Casa Santa Filomena, Viana do Castelo

Advantages: It's got all you need and more
Disadvantages: nightlife not as active as you might want

...are in Viana, you might also want to look at Ponte de Lima, Âncora, Valença, Cerveira. They are all within reasonable driving distance. HOW TO GET THERE Viana do Castelo is about 60km from Porto, making it very assessible from the airport. A flight from London to Poro starts from GBP100, and from Manchester starts GBP170 return. In the airport you can rent a car (advisable), but there are also connesction by bus and taxi to train stations. There is a motorway that will take you to Viana. A taxi fare from the airport to Viana os about 25E. It is a wonderful city and it will keep you occupied all thoughout. The locals are great and I am in love with it (as you can see). I am visiting three times a year and it is still enchanting. However, if you expect a place like the Algarve, you will be disappointed. If you do go there enjoy it... Read review

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Advantages: A five-star stay…
Disadvantages: …with just three-star facilities

...influences thrown in for kicks. For example: chicken stuffed with vegetables, Andean cheese and bacon, served with lemongrass risotto and fruit chutneys; or, trout poupiette and roasted Andean potatoes with greens in a teriyaki and aguaymanto vinaigrette. We had both of these and very good they were too. Most of the ingredients are said to be organic, incidentally. The wine list is limited and almost entirely South American, but it's easy to find something drinkable to go with the meal. Service is friendly and helpful. Unfortunately I've lost my itemised bill, but I do remember that the prices seemed very reasonable by local standards. Room service is also available. * Chain affiliation * Having talked at the outset of preferring independent hotels to chains, I'm slightly embarrassed to discover that the Casa San Blas... Read review

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Advantages: One of the best examples of Catalan Modernism
Disadvantages: Very expensive

...in~ Mid December is probably the quietest time of the year to do anything of a touristic nature in Barclona and the Casa Batllo is a particularly good example of that. It's not actually a very big building and can easily get jam-packed with tourists. If you try to get into this attraction in summer the lines are long and the wait's interminable. But we strode straight up to the ticket booth without any delay. However, it might have been better to take some time to get over the shock of €16 entry fee. 'For goodness sake' I muttered under my breath 'I want to visit the house, not buy it!' The Entrance fee includes a very good and comprehensive audio tour. At some times in the year I think it's possible to buy a cut-down ticket that only includes the main floor of the building and excludes the attic and the chimney. However we weren... Read review

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