I'm thinking about a trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco this fall. We'll have about 3 weeks, from mid-September through early October. Obviously, 3 weeks isn't enough to do justice to all 3 countries (not even close), but here's what I'm thinking...We're going to skip Barcelona (been there, loved it) and northern Spain/Portugal (we'll go another time). Rough proposed breakdown...
Spain: about 10 days, focused mostly on the major attractions in and around Castile & Andalucia (Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, etc.).
Morocco: about 5 days, skipping the day-trip/coastal towns, focused more on Marrakesh, Ouarzazate and the desert around it (ruins, gorge valleys, and the Atlas Mountains on the way), maybe a day in Essaouira (not sure if that's realistic, we'll see).
Portugal: about 5 days, Lisbon and points south (the Algarve, Sagres, Salema, etc.).
We are fairly typical Rick-style travelers: we like some comforts, but are trying to keep our costs within reason. We try to move fairly quickly to get as much into a trip as possible but also try not to overschedule too many things (we often use Rick's suggested itineraries as a starting point and then customize them to our own tastes).
We're also aiming for the proper timing of this trip: after the worst of the summer crowds, heat and high-season prices have started to abate, but before the weather starts to get wintery. I recognize the places we're contemplating going to are hot (the edge of the Sahara desert, for example...). Any opinions on how the weather should be in this period (mid-September to early October)? Ideally I'd like generally warm but not uncomfortably hot (although I expect some heat in Morocco), and preferably no/little rain (I guess that's a reasonable expectation in the Sahara at least...).
Opinions? Suggestions? Done a trip like this and have better ideas?
Thanks!