would like comments, criticisms in our planned trip 1. Overnight San diego, CA to Madrid - Fri Oct 26 - a.m. Sat morning 2. Leave Madrid immediately and drive to Lisbon or as close as I can get - long day I know, but really don't want to fly or train so we can see countryside. and don't want to take A-6 either. 3. If I can't make it, will stop in either Badajoz, SP or Evora, Port. - Sat - Any suggestions as to which is better? 4. If we can make it , then 2 night in Lisbon - Sat & Sun 5. Then south to Sagres and maybe to Faro - 1 night - Mon 6. Faro - Seville 2 night - Tues 7. Rest day in Seville - Wed 8. Sev-Jerez-Arcos de la Frontera - Gib or Tarifa - 1 night Thurs 9. Day trip Tangier - Gib, or Marbella, or Nerja Fri night One flex day in the middle to put where needed 10. Gran 2 nights - Sun & Mon 11. Cor- Toledo - 1 - Tues night 12. Mad - 3 nights W, Th & Fri
13. Sat a.m. departure If I have too short of tim ein a place or too long, let me know that too. Thanks
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You lost me at (1). If you follow this itinerary in reverse, then by the time you get to Lisbon you will have seen plenty of "countryside" and can fly home from there, saving yourself two days. You and I probably have very different ideas about travel, but jumping in the car off the plane and driving 400 miles is a bad idea for anyone. Don't underestimate driving times either.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I'm a big believer in staying busy that first day and packing a lot into an itinerary, but a 400 mile drive after a 11 hour or so flight is just not smart, nor is it safe. The rest is too up in the air to be able to comment on it very effectively. For example, #8 - you're talking about three or maybe four or maybe five different places. Whether you have enough time or not will depend on which of those you want to do.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
11 posts
Thnaks to both of you. You are most likely correct on driving that first day. For osme reason, I thought I could rest on the plane but I don't do that very well - was exhausted 3 times before - coming into Paris, Dublin, and Athens. In Dublin, 2 years ago, got in the car right away and drove to Powerscourt Gardens south, about an hour, and did the tour without sleep. Body doesn't handle that much anymore. Yeah, and I know it's agressive. Thanks for lending me some sanity. I had thought about flying into Lis and out of Madrid or vice versa, but would then miss the Extremadura. MIght have to take this tact.