Lisboa, Gibralter, Cordoba, Madrid. We are seeking assistance in putting together either an escorted or self directed tour. We have flights which will be arriving on February 18th (early morning)and returning to US on the 24th of February. Our group consists of two older adults (grandparents who are seasoned travelers one is involved in Senior Olympics they are very healthy and agile) and two teenagers (very good kids with a thirst and hunger to learn). One of the teens will be celebrating his birthday the 23rd. We are very open to hiring a local guide, an interested family who would like to share their country, or an organized tour. We are very interested in Fatima and Tomar as well as Madrid, Gibralter, and Cordoba. We would be interested in any tours that would include any type of accomodations and travel. Would love to hear history from knowledgeable folks. We are not interested in frills or fancy. Our basic needs include simple sustainable food, shelter to sleep, safe travel, kind and good hearted guides who would tell us all about their country. We can survive on catnaps and simple foods. We are coming to learn and explore. No problem sleeping on rails or doing lots of walking.
Ideas we have would be Madrid to Tomar and Fatima to Cordoba, Gibralter, Madrid. Or, Madrid, Cordoba, Gibralter, Fatima, Tomar, Madrid. Is this possible via rails? Could anyone make suggestions as to how we may accomplish this whirlwind? We are open to Hostals etc.
We would be happy to hear from anyone via email. Thank you so very much and we appreciated any information or suggestions. Rick

DesertHarvest

Greetings! I have just returned from a 3-weeks Spain experience of the following cities: Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, Algeciras (LaLinea where Rock of Gilbratar is located), Cadiz, Sevilla and back to Madrid.
You have looked at the map of Portugal and Spain. If you are planning to visit Portugal, You really have to plan your trip especially you mention you have around 8 days. From Madrid to Cordoba by auto-bus is 3 1/2 hours; from Cordoba to Gilbratar is around 7-8 hours and these cities are located on the Southern part of Spain. The city that is near Portugal is Sevilla. It takes 8 hours from Sevilla to Lisbon. My daughter and I travelled these Southern cities via auto-bus. We wanted to see Lisbon but there are only two bus schedules that leave Seville to Lisbon: Wednesday and Friday buses leaves at 8:00 am. There are not much Renfe train schedule leaving from Seville to Lisbon. So really plan the cities you want to visit. You can see Spain via auto-bus and there are lots of good and clean hostals to stay for 4,000 - 7,000 pesetas double occupancy (depending whether it is high or low tourist seasons).