Feedback requested on planned route from Lisbon to Obidos
Oct 3rd, 2010, 09:52 AM
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Feedback requested on planned route from Lisbon to Obidos
Arriving Lisbon 11:30 am 10/20. Would like to wander up the coast to arrive at hotel in Obidos before dark (sunset 6:51). I have a map. It looks like we'd take the A8 to where the N8 branches off (would this be exit 5?) and stay on that what looks like just one exit to the A21 over to Ericeira. Maybe get out and walk around, have a bite to eat there. Get onto the N247 north and meander up the coast. Drive through and maybe stop in Lourinha. If it isn't too late, detour over to Peniche, look around, double back and go east (I can't tell what route this would be) and head for Obidos. If going straight to Obidos from the airport on the highway is supposed to take about an hour, I thought if we could get out of the airport by 12:30 (is that realistic?) we'd have about 5 hours for the above-described route. I'd love to hear from anyone who thinks this is doable, or NOT doable!
Obrigada,
gail
Obrigada,
gail
Oct 3rd, 2010, 01:05 PM
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Hi, gail,
In my experience, what might hold you up getting out of the Lisbon airport is either that you will wait for luggage forever, or there will be a long line for the car rental (I usually see the longest lines at Europcar, I think). I've never had to wait too long at Budget Castanheira.
But assuming you get out quickly, you have plenty of time to make those stops. Ericeira is a once-tiny fishing village that has been engulfed by condos, but its small old core and old fishing port are nice. There are some pretty and undeveloped sections of beach, too. BTW, there is a pastry store in the main square that sells delicious apple muffins -- there is usually a line, so you won't have trouble finding it. On your way to Ericeira, you'll go through or very close to Mafra, where there's a huge national palace (not one of my favorites, it's enormous, but lots of people visit it).
I don't think you can drive along the coast from Ericeira to Peniche, at least not on anything resembling a highway. I like Peniche -- it has a museum in what was once a prison for political prisoners in the Salazar regime. Very interesting. It is right on the water as well, in fact there is a boat that leaves from there for the island of Berlanga, but I don't think you'd have time to visit on your way up to Obidos. I have had some great fish meals in Peniche.
I've never been to Lourinha, at least not that I can remember. Boa viagem, Laurie
In my experience, what might hold you up getting out of the Lisbon airport is either that you will wait for luggage forever, or there will be a long line for the car rental (I usually see the longest lines at Europcar, I think). I've never had to wait too long at Budget Castanheira.
But assuming you get out quickly, you have plenty of time to make those stops. Ericeira is a once-tiny fishing village that has been engulfed by condos, but its small old core and old fishing port are nice. There are some pretty and undeveloped sections of beach, too. BTW, there is a pastry store in the main square that sells delicious apple muffins -- there is usually a line, so you won't have trouble finding it. On your way to Ericeira, you'll go through or very close to Mafra, where there's a huge national palace (not one of my favorites, it's enormous, but lots of people visit it).
I don't think you can drive along the coast from Ericeira to Peniche, at least not on anything resembling a highway. I like Peniche -- it has a museum in what was once a prison for political prisoners in the Salazar regime. Very interesting. It is right on the water as well, in fact there is a boat that leaves from there for the island of Berlanga, but I don't think you'd have time to visit on your way up to Obidos. I have had some great fish meals in Peniche.
I've never been to Lourinha, at least not that I can remember. Boa viagem, Laurie
Oct 4th, 2010, 02:52 AM
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Hi Gail, I agree with Laurie if you were ultimately staying at one of those places, i.e. Peniche. However, since you have to return all the way back to Obidos, I don't really think that you have enough time to wander through Ericeira, Lourinha and Peniche AND then drive to Obidos all in 5 hours. If you were a resident and knew your way around, you could get to all of these places and look from the car. But since you'll be going without any familiarity, I'd say pick out one (I particularly like Ericeira), enjoy a leisurely drive, get out and wander and have some wine and a bite. Then head over to Obidos.
Are you staying the night in Obidos? There is not much there and frankly I wouldn't advise it as an overnight destination. I would suggest seeing Obidos (there's only a couple hours worth to see at best) and then make Ericeira or Peniche or Lourinha your evening destination - much more to do and see. Campo Real at Torres Vedras is a nice destination that I've enjoyed; it's not historical or anything but is quite comfortable and excellent facilities (a golf setting).
With regard to rental car agencies, Laurie is right. Europcar always has a huge line. I've always used Avis and walked right up to an agent - very satisfactory service and competitive pricing.
Enjoy your trip. Cora
Are you staying the night in Obidos? There is not much there and frankly I wouldn't advise it as an overnight destination. I would suggest seeing Obidos (there's only a couple hours worth to see at best) and then make Ericeira or Peniche or Lourinha your evening destination - much more to do and see. Campo Real at Torres Vedras is a nice destination that I've enjoyed; it's not historical or anything but is quite comfortable and excellent facilities (a golf setting).
With regard to rental car agencies, Laurie is right. Europcar always has a huge line. I've always used Avis and walked right up to an agent - very satisfactory service and competitive pricing.
Enjoy your trip. Cora
Oct 5th, 2010, 04:19 AM
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Laurie and Cora: thanx for the input.
Yes, we're staying in Obidos but only as a base camp for 3 nights. My SO is very interested in the Roman ruins at Conimbriga and I thought we could rent a car at the airport, get out of the Lisbon traffic and stay there for a few days of car trips. Then return the car and stay at one of Paulo's apartments in Chiado for the remainder of our time, walking and using the Metro etc.
I don't know which car rental agency we'll be using because I arranged it through Argus Car Hire. Do they have one particular agency they use? I don't think my paperwork indicates.
Since we have the usual overnight flight from Boston to Lisbon, I was just trying to find a non-stressful way to stay awake and make the 1st day of our visit scenic and interesting, without any pressure to find specific sites.
Laurie, thanks for the apple muffin tip! My SO loves muffins so much I have standing orders to bake a couple of dozen every few weeks. He'll be very happy to test out Portuguese apple muffins.
Cora, what kind of evening activities are there in the towns you mentioned? I've never been to Portugal before, although I've been to Spain numerous times, and generally am out and about all day but we don't do much in the evenings.
Thanks again to both of you for your advice.
Obrigada --
gail
Yes, we're staying in Obidos but only as a base camp for 3 nights. My SO is very interested in the Roman ruins at Conimbriga and I thought we could rent a car at the airport, get out of the Lisbon traffic and stay there for a few days of car trips. Then return the car and stay at one of Paulo's apartments in Chiado for the remainder of our time, walking and using the Metro etc.
I don't know which car rental agency we'll be using because I arranged it through Argus Car Hire. Do they have one particular agency they use? I don't think my paperwork indicates.
Since we have the usual overnight flight from Boston to Lisbon, I was just trying to find a non-stressful way to stay awake and make the 1st day of our visit scenic and interesting, without any pressure to find specific sites.
Laurie, thanks for the apple muffin tip! My SO loves muffins so much I have standing orders to bake a couple of dozen every few weeks. He'll be very happy to test out Portuguese apple muffins.
Cora, what kind of evening activities are there in the towns you mentioned? I've never been to Portugal before, although I've been to Spain numerous times, and generally am out and about all day but we don't do much in the evenings.
Thanks again to both of you for your advice.
Obrigada --
gail
Oct 6th, 2010, 12:13 PM
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We spent our summer holiday in Ericeira this year. There is a pleasant coastal walk that links all the beaches and the town centre is largely pedestrianised. The beaches are beautiful. Plenty of decent restaurants - the rule in Portugal is go where there appears to be lots of locals eating. If you're a seafood lover, watch out for the word Marisqueira and you can't go wrong.
