Suggestions for a Spain/Portugal trip

[dullard]

I'm going to have a 13 day vacation in late September in Spain/Portugal. I perfer spending several days in a city/region rather that a whirlwind tour of a different location every day. Tentatively I'm thinking about having ~4 days each in Barcelona, the Seville area (possibly including Seville, Granda, Gibraltar, or even a day trip to Morocco), and Porto.

Does anyone have suggestions about the region? Specific things to do? Hotels to stay at or avoid? Best transportation methods (I'm thinking Ryanair for most although that means a trip to Madrid somehow to get to Porto)? Is there anything great that I'd be missing by limiting myself to those three areas?

I'll be gone for the night, but I hope to have a few responses by tomorrow.

 

[olds]

When I was stationed in Europe, I always wanted to go to Majorca but never made it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majorca

 

[JulesMaximus]

I was in Madrid, Sevilla and Lisboa last year at this time. It will be hot as hell in Sevilla and pretty warm in Madrid this time of year. I also made a day trip to Granada to see the Alhambra which was very cool. Very few people in Spain speak any English so I hope you speak Spanish. I've heard good things about Barcelona but I haven't been there.

If you get to Portugal it is a completely different culture than Spain. Spain is more isolationist whereas Portugal has more of a tourist oriented culture so many Portuguese speak English. One word of advice though, especially in Lisboa, avoid the street cafes like the plague.

Estoril is a cool city by the ocean, I rather liked it there and the climate is much cooler than Spain. The coast of Portugal is more like SoCal as far as climate goes. I also liked Nazare although I only spent a couple hours there.

The people in both countries are generally very friendly though, just avoid the gypsies, they are especially bad in some areas.

 

[dsity]

yep. portugal. do some lines with the cab drivr, then he'll take you anywhere

 

[WildHorse]

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[Red Irish]

Granada should not be missed: the Alhambra, the Albaicín (Moorish quarter) and Sacromonte (gypsy caves). Córdoba should also be on your itinerary (la Mezquita).

Remember to buy your tickets to the Alhambra well in advance as queues start at 07:00 and tickets are sold out very quickly.

If you need any further information, let me know (I've been living in Granada for 16 years).

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

My suggestion: sangria. Damn that stuff is wonderful.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
My suggestion: sangria. Damn that stuff is wonderful.

Tinto de verano

 

[dullard]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[davestar]

I spent 2 weeks in Portugal last October. Porto and the Douro valley were the highlights of my trip. Rent a car at the Porto airport and spend a couple days driving around the Douro river. Stay in a pousada or a quinta and enjoy wine/port country.

 

[Sensai]

Ibiza, get hotel along the beach in main town... no regrets!! and mountains of Montserrat

 

[SN4p]

My family is from Porto, I haven't been in a couple years however.

Do a tour of the Taylor Port Winery, excellent place and you can get a bit of a buzz on.

I highly suggest getting out of the city and head to the mountains. There is a place within Alvão Natural Park northwest of Vila Real called Fisgas do Ermelo. It is a natural spring that flows from the top of a mountain and creates a series of waterfalls and pools that you can swim in. Some smaller cliffs to dive off if that's your thing. I have spent the night there before and it was probably the most fun I've ever had.

Here is someone's blog about their visit to Alvão.
Text

 

[WildHorse]

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[SN4p]

Originally posted by: scott

So why do they all pretend they can't understand a single word of Spanish?

Thanks for telling about Fisgas do Ermelo...Sounds nice, I'll check it out next time.

The Spanish and Portuguese fought a lot of wars with each other. Spain ruled Portugal for a time. Not the most friendly relationship.

 

[PricklyPete]

It's not right around the corner...but I loved San Sebastian in Spain. Such a great town.

 

[nerdress]

Oh! Sevilla! I used to live there when I studied flamenco a few years back. It's a small enough city that you can stay pretty much anywhere and you'll have no problems getting around. Check out Cordoba if you can, Granada, and I never made it to Morocco but it's only supposedly 200 miles away, and definitely worth a visit.

In Sevilla, Plaza de Alhambra (I think that's what it was called) is a big party place for young people at night, but definitely go see a flamenco show or two in the old Jewish synagogue. Sorry if that's not a lot of help..it's been a few years

You're going to have such a great time!!