Portugal

[KevinW]

We've been wandering round Europe for a few weeks and are currently in Mojacar in southern Spain. Having been over to Bulgaria and Turkey in the east our trip will seem...somehow incomplete...if we don't visit Portugal in the west. OTOH we're already a couple of weeks over our original schedule and, while we're having a great time, we're both also knackered so we won't be too upset if we miss Portugal.

So, what we've decided to do is go to Portugal is there's anything worth making the trip for otherwise we'll head up through central Spain to the north. To give you some ideas of distance, Lisbon is about 600 miles away from where we are and, of course, we'll have to head back east again afterwards (although that would include the Picos which would be nice).

So my question is simple: Given that we like ancient ruins, castles, spectacular natural phenomena, etc. and don't much like cities (although we both enjoyed Sarajevo and Istanbul), is going to Portugal worth the trip time? If it is, where should we plan to go?

An alternative question is: If Portugal isn't worth the trip time we'll head up through central Spain to the north. We've been to Toledo and Burgos and have ridden the A317 (which is excellent and we'll do it again if we're in the vicinity); are there other must-see places/roads to ride on the way up? I've tried and failed for the umpteenth time to get tickets for the Alhambra .

Thanks.

Kevin

 

[Spikehammer]

Portugal is worth it, especially the Noth.

Head from where you are to Guarda, go into the Estrella National Park travel through towards Coimbra.
Head back north from Coimbra and get up to Mogadouro follow the valley from there towards Porto.
From Porto head up towards Santiago de Compostella and then follow the coast rods etc to the Picos.

Enjoy.

 

[KevinW]

That's not the right answer. You're supposed to say "Move along, there's nothing to see in Portugal" so we can go home!

That looks like a good route - lots of twisties - thanks. We're now planning to go from here to Bandajoz (which looks an interesting place) on Monday then head up the route you suggested. Thanks very much.

Kevin

 

[Pathologic]

Must do

Portugal is worth it, especially the Noth.

Head from where you are to Guarda, go into the Estrella National Park travel through towards Coimbra.
Head back north from Coimbra and get up to Mogadouro follow the valley from there towards Porto.
From Porto head up towards Santiago de Compostella and then follow the coast rods etc to the Picos.

Enjoy.

We are going to Porto in about 3 weeks. We are going to have lunch (not sure they do dinner) at the Taylors winery again. silver service for not much cash and some of the finest wine you could hope for. Spectacular views over Porto and the bridge. Even has a car park. you might want to overnight in Porto after that.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,

Path.

 

[KevinW]

Portugal is worth it, especially the Noth.

Head from where you are to Guarda, go into the Estrella National Park travel through towards Coimbra.
Head back north from Coimbra and get up to Mogadouro follow the valley from there towards Porto.
From Porto head up towards Santiago de Compostella and then follow the coast rods etc to the Picos.

Enjoy.

I've just realised there are 3 Guardas and 4 Mogadouros in that vicinity! I think the first Guarda I was looking at was the wrong one which is why we were looking to stay in Badajoz.

The original Guarda I had route planned for is labelled Guarda1 on the attached map; I now believe you mean the one labelled Guarda3; is that correct?

Of the 4 Mogadouros in the neighbourhood. I assume it's not 3 or 4 as they're south of Coimbra so which of 1 or 2 do you mean?

Is this complicated or what? You'd have thought the Portuguese could have been a bit more inventive with their town names!

Thanks.

Kevin

 

[KevinW]

I now have this resolved and believe it's Mogadouro2 as none of the others have a valley route (which I assume is alongside a river - lots of assumptions going on here!) to Porto.

Kevin

 

[Spikehammer]

The Guarda you want is the one almost on the Spanish border at the edge of the Estrella National Park, opposite Salamanca almost.
The Mogadauro is the one in the North East, at the top of the Dao valley, you´d head West to get to Porto from there. Look for Braganca and then the Mogadauro and Guarda are almost directly below on the map.
I´m over in Spain at the moment, Alicante area. If you need to talk through the route I´ve PM´d you a phone number.

 

[KevinW]

I think now I've beaten Mapsource into submission I have the route plotted and we have hotels booked Simon but I'll stick your number in my 'phone just in case. Thank you.

We're staying in Porto for a night (Wednesday). I think it'll be evening before we get there but thanks for the winery details Path.

Kevin

 

[naza]

hi

HI

i'm Portuguese, if you need any help, gimme a buzz

MAC

 

[KevinW]

Portugal is worth it, especially the Noth.

Head from where you are to Guarda, go into the Estrella National Park travel through towards Coimbra.
Head back north from Coimbra and get up to Mogadouro follow the valley from there towards Porto.
From Porto head up towards Santiago de Compostella and then follow the coast rods etc to the Picos.

Enjoy.

We managed to do the first route on the bike which was excellent but then the bike broke down which meant we did the rest in a hire car but it was still very good. The valley road (which we took from Porto back to Braganca where the bike is) was absolutely fabulous - excellent scenery and brilliant, twisty, up and down roads. Thanks again for your suggestion.

Thanks for your offer of help Naza. I'm sure we'll be back to this region and I'll drop you a PM when we are.

Kevin