stevec176 Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 When visiting Spain and Portugal where are the places not to be missed. I am going across in a couple of weeks for a month and will be driving down on the west of Spain so I can pop into Portugal and would like to know where are the places to be visited, where do you recommend? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec176 Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 I can't believe nobody has been down the west side of Spain and into Portugal and didn't find anywhere to recommend. Please, there must be somewhere that's worrh a visit. Thanks in hopeful anticipation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 St eve Where are you coming from? Santander/Bilbao , or coming through France? Next question, what are your interests? museums , towns . ?? Walking, cycling ? A bit more info may help others to give places. Personaly not been that way for a while, but northern Spain is lovely, as long as the weather is fine, not as hot as the Costas. We use the ACSI book for sites, but plenty of places to stay, best to google the areas Hoping to get to Portugal later in May ourselves. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec176 Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 Hi P Jay, Thanks, looking to see local sights and sounds to see the real Spain before hitting the touristy bits. We land at Santander and depart via Bilbao. Will be walking or using the van, which is 7.4 mtr long. We love history and scenery and walking, but not too far. We have the books and maps but the number of times I've returned from somewhere and you talk to somebody they say 'didn’t you go to............' so I was hoping to avoid that this time. Hope to find those hidden jems. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peedee Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 stevec176 - 2017-04-11 11:08 AM I can't believe nobody has been down the west side of Spain and into Portugal and didn't find anywhere to recommend. Please, there must be somewhere that's worrh a visit. Thanks in hopeful anticipation. Have a look at my Blog at http://www.wheelgotravelling.info/Iberia2009.html. peedee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoko8pups Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 We have just stayed at an ACSI campsite near Comillas near Santander, 2 or 3 nice small towns nearby, Camping El Helgueo. Going down the border by Portugal There are lovely fortified towns, Monseraz, Marvao Evoramonte to name a few. Enjoy yourselves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKen1 Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 You should go via the " Pico de Europa " beautiful then call in at Playa de Catedrals " Ribadeo " aire on the door step they have huge tides once its out you can walk the beach . "Santiago de Compostel" final stop for the Pilgrims interesting May want to try this route its in Spanish so Chrome translate will help "Rute de Los Faros. Coste da Morte " http://onroadmagazine.com/ruta-de-los-faros-costa-da-morte/ The Northern Spanish coast has many beautiful nooks and crannies really interesting a bit tight in places for a large motorhome but manageable. Its called the Costa Verde (Green Coast) so hope you are lucky with the weather it can be like the UK sometimes. PS... Faros is lighthouses Brian K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 If you are in the Picos de Europa and like walking, I would recommend the Cares Gorge. .....and if you visit the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela try to arrange to visit when the Botafumeiro Incense Burning Ceremony is on. It used to be Friday evenings as far as I remember, but Google will give any other dates and times. Video clips of the ceremony are also available on Youtube. Have a good trip. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 stevec176 - 2017-04-11 11:08 AM I can't believe nobody has been down the west side of Spain and into Portugal and didn't find anywhere to recommend. Please, there must be somewhere that's worrh a visit. Thanks in hopeful anticipation. No-one will know you, or your interests/preferences, so any advice will be what they liked, which may not be what you like. Why not do this the easy way? Borrow (library?), or buy, a guide book - possibly one for each country - and then go through it/them for things that take your fancy, and then plan your trip around that. That way you'll get to see what you think interesting, rather than visiting places others recommended, that leave you cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourope Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 We did Spain west coast into Portugal last year. Our facourite place in Portugal was in it's only national park called Geres in the Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês. At the centre is a beautiful lake which spreads out in different directions like the tentacles of an octopus. There are several campsites in the area, mainly around the lake, but we stayed at one up in the hills and is easily accessible in a Motorhome of your size (ours is 7m) called Ermida - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Ermida+Ger%C3%AAs+Camping/@41.7011528,-8.1323169,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0xd2521e333e13325:0xd8f3767d3925aa30!8m2!3d41.7011528!4d-8.1301282?hl=en It's way up in the hills and has waymarked walks from the campsite, some short, some long. There's also horse riding and other leisure/sports activities, e.g. kayaking and horse riding. close by. Word of caution though - make sure you stock up on provisions before arriving as there are no big supermarkets in the area. The north west corner of Spain (Galicia) has some fabulous beaches, water sports and good walking if you travel inland a bit. Likewise the northern coast of Spain from Santiago to San Sebastien (worth a visit) has some very beautiful beaches and villages with lots of historical interest. As someone else has mentioned a visit to the Picos de Europa is well worthwhile, especially in summer (it can be cool in spring) and there is a fabulous aire at Posada de Valdeon with electricity, water, toilets and free WiFi - https://goo.gl/maps/AdD9451bNcv. . From here there are a couple of easy walks and some harder ones if you take the bus to the next village. Finally I'd recommend a visit to Tarifa in the South but still om the Atlantic coast. It's got a lovely old town and it;s different from all the other places you'll probably visit in that most of the people are young. It's a surfers (wind/board/kite) haven and attracts young adults and young families alike. There are some great campsites close to the beach just out of town, heading north. We stayed at one called Torre de la Pena which is a terraced site with great views across the ocean to Morocco from the higher pitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I'd agree with Brian: and I particularly like the DK Eyewitness series, and on the basis that the main places to see in any country don't change over a 10yr period, and old one will be just as useful as a brand new one. I've just looked on Amazon and there are guides available for 1p: plus £2.80 postage. Got a lot of good books this way! We were in Santiago da Com' in February, and if you are really keen to see the incense being swung around (personally not) then beware, it seems to be by special arrangement and payment as it cost too much to do on a regular basis; also, the cathedral is being refurbished at the moment (or was in Feb) Monsaraz worth a look Enjoy Regards Alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Don't miss out on Benidorm, there are a lot of haters that have never been but it's the highlight of our trip. We're In Portugal at the minute, yeah it's good but roll on Beni :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keninpalamos Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Charles - 2017-04-11 9:42 PM Don't miss out on Benidorm, there are a lot of haters that have never been but it's the highlight of our trip. We're In Portugal at the minute, yeah it's good but roll on Beni :) you obviously enjoy the big tourist areas. Nothing wrong in that. Just different. Not really to my taste so I would go along with Brian's suggestion. I'm in the Cabo de Gata natural park Andalucia been coming here for over 15 years and I'm so pleased it's not to everyone's taste. Where ever you are I hope you are enjoying your chosen destination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 keninpalamos - 2017-04-12 7:35 AM Charles - 2017-04-11 9:42 PM Don't miss out on Benidorm, there are a lot of haters that have never been but it's the highlight of our trip. We're In Portugal at the minute, yeah it's good but roll on Beni :) you obviously enjoy the big tourist areas. Nothing wrong in that. Just different. Not really to my taste so I would go along with Brian's suggestion. I'm in the Cabo de Gata natural park Andalucia been coming here for over 15 years and I'm so pleased it's not to everyone's taste. Where ever you are I hope you are enjoying your chosen destination. As you say, we all like different places. Cabo de Gata, not for us, you need transport. Benidorm Ok for a couple of nights.We prefer places like Calpe, as not too touristy, as it is a "working" town It is always a good idea to research where you want to go. Because we have no other transport, we like places that you can reach a village/sea, or at a pinch has bus close by the site. We don't plan too much, just take it as it comes. If you find somewhere you like stay a while, if not move on Have good trip what ever PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec176 Posted April 12, 2017 Author Share Posted April 12, 2017 Thanks for your suggestions and comments, all gratefully received. I also agree with what Brian has said but I was hoping to hear about those places not shown in the books, which as I said we do have. I wasn't trying to do away with prior planning but trying to enhance where we go and what we see. There are places out there that aren't in books that people have found for themselves which they would recommend and that's what I was hoping to hear about, after all isn't that why people write their Blogs? Thanks all, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dora_ex Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Depends where and when you want to cross into Portugal and how long for - but a couple of our highlights in Portugal Sintra - palaces, cathedrals, medieval town - park outside and its worth the visit Mafra - you can park the motorhome literally outside the door of the palace and its minutes to the Atlantic coast Buddha Eden - amazing sculpture garden attached to a vineyard Obidos - touristy but stunning Fatima - incredible place to visit whether you believe in the miracles or not Convento do Cristo Tomar - one of the most beautiful convents we have ever visited Minas Sao Domingos - just over the border and worth seeing / walking around Sure what we like is very different to others, but a few ideas to Google and see if they take your fancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dora_ex Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Depends where and when you want to cross into Portugal and how long for - but a couple of our highlights in Portugal Sintra - palaces, cathedrals, medieval town - park outside and its worth the visit Mafra - you can park the motorhome literally outside the door of the palace and its minutes to the Atlantic coast Buddha Eden - amazing sculpture garden attached to a vineyard Obidos - touristy but stunning Fatima - incredible place to visit whether you believe in the miracles or not Convento do Cristo Tomar - one of the most beautiful convents we have ever visited Minas Sao Domingos - just over the border and worth seeing / walking around Sure what we like is very different to others, but a few ideas to Google and see if they take your fancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 dora_ex - 2017-04-12 2:26 PM...what we like is very different to others, put a few ideas to Google and see if they take your fancy. I find it difficult enough to decide what we like (but I'm married so I don't often have to make a choice) let alone choosing things for everyone else. But this is an interesting thread and some of the things people mention certainly sound worth seeing. We're going there in September so thank to all for making suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilmac Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 One place that comes to mind from our own recent 'Aires hunting' trip was at Porto Covo, Alentejo, Portugal http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/neilmac500/f287a7ad-92b8-442b-b907-f3f8aa46619f_zpsrm66b14i.jpg Free Aire in the town and a couple of wildcamping spots on the clifftops adjacent The Aire The wildcamping spots and Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 The Aire on the cliff tops at Porto Corvo is closed, there is one 2km up the coast though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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