Applications for Schengen Visa's from the UK

Its that time of year when we are thinking about holidays for the year ahead and due to a past experience with the Spanish consulate up in Edinburgh which turned out to be a nightmare from start to finish with false information and been told that my wife could not travel to Spain for a holiday that was already booked due to the terms of the Schengen Visa and then seeking help from this forum and helping me with a letter to send to the Spanish consulate quoting my rights has a EU citizen who is married to a Lady from Thailand, They then accepted my wife's application and even through the appointment, The people in the consulate told me to get out and then my wife appeared telling me that i needed a photo copy of my passport, it was all sorted in the end, but it was very stressful.

So my question is, Have any other members applied for Schengen Visa's for their spouse and if so, what country's are the best for applying and do all country's require you to apply in person for a Schengen Visa.

My Wife,s Friend who we met in turkey last year is wanting us to go to Portugal later in the year, but noticed that we need to go to Manchester for the appointment,(My wife's friend is a UK Citizen)

If i remember right, Greece used to have a premium number that the applicant had to phone.

Regards other places in the world, it might be cheaper going all inclusive to the Dominican republic for 2 weeks ;-)