Southern Portugal and Spain in February

Hi Jennifer, February is really a quiet season either in southern Portugal or in Spain. However, if you have lucky with the weather, it is the perfect season to appreciate those places. Nevertheless, quiet season in Portugal or Spain means less tourism but greater opportunity to enjoy the places. There's no rush and you can really taste the moment. My suggestion is that you start by the Alentejo coast (south of Lisbon), where you will find marvelous sea views. In the Algarve, Lagos, Albufeira and Tavira, are the must-see-places, rather then Faro. On those places, especially in Tavira, you can find wonderful sea food for your delight. You can then forward to Seville and Gibraltar. Why not to go for a couple of hours to Ceuta (Africa)? It's a thrilling experience, especially if you intent to shop... Cordoba is also a must see place. So I assume that you will travel by plane... so my suggestion is to arrive in Lisbon and return from Seville. Enjoy it. Joao Campos
<a href="http://www.all-about-portugal.com&quot;&gt;All About Portugal</a>

All the cities you have named are normal working cities with or without the greater number of tourists who would appear in later months. Any sites you wish to see are open year round, except for possibly reduced winter hours. The rock of Gibraltar will also still be there for you to visit.

You can also say you been to England when you see the rock of Gibraltar.

Gibraltar is not part of England. It's a British Overseas Territory.

We really enjoyed Tavira, and stayed at a nice 'sleeps 4' house.. http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p730819 Called Tavira Travessa Das Cunhas The beach involves getting on a little ferry and there is miles of beach to stroll or swim from.. If you want something more lively then Puerto Banus or Marbella in Spain has lots more going on..
We didn't like it as much as we thought we would there though.. I really didn't care for many of the seaside towns in Portugal such as Albeferia which was incredibly built up and lacked character and charm.. The best thing going for it was the beach.. I'm originally from the UK but hate the 'British seaside resort towns' that many in Spain and Portugal have become.. The Fish & Chips, get yur English Breakfast here and The Jolly Roger Pub sign type of resorts..!!

Jennifer; you have an excellent idea for that time of year. Like Joao says, if you pick a time with good weather you can have lots of fun in So Portugal and Spain. (anyhow it will be much better than the rain in Belguim!) We did Lisbon and the Algarve coast a couple of years ago during Xmass, and had a great time. We were wading in the surf, and enjoying the sun. I really think that you should add Lisbon to your agenda...lots to see and very much alive at that time of year. We stayed in Lisbon a few days, and then stayed in Taviara. We loved Tavira, but it is very quiet at that time. We only used Faro as a stopping off point. We did Gibralter and So Spain this May/June. Sign up for a taxi tour of Gibralter. The cab driver will have the little monkeys eating out of the kids hands, up near the top. He will take you guys to the Siege tunnels, and to the caves with the stalaties/stalagmites, etc. This tour is a MUST for the kids! We loved Seville (3days), Cordoba (2nites) and really loved Ronda. From Seville we drove to Jerez to see the horse show. If it is running that time of year, I guarantee that the kids (and adults) will really enjoy it. I really reccomend Rick's Spain and Portugal books for this vaca of yours. all of the info is "right-on-the-money". We rented apartments thru VRBO and Homelidays.com when were staying in any one place for 4 days or more. Have a great time!