photographer, I sometimes wish that in the posts and questions it would be mentioned on what kind of budget one travels. So one could get an idea on what to recommend, what time frame to suggest.
Good news, you will have the hottest time of the year with brilliant weather, experience every culture on every transport system you will use (because everyboday will be traveling).
No car, means buses, the trains in Spain are more expensive and less frequent. Barcelona to Granada (both a must see) will take more than half a day by bus. So if you don´t want to see anything in between, the night bus is an option. It safes time and money(one nights accommodation).
Guidebooks are the best way for you to get the most information. And not getting too confused on all the input given on a forum. But to start the confusion, here is an idea:
Flying into Barcelona (4days) night bus to Granada(2days), bus to sevilla(2 days) down the coast and taking a ferry over to Morocco. I know not enough about Morocco, so I leave that.
Back to Europe by ferry, taking the bus to southern Portugal, and then north to Lisbon(a week) Bus or train to Madrid (a must, too) If you are in Spain in August, on the last Wednesday in August, the festival of La Tomatina is held in Bunol, outside Valencia(throw tomatoes for an hour). Madrid to Germany, if no time, check the budget airlines. That should be all for around 4 weeks. There is so much more, villages, festivals, culture, food and, and.....
So, get a guide book, lock yourself into a room and plan (and drink a glass of wine while reading, so you get the taste)
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Old Apr 17th, 2012, 04:53 AM
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As above you are visiting a tourist area at the height of the season and also when it will be very hot.

If you want to avoid some of the heat and the crowds you could travel along the north coast of Spain, this is the route of the great camion (in the old days people walked to Santiago as penance) you could do this or even do it by bike and there are companies that let you do it in luxury. Seperately you might like to visit the Picos, Bilbao and Santiago.

Staying on trains and planes then Barcelona, Madrid, Grenada, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba are the best for a visit and the train system is good for all of it. Internal flights are relatively cheap.

Portugal you might like to visit Tavira (close to spain on the souther coast) to get a flavour of a nice old town. Faro, Lisbon are both on the train.

Morocco
The best city to visit in Marakesh but in August this will be way hot. If you want to go it is easy to fly but book early and get aircon. On the coast the large tourist town of Agadir is set up for tourists (fly to Morocco and take a bus or fly direct) and has a fine sandy beach with sardines frolicking in the surf (and on the barbie) Essaouira is up the coast and more traditional with good local hotels as well as a few internationals out of town. (To get there you fly to Marakesh and take a bus)
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Old Apr 17th, 2012, 05:10 AM
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If you're planning to go to noerthern Europe anyway, you should do it in August. It will be miserably hot in Iberia and Morocco in August. But if you must go that month I agree that you should visit north rather than south Spain, but I would add northern Portugal as well.

You can read the Africa board for information on Morocco.

I would always take a night train in preference to a night bus.
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Old Apr 17th, 2012, 08:03 AM
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Has anyone mentioned the heat?
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Old Apr 17th, 2012, 08:37 AM
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No kidding about the heat. August is typically absolutely sweltering in Spain (haven't been to Portugal but suspect it's the same) and Morocco. And because it's sweltering, a lot of things close for most of the afternoon.

So go to northern Europe in August if you can arrange it that way. September will still be really hot in Spain and Morocco, but more bearable.

Morocco has a decent train system, but it's also incredibly cheap to hire a driver (about $30 a day for a long day when I was last there 10 years ago). I took buses when I was first there many years ago, but I'd not recommend that unless you're very intrepid (think sharing seats with goats and chickens and possibly sitting on top hanging onto a bar with a crowd of other people). An experience for sure, but maybe not what you want. It's an absolutely fabulous country, though.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 02:52 AM
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StC, buses have improved considerably and chickens no longer included. Think air con, clean people and no video, even the bus stations are getting there. If they are for a long journey they will even stop for tea.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 04:13 AM
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Hello there!

from what i've been reading it´s quite an adventure!

I will advise you to take it easy and enjoy each place. Seeing its main points, culture and traditions; eventhough in somethings there history is mixed, they are mutch different from each other; and please do not mixe portugal with spain, the enviroment is completly different.

If you are planning this 3 countrys, you may need around 10 days in each one, for you to have a better idea and felling the atmosphere.

Last year a took 20 days off my work and did Portugal, south Spain and Marocco.

In Portugal, I will recommend you a tour for the country. If you are staying just in Lisbon and seeing the surrounders you will miss plenty of things.

Portugal is one of the european coutries with more monuments protected by Unesco.

I founded to be a very easy going country, relaxed and gorgeus!

I think you will love it.

Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Obidos, Batalha, Alcobaça, Fatima, Tomar, Coimbra, Bussaco, Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Amarante, Peso da Régua, Douro Valley, Trancoso, Belmonte, Castelo de Vide, Marvao, Evora, Monsaraz.. those are lovely places..

I did it with a local company, just me and my wife and it was great, they helped us a lot, giving us a great notion of the country, getting a different image over the place. I tryed to organize it myself but i found it very difficult and what I really wanted, was to have a good time, fantastic experience without being too concern.

We went to places that i didn't heard about, small towns and villages like Monsanto.

South of Spain, we did Cordoba, Sevilha, Granada, just fantastic!

Marocco we used once again the same company! It was great finding them.. in fact it was some friends of mine that were with them that gave me their contact. I loved all the places, food, everything! Using local transportation without no one speaking good english and not understanding a word of whats going around me, I find it, to mutch adventure. But that's me!

Basically i just wanted to give my impression!
oh, i almoust forgot the name of the company is imagine & go.com

if you need some advice let me know
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 05:23 AM
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Andrew welcome to Fodors. Your link has failed.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 05:57 AM
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your right, I went to my computador and it is www.imagine-go.com

i'm so sorry
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 07:20 AM
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Thank you everyone for such great responses and suggestions. I did think of doing northern Europe first in August and this trip in September because because of my friends I had to swap the months. Unfortunately I will have to stick with August for this. Heat is definitely gonna be an issue but I think I will live with it, somehow

@algarvissimo - Thanks for suggestions, specially for the tomatina festival. I am gonna do my best and try to make it. WOuld you have any recommendations on a specific guide book? Also, regarding buses, is it ok to get tickets last minute or should I be making some advance reservations?

@bilboburgler - I like the idea of traveling the north coast of Spain. Could you please provide e little more details on would I have to be part of a tour company or do it on bike or what since I am gonna be myself and not driving. I am seriously thinking of this suggestion on a bike because that could be a lot of fun

@andrew_adams - I am gonna check out the website that you mentioned. Did you book and plan everything with them before you went or after you reached. I do like and prefer the idea to enjoy and relax rather than plan and organize everything on my own. I guess I am just lazy. If you could give me any more details on this. That would be super helpful. I was not sure if i am gonna spent 10 days in each country, specially Portugal, but based on some recommendations, I have to rethink.

I do like to visit some most popular big cities and tourist spots but since I have time on my side, I do want to experience some real culture, interact with people and maybe enjoy countryside. But like I mentioned before, not knowing to drive is gonna be my biggest challenge. I do not have very strict budget constraints but at the same time, i cannot spend lavishly. I will keep things in check. I have checked some other posts here on recommendations on relatively cheaper staying options/hostels or something.

Looking forward to hear some more
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 07:36 AM
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We spent six weeks touring Portugal and northern Spain. Stay in the north because of the heat.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 07:45 AM
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hello there!

if you are planning in maintaining your budget in terms of hotels/ hostels you can always do that in Europe, without being concern with anything.

In Marocco I founded to be different, it doesn't mean they aren't clean or something like that, but you feel a diference in it, at least I did.

When you asked me about the agency, when I spoke to them, i basically gave them my idea. How many days I had, what I would like to do, and together we managed a plan. The tour was made according to my needs.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 08:37 AM
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Thanks andrew_adams. A couple more questions, if you don't mind.
1. Did you plan all this in advance with them before you started your journey?
2. Was it only travel or stay as well?
3. Was this tour custom for just you and your wife or you guys travelled with other people?
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 09:20 AM
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i spoke with them in advance, gave them my ideas, what i was wanting to see. they schedule it for me, giving me also great ideas to incorporate into my plan. for me it turned out to be great, i didn't worry about a thing, i came back with a good impression of each place.

I even saw some other website, but i only found "regular" things, it seemed like no one was understanding my idea. when i spoke to them, it was easy going and they understood what i wanted to do, so you can say that it was a custom tour, just me and my wife. Not that i don't like to interact with others but i don't like to be forced.

in some cases i took 2 or 3 days in some cities like Lisbon,Marraquexe, Seville, but it depends, for me has enough time.

basically all i need to do, was to seat back, relaxe and enjoy quality time with my wife, almost like a 2nd honeymoon.
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 03:02 AM
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I've driven the camino (not spiritul journey for me more a visit to winery and monestry). I don't know these guys but you could use http://www.bikespain.info/en/d_santiago_en.asp for example.

Generally I find US citizens pay about double what European's do for bike tours, I've not writen up a camino tour but have look at http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk for the basics.

Down side is the route is hilly

If you want to understand more about the spiritual side read Pilgrim Snail ( more trombones than bikes but it gives you a good idea of what you will meet on the north coast).

The north coast is special for a number of reasons 1) the Romans had a very big gold mine here, the area was denuded of humans due to the arrival of sheep and the fct that officially the only spanish allowed in the new world came from this (pure christian) area. As a result you will find empty villages. Wineries most of the way plus two languages, whats not to like?
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 05:51 AM
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@itsvivek4u. First, be glad you do not drive in the countries you will travel south during August. It is a plus! You would either pay ridiculous high fees to park your car in cities like Barcelona or else, or you would waste time to find a free spot. Plus, it is August, and rental cars are every where.
Guide books are many, good ones few. I once tested 5 of the so called famous and bibles and my own personal point of view is the following:
1. It depends on your budget. Where do you want to stay? Hostels? Hotels? So check the book how many of these places are listed.
2. Does the guide book have city and metro maps? Some do not. Imagine you are on the bus/train to the next big city, tourist office closed, you got to find the place you stay. Maps in guide books should include Metro etc maps. So you know where you go before you go. (makes it safer not wandering around lost at a train station or else)
3. Does the book have small villages/places included?
Example: There is a small town in Spain, called Piles. It has a YHA Hostel with the best setting in Europe. It is right at the beach! It is simple, but perfect. And cheap.

Tickets last minute for buses in Spain in August? You will travel with thousands and thousands of travelers (with or without schedule) through some of the most visited countries in the world! So you might end up not taking the last minute 10am from A to B, but the 6pm because it´s the next available spot. But one never knows.

If you are on a tight budget, make reservations for transport and accommodation. If you got money to spare, you do not mind paying more because the cheap options are sold out. On the other hand, you never know what your trip brings. You might meet up with fellow travelers, telling you about a great spot they will go, you like to join, but then, you got reservations for some other place. And one thing is for sure. To cancel a reservation in August means you pay full price for now show.
If you need some more info, because I guess I am using up too much space here, send me a mail. peter.oliver (at) touristmayday.org or contact (at) algarvissimo.com
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 06:47 AM
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eventhough i've been reading about the horrible month of August, I personally don't find it to be that "dangerous" to make a tour. you just need to organize things up and everything will work out well. perhaps in some places, you need to book in advance, to avoid being in a queue.But, you know already that like you many take their vacations in August,so, what can you do?!?!
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