We are a couple of low digit handicaps traveling thru Andalucia, The Algarve, Lisbon, and finally back to Madrid for 3 weeks in April/May. On the way from Madrid Intl Airport, we plan on spending the night in Toledo and possibly another night in Cordoba en route to Andalucia. Hoping to rent thru AirBnB type sites and play the best courses along the way besides see the best places and day hike. Never having been to this area before we are wide open to suggestions about what areas to avoid, where to stay, and where to eat, drink, hike and play.
We are able to produce a letter of introduction if that is necessary to play the better courses
Thanks in advance.
sk
Posted by
Washington DC
28085 posts
Can't help with the golfing.
You've chosen two great places to stop on the way south, but given the likelihood that you'll be sleep-deprived and jetlagged on your arrival day, I'm afraid you may not enjoy Toledo as much as I did. I suspect you'd benefit from having two nights there; I stayed three.
On the way to Cordoba there are some interesting possibilities (if you can spend extra time on this part of the trip): Almagro and the interesting-sounding/non-touristy Baeza and Ubeda. All of these are a bit off your direct route, but they're the sorts of places most tourists don't get to see.
Seville is an obvious stop for at least two nights.
As you head back to Madrid from Lisbon, it appears that there are multiple routes. One gives you a chance to stop in Evora (one of Portugal's walled towns), Merida (in Extremadura, with Spain's second-best Roman ruins and a good archaeological museum), and Trujillo (a back-of-beyond sort of place in Extremadura).
A more northerly route takes you past Santarem in Portugal, then to Caceres in Spain (UNESCO site in Extremadura with incredibly preserved medieval district). That route could be adjusted to include Trujillo.
The northernmost route takes you to or near Santarem, Tomar, Castelo Branco and Guarda on the Portuguese side of the border. Then in Spain you have the small walled town of Ciudad Rodrigo (rarely visited by Americans) before you get to the more heavily visited Salamanca (handsome university city with a large historic district) and Avila (an underwhelming, though walled, town).
I want to encourage you to see a bit of Extremadura. It's awkward to get to if you aren't driving between Spain and Portugal, and it's miserably hot in the summer. With luck it will still be bearable in May. This is your chance!
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you so much.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
We sure would appreciate suggestions for that drive along the coast from Sotogrande to Lisbon?
Posted by
Washington DC
28085 posts
ViaMichelin gives three possible routes, with varying travel-time estimates. Probably all of the estimates are a bit optimistic. I have no idea which route would yield the best scenery aside from a short stretch in Spain east of Evora, which is highlighted in green on the Michelin map. Evora's definitely a good stop, and Tavira (along the coastal route) is considered one of the nicest places on the Algarve.
Oops: Sorry, I just realized that you specifically asked about the drive along the coast, which most definitely would not include Evora. Tavira's possible, though.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Our plans have changed and we are now driving from Porto to Madrid. One night on the road. Anything we should not miss along that route?
Thank you all again.
sk
Posted by
Washington DC
28085 posts
The route ViaMichelin is suggesting is mostly congruent with the "northernmost route" I mentioned in my first post in this thread.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
We are headed to Ciudad Rodrigo. Thank you for your help.
sk
Posted by
Washington DC
28085 posts
Interesting place. Walkable wall. You'll almost certainly be the only North Americans in town. You'll certainly hear some Portuguese.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
acraven,
Thnaks again for the tip about Ciudad Rodrigo. Virtually no tourists. Very nice. Spent the night in Salamanca and that was the best. Love that city and the people. Beautiful, clean and the Toro wine is excellent.