Slow travel Lisbon and ??? in Portugal in early Nov.--2 weeks
Oct 2nd, 2014, 06:23 AM
#1
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Slow travel Lisbon and ??? in Portugal in early Nov.--2 weeks
This is an extremely last minute thought on our part, so I thought I'd ask some advice to help in making a decision. We've done lots of European travel but have never visited Portugal. We could go for about two weeks in the very end of Oct. into the first half of Nov. (last minute as I said). Unless I'm wrong, weather should be fairly nice, but days may be shorter (not sure of exactly how much daylight at this time of year).
I am wondering if anyone can give me a recommendation for Portugal with two weeks. One week in Lisbon and one week where??? Or, more time in Lisbon? We prefer renting an apartment or house and getting an in-depth feel of a place. The max time we have ever spent in any one locale was 11 days in Paris. We could have stayed longer there. So, how much time in Lisbon would be good?
We'd probably rent a car for a non-Lisbon portion of the trip but don't want to make it just a driving-around-to-hit-various-tourist-places type of trip. We'd prefer to settle in to some enjoyable locale for day trips or just enjoying the area. We enjoy the seaside for walking, walking and just observing everyday life, quaint and interesting locales, outdoorsy types of activities, history, architecture, visiting colorful markets etc. Tourist resorts are not our thing, and lesser-known or off-the-beaten-path places are right up our alley. We are not shoppers or super foodies who need to visit the latest and most trendy restaurants. In fact, when we have an apartment we typically visit the local markets and prepare (or reheat) many of our own meals.
Thanks much for any insights you can give me.
I am wondering if anyone can give me a recommendation for Portugal with two weeks. One week in Lisbon and one week where??? Or, more time in Lisbon? We prefer renting an apartment or house and getting an in-depth feel of a place. The max time we have ever spent in any one locale was 11 days in Paris. We could have stayed longer there. So, how much time in Lisbon would be good?
We'd probably rent a car for a non-Lisbon portion of the trip but don't want to make it just a driving-around-to-hit-various-tourist-places type of trip. We'd prefer to settle in to some enjoyable locale for day trips or just enjoying the area. We enjoy the seaside for walking, walking and just observing everyday life, quaint and interesting locales, outdoorsy types of activities, history, architecture, visiting colorful markets etc. Tourist resorts are not our thing, and lesser-known or off-the-beaten-path places are right up our alley. We are not shoppers or super foodies who need to visit the latest and most trendy restaurants. In fact, when we have an apartment we typically visit the local markets and prepare (or reheat) many of our own meals.
Thanks much for any insights you can give me.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 06:54 AM
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I have exactly the same questions! I'm trying to decide what time we need in Portugal.
I did the same review of the weather and time of the sunset the second week of November (5:21, I think.)
We also are not interested much in tourist resorts and love finding the great wine bar in which to have dinner and just soak up the evening talking and enjoying a great cave.
I can't wait to see the responses. I posted something similar, but didn't get much response.
I did the same review of the weather and time of the sunset the second week of November (5:21, I think.)
We also are not interested much in tourist resorts and love finding the great wine bar in which to have dinner and just soak up the evening talking and enjoying a great cave.
I can't wait to see the responses. I posted something similar, but didn't get much response.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 08:02 AM
#5
Easy to spend a week, or more, in Lisbon. I'm going back for the third time in November. Click on my name for my Loving Lisbon TR.
I'm finally making it to Evora this trip, and am planning to visit the megaliths and, I hope, some wineries. However, for a first visit I might suggest splitting the rest of your time between Coimbra (don't miss the Roman ruins at Conimbriga) and Porto. I you do that you wouldn't need a car, the train will work fine. Otherwise you could drive up the coast, ( check a guide book for sites like Obidos, Fatima, etc.) although I'm not sure it will be coast weather then.
I'm finally making it to Evora this trip, and am planning to visit the megaliths and, I hope, some wineries. However, for a first visit I might suggest splitting the rest of your time between Coimbra (don't miss the Roman ruins at Conimbriga) and Porto. I you do that you wouldn't need a car, the train will work fine. Otherwise you could drive up the coast, ( check a guide book for sites like Obidos, Fatima, etc.) although I'm not sure it will be coast weather then.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 08:58 AM
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Thanks. Keep them coming! So, Lisbon could occupy us for a week; that is good to know. I'll start taking a look at some of the other suggestions for places. And, I really am wondering how time of year will affect certain locales such as the coast. In addition to Lisbon, any other place anyone could suggest for a week? It would be nice to just have two bases.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 09:11 AM
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I love this driving distance map when planning:
http://distancecalculator.globefeed....A0RvBSxQFbZSKY
http://distancecalculator.globefeed....A0RvBSxQFbZSKY
Oct 2nd, 2014, 09:19 AM
#8
I really enjoyed the Alentejo. Interesting ruins and culture in Evora, a great Saturday morning market complete with live chickens and marble dust for making whitewash in Estremoz. Towns where there are dozens of pottery studios. Standing stones. Medieval hilltop walled cities with castles in Marvao and Monsaraz, Estremoz, Juromenha, and Evoramonte. Rustic restaurants that seldom see English speakers.
Oct 3rd, 2014, 12:04 AM
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Hi Julies
We are recently returned from a week in Lisbon (and still to write a trip report).
If you're looking for an apartment that's central, clean and comfortable I can recommend the one we rented through Maria Gomes, called Silver 1 Apartment.
Her details are at http://www.lisbonapartments.com/silv...ment-168/0/0/0
Both the agency and Maria were very prompt with their replies to my emails; supermarkets and transport are close by, and it's in a level area of the city. Di
We are recently returned from a week in Lisbon (and still to write a trip report).
If you're looking for an apartment that's central, clean and comfortable I can recommend the one we rented through Maria Gomes, called Silver 1 Apartment.
Her details are at http://www.lisbonapartments.com/silv...ment-168/0/0/0
Both the agency and Maria were very prompt with their replies to my emails; supermarkets and transport are close by, and it's in a level area of the city. Di
