My husband and I are planning a 12 day trip in June. We have never been to Portugal before. Any suggestions for the itinerary??

If you are sun fanatics I suppose it is obvious that the South will probably suit you best. I am not and therefore I would suggest you stay up a bit - or even a lot. North Portugal is terrific for scenery and is much less crowded than many favourite holiday ares - but I think that Obidos and Sintra are almot unmissable. If you care to send me an email I will let you have a couple of folders of my notes and some stuff with photos which I have put on other sites.

There have been a number of good post on that topic here before. I suggest you search under that title for the best input you could get. It would take paragraphs to replicate what you will find. Just put Portugal in the search window and go.

I would recommend only staying a few days in Lisbon if this is your first time to Portugal. Also be sure to spend sometime in Cascais and Sintra. Cabo da Roca, too. <BR><BR>Near Lisbon, I would highly recommend taking at least a half day and visiting the Serra da Arribida -- though I bet you will stay the entire day. You have the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Portinho da Arrabida is a quaint fishing port and the beach there is beautiful and very clean. Go into Setubal for lunch and try the grilled Dourada (spelling?) fish or the grilled squid (Lulu, again spelling?).<BR><BR>Batalha and Alcobaca are both worth a vist -- both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.<BR><BR>Busaco and Luso are some of my all-time favorites. Busaco is just beautiful and is an extremely romantic place to go for a walk. Luso is a small, charming spa town. We stayed at the Villa Duparchy when we visited. <BR><BR>If you head up toward Batalha or Alcobaca then you must travel a bit further to Leiria and have dinner at the Tromba Rija restaurant. You will have an unforgettable gastronomic experience. A Tour de Force of Portuguese cuisine. We simply could not believe the remarkable array of foods. Be sure to make a reservation and dress is casual elegant. <BR><BR>Obidos is very nice as well. I also enjoyed visiting Tomar. <BR><BR>I hope this helps. <BR>

I forgot to include my notes on what to see and do in Lisbon:<BR><BR>Jeronimos Monastery: A 16th century monument to the wealth of the Age of Discovery; it is the culmination of Portuguese Manueline architecture. <BR><BR>Tower of Belem: Built as a fortress between 1515-1521, it became a beacon for navigators returning from the Indies and the New World. It is a Manueline architectural gem symbolic of Portuguese naval power.<BR><BR>Monument to the Discoveries: This massive monument was built in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator.<BR><BR>Commerce Square: Considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.<BR><BR>Rossio: This attractively paved square is a social focal point with cafes, restaurants, pastry shops, and the National Theatre. Be sure to sample some authentic Ginjinha (cherry liqueur) in the adjoining square (ask for a plastic cup).<BR><BR>National Tile Museum: Convent cloisters dating from 1509 provide a stunning setting for the National Tile Museum. Decorative panels, individual tiles, and photographs trace the evolution of tile-making from its introduction by the Moors, through Spanish influence, and the development of Portugal’s own style. <BR><BR>Caf&eacute; Brasileira: A national monument and authentic caf&eacute; from the early 1900s. Very good croissant.<BR><BR>Casa do Alentejo: Restored in 1919, this restaurant has a tranquil interior with a Neo-Moorish indoor courtyard with patio and fountain.<BR><BR>Cervejaria Trindade: A traditional beer hall and restaurant with beautiful decorative tiles (azulejos) covering the walls.<BR><BR>Porto Wine Institute: In this quiet lounge you can sample a variety of Port wines, some almost one hundred years old.<BR><BR>Antiga Confeitaria de Belem (Old Pastry Shop of Belem): A 19th century caf&eacute; which makes the best and the original Portuguese custard cakes (pasteis de Belem).<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>

Topping for my friend

You better gop to th sout in the Algarve if you like beaches or to see monumets go up north A;coba&ccedil;a, &oacute;Bidos, guimar&atilde;es, coimbra Oporto<BR><BR>www.hotelsportugal.com<BR>for cars please check:<BR>www.portugal-spain.com<BR>www.drive-portugal.com<BR>www.travelers-portugal.com<BR>