Portugal, Spain or France??

[James48]

I’m thinking if taking a month next spring and do either:
Portugal, (Likely Faro area) , or Barcelona suburbs near the ocean, or Southeast France- (Perpignan?) .

Anyone familiar with these areas, would you make sone recommendations? I like history, architecture, art, military, and good food. Do you have good tips?

[elleng]

1. Can't say I have good tips,

haven't been to Portugal.

Did drive around France (with young family, so choose France 'cause I studied French.) Also visited cities in Spain, including a few days in Barcelona.

Can't miss by visiting Spain and France for history, architecture, art, and good food.

Train from southern France to Spain possible.

Bon voyage!

[msongs]

2. one reads that barcelona is high crime nt

[TreasonousBastard]

3. In a month you could easily do all three.

[Travel Hat]

4. Just got back from a tour in Spain last month

I'm not a tour fan but I went on one sponsored by National Geographic and run by G Adventures. Very pleased with the experience.

Started in Madrid and a day trip in Toledo. Then took a train to Cordoba and saw the La Mezquita de Cordoba, a must see. and then onto Granada and an other must see , the Alhambra. Ended in Sevilla and the Real Alcazar castle. Check websites for entry requirements.

Travel by train in all 3 of countries is fast and easy and interconnected. You should look into a Euro-rail pass.

And about flights. I had 3 flights going there and coming home. 4 of the 6 flights where delayed by 2 hours or more. Took Air Canada and Lufthansa. It was a mess! And I don't see getting any better anytime soon. Suggest that you fly in a day early.

Spain is beautifully. The food was great, the architecture is amazing, and the people wonderful.

Happy Travels.

[Crazyleftie]

5. any one of those is excellent but

you must avoid the holidays...
we were in France during Mayday...everyone takes a week off and ALL venues were crowded
we were in Portugal during Easter...same thing because masses of Spaniards escape to Portugal

[shrike3]

6. We did not have a good stay in Portugal.

Found people very unpleasant and helpful. Came back to the States and happen to run into a woman whose brother had the same experience. A lot of difficulties. And we're seasoned traveles.

However, a lot of organized tours make it look magical. Maybe you'll have better luck.

[RipVanWinkle]

7. Just got back from a vacation in Spain.

Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, and Granada.

They are all good for history, architecture, art, and good food.

Barcelona is overrun with tourists. Hotel prices are high.

Granada was my favorite.

[DFW]

8. I know Spain and France, Portugal some, but not the Faro area

I have lived in Barcelona, and can speak Catalan. I would not hesitate to spend a month or two there over the others. I don’t speak Portuguese, but understand much if it, i do speak French and Spanish.

Barcelona wins hands down. Coolest place to spend a month, a season or even a year. I’ll be back there again next Tuesday night, in fact. Just for the day, for work, but I never tire of it.

[blm]

13. Little blm is at Univ of Barcelona beginning this Sept.

Museum studies and art management.

So Mr blm and I are here now helping her move into an apartment.

[DFW]

14. You'll love the city if it's your first time

And you’ll keep coming back.

Try any one of the Sensi tapes places in the Barri Gòtic (they don’t look fancy but get reservations!!). It’s worth it!

There is also the Taverna del Bispe right next to the Cathedral, right across from the old Hotel Colón. It may look touristy, but the food is first rate. Best papes braves in town. A little oily, very garlicky, but WOW!

There is another slightly touristy place where I often go for breakfast. It’s on the Via Laietana, Plaça del Àngel side, with old dark wood interiors. They have a thick bittersweet hot chocolate you can almost stick a fork in, and have it stand straight up, and their cruçants (croissants) are always fresh-baked.

If you know any Tagalog, you’ll get a big smile and great service from the many Filipino serving staff. Magandáng omagá means “good morning,” and magandáng gabí (gah-BEE) means “good evening”. Salamat-po (sah-LAH-mat Po) is a colloquial thank you. “Po” is an added syllable they often tack on to phrases in the spoken language. You don’t have to know it of course, but it is very much appreciated. Sort of like saying “rozh bazh” in Germany when the person you are speaking to is obviously Kurdish. Just a tiny “I know and acknowledge who you are.” Americans rarely do, so they love it.

The same goes for the Filipino saleswomen at the stands with candied fruits and nuts at the Mercat Boqueria near the front. If you speak Tagalog from the start, they may even ask you if you know me. I frequent those stands a LOT😁. It’s on the Ramblas, not far from the Plaça Catalunya. EVERYBODY knows where the Boqueria is, so just ask.

[blm]

15. Yes, it is our first time in Spain.

My daughter speaks Spanish moderately well, so navigation is much easier. Your tips, especially re Tagalog, are very much appreciated.

[DFW]

16. What is called "Spanish" is not the primary language of Barcelona

Most people speak it fluently, but Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, and the main language there is Catalan (Català). It is similar to old Medieval southern French (Langue d‘Oc).

When the Arabs, or „Moors,“ invaded Spain in the 8th century, and occupied the center of the Iberian peninsula, their influence on the „vulgar Latin“ still spoken there was immense. But for the most part, they did not occupy the coasts. The Arabic-influenced language of central Spain (Andalucia/Al Andalus and the two main parts of Castilla) ended up as Castilian (castellano), which is often referred to as „Spanish.“ The western coast developed its own language, which became known as Portuguese. The central northern coast spoke Euskera, also known as Basque. The east, all the way down to Valencia, spoke what became known as Catalan, versions of which are also spoken in the Balearic Islands and Andorra. Catalunya and its language kept its close cultural ties to southern France, and even a tiny Catalan-speaking enclave in Sardinia. Written texts in Catalan predate the first written texts in Castilian, or „Spanish,“ by about a century. During the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939, the Basques and the Catalans backed the Republic, and opposed the Fascists of Franco. When Franco won, he tried to eradicate both Basque and Catalan. He prohibited media (then mostly print and radio) in those languages, and prohibited schools to be taught in those languages. He sent Basque and Catalan school teachers to the Castilian-speaking South, and brought in teachers who only understood Castilian. With Basque, which is extremely complicated to learn, he was largely successful, but not so with Catalunya. There, the language and culture survived, and thrives today.

If your daughter will be there for a while, she could do worse than taking courses in Catalan. For a foreigner to learn Catalan, especially since one CAN get by without knowing it, this again sends the signal, „I know where I am, I know who you are, and I respect your culture.“ When I lived there, I lived with a Catalan family, so I learned to speak it well enough to sometimes be taken for a native. When North Americans learn it, it does our image more good than if we were to put Trump in a bathysphere and send him on a one way trip to the Mariana Trench.

[blm]

17. She started learning Catalan a month ago.

[DFW]

18. Wise move!

That is what turns a visitor into a friend. Been there, am that.

[Betty Boom]

9. Portugal

I really want to visit Portugal and I would also like to make a side trip to the Azores. A friend of mine says that if Trump wins, that’s where he’s going.

[James48]

10. I repeat my question- where should I go?

I’m terrified seeing election returns.

Southern France? Or Spain? Or Portugal?

I’m thinking I need to get away for a couple of months to clear my head
And understand what is happening.

[James48]

11. Renewed interest in this -

I’m going to leave the USA first a while.
Got to get outside first a breath of fresh air.

I’m thinking spring in the south of France, near the sea. Or Spain, or Portugal.

I’m thinking a nice 30 to 60 day vacation. I’d love to find a quiet spot, with a local to teach me the language a few hours a day, maybe three times a week. Someplace where the sun will shine by May.

Any ideas of a best spot? Where should I go?

[58Sunliner]

12. Did you travel and if so, what were your impressions?