Solo female traveler has 2 weeks this summer, where to go?

[sheisaeval]

I've been racking my vacation days and now I have about two weeks, and I want to travel somewhere. Husband just started new job so he doesn't have much vacation these days so it'll just be me

Comments

[labrax]

Can't say I'm impartial because I'm portuguese. Portugal and Spain are your deal and we obviously need your money ;-) You've got all you're looking for here, historical places, castles, ruins, yummmy tasty food (especially seafood), a lot of sun, desert beaches, warm people, etc. In Portugal (one of oldest countries in the world) aside from Lisbon (a must see) all cities are small, the north and the valley of the Douro (port wine vineyards carved in a breathtaking scenery) are also a must see and don't forget the red wine (we've been mastering the art of producing wine since the romans introduced it here).

In Spain I would not miss the Cantabric region and Galicia (up in the north, Bilbao, Santander, Santiago, etc. ) and the moorish center to south (Toledo, Malaga, Valencia, Sevilla, etc.) and leave Madrid and Barcelona out for they would consume one week alone.

Whatever the choice, have fun!!

[sheisaeval]

IS Spain/Portugal very hot during the summer? I only ask because I was in Italy a few summers ago (in June/July?) and it was pretty hot and crowded so I didn't have a very good time because of that.

So how's the weather like in June?

Also, I don't really speak Spanish/Portugese, would that be a problem? And I'm assuming like rest of Europe, the train system is pretty easy to use?

Thanks!

[labrax]

Train system -> easy and cheap. Hot in the south, center and north max. 25 C. Everybody speaks english. Not crowded at all. Couple of examples of Portugal:

http://labrax.livejournal.com/165329.html

http://labrax.livejournal.com/166029.html

These are just 2 old villages of Portugal but there's so much more...

[poppy_tussle]

I second this! I'm living in Galicia at the moment. This part of Spain is beautiful in the summer, cheap, and safe. Really, this goes for most of the country, except that the South will be very very hot in the months you are talking about.

The weather in northern Spain is ideal in June/July. I would recommend visiting Galicia for the beaches (there are the Islas Cies, which is very famous) and Santiago (the pilgrimage city). In Asturias are the Picos de Europa. Bilbao is a lovely city to visit (my favorite in Spain) - Pais Vasco is beautiful and Bilbao is full of culture (Guggenheim museum, etc.).

[labrax]

Residing in Vigo, Coruña? Are you portuguese (the presbyterian part is ok ;-)) ?