ratansingh

Hello! We are planning a trip to Portugal. Flying in from USA to Lisbon on the 15th of July and then on to Porto. Our overnight flight gets in at 8:40 am, so we should be able to get on a train around or after 11 (anyone who recently cleared customs/immigration can let me know if this is feasible) or fly to Porto- but think that the train may be more fun and give us a chance to see the country side. However the cp.pt website shows the last train leaving for Porto around 10:30 - not sure we can make that. So first question is - our there other options? in terms of other Lisbon train stations or was my search criteria not correct. Also it did not look like I could just book one way passage.

Prefer to stay in 4 star type properties (so suggestions very welcome). We fly back from Lisbon on the 22nd morning. The plan is to spend the nights of 15-16-17 in Porto and do day trips. We then plan/hope to drive from Porto towards Lisbon, spending a night on the way (suggestions?). This will leave us spending 3 nights in Lisbon. First trip to Portugal, we are not very familiar with this beautiful part of the world. So welcome suggestions/changes etc

amer_can

4 star...Why not 5?? Check out Pousadas.pt..Absolutely awesome!! Also Pestana Group Hotels..again just great..but the pousadas can't be beat IMHO!!!

tower

agree amer_can on Portugal's handsome pousadas. We stayed at three...a great way to visit Portugal. The Evora Pousada was filled so we made a reservation at nearby Arraiolos(h) Pousada. Lovely...large swimming pool which you'll appreciate in July! We also stayed at the Marvao Pousada and the Belmonte Pousada (quite new) in the sierras. Had research "business" in Belmonte, hence our stay at the rather remote town. Mission accomplished!
Enjoy Portugal

HappyTrvlr

Definitely look at all the pousadas, lovely places with good dining too. Evora was extra special.
Also, for Porto, don't know how many stars but they made us feel like it was 5*..Hotel Infante de Sagres. Wonderful experience there.

LLING

The trains from/to Porto runs every hour.
The issue you had on cp.pt is that you can only book on-line within 1 month of your trip.
But if you enter a early date you can check the timetable.
For Lisbon, enter Lisboa - Oriente
For Porto, enter Porto - Campanha
Hope this helps

welltraveledbrit

We spent s month in Lisbon in January and loved it. I blogged about a variety of things to see and do which you may find useful.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/search/label/Lisbon

I'd recommend getting one of their reloadable cards for public transport which you can use on the metro, trams, buses and elevadores we found this a far better deal than the daily passes. We loved the trams.
The Gulbenkian has a wonderful collection and is highly recommended. I also liked the Design Museum. I did a couple of walking tours with Lisbon Spirit run by a young couple (one is an urban planner and the other an architect) we particularly liked the tour that takes you to the other side of the bay.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...ther-side.html

Most of all we just liked wondering around.