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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 19 Jun 2009
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Spain & Portugal
If I only have 4 weeks for Spain & Portugal, where, or what, should I NOT miss??

I had ideas of starting in Valencia at a leisurely pace, stopping when I feel like it to take in the sights, food, drink etc and travelling clockwise around the coast to Bilbao and then down to Barcelona to finish.

All advice gratefully accepted.
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Last edited by Dave Milligan; 19 Jun 2009 at 03:45. Reason: something I forgot to add
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  #2  
Old 19 Jun 2009
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well in portugal you need to go inland.the n112, n230 or any roads around the serra da estrela mountains. all brill roads. from southern spain the ex101 to zafra and any of the small roads in spain portugal.keep off the main roads and bring your wits with you coz the drivers on the iberian peninsula are without doubt the worst in europe!
get a michelin map book and choose your routes along mostly yellow roads and the scenery will blow you away.corse if you want to do all the usual touristy stuff i'm not your man.

have a great time and ride safe!
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  #3  
Old 6 Jul 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerz View Post
well in portugal you need to go inland.the n112, n230 or any roads around the serra da estrela mountains. all brill roads. from southern spain the ex101 to zafra and any of the small roads in spain portugal.keep off the main roads and bring your wits with you coz the drivers on the iberian peninsula are without doubt the worst in europe!
get a michelin map book and choose your routes along mostly yellow roads and the scenery will blow you away.corse if you want to do all the usual touristy stuff i'm not your man.

have a great time and ride safe!
Thanks for that. We're not boy racers, now, but do enjoy a good road. Our main interest is the scenery, people and food.
Thanks for the tip about the drivers.
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Old 6 Jul 2009
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As mentioned by the previous contributor the Zafra road is a must. A good city to visit for a day or so is Salamanca, it's Spain's University city and is full of impressive architecture. If you do stop there then Camping Reggio, just outside of town is a good place to stay.
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  #5  
Old 6 Jul 2009
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Dave,
Four weeks in Spain and Portugal is a lot of time!
You should not miss the north of Spain, from Galicia, going through Asturias, cantabria end the Bask Country. The road alongside the sea is great. Also go for some extent on the Santiago way.
From Burgos to valencia you have the route of El CId.
In Portugal you should visit the north with great small roads... mountains and mountains.... Be careful with the way the portuguese drive. Too fast, too soon!
I would not miss Evora in Portugal.
Cheers,
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  #6  
Old 7 Jul 2009
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Sounds like a great trip. You'll have a blast, beautiful countryside.
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Old 16 Jul 2009
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clockwise from valencia along coast - i'd recommend a short visit to Almeria, had a bit of a nothern african feel when i visited plus the fort there is fun for a walk around.

personally i'd avoid the algarve unless you are keen for an english breakfast.

my favorite part of portugal was sintra and coast along there plus heading inland from Nazare (a couple of hours north of Lisbon) lots of interesting places to see.
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  #8  
Old 17 Jul 2009
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Four weeks should leave you lots of time to see all the highlights

Barging in on Michael's post I'd suggest from Valencia onwards (clockwise) are must-see towns like Granada, Cordoba, Ronda, Cádiz, maybe a detour to Gibraltar - quite interesting.
Then carry on northwards through the Estremadura, Estrela mountains in Portugal, Toledo in Spain, Segovia, Salamanca, Burgos, León, Santiago de Compostela. Through Galicia, Along the northern coastal roads, through the Picos de Europa east of Oviedo, Bilbao, Barcelona.....

Haven't mentioned the northern parts of Portugal....

Just to mention a few

Keep to the back roads. The Iberian peninsula is one of the most mountainous regions in Europe.
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Old 28 Jul 2009
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Hi Vaufi,

Thanks for the good advice.

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Dave Milligan
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  #10  
Old 14 Sep 2009
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spain
Hi dave. I live in Benidorm and ride the local mountains with my biker mates. If you want to stop off I can offer you a bed, a bbq, a swimming pool and a garage for your bike. Benidorm is a tourist resort and the beaches and babes are the best in spain. Come visit for free. kbarber@freenet.co.uk
cheers kevin
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  #11  
Old 5 Feb 2010
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Hi all,

Barcelona info:

All taxis are metered, with the current rates (2010) set at €0.82/kilometre and a minimum fare of €1.80, although this rate rises to €1.04/kilometre and a minimum fare of €1.90 between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all day Saturday and bank holidays can take pets for an additional €1.

However, they always seem to be in short supply when you want to get home on a Saturday night and in fact you’ll need to spend quite a time at a taxi rank during any night of the week, let alone flag one down on the street.

Cheap accommodation in Barcelona (studio 50 euros) near Las Ramblas - barcelonarealestate

Luggage storage in BCNa - Baggage Storage in Barcelona - Secure Lockers and Left luggage
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