kbarshay

My husband's roots are in Porto and we would like to include that in our itinerary as first time tourists to this country. Is 10 days sufficient and what is a reasonable itinerary.

BigAleinstein

That is impossible to answer. Does he have realtives that he will visit? What are your interests?

You should look at Portugal guide book. There are many other worthwhile towns north of Lisbon-Braga, Coimbra, Amarante, Viana do Castelo,

kbarshay

There are no relatives in Porto. It is just an interest he has but it is not necessary.

thursdaysd

Ten days is enough for a taste. I would fly into Lisbon and out of Porto, or vice versa. Take the train in between, and spent a day or two in Coimbra on the way. There are worthwhile day trips from both Lisbon and Porto (plus Roman ruins at Conimbriga near Coimbra). Any guide book will give you a list of the major sights. But I don't know your interests - if you are beach people there are plenty of options for that.

juliedawnfox

I agree with thursdaysd. You won't need a car if you do as they suggest. You only need one if you want to explore outside of major cities and you haven't got much time for that.

It really depends on your interests. You could spend the whole 10 days in and around Porto quite easily, especially if you take a trip along the Douro River and stay in some of the places along the way. Other possible short trips from Porto include Guimarães, Braga and Ponte da Lima. If you're going to explore the north of Portugal, it might be worth getting a car for that section of your trip.

If you do, get GPS. Driving in Porto is very confusing! Even if your car hire company delivers to your hotel, you've still got to find your way out of the city.

If you want some ideas for Porto and the north, beyond what's on Fodor's, check out my blog: http://juliedawnfox.com/category/tra...hern-portugal/

There's plenty more information and tips for the whole of Portugal but I think you should try to visit Porto if that's where your husband is from.

BigAleinstein

Another one who accepts advertising on her site. What is going on here? Fodor's has became a bulletin board for those giving advice with a profit motive.

thursdaysd

I'm one of the first to jump on advertisers, but that site doesn't look bad to me. It's not like she's a travel agency.

BigAleinstein

She has FIOS and Booking.com as advertisers, that is not your local garage and beauty shop.

There have been four or five of these characters lately and I just look at three or four countries. I like Fodor's because people give their honest opinion without a profit motive. Even if their facts or wrong or they don't understand a culture, it is there honest opinion.

If Julie Fox was sincere she would offer advice without directing people to her site where I am sure her advertising rates depend on how many people visit it.

Tabernash2

We loved Lisbon. Don't miss it!

juliedawnfox

I do apologise for appearing to have hijacked this thread for profit. I have made a grand total of 11 euros in advertising this year, not enough to pay for a meal, although I have been trying to find ways to offset some of the costs involved in running my blog.

I think you're probably right, it does more harm than good at the moment so I may well remove the adverts. (Booking.com is an affiliate link so I get nothing unless anyone books a stay via the link and the rest is just Google Adsense which pays buttons.)

The information I directed kbarshay to, however, is valid and relevant to the topic, which is why I posted the link.

thursdaysd

Thanks for the apology, but I think BigAl was a bit over the top.

BigAleinstein

Thank you Julie Dawn. Personally I think it increases your credibility.

But there has been a spate of these blogs for profit on the boards. For one fellow, it seemed to be his main source of income and would not disclose for which hotels he recommended he received a commission. Another posted his pictures which could buy on a mug or a refrigerator magnet.