We are in the process of arranging a holiday to Spain and portugal for the end of Sept... The first part is .. 9 nights in Majorca, fly to...... Barcelona ~ 3 nights AVE Train to ........ Madrid ~ 2 nights.. Segovia ~ 1 night Salamanca ~ 1 night Belmonte ~ 1 night Coimbra ~ 1 night Nazare' ~1 night Sintra ~ 1 night Lisbon ~ 3 nights Tavira ~ 6 nights ( my brother now lives here, never been) ~~~~~~~ We are trying to put together the rest of the route.. This is where our plans are changing a little.... (I haven't seen my sister in a few years and she is planning to fly from UK for this part) She's not a city person so we have compromised a little here... Seville 2 nights ... Where to stay... ease of parking, We are thinking either.... Arcos de la Frontera or Jerez de la frontera for 1 night... (originally 2) Which one and where to stay ? Visit Gibraltar en-route to Marbella for either 2 or 3 nights... (I was originally planning 1 night in Ronda, but I know my sister would prefer staying in Marbella or Puerto Banus) Where to stay ?? We like 'nice' she's very cost orientated... Say adios to my sister and head for ..... Granada 2 nights.. Toledo 2 nights...
Madrid Airport hotel for very early flight back to Canada.. Any suggestions and reco's appreciated... Teresa
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23564 posts
You will not like my response and probably complain that your are not being treated well BUT your plan borders on lunacy. Something like the list of 1000 places to see before I die. Check it off the list. More important to see I drive past it as opposed to actually seeing it. When ever we change locations, we plan on losing a half day at a min just checking into and out of hotels, finding hotels, finding the train or bus station, waiting for train or bus, etc. I know you are using a car but still you will spend most of your time in the car. Granted, some of those town are only worth a day but it is still a very hectic schedule. I am exhausted just reading the schedule. Personally I would reduce it by two/thirds.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Yep. What Frank said. Honestly, your plan sounds awful to me. That's not hyperbole, it sounds like something that would result in actual misery, not just a too-fast-paced trip. There is no point in going to all these places for "one night" - unless your goal is to simply see how many different places you can sleep. You appear to be planning 9 days in Majorca, and less than that (total) for a half dozen places in Spain. What's wrong with this picture? Tastes vary, and I'd guess you have different priorities than me, but what's the big lure of Majorca? Most folks here wouldn't bother to include it on a visit to Spain unless they've already seen all the good stuff, unless they had some other strong reason to go. You might have a perfectly valid reason (though I can't think of one). OTOH, I can think of lots of good reasons to spend at least a couple unhurried days in most of the places you seem to be planning to see through a blurred window. It's your trip and you certainly have every right to set your own priorities. But if you actually want to enjoy any of the great stuff in most of the places on your list, I agree with Frank that you need to cut it waaaay down. Minimize any "one night stands", and try to give any place worth stopping at least a couple days. Me, I'd skip Majorca entirely, and drop Belmonte, Salamanca, Coimbra and Nazare, then redistribute those days among the other stops, and consider adding Cordoba. I'd also skip Marbela. I know this is not what you want to hear, but you did ask. Hope some of that helps a bit. Good luck.
Posted by
OP
Victoria, BC, Canada
101 posts
Thanks for your responses.. I based the itinerary loosely on Rick Steves 22 days in Spain Portugal 'Favourite Itinerary' Rather than go to Tarifa for basically a day trip to Morocco, I changed it to Marbella.. As my sister would enjoy that.. I live in Canada, she lives in the UK..
The reason for Majorca, (to avoid a guilt trip) my mother in law lives in the UK and she couldn't understand why we didn't want to visit England 'yet again' a yearly ritual for the past 20 yrs... My DH is going there in April but she also wants to see me, work commitments mean I can't get away until late Sept/ Oct and I wanted a 'vacation' rather than family visit.. So long and short persuaded her to meet us in Majorca!! She's 82 so we needed somewhere that really is 'for her' After we see her back on the plane to England, We fly to Barcelona and start our road trip...
Posted by
OP
Victoria, BC, Canada
101 posts
(FOR SOME REASON IT DIDN'T POST ALL..... Re: half a day travelling and checking into the hotel... Most destinations are around 1.5 - 2 hrs drive away.. By pre-booking hotels, I don't think it would take up more than 1 hr of our time, we aren't going to be packing & unpacking, we'll travel light and live 'out of our suitcase' The only difference between our first half and Rick Steves 'Favourite Itinerary' is one night less in Coimbra and adding Belmonte.. I've now decided to switch to 2 nights coimbra, although I was rather taken with the pics & reviews on Trip advisor of Pousada Belmonte. I did consider doing Arcos de la fronterra from Seville making it 3 nights Seville, but as it's in the general direction of where we are heading next, why would we want to spend 1 hr 20 mins driving there & the same to get back to Seville?
Marbella, we could take it or leave it, but my sister isn't into 'culture and history' so it's a compromise. I haven't seen her in a couple of years so this would be a stop & visit with her destination.. Unfortunately it looks like my planned stay in Ronda will have to make way for an extra night in Marbella with just a day trip there :( I've now booked a hotel in Sevilled for 2 nights, and also near Peurto Banus.. which was a awesome price.. Looking for somewhere for the rest of our stay, Also can anyone recommend of a great flamenco show ? Thanks