I am exploring the idea of taking my 18- and 20-year-old sons to Seville in the spring of 2025 for a week (they can't do longer because of college). Has anyone done the route of flying into Portugal and then making their way to Seville? Ideally would also like to go to Morocco. That could be a day trip with a tour or a friend recommended staying in Tangier to me. How many days in each location would you do? I have never booked an international trip, so I am at a loss with this one. Thank you!
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6977 posts
As you are aware, one week isn’t much time especially if travel days are included in it. With cross border connections being tenuous between Portugal and Spain, unless you intend on spending time in Lisbon it would be easier to fly right into Sevilla, or Madrid and then train to Sevilla.
Posted by
Virginia
281 posts
With just one week, and with no international travel experience, don’t try to do more than one country. Morocco (fly to Casablanca, onward to Fez and/or Marrakech) is ok, but Morocco is hard core travel, the only place in 60 years and over 60 countries that I hated so much I left early, so it may not be for you. Portugal or Spain, both nice, but I would do Spain. Split your week between Madrid and Seville. Classic Spain, lots of tapas, culture and nightlife, your sons will love it. There aren’t good connections between Portugal and Spain. With limited time, do one of them.
Posted by
Virginia
281 posts
And with limited time, don’t bother with a day trip to Tangier. I hear it’s better than it was (which was awful when I visited in the 1980s) but getting there and back would take up much of your week. Don’t do it.
Posted by
East Coast USA
49 posts
Well, of all the places in the world to choose for a first time international trip it is interesting that you choose Spain and Portugal. Of course, just going for one week means that you will see such a small amount of any country that you will just be receiving a tiny taste.
I love Spain, and think of it practically as a second home, so of course I encourage others to visit this marvelous country, but tourism without careful planning or advance knowledge can often be disappointing.
Spring when? Sevilla is famous for its Semana Santa (Easter week) processions and the Feria (festival), so if you try to visit during those events you will find the city swarming with tourists and the prices a bit high. Of course, if you like all the non-stop festivities, and you want to experience some traditional Spanish celebrations, then I would say go for it, but it may mean more limited time or difficult access at or to some of the most popular sites.
Going to one small city in Morocco could be exciting and exotic because everything will be different culturally, but again, you will just experience an introduction, not much of a true visit, and you may need to take a guided tour to truly figure out where to go and what to see and do on your brief stop-by. You will need to catch the ferry from a port South of Sevilla, so additional travel will be needed.
So many people write in and want to try and see and do too much in too short of a time, and often they do not even know why they want to go to a certain place! I will tell you to also skip Portugal (although also one of my sentimental favorites)--the logistics would be a bit too much for such a short time (there are no direct trains, driving can be a bit tough if you do not know either of the languages, and flying wastes time at the airports), and again, it does not appear that you have a critical interest in really seeing that country.
Why Sevilla over Madrid? I have no idea. Madrid is the capital and full of buzz and energy--also a great base to use for day-trips to more ancient towns like Toledo, Segovia, Avila and Salamanca. But Sevilla is lovely and charming and also very historic, with a lot to see and do, and you might be able to squeeze in a few day or overnight trips to other famous cities like Granada and Cordoba.
So, I am a big advocate of involving children and young adults in trip planning, even if they are not contributing any funds. (Let me say my dear husband went to Europe the first time at age 20 by himself and spent two months with a backpack, a train pass, and his thumb visiting everywhere. I was lucky enough to be introduced to European and other international travel as a young child.)
It would be good for your two sons to learn about Spain (history, cultural activity, food, main sites in each city) read some guidebooks, take some introductory Spanish classes online, and provide some input to the planned trip. As they are college age, they could create a simple research question (or question of inquiry) connected to the culture or the community that they could attempt to answer on their first trip. That is what those who try out for Fulbright grants do at a much more complex level.
International travel can be pricey, so set a budget, try to stick to it, and explore all the options available. Your first trip will be marvelous because it will be full of wonderful memories!
Well, best wishes with all your planning, and buen viaje!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15760 posts
As PhilaLady mentioned, either avoid or embrace Semana Santa. In 2025 the dates are Palm Sunday, April 13 through Easter Sunday, April 20. That is super-high season in Sevilla, hotel rooms at highest prices and they fill up pretty fast, with very limited cancellation options. I've been to Sevilla in low season and during Semana Santa. I loved both.
For first-time international travelers with limited time, I think your best bet is to avoid Holy Week. If you choose to go at that time, lower your sightseeing expectations. It will be difficult (and slow and confusing) to get around the city and sights will be crowded.
As others have said, you don't have time for more than one country and probably not for more than 2 cities.