Iberia Itinerary

First of all, with the exception of comments to follow, the distribution of days seems about right. I only drive, so somebody else will have to address the duration and scheduling of public transportation feasibility. Regarding Granda, if you can find a way to slip in, see the Alhambra, and scoot out on a night train, that would be just fine - - the city itself offers very little. Regarding Lisbon, the culture of that area of Portugal is not that different from that of Madrid. Regarding grub in Portugal, it's rather bland and uniteresting nothing special there that you can't find in Spain. If you want to find something different, you need to get north of Lisbon a good ways or move inland. Regarding the Algarve, since you're set on public transportation, that means coastal Algarve, probably in the Faro - Albufeira stetch. If you want to experience this bit of culture, go to England instead. The best part of the Algarve is the interior and the coastal area from Lagos to St Vincent. The best part of the eastern coastal area is that there won't be a language barrier. I really like Portugal, but the best part is the small cities like Elvas and Evora and the hill towns along the Spanish border - - or the whole northern part of the country. You've picked the most visited, but most bland and atypical, parts of the country. I think what I'd do is get a really good dose of Spain on this trip - - take the Portugal days and go somewhere closer - - maybe including Segovia and Avila - - and whatever you do, get Cordoba in there someplace. Everybody has to go to Granada once, but if you don't make it this time for some reason, the alcazar at Sevilla is actually better.

Laura......For this trip I would focus on Spain. It is easily worth the entire fifteen days. Within Spain I think your timing is OK. Madrid will be rushed but keep the daytrip to Toledo which is unlike anything you will see elsewhere. Seville will be rushed too - be sure to stay in the old city. You've omitted Cordoba and I agree. Keep Segovia in mind. I would omit Lisbon as Ed has suggested. We loved the Gulbenkian Museum there but not enough to justify the time to get in/out of Lisbon. You've made a good start. Enjoy.

I'm not sure this plan works well - agree with some of what's been posted above. Here are some things to consider: 1. Barcelona is the odd man out here. It's a long way from everyplace else on your itinerary, and culturally it's quite different. I like to think of Barcelona as being in a different country than Spain (hey, that's what the locals think, too). Save Barcelona for a different trip - it works at least as well as an add-on to a trip to southern France as it does to "Spain." Takes a day to get there, and another to get anyplace else. So I'd lop off Barcelona 2. Portugal may or may not really fit on this trip. The challenge is efficient transportation - getting between much of Spain and the parts of Portugal you're looking at can be challenging. Don't expect easy, quick trains like elsewhere in Europe. If you're driving, there's typically a ruinous "drop off fee" - and you really don't want to have a car with you in the old cities. 3. Personally, I really like Portugal, but your itinerary as proposed above skips too many must-see places in Spain. I'd trade away a few days in Portugal if it would get me a few more of the top sights in Spain. I agree that Toledo is not to be missed (although I disagree that it's best done as a day-trip: I prefer spending the night there when the city is empty of day-trippers). Also agree that a side trip to Avila and Segovia is worthwhile. But what is an absolute must-see is Cordoba - which actually can be done as a 1/2 day stop on the fast train between Madrid and Sevilla (the highlight of Cordoba is the Mezquita, and while it's definitely worth seeing, you can see it in an afternoon). 4. I'd add in a couple days and nights in the White Hill Towns (Pueblos Blancos) - you will need a car for these. One night each in Arcos and Ronda.
Hope that helps.

I'm a wus, but since David brought it up, I'll pile on - - skip Barcelona. I've been there a bunch of times, mostly because others I was traveling with insisted on seeing it. Now, I just go to the market and stuff my face and drink coffee, maybe wander up and down looking at the mimes, other than the Gaudi stuff it ain't that great. It's way the hell and gone - - it fits better with a trip to French catalonia and it's not even a far drive from the Rhone/Provence (maybe four hours of driving from Nimes) area when you get right down to it. I can't agree with Arcos, etc. I'd been there before and was unimpressed. We were in that area a couple of weeks ago and thought maybe we'd missed something because of all the chatter - - we swung in for lunch and left - - still unimpressed. There are a zillion little towns like those all over the world. Also, the hill towns add a new tanget to your trip. A final thought, if you follow all of these goofey suggestions to change your very excellent trip, the obvious thing to do is drive and make a big loop from Madrid. That's fine, and it's easy.....with one caveat: I drive all over the world and Sevilla ranks right up there with Tokyo as a super-frustrating, pluck yourself bald, city for driving.