fishman

I am in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to Portugal and am looking for help from the experts.
We enjoy wine, architecture, history, food (of course),etc. and need some starting points.
Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

namaka

I would first start with reading Bailey's trip report.

From there, maybe decide on where you want to go. If the answer isn't already on this board somewhere, then ask "specific" questions. They are more likely to get answered.

And definitely plan at least one night in Lisbon with the LDC;trust me, it will be a worthwhile time!

isabel

Just got back from Portugal a few days ago. It's a fabulous place. If you haven't found the "Things to do in and around Lisbon" threads yet, then search them. Get to know Matt and Lobo (on-line that is, then in person when you get there). They know so much. I'll be posting a trip report with photos but it will probably take me a couple weeks to do it. In the meantime, if you have any questions I'd be happy to try to answer them. We went to: Evora (day trips to Monsaraz, Evoramonte, Estremoz), Marvoa (side trip to Castle de Vide), Coimbra, Batalha, Alcobaca, Obidos, Sintra and Lisbon. They were all "favorites" but probably most favorite were Marvao, Obidos and LIsbon.

david1

We just returned. Would spend several days each in Evora, Lisbon and Sintra. Would only go to Algarve if you really want to go to the beach. Otherwise, would stay up north.

DavRan

Fishman, places I suggest: Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, Coimbra, Porto, Douro Valley. If you want a nice beach and you hed up to Figueira Da Foz, it is my hometown, let me know and I can provide suggestions.

Thanks

fishman

Thanks folks, you have given me a great starting point for my research.
I will probably be asking more specific questions when I know more but this is a GREAT help.
Thanks Again!!!

Matt_from_England

Well Fishman,

Sorry I haven't answered previously to your question.

I've been spending a lot of time recently up in the Douro Valley (though I live in Lisbon) exploring the area and riding the quaint old trains. (Not to mention sampling the Port wine and food.) Anyway, take a look at my travel wanderings on fodors which can be found here:

Narrow gauge railways in northern Portugal:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34846534

Steam trains in the Douro Valley:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34836683

and

Portugal by train:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34819673

and don't foget to call in and see us in the big Lisbon blog,

Things to do in and around Lisbon Part III (Inc Portugal)

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34816717

Matt

Sher

Hi Fishman. I want to also add that it depends on the time of year that you intend to visit.
The summer can be violently hot in some parts of Portugal.
We found that in May we had wonderful mild weather from Porto down the coast to Lisbon.
In October, we hope to have mild weather in the Alentejo, which can be brutal in July.
Good luck and happy planning.

davidx

Sorry to complcate things still further and there are some great suggestions here already - but there are some fine places farther north than Porto.

Guimaraes, the first capital, is a beautiful place and the river places inland from Viana do Castelo are great.
Bragança, in the far north-east has a superb little medieval area, the cidadela, just above it.

One other point. You will find a widespread belief in Portugal that you have gone there to beat the eating record. DON't buy side dishes until you see the size of main courses and where they serve what they call half courses, be assured that you will get enough for most normal mortals.

JulieVikmanis

Highly recommend taking a side trip from Coimbra to stay at the Palace Hotel in the Bucaco forest. It was the King's hunting palace and has been preserved as it was when he was deposed and the place turned over to the chef to run as a hotel. it's fantastic and the surrounding forest is protected by papal edict. The hotel is the most amazing I've ever stayed in--and we've made over 55 trips to Europe, stayed in Relais and Chateau places, etc. This place is the best.

hunnibun

I agree with Julie...Bussaco was incredible. I liked Sintra, Coimbra and Porto also. But my favorite place was near Cascais...a quiet and more affordable alternative called Oeiras. Stay at the clean and friendly youth hostel right on the beach - a short walk to the fortress and a 5 min train ride to Cascais. Found out about Oeiras by asking one of the locals!

sssteve

Fishman - I agree with everybody - Portugal is very enjoyable. Bussaco was indeed beautiful, and we enjoyed very much Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, and particularly the towns in the north.

Check out our trip on my web page. Matbe it can help you in your planning. Here's the URL:

http://www.travel.stv77.com/portugal/pt.htm