As of 10.18.07, I still cannot figure out what I want my Europe itinerary to be. Part of that is because I am unsure about travel times. I read a travel blog of someone going through Portugal, who said … don’t over plan; just get your gear, choose a final destination, then let the road decide the details in between. So, I have dreamed up 2 mutually exclusive plans, to be decided in Lisbon.
A. 10.27.07 Go from Lisbon immediately to Troia (transportation ??), on the tip of a peninsula, a little south of Lisbon, arrive by noon. Troia is supposed to be an authentic fishing village. Spend the day on the beach/sightseeing, eat seafood and camp/hostel.
10.28.07 Vila Nova de Milfontes/Zambujeira de Mar, about 60 miles farther south, arrive in early afternoon. I am especially excited about this area because of the deserted beaches and cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Spend the day on the beach/sightseeing, eat seafood and camp/hostel.
10.29.07 Go East (transportation ??) to either Mertola or Monsaraz. Supposed to be walled medieval towns with castles. Spend the day hiking/sightseeing (see olive groves), eat local foods and camp/hostel.
10.30.07 Go South (transportation ?) through Sevilla to Cadiz (about 200 miles). Probably all day spent traveling. Hope to arrive in Cadiz before dark. Eat seafood, hostel.
10.31.07 Spend the day hiking/sightseeing, eat local foods and camp/hostel.
11.01.07 Day off. Go South 60 miles to Gibraltar. Spend the day hiking/sightseeing, eat local foods and camp/hostel.
11.02.07 In Gibraltar, meet my brilliant, beautiful daughter. We take a ferry to Morocco (either Tanger or Cetua). Spend the day hiking/sightseeing, eat local foods and hostel. This is WAY outside my comfort zone, but I want to do it, including jogging.
11.03.07 Day 2 in Morocco and late ferry back to Gibraltar. Probably spend the night in Gibraltar, or train/bus to Malaga (transportation ??). Eat local foods, hostel.
11.04.07 Meet my brilliant, beautiful wife at the Malaga airport at 10:00 AM. We all go to our hotel in Granada, drop off bags, sightsee.
OR
B. 10.27.07 Go from Lisbon immediately to Castelo de Vade/Marvoa (bus from Lisbon 13 euros, 4.5 hours, 2 daily); train from Lisbon 12.5 euros, 4 hours, 2 daily). About 100 miles. These towns are medieval, walled towns, high in the mountains (1025 meters), very close to the Spanish border. Arrive after dark, hostel/hotel.
10.28.07 Hike/sightsee, eat local foods, hostel or perhaps camp, depending on the temperature.
10.29.07 Same
10.30.07 Go South (transportation ??, perhaps a night train, if there is one) about 200 miles, through Caceres to Cadiz. Probably a total of 8 hours of travel time). Hope to arrive in Cadiz before dark. Eat seafood, hostel.
10.31.07 Spend the day hiking/sightseeing, eat local foods and camp/hostel.
11.01.07 Day off. Go South 60 miles to Gibraltar. Spend the day hiking/sightseeing, eat local foods and camp/hostel.
11.02.07 In Gibraltar, meet my brilliant, beautiful daughter. We take a ferry to Morocco (either Tanger or Cetua). Spend the day hiking/sightseeing, eat local foods and hostel. This is WAY outside my comfort zone, but I want to do it, including jogging.
11.03.07 Day 2 in Morocco and late ferry back to Gibraltar. Probably spend the night in Gibraltar, or train/bus to Malaga (transportation ??). Eat local foods, hostel.
11.04.07 Meet my brilliant, beautiful wife at the Malaga airport at 10:00 AM. We all go to our hotel in Granada, drop off bags, sightsee.
