Portugal around the holidays?

Old Jul 18th, 2006, 11:46 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Portugal around the holidays?

We're planning our honeymoon and would like to go to Portugal, however, because of our schedules, can only go right after Christmas. We were hoping to do a Dec. 26-Jan. 8 type of thing, with a week in Lisbon and its surroundings and a week in Douro/Porto, doing the whole port tasting thing. We don't mind colder weather but are concerned about things being open. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks
simplinas is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2006, 11:24 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ttt
namaka is offline  
Old Jul 31st, 2006, 09:55 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi there,

I have gone to Portugal during that time twice and plan on doing that trip again this coming year. Lisbon is beautiful and Porto is nice and the Douro Valley as well is spectacular.
DavRan is offline  
Old Aug 15th, 2006, 12:51 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will also be in Portugal(Lisbon)from Dec.26 thru Jan.3. I have the same concerns-availability of places to visit during the holidays. Also, the weather. According to weather maps the temperature in central and south areas is in the 50s but rainy. I am wondering whether I should stay in Lisbon for the entire 8 nights and take daily trips to Evora, Sintra, Obidus, Nazare, and Fatima. I do not like renting cars abroad but have no problem in making my own arreangements by bus or train. I hope someone will provide some information regarding traveling during the Xmas season. Thank you in advance.
rh28rh is offline  
Old Aug 15th, 2006, 07:17 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
rh28rh.
Do a search for a post by drjames. It details two or three weeks in Lisbon at Christmas.
It will give you lots of ideas about things to do and the weather.

Also, you can just click on my name and read the three Lisbon posts which have a wealth of information from many people who know Lisbon and beyond.
I know that day trips from Lisbon to the places you mention are very easy, although we rented a car so I am no public transportation expert.
A car gives you a lot of flexibility to see the countryside in Portugal, but day trips from Lisbon are very possible.
Sher is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2006, 11:45 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sher,

Thank you for the reply.I read drjames and it was helpful,but not much explanation about the Xmas holidays. Maybe Lobo and/or Matt will read this request and provide some information. In preparation for my trip, I have been reading this" Portugese" tread for several weeks and find it very helpful, including your various comments. Again, thanks
rh28rh is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2006, 05:36 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
rh28rh

This will bring your post ttt.

I seem to remember the james article mentioning decorations at Christmas, but it has been some time since I have read it.

Also. He has posted on the Trip Advisor forums on Portugal and he might respond if you ask a question there.

He is very friendly and cordial and is willing to help.

Good luck.

Sherry
Sher is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2006, 08:47 AM
  #8  
P_M
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was in Lisbon a few years ago over New Years and I enjoyed it very much. Most places in Lisbon were closed both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve we visited the Shrine of Fatima which was open, then on New Year's Day we drove to Sintra and along the coastline. And don't miss the big party in the main square at midnight. The weather was cool but quite nice, and the lack of summer crowds was a bonus.
P_M is online now  
Old Aug 19th, 2006, 11:42 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I spent a year in Portugal several years ago, and had about 8 family members come over for the holidays. We spent Christmas Eve evening just walking around the historic center, all of which was illuminated, either with little white lights or more elaborate changing light panels, and arches of lights down the pedestrian streets. People might disagree on whether it's beautiful or tacky, but I enjoyed it very much. We also went up to the top of the Parque Eduardo VII (extending up from Marques de Pombal square) and were able to enjoy spectacular views, but not much open.

Though some restaurants in Lisbon are open for Christmas Eve lunch, nothing at all is open for Christmas Eve supper. We had the good fortune to live next door to a little "lancheria" where the family who owned it did a fabulous home made take out business. We had ordered a feast all 10 of us (a balcalhau dish, vegetales, couscous, and for dessert an incredible mango mousse for about 45 E. (located next to the bank on the right side of Rua Soeros as it goes up the hill from its intersection with Estrada de Luz, in case anyone is ever in the neighborhood).

On Christmas Day we drove to Nazare and arrived in time for Christmas Mass up on the section overlooking the downtown. This was quite an experience, even for the irreligious in the group. The church was beautiful, and it was jam packed full with families, most of the women dressed in their colorful full skirts with many petticoats underneath. Many of the people there obviously made their living with hard physical labor and we sort of felt like interlopers, though people were very nice to us.

Many restaurants were open in downtown Nazare for Christmas lunch and we had a great seafood meal. We then drove to Obidos where we stayed the night in the pousada and ate our evening meal there. In general, we found that pousada meals were reliably very good and sometimes great.

As far as things being open, I think Portugal is like most of Europe and you are likely to find many things closed on holidays. We did find that the palaces in Sintra were open on New Years Eve though I think they closed early. The schedule seems to be set without much advance warning, though, because I had called out several weeks earlier to see if it would be open and no one knew at that time. Definitely worth checking out the schedules by phone for the things you want to see during the holidays, because printed schedules may change.
lreynold1 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kristinaku
Europe
5
Feb 8th, 2018 05:34 AM
nitishraj
Europe
7
Dec 22nd, 2017 08:45 AM
NativeNewYorker
Europe
7
Oct 15th, 2017 08:58 AM
ankur360
Europe
7
Aug 5th, 2010 12:43 PM
trelena
Europe
7
Nov 24th, 2003 07:10 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -