Hello


I will be in two weeks for two weeks in Portugal. I've just put a brief outline/idea of our trip. We are leaving it pretty open and free depending on what the day brings...idea is to see as much as possible but most important is to enjoy and "feel" the country. We just booked 3 nights in B&B in Lisbon and rented a car. Rest is to be determined once we are there.
I was wondering if you could have a look at the itinerary outline below and provide some feedback and your thoughts....if there are places I should skip and rather spend more time in others or places that I should visit but did not put it down there.
I feel that I don't know enough about the northern part of Portugal....Porto/Douro area...whats best to see there.
thanks in advance for your comments!
Cheers!

September 5 Lisbon arrive at 3pm
September 6 Lisbon
September 7 Lisbon
September 8 Lisbon - Estremoz – Evora - Drive to Estremoz and back for the night to Evora
September 9 Evora - Sintra – Cascais - Drive to Cascais and Sintra; Stay for the the night in either
September 10 Cascais - Obidos - Nazare
September 11 Nazare - Coimbra - Porto
September 12 Porto
September 13 Porto - Amarante - Villa Real - Villa Poaca de Aguira
September 14 Villa Poaca de Aguira - Guimares – Braga - Stay for the night in Guimares or Braga
September 15 Braga or Guimares drive along the coast
September 16 Coast - Povoa de Varzim (R&R)
September 17 Coast (R&R)
September 18 Porto
September 19 leave Porto @ 7am

what's an R&R?

rest and relaxation.

Hi,
I can't help you and actually need your help. I am going with a friend for a couple of weeks to Portugal. We will be there around Sept. 16th., and we do not have a place to stay in Lisbon, nor a car rented. This was decided last night to go there, so planning is going to be difficult at such a late date.
Can you share what car rental company you took, and hotel or apartment in Lisbon you are staying? Any info would be helpful. Sorry that I am asking for help, and not giving help!!
Thanks

We just returned from two weeks in Portugal. These are the car rental companies I have used there this time and on previous trips.
www.hertz.com
www.carjet.com
www.economycarrentals.com
We have been pleased with all of them. The last two are brokers and will place you with a well known company.

The last two times we have rented apartments. Last year we rented a private apartment in Chiado. This year we rented a studio apartment at Brown's Luxury Apartments. Both were about E95 a night. But these places were comparable to a four star hotel in style and comfort.
www.travelingtolisbon.com
www.rent4days.com
Good Luck.

Hi; We used www.sixt.com. in April and they were very good. Also could try www.carrentals.com/ This site sells for all the major car companies including Sixt, Hertz, Avis, etc. Dick

Ok. thanks. My 2 favourite activities

Hi,

I spent two weeks in Portugal in July and went to many of the places you list. My opinions:

Estremoz--I knew we went there but couldn't remember it at all. Had to look at photos to jog my memory. It has a nice little museum. Had lunch at a chic little restaurant who's name I can't remember. I myself wouldn't make the trip again.

I loved Sintra but we went there on our last day in Portugal and I was exhausted and ready to go home. We went to Pena Palace and to the Quinta da Regaleira (both fantastic in the most literal sense of the word.) I would love to go back and stay there for a few days. FYI--it was at least 20 degrees cooler than in Lisbon. Bring a sweater!

I loved Evora and Obidos. Obidos has to be one of the most postcard perfect towns anywhere. Has absolutely no nightlife though--not even many restaurants. In Obidos we stayed at Casa de Campo Sao Rafael: www.casasaorafael.com on the outskirts of town with a beautiful pool. Great if the weather is still nice to enjoy it. In Evora we stayed at Albergaria Solar De Monfalim www.monfalimtur.pt. Nice, well located, good breakfast but near the cathedral that chimes on the hour every hour of the day and night.

Nazare is very much a beach town like you'd find on the east coast of the US, but the water is a beautiful turquoise and the sand is quite rocky. There were many people with rooms for rent in apartments.

We drove through Coimbra on our way to the Bucaco forest (worth a look if it's a nice day) but didn't stop. Also went to Conimbriga, the Roman ruins nearby. This is as far north as we went.

I'll put in a plug for Alcobaca, a monastery not too far from Obidos. It was one of my favorite places in Portugal.

Have a fun trip. I'm looking forward to going back and exploring the north!

Patti

Thanks for all your responses.
Patti thanks so much for all the tips and hints - helps a lot!

Re car rental - Ive booked w/Budget as I had a good discount from my employer. But last time while in Spain ive used economycarrentals.com and was all good.
We are staying in B&B in Lisbon http://casadobairro.pt/ - got if from TripAdvisor

Thank you

Hi domtor,

I know most of the areas that you desire to visit and all of them are beautiful. In reality it is really hard to say which places you should skip and in which places you should pass more time.
I only stated that you will spend 3 days in Lisbon and only 1 day in Porto - I think both cities needs the same type of time to be visited and enjoyed so you might shorten Lisbon to 2 days and give Porto another day.
Also I saw that you are visiting Obidos and Nazare, but are not driving through the Lagoon of Obidos, Peniche, Alcobaca, Batalha or Fatima...

The Silver Coast (Peniche, Obidos including the Lagoon of Obidos, Nazare, Alcobaca etc.) are worth a visit at least of 2 days...

Here is a very useful ink concerning hotels in this area...this might also be a help for "clayplay15" if he needs a place to stay close to Lisbon:
http://www.silver-coast-properties.n...e_1919098.html

Enjoy your trip!

I really liked Estremoz. There is a great Saturday market, but you won't be there on Saturday. This wouldn't stop me from going, though. It is a fascinating walled city surrounded by marble quarries, olive groves and vineyards, and from the dazzling white plaza at the top of the hill, with the castle and the church, there are wonderful views of the countryside.

On the road between Estremoz and Evora, you might want to stop at Evoramonte, another town with a hilltop castle and fine views.