How you answer that question is up to you, but the tourist boards of both countries have decided to give you some help by banding together to form a new website, Portugal? Spain? Both, an online resource for exploring the vast riches of the Iberian Peninsula. The site combines information in areas such as Wine & Cuisine, Sports & Golf, and Castles, Palaces & Hotels, making it easy to plan an itinerary based on interests or locations. More in-depth information is provided on each country’s individual website, but this joint resource is a smart place to start if visiting both countries is something you’d like to do.

The best reason to visit the site? A cool game called “Exploria.” Once you register, you can answer questions based on your virtual trip through Spain and Portugal. Answer all 10 questions, correctly and you’ll be entered to win one of several prizes with Iberian flavor, including a Grand Prize of 10 days/8 nights in Portugal and Spain, with roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations in Porto, Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona for 2. (Remember our advice: win the trip and you can always purchase extra airfare for children.) Hurry – the contest ends on January 31.

At the Claris Hotel (Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Design Hotels), the Sophistication, Luxury and Glamour Package hosts couples in rooms with unique design elements of Hindu, Roman and Egyptian origin mixed with English antique furniture. The hotel’s 124 bedrooms include duplex and suite accommodation and sport WiFi access, beautiful wood floors and LCD TVs with satellite channels. (If you’re interested, they’re also soundproof.) Guests of this centrally located hotel also enjoy free access to the Barcelona Egyptian museum. (more…)

Villa Andalucia is located on the coast of Spain, approximately 18 km from the Gibraltar airport. The villa, which comes with its own pool, is only 750 meters from the beach and offers excellent coastline views of Gibraltar and Africa. A 10 minute drive from the villa brings you to a village with restaurants and supermarket, and you’ll definitely want a car for day trips to Sevilla, Marbella and Ronda, or one of the 6 golf courses within a 10 minute radius. Within walking distance you’ll find the sea, tennis courts, the marina, and horse riding facilities. A beach club offers restaurants, bars, and attractions for children.

Villa Andalucia exterior, copyright Rentvillas.com
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