First time travellers

Have you considered just one of these countries instead of trying to see them both? You may have a more satisfying trip, as the connections between the two countries aren't as seamless as one would hope. Spain is huge and very diverse in its regions - you could easily spend three weeks there. Same with Portugal, although obviously it's much more manageable. I would look at the Rick Steves itineraries for both countries (and of course library books on both) to get inspired and develop your own "must sees"...it's really hard to answer your question without knowing anything about your interests. Once you fine tune a bit and do some preliminary research, this forum is an excellent venue to bounce ideas and refine your itinerary.

A very obvious answer - go to your public library and check out guide books and travel DVDs for these areas. All must see items and accommodation are well covered in an good guidebook. All get a map and put some pins in it for where you want to go so you get a sense of the distances. Spain and Portugal are very doable for a three week period.

We are planning 22 days in Portugal SEP18-OCT10.
My suggestion are:
1. pick one country
2. spend 3+ nights in each "hotel" room. AirB&B is very affordable is both countries.
3. learn some of the language. Memrise.com is a great starter site. (I am 150 hours into Portuguesa.)
4. TripAdvisor is very useful for lodging, eating, attractions.
5. Yelp is useful for eating.
6. Planapple.com is a great planning tool.
7. don't spend a lot of time traveling inter-lodging

Hi. We are planning our 3 week trip to Portugal this Oct. I agree that visiting one country is preferable to visiting two in 3 weeks. But, it is obviously dependent on how one likes to travel. I like being in any one place for at least 3 nights, preferably 4. It really depends on what you wish to experience, of course.
We will arrive in Lisbon and spend 5 nights there. Traveling (from the west coast US) to Europe really kills me and if nothing else I need some time when I land to get myself back together. I find it very difficult to alter my sleep patterns. But hey, I know that there are things you can do to mitigate the effects of traveling across time zones.
So, 5 nights in the city I land in gives me time to come to grips with my new reality and allows me to actually enjoy where I am.
We will drive from Lisbon to Sao Do Martinho Porto for 3 nights - via Obidos. From there we will do a day trip to Tomar, Batalha & Alcobaca perhaps. Another day I would like to drive South along the coast to see Peniche & Baleal. The road between Salir and Foz do Arelho is supposed to be wonderful. I would like to see the Obidos lagoon. I would also like to work in a visit to the Conimbriga Roman ruins. Perhaps the day we leave to drive north.
We will travel from Sao Do Martinho Porto to Lamego where we will spend 5 nights staying at a Quinta right on the hills above the Douro. I am very excited about this part of our trip. We live in a beautiful agricultural valley and I tend to feel most comfortable in such areas. Plus, there is some ancient human history in this particular part of the Douro and I can't wait to explore the area.
We will then drive down to Porto for 6 nights or so before flying home.
I'm excited about our trip and hope this gives you some insight into seeing Portugal.
FirIslander.

Firlslander: Just to clarify - You said your Quinta in Lamego is in the hills above the Douro? Do you mean Douro valley? We've been in that area and having a hard time figuring out where this is. Just curious, how far from the Douro River is your Quinta?

Hi Carol. We will be staying at Quinta de Tourais. They are located 5.4 miles north of Lamego on the south side of the Douro right on N222 at it's intersection with CM 1070. It looks wonderful. Let me know if you cannot find it. Their contact information: Quinta de Tourais

5100-424 Lamego

WINE:

Fernando Coelho

Q.tourais@gmail.com

Tel: +351 937532278

RESERVATIONS / ROOMS

Manuela Coelho
Tf. +351 254106065
Tm. + 351 918754101

Manuelamoraissoares@mail.telepac.pt
tourais@mail.telepac.pt

GPS: 41 ° 9'8''N 7 ° 47' 48''W

Hi Carol, it looks to be about a 1/2 mile from the river.
-Andy

Firlsander: Thanks! Found it - it's about 10km from the town of Lamego. Looks great! Restful yet close to sights, winery, and restaurants. If we are in that area again we'll keep this Quinta in mind. Thanks again!