Fluffbuff

Hi Francesca,

I always like to go to libraries and bookstores to browse the travel books. Then I pick 2 or 3 that really speak to me. One may have lodging info and is more broad, another may give ideas of really great places to see with lots of flavor.

Then I read through those books and pick out the places that grab my attention, those places that I feel I must visit!

Then I see where those places are on the map to figure out where I should go when, including special events that may happen while I'm there.

I don't tend to make reservations, because I like to be able to see a place before I commit to staying there, because you can find some very nice places once you arrive. But if it's a busy area or there is a place you really want to stay in, then make reservations.

Have fun!

End of September is an excellent choice as in August everything is pretty packed on the coast and it can be really hot. As you know I'm living in Portugal (and actually lived a couple of years in Spain, too) so if you want some help, don't hesitate to ask!
Andalucia is great, and Alentejo area in Portugal... there are so many great places to choose from. :-)

I went to Barcelona last year...loved it...I'm no expert on the region, but I would definitely return there...great Gaudi (and other architecture), chocolates, and coffee!

I've been to both Portugal and Andalusia. When you decide which you are going to, email me and I will send you some recomendations.

All I can say is, if you go to Spain, you have to go to Bilbao—and buy a one-way ticket because you won't want to come home. The fab seafood, the Rioja, the friendly people, the scenery, the beautiful architecture, modern art, public transportation--it's an incredible trip.

You'll want to stay at the Hotel Siri-Miri--the rooms are bright and inviting, the receptionist dude is hilarious, and the water pressure is terrible. :)

Ciao Francesca!
I'm no Spain/Portugal expert. I have only been once to Lisbon and twice to Northern Spain. I enjoyed both very much particularly Lisbon. I hear that Barcelona is a great city. Maybe on your way to Andalucia?! Laurence

Francesca,
consider about booking organized guided tours in every major location you go. It is quite cheap, it will only be a few hours but it's great to find out all detasils about the history of the place, main attractions, plus all sorts of 'out of the beaten track secrets'.
I went to Florence two years ago, booked five tours in five days :), but what a great experience we had. Although in Florence, without the tours we would have probably missed Florence :).
Enjoy your trip, best wishes, Silvia

HI!

We did a trip to Spain and Portugal last October. Gorgeous weather -- especially to us, escaping from chilly Midwestern fall temperatures.

We stayed in Madrid a few days, visited Toledo on a day trip and then flew to Lisbon, stayed there a few days, stayed a day in Evora for a day/night, returned to Lisbon and visited Sintra on a day trip. Evora was beautiful and quaint, Sintra was really picturesque, but rather touristy, even at that time of year. Lisbon was our favorite and we want to go back.

I would suggest, if your budget allows, that you look into staying in a pensao in Portugal. (think that's the term!) They're historic homes or manor houses that are converted into bed and breakfast-style hotels. Some of them are rather luxurious and pricey, but very unique. We stayed in one in Evora that was more budget-minded, but still really old and cool. May just be my perspective as a Midwesterner that this old stuff is neat. Around here, a hundred-year-old building qualifies as "historic!"

Also, if you're in Lisbon, our favorite find was the Sao Vicente de Fora monastery near the Alfama. It's decorated with beautiful tilework and the view from the roof is worth the climb.

I typically start planning a trip as another reader suggested, borrowing travel books from the library. I make most of the reservations over email beforehand because I'm an over-planner! Also, we rarely rent a car abroad, so I try to pick spots in the city centers.

Also, once we pick the cities we'll visit, we usually purchase city maps from Streetwise Maps. They're pretty useful for figuring out where the hotels are in relation to the rest of town and are often better than the free ones from hotel front desks, in terms of having points of interest marked and labeling all streets.

Good luck with your travel planning. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos :) Buon Viaggio!
-Kim

Hi Francesca, I went on my first trip to Spain, Andalucia, last Christmas. Rented a car in Malaga and had reservations for the first night in Ronda (beautiful), but otherwise had some printouts of B&Bs from a provincial website (something like "turismo de andalucia"). I speak no Romance language but had absolutely no problems whatever. Large cities have provincial tourism offices with lots of info. The people are friendly and helpful. The roads are amazingly easy to navigate and drive, even in cities, though being a Midwesterner, I freaked out at driving in villiage alleys in midieval towns (very narrow). It's wonderful (though the art and food aren't as wonderful as my memories of Italy 35 years ago). I hope to return someday, perhaps to the northwest (Galicia) which has a strong bobbin-lace tradition, especially in Camarenas (?spelling). Have a wonderful trip.

moving to europe, eh? come to bergen, norway! ;-)

Do some research on the Internet - TripAdvisor.com, The Rough Guide and Lonely Planet are all very useful on telling you how it really is.

And if you can afford one night in a Parador in Spain, don't miss the chance - converted monasteries, convents,palaces, utterly beautiful, AND they serve dinner marginally earlier than other restaurants (people dine very VERY late in Spain - typically 10 pm onwards).

I've never been to Portugal so I can't tell you which to choose, but I love, love, love Spain, especially Andalucia. If you go there, definitely go to the small town of Rhonda! Try to stay in at least one Paradore.

For info on Portugal, you should ask Anna of Knitting the Moon (also on my SP links). She's Portuguese and recently blogged about a trip she took to her homeland.

Whichever you decide, I'm sure it will be fantastic! And I agree--a move to Europe is also a good idea!

I loved Spain when we spent 2 weeks there a couple of years ago. We had a week of time share that we used in Marbella, then built the rest of the trip around that. Marbella wasn't my favorite spot in Spain, but it is right on the sea, so that was cool.
I blogged a lot about the trip, it started with this post

http://mousepotato.typepad.com/knittingdoctor/2005/10/espana.html

and went from there.
We used a travel company in Madrid to help with some of the arrangements, since we speak virtually no practical Spanish. The owner is from Madrid and his wife is American and originally from Seattle. It wasn't cheap, but really made the trip. Email me if you want further info. I'd go back in a heartbeat, Spain is one of my favorite vacations ever.