We are a couple in our mid-70s with a few aches and pains that minimize our once-rigorous mobility, though we can walk distances up to a mile +, if not too steep, navigate steps, etc. We live in the Midwestern US. We have previously traveled in Europe but have never before been to Spain or Portugal and need advice filling in some gaps.
We have booked a well-recommended cruise on the Duro River in Portugal, leaving Porto at 3:00 p.m. On Oct 5 and returning at 9:00 a.m. on Oct 12, 2024. We must travel home to the US immediately following the cruise (Oct 12 or 13), though we have not yet booked plane tickets until we figure things out. Presumably, we'll leave from Lisbon, which I understand is a 3-hour drive from Porto, and we presume we would need to rent a car. (Advice here is welcomed.)
Our questions are primarily about our travel BEFORE the cruise, up to 2 additional weeks, to experience some of Spain. Friends recommended a week in Nerja on the southern coast of Spain, which sounds lovely. Are there any boutique hotels (or BnBs) you recommend (around $200 USD if possible) in Nerja? Quiet, maybe with a garden but within walkable distance to restaurants and the beach?
Maybe someone wants to suggest another town on the southern coast that would compete with a Nerja stay?
The bigger question is travel from Neerja to Porto. The obvious is to fly from Malaga to Porto. However, we love the trains in Europe and are exploring the best route by train from Neerja (Malaga) to Porto. We're willing to devote an extra day or two to traveling by train and seeing a bit more of Spain, say traveling by train to Madrid, and from there to Porto, since there doesn't seem to be a direct route between Malaga and Porto. Does anyone have experience or recommendations regarding train travel from southern Spain to Porto? How much extra time and expense (hotel stay, etc.) would likely be required for train travel?
An option MIGHT be for us to fly into Madrid (or even Barcelona) from the US, take the train to Malaga, and then fly from Malaga to Porto. I haven't checked the costs or feasibility of flying into Madrid (or Barcelona) and out of Lisbon. Nor have I checked the feasibility of flying from the US to Lisbon RT and finding a good train from Lisbon to Malaga or Neerja. Would that be a desirable option for seeing a bit of Spain via train travel?
Maybe we need a travel agent in Spain or Portugal who can help us sort this out. Feeling the need to get things booked for Sept soon! Any recommendations are appreciated!!!
Friendly Regards,
Ron and Mary