ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 4007 times:
In Barcelona there is a cathedral - still under construction, and has been for hundreds of years - it is an awesome sight to see. I forget the name, it's been 5 years, but anyone there will know . . . and all the tourist brochures will certainly have a picture.
In Lisbon there's a castle worth visiting. Again, I'm not much help, I forget what it's called, it is in the city proper though. Loooks out over the city and is a great visit.
Haven't done the tourist thing in Madrid . . .
Both Barcelona and Lisbon are great cities. I was fortunate to have two days (one night) in each. I usually avoid the "guided tour" scene and go out on my own. You see more that way I think. Stop for tapas somewhere in Barcelona. Walk the water front. Can't go wrong.
Levent From France, joined Sep 2004, 1718 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 4003 times:
BCN - The cathedral is the Sagrada Familia, very impressive indeed. More sights are the Parque Gruell, designed by Gaudí, and the Ramblas promenade.
MAD - The Retiro park is a huge park in the middle of the city, the lungs of Madrid, with entertainment and cafes. Some other sights: royal palace, Plaza Mayor, Prado museum.
LIS - The whole old part of the city is an open air museum. The promenade along the coast is very nice.
Up to you which sights to see, but there is more than enough. I would suggest buying a travel guide on the Iberian peninsula! Have a nice trip.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 4001 times:
The Ramblas - thanks Levent . . . I had forgotten that. That's a definite must see also. Stop and get food and drink along the way, prosciutto ham and fresh fruit - can't beat that. What a wonderful place, Barcelona!
TUNisia From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1834 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 3998 times:
If you go to Spain do not miss the Alhambra.
Someday the sun will shine down on me in some faraway place - Mahalia Jackson
Salso From Slovenia, joined Dec 2004, 205 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 3983 times:
In BCN it's the Rambla promenade, Parc Guell, the Sagrada Familia cathedral, the Monjuic hill (where the so-called Spanish Village and the Olympic complex are located. Accessible with a cable lift, the view is awesome!!!!)
DETA737 From Portugal, joined Oct 2000, 596 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3979 times:
In Lisbon head down to the Baixa which is an area constructed in the late 18th century with lots of shops. Nearby is the São Jorge castle which overlooks the whole city so you'll get great views on a sunny day. The castle is located in the Alfama area which dates back the Moorish period and is very hilly with winding narrow roads. There are some interesting churches there like São Vicente de Fora where Portuguese royalty is buried. Also in the area is the Sé or cathedral which is quite old. On the other side of the Baixa is the Chiado which is the shopping area and this has lots of nice shops. Go down to the Belém area where you can see the Torre de Belém from where Portuguese explorers departed in the 15th and 16th centuries (don't bother going inside though, there's nothing interesting). Nearby is the Jeronimos monastery also built during the same period. Beside that there's the Presidential Palace which has a really interesting coach museum with the world's largest collection of gilded royal carriages.
If you have time go to Sintra, it's a pituresque town set in the hills and was the summer retreat for Portuguese royalty and the nobility. There are tons of palaces and manor houses. You can get there by taking the train from the railway station in the Rossio square. There's the old palace with two conical shaped chimneys in the lower town (it's hard to miss) and you can take a bus or walk to the top where you'll first encounter a Moorish castle and finally the Palácio da Pena which is a 19th century palace built in an ecclectic mix of styles by Queen Maria II's German consort Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. It's really worth seeing since it's like travelling back in time to 1900.
EZEIZA From Argentina, joined Aug 2004, 4929 posts, RR: 28 Reply 10, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 3928 times:
If you have the time and you feel like having a good party, go to Salamanca (200 km from Madrid). It's a small city with a huge University population. You have several trains and buses that will take you there, and finding cheap hotels is not a problem.
PhotoLPPT From Portugal, joined Jul 2004, 491 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (8 years 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3908 times:
Hi,
DETA737 is quite right about what to see here.
The old parts of Lisbon and Sintra are not to be missed (Sintra is a world heritage site) and access is very good by public transportation.
I can recommend a couple of things though:
- In Sintra, there's a cheap shuttle bus from the train station to the moorish castle and the Palácio da Pena. Much better than taking a cab.
- Also from the station, you can catch a bus to Cascais via Cabo da Roca, the westernmost tip of continental europe and quite a spectacular sight. Don't go by taxi because it is about 20km. After Cabo da Roca, continue on the same direction into Cascais. The bus traverses the mountains of Sintra and the goes by the sea until Cascais. It is one of our prettier sights. From Cascais, you can then catch a train back to Lisbon, making your trip a triangle (Lisboa-Sintra-Cabo da Roca-Cascais-Lisboa).
- In Lisbon there is also the 'Parque das Nações' (subway: Oriente), the part of the city that was rebuilt for the Expo 98 world fair. Atractions there are the arquitecture of the buildings, and one of the biggest aquariums in Europe.
Beware that because of the closure of the tunnel of Rossio, trains to Sintra now leave from Sete Rios/Zoo. From downtown get on the subway to the zoo station, and if animals are your thing, make sure you visit it as well.
Feel free to contact me if you need further info.
Regards
Luis
Levent From France, joined Sep 2004, 1718 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 3881 times:
Well, although not in your planned itinerary route, the 5 star Hotel Real in Santander is astonishing! It looks like a palace sitting on top of a hill, overlooking Santander´s bay, has excellent rooms and wonderful features.
I was lucky enough to be able to sleep there on company expense, because it´s way out of the line for me humble human being...
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 15, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 3869 times:
Ronda to see the oldest bullring in Spain. There is a very nice restaurant in Ronda on the city side of the old bridge. They still serve a very nice roast suckling pig. Be prepared for a three hour lunch.
Algeciras to take the ferry to Tangiers...adventure
...I believe it is possible now to go across the border to Gibralter as well. Thats worth a side trip.
Mia From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 862 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3862 times:
You have to visit San Sebastian in Guipuzcoa. It is incredibily beautifull there.
Also you should visit Toledo. It is an hour train ride from Madrid. It is an awesome city as well.
"Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen."
Levent From France, joined Sep 2004, 1718 posts, RR: 5 Reply 18, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3854 times:
In Barcelona one of the most popular luxury hotels is Les Arts near the Marina, just north of the city center. This is a very modern and stylish hotel where lots of celebrities stay also.
In Madrid you could think of the Ritz? One of the best, no probably the best hotel in the city. Or otherwise any 5 star hotel of the "Melia"-chain.
Arcano From Chile, joined Mar 2004, 2397 posts, RR: 26 Reply 20, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3830 times:
When you are in Madrid, you can't lose TOLEDO, the most beautifuyl city of Europe... remember the cathedral...
And I have a question. AFAIK, The Sagrada Familia is not the Cathedral church of Barcelona; the cathedral is the one in the gothic neighborhood. I'm I right?
Regards )(
in order: 721,146,732,763,722,343,733,320,772,319,752,321,88,83,744,332,100,738, 333, 318, 77W, 78, 773 and 380
Levent From France, joined Sep 2004, 1718 posts, RR: 5 Reply 22, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 3803 times:
Arcano, tienez razón (you´re right), the Sagrada Familia is the huge church designed by gaudí and still not finished, while the cathedral is in the old part of the city, el Barrio Gótico.
Theme parks in Spain:
- Port Aventura in Tarragona
- Terra Mitica in Benidorm
- WB Movie World just under Madrid
26 United Airline: Not that many airlines fly to Spain and Portugal...... Does Iberia fly to Asia?
27 BCNGRO: If you are planning to travel to Catalonia I recommend you to visit something else than Barcelona. These are my favorite places in the countryside: Va
28 GLAGAZ: Well, Portugal is my favourite foriegn country. I love the place. I usually spend my time on the Algarve and have to say that Portimao and Vilamoura a
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