Bilbao. Picture: 2018 trabantos/Shutterstock
Already been to Barcelona or Lisbon? Try one of Portugal or Spain’s smaller cities, ideal for a second-time visit, writes Laura French
From the honey-hued buildings of Salamanca to the Moorish palaces of Granada, the centuries-old houses of Cuenca to the cultural festivities of Valencia, Spain isn’t short on spectacular cities.
But some of them remain under the radar, overshadowed by their better-known siblings – the Gaudí creations of Barcelona, the colourful palaces of Seville, the grandeur of Madrid.
“It might be time to start shining a light on less-trodden spots”
The same can be said of Portugal, where the eye-popping architecture of Lisbon and Porto tend to steal the show from the likes of Evora, a Unesco World Heritage Site known for its Roman-era Old Town, and Braga, home to the oldest cathedral in the country.
Finally being older has an advantage – you could be one of the first to go on holiday
2 May 2021 • 5:00am
Liberty beckons for the fully vaccinated older generations
One thing we can be certain of in these Covid turbulent times is that nothing is certain, especially when it comes to holidays. Plans are made, only to evaporate; dates are pencilled in and then crossed out; hopes are raised, hopes are dashed.
Now, though, as we edge towards summer, travel freedom – in the form of vaccination passports combined with green list destinations – is becoming a distinct reality. At least it is for some: the young, poor darlings, still waiting for their first and second jabs, look to remain grounded, but for oldies, liberty beckons.
The secret Med: the best holidays to book in under-the-radar locations telegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from telegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Save and upgrade: plan a post-pandemic blowout holiday thetimes.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thetimes.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.