Ryan

I did not find the driving in Portugal to be a problem. While some drive fast, I didn't feel it was anywhere close to how fast Italian's drive on the Autostrata.

Driving in Lisbon, for me was far less challenging then driving in Rome or Florence.

I've driven in 6 European countries and didn't feel Portugal to be noticeably better or wose then one of the other places I've driven.

What I did find challening in Portugal was the lack of clear roadsigns and the sometimes baffling signs to "no-where." In both Lisbon and the Algarve, we saw a sign for one of the major toll roads or highways, only to then be left with no clear signage for that same road after making a few turns. We get to a sign, follow it, then get to an intersection with no sign saying left or right. A good map and a good sense of humor are required.

bo_jack

For my few cents worth: I've driven in Spain on three different trips and thought it not unlike California on the divided highways. I've driven in Portugal once (in combination with one of the trips to Spain about 5 years ago), drove south from the northern border, into Lisbon then back east into Spain. I thought Portugal -- especially in the northern part -- to be not unlike driving on a raceway filled with maniacal truckers trying to outdo each other in speed and stupidity. Seriously, drivers in Portugal seemed a lot different from drivers in Spain or any other European country that I have driven in except (possibly) Turkey. They were fast, aggressive and sometimes not real bright -- drive VERY defensively.