1st Portugal trip. Advise would be appreciated???
Jan 12th, 2006, 10:03 AM
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1st Portugal trip. Advise would be appreciated???
Hi all - wife and I are planning a trip to Portugal the first week in April and needed some advice on how to best take advantage of our stay. We are staying at Residencial Florescente (due to its central location?) in Lisbon and plan to make this home base. Our thought is to take several day trips. I know 5 days is no where near enough time to fully experience Portugal, but we are ging to do out best. We are in our early 30's and enjoy activities near the beach or in the hills with great view. Exploring the quaint towns and shops are of interest as well.
Intitially we are thinking to explore (via tours?.. Toursforyou.?)Sintra and Lisbon in 2 days, Cascais and Estoril in a day (or 2) then possibly spend the remaining 1 or 2 days in either Porto or Algarve.
Can one experience Porto or Algarve in a day trip from Libon? How long does it take to travel from Lisbon to either Algarve or Porto? Or should we expand the time we spend in and around Lisbon and forget the Algarve and Porto trips?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Intitially we are thinking to explore (via tours?.. Toursforyou.?)Sintra and Lisbon in 2 days, Cascais and Estoril in a day (or 2) then possibly spend the remaining 1 or 2 days in either Porto or Algarve.
Can one experience Porto or Algarve in a day trip from Libon? How long does it take to travel from Lisbon to either Algarve or Porto? Or should we expand the time we spend in and around Lisbon and forget the Algarve and Porto trips?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Jan 12th, 2006, 02:20 PM
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Using xxxx's itinerary, use the other day tour to go to Evora. I am a fan of Tours for You, and their full-day trip to Evora was fantastic (we also went to Arraiolos on the Evora tour, which really fits the quaint town / hill view category!)
I also recommend that on your first day in Lisbon, you get the hop-on hop-off bus tour that goes around - your hotel will have the info - to get a quick overview of the city. From there, you can always go back to places that were of interest.
One other thing we did that wasn't good -- we went to a fado restaurant / show on the last day we were there. Great show, but we had to 6am flights the next morning and couldn't stay for the entire show. So, do go soemwhere for dinner and fado, but not on the last day you are there...
I also recommend that on your first day in Lisbon, you get the hop-on hop-off bus tour that goes around - your hotel will have the info - to get a quick overview of the city. From there, you can always go back to places that were of interest.
One other thing we did that wasn't good -- we went to a fado restaurant / show on the last day we were there. Great show, but we had to 6am flights the next morning and couldn't stay for the entire show. So, do go soemwhere for dinner and fado, but not on the last day you are there...
Jan 16th, 2006, 03:27 AM
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Is this the same question as above? I'll post my answer again in case it's not.
We have travelled Portugal since the 70s and the Algarve is indeed a place to visit. But on a five-day visit– two different directions -- I’d suggest you spend your time enjoying those areas and Lisbon and come back to the Algarve at another time.
If you enjoy whirlwind trips (and at age 30 you probably do), you could take a one-day (there are plenty to choose from) escorted trip to see Lisbon/Cascais/Sintra areas (I love Sintra) and another to the Obidos/Nazare/Fatima areas. You will have a lot of time to explore but it would get the job done. Leave one day for Lisbon for walking in the city. Take the tram up (almost) to the castle, people watch in the main square and enjoy. This leaves you two days.
Trains are not a good way to travel in Portugal; bus is better and car best if you are comfortable with driving on the right side and lots of roundabouts. However, on a two-day trip to the Algarve (having done this last year in reverse) you might consider an excursion so you can relax and see more. The major highways to the Algarve and along parts of it are excellent. Last year when we stayed in Albufeira, we took a two-day excursion from Albufeira (Algarve) to Lisbon/Cascais/Estoril/Sintra areas that cost us just less than $200CD pp with breakfast, dinner and accommodation at a moderate hotel in Lisbon. We had an excellent guide. The bus trip alone took about 2 ½ hrs. with a rest stop. This went from Albufeira to Lisbon overnight. Having said all that, I prefer independent travel but excursions have their place and will give you an overview of the Algarve region.
I an expert on Portugal but if you need information about where to stay in the Algarve you can write me at kobysurfer at rogers dot com (this is my email address in words). We will be staying for three weeks in Feb-March in Albufeira.
The Cascais/Estoril areas are very commercial compared to the Algarve and can’t be compared.
Have fun!
We have travelled Portugal since the 70s and the Algarve is indeed a place to visit. But on a five-day visit– two different directions -- I’d suggest you spend your time enjoying those areas and Lisbon and come back to the Algarve at another time.
If you enjoy whirlwind trips (and at age 30 you probably do), you could take a one-day (there are plenty to choose from) escorted trip to see Lisbon/Cascais/Sintra areas (I love Sintra) and another to the Obidos/Nazare/Fatima areas. You will have a lot of time to explore but it would get the job done. Leave one day for Lisbon for walking in the city. Take the tram up (almost) to the castle, people watch in the main square and enjoy. This leaves you two days.
Trains are not a good way to travel in Portugal; bus is better and car best if you are comfortable with driving on the right side and lots of roundabouts. However, on a two-day trip to the Algarve (having done this last year in reverse) you might consider an excursion so you can relax and see more. The major highways to the Algarve and along parts of it are excellent. Last year when we stayed in Albufeira, we took a two-day excursion from Albufeira (Algarve) to Lisbon/Cascais/Estoril/Sintra areas that cost us just less than $200CD pp with breakfast, dinner and accommodation at a moderate hotel in Lisbon. We had an excellent guide. The bus trip alone took about 2 ½ hrs. with a rest stop. This went from Albufeira to Lisbon overnight. Having said all that, I prefer independent travel but excursions have their place and will give you an overview of the Algarve region.
I an expert on Portugal but if you need information about where to stay in the Algarve you can write me at kobysurfer at rogers dot com (this is my email address in words). We will be staying for three weeks in Feb-March in Albufeira.
The Cascais/Estoril areas are very commercial compared to the Algarve and can’t be compared.
Have fun!
Jan 20th, 2006, 05:47 AM
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Hi there mmuehl:
I took this from the other Portugal thread which I posted last night - thanks to michi's advice I'll be posting a small (shall we say) guide to Lisbon and surrounds soon. But for now here's a short list of Lisbon things to do...
1 - Tourist tram around the old quarter. From Praça do Commercio. 15 euros or so pp. great views of the narrow cobbled streets no wider than the antique tram, past the castle and looking out over terraces and terra cotta tiled roofs. Makes 1 stop for 10 minutes or so at Basilica de Estrela. Huge Cathedral - free to enter, but don't catch the tram at lunch or it'll be closed.
2: Catch the ferry from Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas. 65 cents each way. Great views to Lisbon itself from the southern bank. Take a cab to Christo Rei. Climb up to Christ's feet and admire the 360º view. Fantastic photography of the Ponte 25 de Abril.
3: Saturdays - catch a cab to Feira de Ladra - a huge open air flea market in the old quarter. Watch out for pick pockets but brilliant photo ops.
4: Go to Castelo S. Jorge for a calm afternoon in the shade. Not sure if you pay to enter now. Good views across old quarter.
5. Take an elevator ride up Santa Justa downtown. A bit like the Eiffel tower, get off the lift climb the rickety spiral stairs to the bar on top. Very expensive to drink up there. Amazing if somewhat vertigo inducing views.
6. EXPO - go to the Oceanarium. Amazing to see the sharks.
7: Take a cab or tram to Belem. A MUST SEE is Mosteiro dos Geronimos. The resting place of Vasco da Gama. UNESCO world heritage site. Monument to the Discoveries across the park and Belem Tower. (Tor de Belem) Fill up with traditional pastries in "Pasteis de Belem." Just ask someone, everyone knows where it is.
8. Take the train from Cais do Sodre to Cascais - about 1/2 hr along the coast. Great views to the sea. Lots of wonderful restaraunts in Cascais - and once there take a cab to "Boca do Inferno." Don't stand to close to the edge of the cliffs though.
9. Bairro Alto. Daytime, nice old shopping area, steep hills cobbled roads charming shops and coffee shops. Lively at night - visit a Fado house for dinner wine and live fado music.
I've have a million other suggestions: feel free to email me... [email protected].
Take care, Matt
I took this from the other Portugal thread which I posted last night - thanks to michi's advice I'll be posting a small (shall we say) guide to Lisbon and surrounds soon. But for now here's a short list of Lisbon things to do...
1 - Tourist tram around the old quarter. From Praça do Commercio. 15 euros or so pp. great views of the narrow cobbled streets no wider than the antique tram, past the castle and looking out over terraces and terra cotta tiled roofs. Makes 1 stop for 10 minutes or so at Basilica de Estrela. Huge Cathedral - free to enter, but don't catch the tram at lunch or it'll be closed.
2: Catch the ferry from Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas. 65 cents each way. Great views to Lisbon itself from the southern bank. Take a cab to Christo Rei. Climb up to Christ's feet and admire the 360º view. Fantastic photography of the Ponte 25 de Abril.
3: Saturdays - catch a cab to Feira de Ladra - a huge open air flea market in the old quarter. Watch out for pick pockets but brilliant photo ops.
4: Go to Castelo S. Jorge for a calm afternoon in the shade. Not sure if you pay to enter now. Good views across old quarter.
5. Take an elevator ride up Santa Justa downtown. A bit like the Eiffel tower, get off the lift climb the rickety spiral stairs to the bar on top. Very expensive to drink up there. Amazing if somewhat vertigo inducing views.
6. EXPO - go to the Oceanarium. Amazing to see the sharks.
7: Take a cab or tram to Belem. A MUST SEE is Mosteiro dos Geronimos. The resting place of Vasco da Gama. UNESCO world heritage site. Monument to the Discoveries across the park and Belem Tower. (Tor de Belem) Fill up with traditional pastries in "Pasteis de Belem." Just ask someone, everyone knows where it is.
8. Take the train from Cais do Sodre to Cascais - about 1/2 hr along the coast. Great views to the sea. Lots of wonderful restaraunts in Cascais - and once there take a cab to "Boca do Inferno." Don't stand to close to the edge of the cliffs though.
9. Bairro Alto. Daytime, nice old shopping area, steep hills cobbled roads charming shops and coffee shops. Lively at night - visit a Fado house for dinner wine and live fado music.
I've have a million other suggestions: feel free to email me... [email protected].
Take care, Matt
Jan 24th, 2006, 07:34 AM
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Hi there mmuehl
Did you see my other thread? Things to do in and around Lisbon?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34740328
It expands somewhat on my original answer.
Take care
Matt
Did you see my other thread? Things to do in and around Lisbon?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34740328
It expands somewhat on my original answer.
Take care
Matt
