Must see's in Portugal & good sites- advice

Tammygirl
Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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edited April 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Its not long now until we go to Portugal/Spain. We are getting the ferry to Santander then thinking of heading to Burgos, Salamanca, Caceres, Badajoz then down to Seville, Huelva. I would also like to see the Spanish horses at Jerez. We have already been to Cadiz and Andalucia, so we are looking at going to Portugal and working our way North back up to the North West of Spain along the Costa Verde and then back into France.

So that's our thoughts but what would you suggest we do/visit in Portugal, also what sites would you recommend.

As we are going to be going into Portugal from the South, will we have any problems with the Tolls, I know you can register a card coming in from the North so assume it will be the sameUndecided

We have Acsi and CC's and 10 weeks till the ferry home so plenty of time.

Many thanks.

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  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2016 #2
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  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #3

    Thanks AD I think we would like that, I've taken note. Anything for Portugal?

  • Mr Fat
    Mr Fat Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited April 2016 #4

    Hi Tammygirl - we are also off to Spain on Wednesday for 6 weeks after meeting you at Ferry Meadows when you gave us some very useful information and the ACSI book.  Thanks a lot and have a fantastic holiday, after your 'Red Pennant' upset!  Hope to see
    you one day when touring.

  • Unknown
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  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited April 2016 #6

    As you're coming from Huelva, when you cross the rio Gordiana and enter Portugal, you will come across the start point for the A22 and the registration point for electronic tolls. It's next to the tourist ofice. Camera will read your registration, take your
    card details, give you a receipt, and off you go!

    Before you leave Spain, a visit to El Rocio is a must.

  • Unknown
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  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #8

    Hi Tammygirl - we are also off to Spain on Wednesday for 6 weeks after meeting you at Ferry Meadows when you gave us some very useful information and the ACSI book.  Thanks a lot and have a fantastic holiday, after your 'Red Pennant' upset!  Hope to see
    you one day when touring.

    Well hello again, now i know who you are Wink  Enjoy your trip to Spain hope it all goes well. Would love to meet up again, safe journey. Ssssh!
    don't mention RPInnocent

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #9

    AD, chasncath, thank you both for the suggestions, they sound just the type of things we like to do. I've started a folder of infomation so will add these to it cheers.Smile

  • KountryLite
    KountryLite Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited April 2016 #10

    If you are looking for Camping Alentejo take the IC2 after Estremoz (not Estremonte As Deleted User User said) towards Evora. It is immediately alongside this road, on the left about 4km before Evoramonte. Day trips from this site must include the hilltop vilages
    of Marvao and Monsaraz..

    The central Algarve (Albufeira) is about a 4 hr towing drive from this site passing by the towns of Beja and Ourique. Most tourists feel that having made it this far have to continue to the most SW point of Europe at Cape St Vincent and its nearest town
    Sagres. I'm sure others will chip in with ideas.

    Have a great trip, we went for the first time in 2007 and have now returned every year.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
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    edited April 2016 #11

    Don't forget to top up with fuel at the filling station just before the bridge into Portugal, much cheaper in Spain than Portugal at the moment. Best parts of the Algarve are IMO east of Tavira (Cabanas is particularly nice) and West of Lagos towards Sagres
    (nice little new site in the village of Figueira just north of Salema), also some lovely spots on the Atlantic coast although not that many campsites.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #12

    Many thanks KL, I'm looking forward to going to new places, we visited the Algarve about 20 years ago on a package holiday but have not been back since, so I'm sure we will see lots of changes. The rest of Portugal is completely unknown to us but it does
    get some good reports.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #13

    Don't forget to top up with fuel at the filling station just before the bridge into Portugal, much cheaper in Spain than Portugal at the moment. Best parts of the Algarve are IMO east of Tavira (Cabanas is particularly nice) and West of Lagos towards Sagres
    (nice little new site in the village of Figueira just north of Salema), also some lovely spots on the Atlantic coast although not that many campsites.

    Thanks for the tip re fuel will be sure to tell OH (he's the chauffeur) Wink also about the sites.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #14

    Anyone recommend a site at Santander for our first night, ferry gets in at 18.15 so don't want to go too far.

  • Unknown
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    edited April 2016 #15
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  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #16

    Cheers BB Wink

  • Bob2112
    Bob2112 Forum Participant Posts: 276
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    edited April 2016 #17

    Some wonderful quiet, unspoiled beaches on the south coast if you are prepared to walk for a few miles. Be wary of signs saying Nature Reserve or something similar in Portuguese we found we were the only two people in the area with cameras, binoculars or
    clothes.

  • Unknown
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    edited April 2016 #18
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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #19

    Its a while since I last visited Portugal but you might find my blog of our trip >Around Iberia< useful. If you want to visit the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez it is best to phone up to obtain tickets. The School is close to the Sandeman sherry bodega which is also well worth a visit and I found it easy enough in 2002 to park the motorhome at the rear of this Bodega.

    peedee

  • Bob2112
    Bob2112 Forum Participant Posts: 276
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    edited April 2016 #20

    If you like walking go to Foia. The summit is littered with masts and aerials but on a clear day you can see beyond FarFarAway and you soon loose sight of the clutter

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #21

    TG

    Sorry about the typo, of course it is Estramoz, so there can be no further confusion this is a link to Camping Alentejo, 

    Its an absolute gem!

    Thanks AD, will be on the listWink

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #22

    Tammygirl.  There are plenty but we use Camping Cabo Mayor in Santander.  Only a few minutes from the port and fine for a night.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #23

    Its a while since I last visited Portugal but you might find my blog of our trip
    >Around Iberia< useful. If you want to visit the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez it is best to phone up to obtain tickets. The School is close to the Sandeman sherry bodega
    which is also well worth a visit and I found it easy enough in 2002 to park the motorhome at the rear of this Bodega.

    peedee

    I will take a note of the telephone numbers for the School at Jerez, not sure of dates yet so don't want to book in advance, I did look at their website but will have another look as it was some time ago so need to refresh my memory. Thanks for the tip about
    parking at the Bodega, are you aware of a campsite within 25km of Jerez as we will have the trike with us so could use that rather than the M/H.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #24

    Tammygirl.  There are plenty but we use Camping Cabo Mayor in Santander.  Only a few minutes from the port and fine for a night.

    Thanks, I looked back a few threads after I posted last night and found that a few folk use Cabo Mayor so I think we will give it a try. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #25

    I only phoned up the day before we went to the school. We stayed at
    Camping Las Dunas     just outside Santa Maria. Nice town with a ferry across to Cadiz. Been to Cadiz several times now, lovely old town. I have looked for closer sites but never found any.

    peedee

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
    100 Comments
    edited April 2016 #26

    I would certainly recommend a stop at Tomar on your way north. It is the last stronghold of the Knights Templars and there is a wonderful castle/church there from them. The municipal site in the centre of the town on the banks of the river is not great
    but adequate and easy access to everything on foot. We also loved the camping further north at Camping Cheve Grande for its beauty & tranquillity. Sorry but I don't have the time to find my Post It stories to link here from our Portugal tour in 2014 but the
    above are in there and also one on accessing the tolls with instructions & photos. If you cannot locate them then I will do so when I get back. We are not into horses but absolutely loved the ballet at Jerez. Regards, Roy

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #27

    I only phoned up the day before we went to the school. We stayed at
    Camping Las Dunas     just outside Santa Maria. Nice town with a ferry across to Cadiz. Been to Cadiz several times now, lovely old town. I have looked for closer sites but never found any.

    peedee

    Thanks peedee, notedSmile

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #28

    I would certainly recommend a stop at Tomar on your way north. It is the last stronghold of the Knights Templars and there is a wonderful castle/church there from them. The municipal site in the centre of the town on the banks of the river is not great
    but adequate and easy access to everything on foot. We also loved the camping further north at Camping Cheve Grande for its beauty & tranquillity. Sorry but I don't have the time to find my Post It stories to link here from our Portugal tour in 2014 but the
    above are in there and also one on accessing the tolls with instructions & photos. If you cannot locate them then I will do so when I get back. We are not into horses but absolutely loved the ballet at Jerez. Regards, Roy

    Thanks Roy, I've been reading through your stories and found some good info, so no need for you to provide link. Think visiting Tomar will also be on the list.Smile

    Isn't CT great for these type of requests.

    Getting quite excited now after the recent niggles, just got to get the M/H out of the garage, hopefully tomorrow, then final packing and away.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #29

    Tammygirl, while you're traversing Algarve, you might like
    Alvor    . It's one of our favourite spots on that coast although we haven't been back for a couple of years. There's a campsite and also a large aire. The campsite was being 'improved' last time we were there by the addition of mobile homes!

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #30

    Thanks chasncath, I remember going to Alvor 20+ years ago and having BBQ Sardines sat on a bench at the side of the water lovelySmile alot of
    sites are 'improving' them we've noticedWink 

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
    100 Comments
    edited April 2016 #31

    Tammygirl, noted & thanks. Yes CT is fantastic for help such as this and these types of requests don't generally get messed up like some of the other threads do, thankfully. Wish we were heading off south to warmer climates rather than west to Lancashire
    next weekend. Still September is not far off and given the border problems we are seeing on the way to Croatia we will likely go back to Spain again instead. We may eventually catch up one day; I still keep promising myself I will catch Chas one day for his
    birthday! If you do get to Tomar you must try the Templar wine and a good place to do so is the small cafe by the old church/hermitage almost upon the bridge near to the campsite. The local goat cheese from the mountain area is also excellent. Regards, Roy
    Cool

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