We are, at this point, pretty well locked in. If you want to visit some “off the beaten path” places, or if you don’t want to be dependent on a train or bus schedules, then rent a car for a portion of the trip. In Rick's book, the end of each chapter summarizes … I know it's counterintuitive, but Spain and Portugal don't combine well, because there are very limited transportation options between them. No, because Rick Steves Snapshot: Lisbon is simply the excerpted Lisbon and Sintra chapters taken directly from the complete Portugal guidebook. In Rick's book, the end of each chapter summarizes transport options to the next cities covered in the book, which should be adequate for this stage of planning. Toledo is worth at least two nights so you don't have to rush through a day-trip, and there are at least two other great destinations in Madrid's orbit (day-trips more viable for them): Segovia and Cuenca. We will have about 13 days to spend in Portugal and Spain (based in Madrid). My wife and I are thinking about a trip the first 1/2 of November 2018. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less. Where to go, how long to stay, should … The shorter Rick Steves Best of Spain guidebook focuses on Spain's top destinations and sights, is in full color, and is updated every other year. that's from Rick Steves' Madrid & Toledo How long you spend in either place depends a lot on the interests of your group. We are not going. If you had more time, I'd suggest the seldom-visited Extremadura area, but for the time you have available, the area around Madrid and Andalucía sound just right. . Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. I think base camping in a couple of cities makes the most sense so you can start to get a feel for the city as well. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Portgual. I haven't been to Portugal yet, but I've been in Spain 3 times in the last 5 years and there is plenty to fill up 15-18 days in and around Madrid and in Andalusia. 4.5 out of 5 stars 86. Depending on the length of your trip, assuming you're using public transportation, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are my recommended priorities: Rick Steves … Rick Steves covers some areas of Portugal very thoroughly, with interesting walking tours, and lots of info needed for travel. that's from Rick Steves' Madrid & Toledo How long you spend in either place depends a lot on the interests of your group. Most people fly between the two countries. You can fly one way reasonably on Iberia between Seville and Madrid, or take the train, which takes an hour longer, but is cheaper. Barcelona is not a must for me. We know we will be visiting some museums and some churches. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Portugal was a separate trip to Lisbon, Nazarre, Coimbra, Porto, Duoro and Evora. Make sure to get your tickets well in advance for the Alhambra in Granada. Price: $7.99 -- Out of Stock --Add to Wishlist. It is definitely worth the side trip! There's not much train service along the north or south coasts of Spain, as it's more of a hub-and-spoke system. If you have decided to travel by train, it is better to buy the tickets in advance not to find yourself without a ticket the day of your departure (if it s a highly demanded day due to something, the trains might be full), though also possible to do so right at the stations. From Madrid you can day-trip to Segovia, Toledo, Escorial, Avila. How long should we spend in Portugal? . If so, it's important to snag one of the bargain AVE fares as soon as Renfe puts them on sale. If you only plan on visiting the major cities, then public transportation would probably be best for most of the trip. Post questions and answers about travel in Italy. Consider flying between Madrid and Lisbon then returning to Seville, Spain or back to Madrid on TAP - Air Portugal. Rick Steves' Spain and Portugal: Covers Madrid, Barcelona, Andalucia, Lisbon, the Algarve, and Morocco Paperback – January 1, 2002 by Rick Steves (Author) 3.5 out of 5 stars 7 ratings See all formats and editions We waited in the train station for well over an hour after the bus returned us to the train station. We will have about 15-18 days to tour respective countries. . We are very much open to anything at this point. If you decide to include Portugal, then fly open-jaw Madrid/Lisbon. We need to have the kids back to Toulouse, France 13 days later. How to choose? Research Cuenca to see whether you'll want to include it. We know we will probably have to fly from Spain to Toulouse. In order to get meaningful answers, you need to give a LOT more information. Spring and fall offer the best combination of good weather, long days, and plenty of tourist and cultural activities — particularly during Holy Week, Lisbon's series of June festivals (which peak on St. Anthony's Day, June 13), and Porto's celebrations of St. John's Day (June 23–24). Should be a great trip! The north and the south of Spain are very different in terms of architecture, people, traditions, everything. A HUGE thank you to everyone for you tips and suggestions. Spain and Portugal 2001 (Rick Steves' Spain & Portugal) Steves, Rick: Amazon.com.tr Çerez Tercihlerinizi Seçin Alışveriş deneyiminizi geliştirmek, hizmetlerimizi sunmak, müşterilerin hizmetlerimizi nasıl kullandığını anlayarak iyileştirmeler yapabilmek ve … If you must go to Barcelona make sure to plan a day trip to Figueres to the Dali museum. We would have preferred to spend the time doing more sight-seeing. Though, we are open to other ideas as well. We'll take an overnight in Toledo and Ronda and end in Sevillle. We want to see the culture as much as we can. It is more reasonably priced than you may think, especially with a strong dollar against the euro right now. Map. You'll get a rough idea of that on our map at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/spain-rail-passes (where the dashed lines are bus routes) but the rail maps in any guidebook or online will be more detailed. I always have a rental car in Spain, except for Madrid, just because many places I go (castles, hermitages, very small towns, etc,) are not regularly served by public transportation. ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/spain-rail-passes. Definitely no Portugal on this trip. Click download or read online button and get unlimited access by create free account. Otherwise, the trip will be far too slow by local train or far too expensive with a full-fare AVE ticket. Download Rick Steves Portugal Ebook, Epub, Textbook, quickly and easily or read online Rick Steves Portugal full books anytime and anywhere. Use it between Sevilla or Cordoba and Granada. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. I didn't want to make a huge long post that would bore people. Portugal - Rick Steves' Europe For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . Again, how are you planning to get from Lisbon to Madrid? Arrives before Christmas Only 1 left in stock - order soon. … Stacy Gibboni: Art I d have made a trip purely around Spain without joining Portugal for now. We have tried the 'must see everything' approach. Browse Rick's best Spain and Portugal tours and vacation packages: Best of Spain in 14 Days Tour. So much to see, so little time. Sevilla City Walk. With Rick Steves’ Portugal, travelers can experience the best of everything Portugal has to offer — economically and hassle-free. But I will try to clarify. 4.4 out of 5 stars 58. I d have primarily focused on Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia (to spend a couple of days, there is not that much to see except for the city centre and Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias) and then would have gone towards the south. There are no fast trains and driving can take hours and hours, plus if you don't drive a loop returning to the first country, you are dinged with a very hefty drop-off fee. Renfe is the name of the train system and it's very good but there are a lot of choices and their website is not the most user-friendly. Listen to Rick Steves Spain & Portugal Audio Tours with five episodes, free! You'll get a rough idea of that on our map at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/spain-rail-passes (where the dashed lines are bus routes) but the rail maps in any guidebook or online will be more detailed. The running time is three hours. (Spain/Portugal) we will probably want to focus on Madrid south in Spain. Planning a trip always takes the longest. Robert leads Rick Steves tours in Spain and Portugal. Buses can be a fine, comfortable option to fill in these blanks, but as you get further along in your planning, you're likely to find a few routes where the schedules are less convenient (e.g., the pueblos blancos, as mentioned above). We like the train. It might be too much. By Rick Steves. We wasted so much time adhering to the schedule of the red bus, which does not leave or return frequently, and was not well coordinated with the train schedule. A cab ride will give you more flexibility. Drive - but expect a large fee to drop the rental car in a different country. We are also open to any tips for places to stay. My wife and I have already been to Andaluca. $24.95. Rolinka leads Rick Steves tours in France and offers accommodations at her Eco guest house in southern France for individuals and private boutique retreats. To help you get started, I've listed my top picks for where to go in Portugal, and my plan for your best two-week trip. Thanks in advance for any help! I have been to Spain 5 times, twice as a student in Salamanca. Rick Steves' Spain and Portugal DVD 2000-2009 by Rick Steves A readable copy. Pick one country. Rolinka Blooming: Accommodations. Just remember that November can be chilly and rainy in the northern part! There's not much train service along the north or south coasts of Spain, as it's more of a hub-and-spoke system. We do plan on a day trip to Toledo. What are your interests? Explore Madrid & Toledo, Seville & Andalusia, Barcelona to Segovia, Granada to Tangier, Costa del Sol, Lisbon, Portugal's Southern Coast, and Cape Sagres & Lagos and gain valuable knowledge on … I hope you are able to use the full 18 days, because I think you'll find it rather tight if you have only 15. From Madrid you can day-trip to Segovia, Toledo, Escorial, Avila. My ideal itinerary would be Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla, the pueblos blancos (white hill towns) and Granada. Get it as soon as Mon, Dec 14. Discover Spain & Portugal with Rick Steves, the #1 Travel Personality in the U.S. & Canada. As you mentioned, a day trip from Madrid to Toledo is lovely, with so much history. Barcelona's Eixample Walk. How were you planning to connect the two counties (again, just because they're "next to each other" doesn't mean there's good transit options between them)? Will you want a rental car, NOT want a rental car, or can you go either way? In this travel talk, Rick Steves' Europe travel expert Rich Earl describes Portugal's top stops — from lively Lisbon to second city Porto, from college town Coimbra to rustic Évora, and from the vineyards of the Douro Valley to the beaches of the Algarve — and explains practical travel skills for visiting Portugal, including advice on eating, sleeping, getting around, and more. Or can you fly into and out of any airports? Don't know anything about Portugal. It is a lovely city, but I prefer Madrid. While Portugal could be visited, there is enough in Spain to easily fill 18 days. The same with Madrid. We will probably rent apartments for housing. However, he leaves out some very important and interesting prehistoric sites, particularly the Paleolithic paintings in Northeast Portugal. Genre: UPC Number: 01598800237 ** Digital codes or downloadable content have not been verified and are not guaranteed valid on used products . Our stress-free Spain and Portugal vacations package together small groups, great guides, central hotels, all sightseeing — and memories to last a lifetime. Rick Steves: Spain & Portugal 2000-2009 Dvd Used. San Sebastian and La Rioja are worth seeing also (the latter for some winery tours) if you can add them. By Rick Steves. . Spain and Portugal. Overnight train (no daytime train) from Lisbon to Madrid - see train schedules. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. He offers PDF guides of walking tours in Portugal and Argentina. Can we do it by train or should we rent a car? You don’t want to be so rushed that you can’t enjoy the places you visit. 4.5 out of 5 stars 96. $8.99. How long should we spend and where else should we go? Do you speak any Spanish and/or Portuguese? Rick Steves Spain & Portugal Planning Map: Including Barcelona, Madrid & Lisbon City Maps Rick Steves. It may be best to fly round trip Madrid (AFAIK it's the only airport, other than Barcelona, that has direct flights to the US), depending on where you live. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Updates and Feedback Latest updates: When we learn of critical changes to the information in this guidebook, we post them . This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. We fly into Portugal, but have no set plans beyond our arrival. Do you already have airline tickets purchased? This is the only DVD that includes all six half-hour “Rick Steves’ Europe” TV shows on Spain and Portugal, produced from 2000 to 2007: The Majesty of Madrid, Highlights of Castille—Toledo and Salamanca, Sevilla and Andalusia, Spain’s Costa del Sol, Lisbon and the Algarve, and Portugal’s Heartland. Get the most out of every day and dollar with Rick Steves Spain & Portugal guidebooks, Snapshot guides and Pocket travel guides Thanks for the reply and questions. It worths comparing. You may want to consider dropping Valencia for more time in the other destinations; or, try looking into a Spain only trip and add Granda (versus Valencia). We are planning a 3-week trip to España in 2018. I agree with Chani's advice. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines. Can we assume your departure from Madrid is also "pretty well locked in?". If you want to attend one of the major pilgrimages to Fátima, plan to be there on either May 13 or October 13. Rick Steves' Spain and Portugal. The primary methods of transportation between Portugal and Spain are: Direct bus from Lisbon to Seville (www.alsa.es) or Lisbon to Madrid (www.avanzabus.com). Are you aware of the generally poor connections between Portugal and Spain? We chose Spain and Portugal for a variety of reasons. We are traveling in July. Where else besides Lisbon should we visit? ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Paperback $19.93 $ 19. It is old world elegant and vibrant. No signup or install needed. I am arriving with my wife and her three teenagers in Lisbon. Don't know anything about Portugal. Any suggested itinerary would be appreciated, Drive via Arcos de la Frontera to Seville (5N) ... Return car. Spain and Portugal have a continually evolving sightseeing scene, so it's important to travel in 2019 with the latest information to get the most out of your experience. Product Details. 93. Fodor's Essential Spain 2019 (Full-color Travel Guide) Fodor's Travel Guides. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. The Spanish rail system is excellent. We will be traveling from the US. Spanish trains are the best way to get around with one exception, that I'll get to in a moment. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. Rick Steves Spain, the complete guide, offers more coverage of more destinations in a mostly black-and-white format, and is updated annually. What made you choose Spain and Portugal in the first place, i.e., what draws you there? If you include the pueblos blancos in your trip, that's the place a car will be useful. Taking a bus or train between Spain and Portugal is time consuming. It does no good to recommend wine regions or art museums or historic churches or [fill in the blank] if these things bore you. Rick Steves Spain tours and Portugal tours provide the best value for your trip to Europe. Why not get the 3 teenagers involved in the planning? Paperback. Italy. Were you wanting just a few home bases (like Madrid and Lisbon) with day trips, or do you want to move around more? Easy Route Planning: Shows major train lines, freeways, and ferry routes (for drivers wanting a detailed road map, we recommend taking along a Michelin Map). Not sure that will work. We follow the trail pilgrims have trod for centuries, from the French border to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. Hire a taxi at the train station in Toledo and have it take you around the walls of the old city, and then drop you off in the city square by the McDonalds (yes, sadly, it is in this ancient city, but it is a good stop for a potty break). 2021 Don't bother with the Hop On/Hop Off bus in Toledo. We are set for six nights in Lisbon with day trips across the region. I think your plan to do the Madrid area and points south is fine. I am planning a trip in April with my husband and we will be taking the train extensively. Big Picture: Shows both countries from top to bottom, in a colorful, easy-to-use format. by Rick Steves | Jan 1, 2001. Ideally get a tour guide, the "insider" knowledge greatly enhances your visit. We would prefer not to rent a car, but we can. The kids and my wife speak some Spanish. Or combinations would be better. They will be with their dad in France then. Spanish rapid trains are perfect but can be something pricey (depends on the destination) compared to the local airlines (like Vueling) when the tickets are bought in advance. It's best to read this article first and then refer to it when you use the website. Why not get the 3 teenagers involved in the planning? Rick Steves: What's new in Spain and Portugal Rick Steves, Tribune Content Agency Published 12:04 a.m. CT Jan. 6, 2017 Little tuk-tuks are a fun way to sightsee around Lisbon. (I speak French, no help here). We will fly to Madrid and stay for a few nights. DK Eyewitness Spain (Travel Guide) We just completed a 3-week trip to Portugal and loved it. House in southern France for individuals and private boutique retreats are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening, leaves... Over $ 25 shipped by Amazon Paleolithic paintings in Northeast Portugal with Rick '. Ronda and end in Sevillle should we rent a car best way to get your well... Lovely, with so much history consider flying between Madrid and Lisbon returning. Nazarre, Coimbra, Porto, Duoro and Evora Travel information, see our.! Rainy in the northwest corner of Spain, as it 's more of a system! Area and points south is fine stock -- Add to Wishlist can we do on... 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Puts them on sale more of a hub-and-spoke system the Madrid area and points south is fine or! As you mentioned, a day trip to Europe focus on Madrid south in Spain and tours... Follow the trail pilgrims have trod for centuries, from the French border to Santiago de Compostela in the?! Essential Spain 2019 ( Full-color Travel guide ) fodor 's Essential rick steves portugal and spain 2019 Full-color. ) and Granada Madrid is also `` pretty well locked in? ``, and culturally broadening twice as student... With the Hop On/Hop Off bus in Toledo around Spain without joining Portugal for a variety of reasons Portugal! Madrid - see train schedules give a LOT more information to drop the rental car, but i prefer.!, with so much history Frontera to Seville ( 5N )... Return car post them Rioja are seeing!