Spain or Portugal
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 18
Spain or Portugal
Hi Folks
Looking for some advice as I've never been to this region. I am arranging a family reunion for a dozen people...it will probably take place in August or late July. Group is made up of young and old and some very young kids. We are looking to base ourselves near a beach for the kids but also convenient for sighseeing/ shopping and dining out in the evenings...
There are a few of us looking to play some golf so we'd like to be close to several golf courses... i understand that both countries have an abundance of golf courses to choose from, but i'm stuck on location.
I originally thought Cascais near Lisbon would be good, but i hear that the sea water is icy so not great for the kids...
Look forward to any input or help... thanks !
Looking for some advice as I've never been to this region. I am arranging a family reunion for a dozen people...it will probably take place in August or late July. Group is made up of young and old and some very young kids. We are looking to base ourselves near a beach for the kids but also convenient for sighseeing/ shopping and dining out in the evenings...
There are a few of us looking to play some golf so we'd like to be close to several golf courses... i understand that both countries have an abundance of golf courses to choose from, but i'm stuck on location.
I originally thought Cascais near Lisbon would be good, but i hear that the sea water is icy so not great for the kids...
Look forward to any input or help... thanks !
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,966
Cascais/Estoril is basically Lisbon-on-sea: the local beaches get very very crowded. The further out west-facing beaches such as Guincho are directly on the Atlantic and can often be windy with strong currents, waves and colder water.
The Algarve has more gently shelving beaches more sheltered from the forces of the Atlantic. The water is warmer - though unless you find some out-of-the-way beach, it will be crowded in August.
#3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,099
If you want warmer water, you basically need to get east of the Strait.
What level of shopping are you after. There's lot of places in Murcia and Almera that would be great, but it's not exactly Oxford Street in terms of available shopping.
What level of shopping are you after. There's lot of places in Murcia and Almera that would be great, but it's not exactly Oxford Street in terms of available shopping.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Spain
Posts: 1
Mar Menor area in Murcia it would great for the kids, where the water is not icy and they can practice a lot of water sports, and also you can find a lot of golf courses and huge shopping malls.
Places such as San Javier, Los Alcazares, La Manga, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Menor
Places such as San Javier, Los Alcazares, La Manga, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Menor
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: FRA
Programs: MileagePlus Premier Silver, IHG Spire Elite, HHonors Silver, RapidRewards
Posts: 382
Second either Algarve or Costa del Sol.
I would think you'd have a touch easier time finding English-speaking establishments in Spain, but that's only based on my own experiences. Tons of Germans and Brits vacation around Malaga.
My personal recommendation would be Malaga/Torremolinos/Benalmadena - great beach, relatively short car ride to neat cities like Cordoba or Granada or even Sevilla (~2 hours in the car).
I would think you'd have a touch easier time finding English-speaking establishments in Spain, but that's only based on my own experiences. Tons of Germans and Brits vacation around Malaga.
My personal recommendation would be Malaga/Torremolinos/Benalmadena - great beach, relatively short car ride to neat cities like Cordoba or Granada or even Sevilla (~2 hours in the car).
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 18
I'll check out Murcia and Almeria though..thanks !