Trip - 10 weeks starting 9-2 into Madrid, fly out of Paris 11-10.
We have a car leased. We are mid 50's and are very active. Don't need to be or do the tourist stuff. Will do some touristy things because you have to visit some, but you can only see so many churches, castles, museums and monuments. Visit bigger cities as day trips in most cases. Food & wine are key. We like to hike and be in outdoors. Would love to do some mushrooming. Can play golf @ home (Colorado) so won't be doing that.
Must do's: go to a bullfight or 2, go to a flamenco performance, maybe an opera, visit a winery or 2 or 3.
Food & wine is what convinced us to do this trip to Spain & Portugal.
Oh yes - eat & drink well - we love seafood!!!
We like to stay in small towns for 3 to 5 nights at a time and use as a base for day trips, prefer having cooking facilities as we like to cook. Will eat some meals out so that we can sample (and then attempt to cook) like the locals. Don't need the bar scene - can drink wine at home base. A Parador or 2 is fine but mainly cottages, apartments, or rural homes.
We usually travel without reservations - adapt to what is available. If we like an area can stay - if not can go to the next destination -- our theory is adjust on the go.
The only reservation we have is on arrival @ Venta Margullo (Segovia) -- thanks for the tip Pedmar.
The plan (as of now):
Central Spain 8-9 days - include Madrid, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Toledo
Basque Country - Inland & Coast 9-10 days
Green Spain - 7 days
Portugal - 20 - 21 days - week each North Central & South
Southern Spain - 10-11 days - include Sevilla, Frontera, Cordoba, Granada, and maybe Gibralter.
Spainish Coast - 5-7 days - include Cartagena, Valencia, and Barcelona.
France on way to Paris to fly out - 7-9 days.
I know that an itinerary is subject to individual taste but suggestions would be apreciated.
Loyd & Barb

Wow... I am jealous!

I am not so sure it is easy to find accommodations with cooking facilities on the spur of the moment. Hotels, yes. So you might book some of your places ahead.

We have quite a few reviews of vacation rentals in Spain. You can check them out here.

Here is a link to rural guesthouses in the Basque Country:

Nekazalturismoa

I am sure you will get lots of info from other posters as well. We have some great trip reports on slowtrav if you want to see how others have traveled Spain!

Keep us posted as you plan...

That sounds like a fabulous itinerary - we just had some clients do a similar one in 5 weeks and to be honest they were a bit travelled out by the time they got home.
Seafood is no problem - some of the best in the world up there in the North!! Just be aware of driving distances - use www.mappy.com for accurate driving times between destinations - it really helps making a big error and giving yourself a ten hour drive by mistake!!!

Loads of rural guesthouses and small Hotels all over Spain - you will find more self-catering accommodation down south than you will in the North.

One word of warning - there is a misconception that September and October are low season - in the North maybe - but as you come down south things get very booked up as visitors from abroad start travelling after the heat of summer!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shannon,

fantastic lineup lLOYD & BARB.!!!
You will have a great time in Spain,especially following the food and wine trail

you have it down pat nothing to add, i think.
you should start on a counterclockwise motion with Segovia and central Spain first,then basque country, green Spain (Santiago!) then come down on Portugal;from the south,head into southern Spain,then go up on the Spanish coast eastern area like the cities you mention, and head up to Barcelona and then Paris.

Very good.

you have a good base in Segovia already;believe me. try to see La Granja de San Idelfonso nearby and buy wines/patés at El Capricho de Mazaca, mercado de Abastos ,stand 8.

once out into basque country, try San Sebastian and do not forget to stop by at Guernica:Guernika,the basque symbol of resistance.as well as Gasteiz/vitoria where they are many things to see and great city center cafes/bar:stores: like Confituras Goya;pastries,and goodies from the basques.an dbuy wines at Vinoteca Ezkerra.many wonderful restaurants like El Portalon from the XV century building casa de postas) at the city center do not miss the Casa Felipe at Fueros 28 they serve their own wine.
¨Portugal is wonderful from Porto,Braga, Vila Real,and the beach area of Viana do Castelo. In Porto you know what they have Porto wine.All over and spills over the city!!

south of Spain ,is flamenco,tapas, and sherry wine but also sweet malaga wine (have it with a yolk of egg thrown in there in the mornings!)
then over to Barcelona, and its Ramblas,Exeimple neighborhood and the sagrada church. and of course up to Paris:not to mention you start at my beloved Madrid. From Madrid to heaven,is the saying,and its true;honest.