I will be in Europe for all of December this year. I have to travel to Portugal at the beginning of December for work. I will be in Lisbon for about a week. I plan to make a side trip to Sintra and another to Porto to visit a friend. I was in Lisbon for a week in March this year, so I was able to get my sightseeing done in Lisbon at that time. I will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas in Madrid. In March, I was also able to go to Madrid, Toledo, Seville and Granada. Any thoughts on where to go in Portugal and Spain in December? Does anyone know what to expect weather wise? (I am a Houstonian and I'm sure I will be freezing my tushie off!) I'll be traveling alone but will be able to spend a few days with friends in Madrid and Oviedo. Thanks for all your ideas!
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
We were in Portugal XMass of 2007. That year it was warm enough for us to be wading in the surf in the Algarve. It also can be very nice in southern Spain. But when we headed North, and visited Porto it was raining like heck; which is typical that time of year. (but it did not stop us from enjoying Port tasting!Buy a strurdy umbrella when you get to Porto.) We enjoyed day trips to Evora, and also stayed in Tavira (very quiet) on the Algarve coast. Since both So. coasts will have a much better chance of good weather, you may to want spend some time there. This June we did So Spain. Gibralter was fun(stayed in Terifa; good for a couple of days.) Our guided van tour of the Gibralter was fantastic. We absolultely loved Ronda, and also enjoyed Seville, Cordoba and Grenada. Be prepared for cold weather when you get to Madrid! Go to the Weather Underground web site and look at the average Dec temps and precipitation for any town where are considering staying.
Posted by
Des Plaines, IL, US
128 posts
Been to the places above you have mentioned; you did well for your first trip. Two little jewels, if convenient - definitely worth seeing. Evora in Portugal - Segovia in Spain. Not that it is a big deal, but we just came back from Spain; 39th trip to Europe on pleasure; the two above are wonderful smaller cities. As much fun and as interesting as any we have visited.
Weatherwise, bundle up - Texans are tough (Don't mess with Texas) but it ain't going to be the same. Seriously, good luck.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, TX
33 posts
Thanks for the tips! I hadn't heard of Evora. I'll definitely look into that. I just found out that a coworker's family owns a cork factory so I'm going to look into getting a tour of the factory. I spoke with a coworker today about Segovia and she highly recommended it. I've been lucky and been ablento travel to Europe quite a bit. I guess I need to start pricing my rail passes! Is El Escorial worth a visit?
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
...and don't forget the one hour time difference between Spain and Portugal. By all means get Ricks Spain and Portugal book. Everything is covered in great detail.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, TX
33 posts
Oh trust me, I have that book! As well as many other countries! Even bought the kindle version so I don't have to lug the book around!
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
Coimbra is definitely worth a day or 2 and is on the way between Lisbon and Porte.
Posted by
Ellensburg, WA, United States
7 posts
We spent a very pleasant December in the Algarve a few years ago. The local folks repeatedly apologized for their cool weather (mid-70s every day). We found an inexpensive apartment in Faro. We enjoyed the sights in Faro, took the train on day trips east and west along the coast, and rented a car for a few days to drive in the region and spend a couple of days in Seville. We thought Tavira looked like a promising place to stay if we ever go back, but the main airline service in the area seems to be to Faro.