sir recorder

One of the very many reasons we chose Portugal as a holiday home location was that we would have a seaside location plus very easy access to Western Spain, with loads of cities, and locations with many pleasures, and fabulous sights and treasures. We are not disappointed with our decision in this regard.

This last weekend we went to Mérida, a fantastic former Roman city, capital of the Lusitanian province [August Emerita]. The museum there is wonderful, as are the Roman sites of the Amphitheatre, Roman Theatre, Diana Temple, Mosaics, Roman bridge, Alcazbar and so on. Don't miss it.

We also went to Sevilla, and Zafra, both fabulous places to visit. Onthe way back we dropped in on Vila Viscosa in Portugal, but didn't have time to see the Ducal palace there and the Pousada.

In addition Spain is a far more car-friendly nation than Portugal. The Autovia are free, Petrol is much cheaper [25 to 30 euro cents], and no A22 toll nonsense, one very good reason we didn't travel back to our home via the Algarve although our SatNav gave us those directions too.

We hope to visit Salamanca, Zamora, Santiago, Cordoba, Toledo ...

Burgos and Leon are also within reasonable reach.

Benny Dorm

Surprised you chose Portugal if you are spending all your time in Spain and with property prices in Western Spain having fallen 40-60% you might have saved some money had you bought there instead.

sir recorder

Alas, we bought in Portugal before the fall. We estimate we have already lost 25% on the value of our property, and even more if we had to make a forced sale.

We are not spending all our time, as you describe in Western Spain, but said quite explicitly that having a holiday home in Portugal, on the seaside, gave us full and easy access to many wonderful cities, with many treasures and interests in Western Spain

John321

don't forget Granada and Cadiz!

sir recorder

I think Granada might be a "bridge too far" @ 800 Kms from us.

Alhambra is a great place to visit, armed with one of my friend's guide to the site

EsuriJohn

Burgos further than Granada!

sir recorder

'fraid so, Granada is further than Burgos from where we are, only just but enough to make Granada "a bridge too far" for us.