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Just catching up on your report. I love the Gulbenkian Museum. It's one of the highlights of our trip to Lisbon. And even though I am not a fan of contemporary art, I enjoyed their Modern art museum as well as the Founders Collection. I remember having drinks and a snack outdoors at the cafe. The grounds are very pretty, too.
Love your photos of Cascais! And your wine story!:) |
Glad this popped back up to the top. Great practical information.
But I'm curious as to why you haven't mentioned using Uber for Lisbon? |
KarenWoo
It's one my wife's favorite travel stories, she has fun telling the story "remember the flat wine jugs...". Good memories. Mlgb I don't mention Uber because we don't use it, we use taxis - personal choice. |
We have never used Uber, either. We always use taxis.
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Cascata Real
The Cascata Real is located in Caxias ( on the Lisbon - Cascais train line), opposite the train station on the north side. Cascata Real means Royal Waterfall and was part of the King's larger garden complex. Today only a small portion remains along with some derelict buildings. While they need repairs I found it interesting to see, we were the only ones visiting so we took the time to enjoy it. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2c363d271.jpeg Cascata Real https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d03713a807.jpg Cascata Real side view https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...28c5ecba43.jpg Edge garden beside the Cascata Real https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...13714c6d7f.jpg Cascata Real spindly palms |
Wow!
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I only used public transit and my feet in Lisbon. However the morning of my departure there was a strike that shut the rail station I had intended to use to get back to the airport. Lodging host called Uber for me (you do need a working phone). I thought as this was a complete report on practical tips and many travelers do use Uber (some prefer it because of the tracking function and being charged to your loaded credit card), that it was worth mentioning that it works well in Lisbon. Driver said there is plenty of work for both taxis and Uber.
PS Wow is right! |
I agree! Wow!!!! Love the Cascata Real!
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Palácio de Queluz
Queluz palace is one of my favorites. Always enjoy visiting the palace and gardens. I've been lucky that almost everytime I visit I have the place to myself. Hope it doesn't get over run like Sintra. It's one of the largest palaces in Portugal but not all areas of palace are open to visitors. Note: opposite the palace is a building with the same color and similar styling, it's not part of the palace - it's an active military installation. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cc7b7eb9e2.jpg Queluz building and empty parking https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...99a459a06.jpeg Hall of mirrors ceiling https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...482f4e219.jpeg Hall of mirrors corner detail https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...87109d2ba.jpeg Palace chandelier https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e6b7cb9b1.jpeg Palace chandelier view from underneath https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8def4bb613.jpg Colored glass chandelier https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...78c61cd5f4.jpg Music Hall https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5874834931.jpg Tiled room https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d319482781.jpg Royal red room https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...df1c5e217.jpeg The King's chapel. The chapel is fairly dark however I was fortunate that lights were present for some work https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...04ff11397.jpeg The King and Queen chairs https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...166dbb462b.jpg King's chapel ceiling detail https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6054728dc.jpeg Royal blue and gold https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fa6bf64f0.jpeg I wonder if the drinks taste better in the gold cups https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2129d984b.jpeg One end of this creek was gated so that the water filled up to the tile walls. The King would swim or use little boats surrounded by the beautiful tiles https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5f438de61.jpeg Neptune fountain https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e2914dc97.jpeg Palace garden fountain |
Wow! Great photos. Lots of bright colors and very ornate! Where is this palace located? The empty parking lot is shocking!!!
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This has to be one of the most helpful posts I’ve seen. I have spent much time in this area pre pandemic. I will be going back in a few months and I don’t know what to expect so it’s nice to have this refresher thread. Thanks so much. You are covering a lot of bases.
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I just read in the Porugal News that the Vilamoura Marina won the 5 Gold Anchor accreditation, awarded to only the best marinas, it looks like you choose your “snow bird” location well. I’ve yet to visit Vilamoura but am enjoying your ongoing practical tips and trip report.
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KarenWoo
I use HDR ( high dinamic range) setting for fotos but the big difference is the extra light. I've visited the palace before and never seen such vivid colors in the King's chapel, it's usually dark. The palace is in Queluz. It's on the Lisbon - Sintra train line, south of the train station. We like to visit attractions in the morning on weekdays, usually there's less people and can enjoy without rushing. As we were leaving more visitors started arriving. Ahotpoet Thanks, I'm glad my report is helpful to other travellers. Mirabel I wasn't aware of Vilamoura's awards, thanks for letting me know. We like the whole area around Vilamoura, it's flat, plenty of hotels, restaurants, rentals and a great beach for those long beach walks.So far it's our favorite. |
São Martinho do Porto
We did a quick stop in São Martinho do Porto to check it out as possible future destination. São Martinho do Porto has a protected bay with a long semi circular beach. About half of the beach is townfront the other half is not built up and it has sand dunes and a boardwalk. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...00edbd3fb1.jpg São Martinho do Porto boardwalk and bay/ocean https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1ed2e26ae9.jpg Boardwalk south view into sand dunes https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f501e9644e.jpg Boardwalk north view into town https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2c29803b7a.jpg Beach townfront |
Pharmacy or para - pharmacy.
When is a pharmacy not a pharmacy? when it's a para pharmacy. Went to the pharmacy to pickup medication and the attendant informed me that it's a para pharmacy and that I need to got to an actual pharmacy. It looks the same, it has the green cross symbol but it's not a pharmacy. Another lesson learned. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ad68b11bcc.jpg Para pharmacy not pharmacy https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...92bf05b8ca.jpg The translation is " medications that don't require prescription". |
Fátima
Fátima is one of the most important shrines in the world for the devoted and a tourist attraction for the rest, except for a person that decided to talk on his phone, everybody was respectful. The church steeple has the gold crown normally associated with Our Lady of Fátima. We stayed at a hotel across the street from the new church, it saved on a lot of walking. Tip: on weekdays at 3.30pm mass in English is held at the little white chapel Tip: if you want to do a knee pilgrimage, use kneepads https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...74a428d6a.jpeg Fátima shrine. Notice the person doing a knee pilgrimage https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...04262691e6.jpg Gallery, Pope's podium, gold crown on steeple https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cad1c469c4.jpg Religious panels inside the gallery https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f69f8a829e.jpg Fátima altar depicts Our Lady https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5f87c137f.jpeg The little white chapel is on the spot Our Lady appeared https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ef538b6928.jpg To the left of the little white chapel is the Velório, where the faithful light candles and pray https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...761a51b29a.jpg To the left of the Velório is where candles can be purchased. The candles come in different sizes. Choose your candles and place the depicted amount on the little slots for the money. It's on the honor system. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...490900e189.jpg The new church cement arms both reach and frame the old church. The area between the two churches can accommodate one million people, I've seen it during the Procissão das Velas (candle procession), it's moving and impressive. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b826f06a44.jpg Water feature by the new church. I could hear the water water but couldn't see it, access is from underground https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ab2570b2d8.jpg These are the hotels across the street from the new church, it really saved on a lot of walking Next stop the Roman ruins at Conimbriga |
Ouch, didn't realize knee pilgrimages were a thing. How far do they go on their knees?
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Melnq8
The knee pilgrimage path at the shrine is about 400 meters, however I did see people doing it outside the shrine. I only saw one person wearing kneepads, all others didn't have any protection, including a person doing the pilgrimage on their knees and elbows. |
Conimbriga Roman ruins
Near the town of Condeixa the Roman ruins of Conimbriga are an interesting site to visit. Most of the ruins date to 1BC, but the site itself is believed to be pre Roman. Only a portion of the know site has been escavated ( about 20%). The visible structures are incomplete, so you'll have to use your imagination to visualize the town in it's prime. There's water tunnels, sewage disposal, fountains, living quarters, baths, forum, amphitheater, city defensive wall. The house of fountains and it's mosaics are the best preserved. Tip: visit immediately after rain fall. The wet stone look will make the colors on the mosaics more colorful, otherwise they're faded. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f3dd8f7801.jpg Conimbriga mosaics https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...031137750d.jpg Mosaics https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...77153c3576.jpg Mosaics https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e47c3b0643.jpg Mosaics at fountain house https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...34f157cc2f.jpg Pillars and ruins https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...368d0e241b.jpg One of two fountain houses https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...92501ac155.jpg The best preserved fountain house under protective canopy https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2c9a53ab2d.jpg Fountain house https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f5e36362f.jpg Mosaics https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4f09cccdfe.jpg Minotaur labyrinth, I believe it to part of Greek mythology https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...90f2dcf536.jpg Fountain house Next stop Aveiro |
Very useful tips, thanks! Loved the details! And such amazing pictures!
How are you finding the Algarve coast? Any hotel recommendations? We are going to be there in May, looking to stay at the Hotel Oriental in Portimao and/or the Tivoli Carvoeiro. Thoughts? Other options? Also, how many days do you think a tourist needs in the Algarve region at the minimum? And is driving there from Lisbon a good option or should that be done by train too? Thanks in advance! |
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