Your World Your Way with Oceania

Experience the reinvention of luxury with the exquisite surroundings and attentive service of Oceania Cruise Lines!
Running time: 4:20

» Greece and Turkey
   Cruise Sale Extended!
   Globus

» Exclusive Club
   Benefits
   Signature

» Spring Sale to
   Paradise
   Paul Gauguin

» The Year of the
   Freestyle Vacation
   Norwegian Cruise Line

"My trips have taken me to southern Spain and Portugal where I discovered very contrasting coast lines and enjoyed many memorable experiences."

"I stayed in Torremolinos in Spain, on the beautiful Costa del Sol, a major tourist area with long beaches and many resorts. To get there I flew to Malaga from Toronto."

"A highlight of the Costa del Sol was the fresh seafood. The catch of the day is displayed on ice outside the restaurant so you know what is available for the evening meal. The people are very fashionable and they dress for the evening which made it feel more festive."

"In Portugal the people are very friendly and not tourist weary at all. I stayed in Albufeira a town on the sunny Algarve Coast, south of Lisbon. From here I was able to explore the Algarve region, drive into Spain and visit the city of Lisbon."

"The cuisine in Portugal is really good. Dinners are amazing always with fresh bread and ingredients. My favourite meal was the Piri Piri chicken, a spicy dish served with potatoes."

"I enjoy touring around when on vacation so on both times I rented a car from the hotel. This let me see both countries at my own pace."

Driving in Spain and Portugal

"These countries are very easy to get around as English is widely spoken and driving is easy. Even in the big cities I was able to drive with no difficulty. There are often roundabouts in place of traffic lights so you need to be prepared for that. Cars are small, perfect for the windy roads and narrow streets."

"In Spain I rented a car for a week. The company brought the car right to the hotel in Torremolinos. From there I explored the white villages of Andalucia. They are really beautiful set amongst the hills with clementine trees growing everywhere."

"Highlights were the magnificent, historic cathedral in Seville, the beautiful village of Ronda near the Roman aqueducts and the towns of Cordoba and Granada. In one village, I got caught up in a wedding party as they walked down the middle of the road. It was a very happy scene."

"In Portugal driving the Algarve coast was spectacular. It is very romantic with intimate cove beaches. The Algarve gets 330 days of sunshine a year so is a popular place in the winter. In February-March it was 15° but felt warmer. This area is popular with Canadians for winter long stays."

"Driving along the coast and into Spain was very easy and a really beautiful route. I came across Gypsy caravans along the road, a unique scene and very colourful. There is no border crossing thanks to both countries being in the European Union."

"Another beautiful drive was to the western most point of Portugal where it meets the Atlantic. This was an interesting area with many quaint fishing villages."

Visiting Gibraltar and Morocco

"From the Costa del Sol, I took a day trip to Gibraltar and Morocco, a very worthwhile trip. There was time to visit the famous Rock of Gibraltar and see the resident Barbary Apes. A high speed catamaran took us across the Strait to Tangiers, Morocco to visit this vibrant city and enjoy busy markets, a very colourful and authentic experience. This tour was an excellent way to see both places and was a highlight of my vacation."

Tips & Recommendations

• For the Alhambra Palace, be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time. This is Spain's number one attraction so always busy. Another option is to take a guided tour as tours have priority and you walk in ahead of ticket holders. The Alhambra is walled so you can't see anything if you don't have a ticket to get inside.
• Get off the beaten track and discover the back roads for some unique experiences like the white villages of Andalucia.
• If you enjoy trying local cuisine, I recommend not taking the standard MAP plan at your hotel which includes breakfast and dinner. You'll want to get out and try the many restaurants and wonderful cuisine in the evening.
• The Morocco experience mentioned above was unforgettable, highly recommended.
• The Coastal road from Malaga into Portugal and along the Algarve coast is one of the most beautiful drives anywhere.
• Pack for 10 to 15° weather if going in the winter. It is rather like Northern Florida at this time of year with not much rain.
• Casual dress during the day and smart casual for dinner are the norm.

By Susan Milne

IMPORTANT: When booking, ask us for the appropriate supplier brochure for complete details and terms and conditions for your vacations and as well inquire about any possible past guest savings. Offers are space available and may be withdrawn at anytime without prior notice and are not combinable with other offers (unless stated otherwise). All prices, details and offers are subject to change. We are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Articles by Susan Milne