I'm struggling with my plans and am hopping your collective wisdom may help. By way of intro, we are seasoned (aka mature) travellers, so driving is not a problem. I'm trying to create an itinerary that includes not only the common tour operator stops, but also unique to the country places, scenery, views, smattering of all (not necessarily only the churches tour or the monasteries loop, etc). The historic and other villages sounds like they may provide a unique view into Portugal's past and history. Having said that, I'd rather not have too many one night hotel stays and be exhausted from driving too much, thus not enjoying the places ......so I am not sure if my time in the country allows to see off the beaten path places or should I go with a "standard" plan......

Option A (villages - could be to hectic and not be enjoyable at the end; also, not sure that I chose the good representation of villages - is there a better way?? - any all suggestions are welcomed),
D1-D4 - LIsbon, including am arrival, explore the city and one day trip to Sintra. sleep Lisbon.
D5-D6 - rent a car and drive to Coimbra (stops on the way), sleep Coimbra
D7-8 - depart to Porto (stop at Aveiro), explore Porto (only 1 day, at most 1 1/2 days !), sleep Porto
D9-D10 depart to Douro Valley via Braga, sleep Douro Valley
D11- drive to Belmonte, explore, drive to Monsanto, sleep Monsanto
D12- explore Monsanto, drive to Castelo Branco/explore, may be sleep here or drive to Castelo de Vide
D13 - explore Castelo de Vide, drive to Evora, sleep Evora
D14 - Evora, sleep Evora
D15 - depart from Evora to Lisbon airport, return the car

Option B (a more relaxed plan - I could find off the beaten path places even when doing Lisbon-Porto)
D1-D4 Lisbon, sleep Lisbon
D5-D6 rent a car, depart to Sintra, sleep Sintra
D7-D8 depart to Coimbra (stops on the way), sleep Coimbra
D9-D10 depart to Douro Valley, sleep Douro Valley
D11-D14 - depart to Porto (via Brago), sleep Porto
D15 fly home from Porto

Pls do provide your suggestions and/or opinion - all is appreciated!

Hello!

Well, I'm portuguese, so I like relaxed things! If it is to work, you work, you stress, you do the best in a hurry, you rushed! But... if it is vacation time, then relax!

So of course my vote is for itinerary B!

My only question is: are you sure you want to drive to/at Douro Valley? What about Coimbra-Porto through Montemor-o-velho (nice walled village, noone visits, completely off the beaten path), drive to Porto through A17 instead of A1 with perhaps a quick stop at Válega, just to see the beautiful church, arrive Porto and turn down the car, visit the Douro Valley by train? Just a thought.

Hope you will enjoy your time in Portugal!

Helena