Planning a trip for next year. Enjoyed a road trip through Croatia last year and thought about the same kind of trip through Spain and Portugal. I haven't done much research yet. Can anyone help with tips on where to start planning? I have heard some unpleasant stories about tourists driving through Spain. We need to decide which country to fly into Europe to know where to hire a car. Lots to think about.,
The question is far too broad to offer any useful information besides check the drop off charges for renting at one location and dropping off at another, it could be very expensive.
There was a topic just last week about driving in Spain and crime, but I do not recall the title, you can use the advance search above to find it.
There was a topic just last week about driving in Spain and crime, but I do not recall the title, you can use the advance search above to find it.
I can recommend to take a look at Cees Nooteboom's "Roads to Santiago". Some twenty-five wonderful essays about different parts of Spain (and history/culture) off the beaten track: http://www.amazon.com/Roads-Santiago.../dp/0156011581
Another perfect inspiration for a road trip in Spain would be Michael Jacob's "Andalucía", an inspired introduction - not a guide-book - to this most Southern region where the Phoenician, Roman, Jewish, Moslem and Christian historical legacies are almost everywhere to see and feel.
http://www.amazon.com/Andalucia-Pall.../dp/1873429789
Another perfect inspiration for a road trip in Spain would be Michael Jacob's "Andalucía", an inspired introduction - not a guide-book - to this most Southern region where the Phoenician, Roman, Jewish, Moslem and Christian historical legacies are almost everywhere to see and feel.
http://www.amazon.com/Andalucia-Pall.../dp/1873429789
You should be aware that if you rent a car in Portugal and drop it off in Spain or vice versa, you may incur an extremely hefty dropoff fee. Sometimes this can be avoided by returning the car near the border and crossing the border by another means of transportation, then renting another car in the next country. But not every itinerary puts you through towns where you can do this conveniently.
Spain and Portugal is one heck of a large area to cover, so we need to have a little more info. How long have you got and where do you intend to fly into? What sorts of things do you enjoy, beach, museums, culture?
Your question is a bit too wide to give useful answers at this stage, so tell us more.
Your question is a bit too wide to give useful answers at this stage, so tell us more.
'I haven't done much research yet. Can anyone help with tips on where to start planning?' - Are there no guide books or libraries where you are? Are you not able to use a web search engine?
' I have heard some unpleasant stories about tourists driving through Spain.' - From who? Where? - Perhaps you should share, we might all be better off for the information.
' I have heard some unpleasant stories about tourists driving through Spain.' - From who? Where? - Perhaps you should share, we might all be better off for the information.
Fly into Lisbon and do a circle trip. Some suggestions: Evoa, Marvo, Lagos, Seville, Granada, Madrid, Barcelona, head west into the Rioja and explore the small towns, keep going west into Galicia, then, turn south. Visit the Minho, Porto, along the Douro, keep heading South. Hit Coimbra, Fatima and Obidos.
Driving in Spain is fine and the roadways are good.
Driving in Spain is fine and the roadways are good.
Thank you SloJan2, your information has given me a start on my research. I will have a look at the destinations that you suggest.
(Yes, WomBatt, I am perfectly capable of using a search engine- I don't think it's really necessary to repeat my text either.I have read the reports on forum's similar to this and in other forms of media but like any comments and opinions, I keep an open mind as not all accounts are common opinion as people have very different experiences. Often it's the 'negative' that get's attention)
We will have about 2.5 to 3 weeks (give or take a day.)We would like to drive around Portugal for approx. 9 days beginning in Lisbon. Then we will probably catch a train to Madrid and begin our tour of Spain from there. Thank you for all other comments- they are mostly appreciated and taken notice of.
(Yes, WomBatt, I am perfectly capable of using a search engine- I don't think it's really necessary to repeat my text either.I have read the reports on forum's similar to this and in other forms of media but like any comments and opinions, I keep an open mind as not all accounts are common opinion as people have very different experiences. Often it's the 'negative' that get's attention)
We will have about 2.5 to 3 weeks (give or take a day.)We would like to drive around Portugal for approx. 9 days beginning in Lisbon. Then we will probably catch a train to Madrid and begin our tour of Spain from there. Thank you for all other comments- they are mostly appreciated and taken notice of.
I am also in the same camp as wobatt.
To answer basic questions about trips to a country as large as Spain (plus Portugal) we have to have some ideas of the what you like and time of year. I am please you have given us some ideas of where you fly into and out of as that is a other criteria it is handy to know.
http://www.visitportugal.com
http://www.spain.info
To answer basic questions about trips to a country as large as Spain (plus Portugal) we have to have some ideas of the what you like and time of year. I am please you have given us some ideas of where you fly into and out of as that is a other criteria it is handy to know.
http://www.visitportugal.com
http://www.spain.info
jaynet.B; Consider open jaw, flying into Lisbon and out of Madrid. After driving in Portugal, spend the last few days in Lisbon. Then take a bus to Seville for four days. Good day trip from Seville. Hire a car and go to Rhonda for two days. Drive to Granada for a few days. End up in Madrid for the balance of your vacation. Madrid is an easy drive from Granada. Drop the car off, as there are many good day trips from Madrid. www.maribelsguides.com for downloads of information. P.S. You could also consider dropping the car off in Toledo after leaving Granada and stay two days. Then train to Madrid, perhaps it takes an hour.
You can also click on my name and read our trip report for Portugal.
One thing you may want to search here is toll roads in Portugal. They are in the north for now, but you have to buy a device to fit out your car as they are not manned and incur large fines if you drive through them without the device to read and pay for them in your car. I dont know the details but there were many posts about this a few months ago.
One thing you may want to search here is toll roads in Portugal. They are in the north for now, but you have to buy a device to fit out your car as they are not manned and incur large fines if you drive through them without the device to read and pay for them in your car. I dont know the details but there were many posts about this a few months ago.
You do not have to purchase a devise. You have pay for tolls before or after. at Post Offices. This takes time and a great deal of effort.
The form of proof you ahve paid the oll is a simple ticket.
The form of proof you ahve paid the oll is a simple ticket.
Sorry hit the send before checking errors:
You do not have to purchase a devise. You have pay for tolls before or after. at Post Offices. This takes time and a great deal of effort.
The form of proof you have paid the toll is a simple ticket.
You do not have to purchase a devise. You have pay for tolls before or after. at Post Offices. This takes time and a great deal of effort.
The form of proof you have paid the toll is a simple ticket.
Jamkins...The rules? I ma not sure even those that run the system known them...It is way too complicated.
The protests are being held in the Algarve as they also fear the implications on these tolls.
I fear they are too late to protests.
The protests are being held in the Algarve as they also fear the implications on these tolls.
I fear they are too late to protests.
