Spain, Portugal, Morocco itinerary..thoughts?

[augentier]

After researching I've decided on a loose intinerary (very subject to change) in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Seems this trip would be the most affordable for me and include all the sights and things I want to see and do.

What do you think of this itinerary? For those who have travelled to and from these places, will the travel times between my cities be too long or impractical? I have a month or so to do this. Should I spend more or less time in any of these cities? Thanx for any and all input!!


Approx dates: May 20-June 18/19 (I can add a couple days if needed)


Day 1 : Wichita, KS to Madrid, Spain (stay overnight)
Day 2 : Madrid
Day 3 : Madrid (day trip to Segovia?)
Day 4 : Madrid (day trip to Toledo?)
Day 5 : Lisbon (overnight train from Madrid?)
Day 6 : Lisbon (day trip to Sintra)
Day 7 : Lagos
Day 8 : Lagos
Day 9 : Lagos
Day10: Lagos, travel to..
Day 11:Sevilla
Day 12:Sevilla, travel to..
Day 13:Tangier (stay overnight or travel to...)
Day 14:Rabat? (or Casablanca instead?)
Day 15:Rabat or Casablanca?
Day 16:Marrakech
Day 17:Marrakech
Day 18:Marrakech
Day 19:Marrakech, travel to..
Day 20: Fes
Day 21: Fes, travel to..
Day 22: Tangier, back to Spain (travel up to Granada)
Day 23: Granada
Day 24: Granada
Day 25: Valencia (overnight train from Granada?)
Day 26: Valencia
Day 27: Valencia
Day 28: Barcelona (overnight train from Valencia?)
Day 29: Barcelona
Day 30: Barcelona
Day 31: Barcelona
Day 32: Barcelona to Wichita, KS



What do you think? Are those overnight trains even possible for those locations?

[pinknic38]

Sounds like an amazing trip - your itinerary looks great. I LOVED Valencia more than anywhere else in Spain. Also, I recommend a day trip (or more) to Toledo. My friend from hs lived in Toledo for a year (just got back 2 months ago) and her pictures were SO amazing.

Keep us posted!

[Dig]

I think your plan looks great too. I would select a couple fewer destinations though. Remember you have to plan for travel time. I don't want to spend my trip traveling. That said great plan. I hope to make a similar one soon!

[offhegoes03]

Yeah, that looks like an awesome itinerary, but I'd maybe follow what Dig said and maybe allow a little bit more travel time and relaxation in there too. You might have to cut one city if you want to rest more, but it is your choice and overall everything looks good. I loooooved Sevilla when I was there, Joey recommended Samay Hostel and I definitely second that choice.

[Somnambulation]

Yeah sticking to Spain and Morrocco is a good choice. I wouldnt plan on spending much time in Lisbon, its not a very fun place - too industrial. Lagos is awesome though. I would try and leave Tangier as soon as possible, its a pretty dirty place and unfortuantely my only impression of Morrocco. But Ive heard the rest of the country is great.

[augentier]

Will the trip from Madrid to Portugal take a long time? If Lisbon isn't worth it but seeing Sintra is, should I just stick to one day in Lisbon to get to Sintra? Should I make a pitstop in a town between Madrid and Lisbon so the train rides don't seem so long?

[raoulduke]

I loved Porto in Portugal. Really pretty.

Plus you can fly from Madrid into Porto, probably really cheaply.

[joe7f]

Wow great itinerary!

Since you said you had a few days to play with I would suggest adding a day or two in Sevilla.

As far as the night trains go...

Valencia to Barcelona can't be done as a night train (only 3 hours away) but what's the difference between leaving at 7 and arriving at 10 in Barca?

I'll second the lukewarmness on Lisbon. Weather was bad so we didn't get to head out to Sintra but that area looks really nice.

--Joe

[augentier]

I think I may just cut out Lisbon and Sintra...and try to add a couple more days in a Spanish city AND in Morocco..I read about this thing where you can camp in tents in the desert with Berbers, ride a camel, etc?? I want to do that so bad! Any of you know what it's called?

I can't remember where I found the info for that..and I keep reading about other small towns throughout Morocco (mostly on the way from Marrakech to Fes) that I would really love to see.

[Brookers13]

Hey, I'm looking for the info in my travel journal about the camel trek I did. I'll PM you as soon as I find it.

I disagree with the boys...I loved Lisbon and unfortunately didn't get to spend much time there due to overbooking myself. There's a hostel called Oasis Backpackers Mansion and it is AMAZING...hands down my favorite hostel ever. They also have a great Oasis in Sevilla and one in Granada, too...I stayed at all of them!

[Brookers13]

I forgot to add...don't stay overnight in Tangier...get off the boat and go straight to the train station.

[augentier]

How long is the train between Tangier and Marrakech? How about a Morocco itinerary that looks like..


Tangier > Marrakech (4-6 days with a side trip to Essaouira?) > Merzouga (2-3 days erb chebbi camel trek) > Fes(2 days) > Tangier (to return to Spain) ... possibly stop in Chechaouene before Tangier.

[augentier]

Forgot to mention...I read that the trip between Marrakech and Merzouga takes 2 days. The trip between Merzouga and Fes 1 day. And that you have to take taxis/buses? True?

[Brookers13]

Yes, that's true. The train doesn't cover all of Morocco...the buses are quite interesting tho! You'll have fun! No air conditioning on many of them and you'll have to pay to put your bags on....kind of like airlines in the US now! haha

[simply_angelic]

Originally Posted by augentier

I think I may just cut out Lisbon and Sintra....

no! Sintra was my faaaaavourite place. It was absolutely GORGEOUS!









And all of these people dissing Lisbon obviously did not party in the right places! I went to one of the best clubs (huge) with an amazing roof...there was massive shoe statues that we took our pics with on it....it was amazing. And the cobblestone streets in the square...so pretty