Suzy Q, I am so bummed. I just checked and the Optimus Live festival is going on right now. This is a three day festival with acts: Florence and the Machine, Radiohead, Mumford and Sons, Snow Patrol, The Cure, The Kooks and more. If I had checked when I said I was going to, I´d be there right now :(

Your plan sounds great and the weather forecast is wonderful.

http://www.songkick.com/metro_areas/...ortugal-lisbon

http://www.cascaismusicfestival.pt/ Some excellent artists here. If you want a taste of Fado, Mariza is playing. She is wonderful...for all ages.


Hmmm...I may have to head up to Cascais later this month!

I'm a huge fan of all of those bands, particularly Florence + the Machine, who I keep missing [sigh]. Thank you for all of the links, regardless!

We are only there for half of the 25th, 26, 27 and 28 of July, so it was a short window anyway. I'm sure we'll find a lot of things to do though!

I guess I saw your request a bit late, still.... to see the Douro river which is really worth it, I would recommend you to go in one of these "floating hotels" up to Pinhão or, alternatively, go up by the old railway alongise the river up to Pinhão again. Onde in Pinhão, stay one night (to late now, I guess) in the hotel called Vintage (I think the name changed but not sure). Once in Pinhão (just by the river, visit those local Oporto and red/white wine producers. It's really worth it!
Once in Lisbon, go to Cascais and if you wanna have a dive in the Atlantic a must is to go to Guincho beach (some 8 Miles from Cascais). Just hope will not be windy ...! :-) Cascais is about 15 Miles West from Lisbon, by the coast. Great restaurants!
Once in Portugal eat fish! It's a must! Probably the best fish in the world! Either with white wine or with green-white wine (slightly sparkling and a bit acid, try Solar das Bouças is the least acid I know)
Have a nice trip!

The Vintage exists, just checked on the net:
http://www.csvintagehouse.com/