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excited _confused
I've stayed at the Tivoli in Sintra and found it to be a top hotel ( usually I stay at moderate hotels), but I don't know about the other Tivoli's. If you have a car both Carvoeiro and Portimão are ok, without a car I would choose Portimão because of the public transit.Portimão also has the iconic Praia da Rocha. How many days? It depends on the length of your trip and interests. The Algarve is popular because of the weather and the beaches but it doesn't have the impressive monuments that are in the North. If you're from North America, think of Florida without the theme parks. If you're renting a car it's probably best to get it at the airport and keep it for duration of your trip.Buy the insurance. Get the Via Verde transponder for the highways. Familiarize yourself with multi lane roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, speed bumps and difficult parking. Get a good GPS. |
Outside of Conimbriga we stopped at a restaurant that has a dessert, Pera Bebeda, (drunken pear) that is superb - to my palate.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...296a16b974.jpg Pera Bebeda, drunken pear dessert |
Aveiro
Aveiro has a lagoon and canals where Moliceiro boats used to carry seaweed, now they carry tourists on canal tours. It is sometimes called the Venice of Portugal ( not really) Aveiro is also known for a dessert called Ovos Moles ( egg yolk with sugar). We had a frustrating time with the road closures, construction and one way streets. Tip: contact the hotel before booking and ask about construction and road work around the hotel https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...89d5d3ed4b.jpg Aveiro pedestrian only street https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...68b8311435.jpg Tile facade https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...db0df701dc.jpg Art deco facade https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3b933b461d.jpg Main canal https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4c60474f17.jpg Moliceiro boat https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...28f559ec70.jpg Moliceiro boat https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6f062304ef.jpg Colorful Moliceiro boats https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...90396b68b0.jpg Waterfront buildings viewed from Moliceiro boat https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...25134adf1e.jpg Colored strips on bridge. Instead of rusty locks the local lovers tie colored strips to the bridge. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...67adb9ebe4.jpg The courtyard in our hotel, where we planned to take a relaxing break... https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e1ca59cc98.jpg ...the reality, construction site, no relaxing break |
Braga Sameiro
Braga's Bom Jesus is the most famous but nearby is Sameiro. It doesn't have the iconic stairs but it's interesting to visit. Besides the church itself, the location offers great views of the city of Braga and the mountains that surround it. Tip: almost at the back of church ( on exterior) there's a door that allows access to the top of cupola (fee and time restricted) https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...deadece5b.jpeg Sameiro https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...977b5c7457.jpg The guardian angels, the city of Braga and the mountains https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f79b81023b.jpg Pillar and church https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b122e8e5a7.jpg Another view from Sameiro |
Catching up on your report. I especially love the photos of Aveiro. So colorful!!!! If we return to Portugal, I will put it on my itinerary. And that drunken pear looks soooo delicious!!!
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KarenWoo
It's truly delicious, I tried to find how they prepare it and all I got is they used Port wine ( it's been my experience that restaurant recipees are different from cook book recipees). They also make a baked apple dessert that is very good. The Aveiro Moliceiro boats can be quite colorful and some of them have "risque" motifs . |
Braga Bom Jesus
Bom Jesus is the most iconic and most visited religious site in Braga, the place was full of tourists when we visited. A number of convents/monasteries have been converted to hotels, we stayed at one of them which allowed us to see Bom Jesus after the tourists had left for the day. Tip: walk down the stairway and take the elevator up https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...912e4bbd39.jpg The iconic Bom Jesus stairs https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5ec21701ce.jpg Stairway/path (after the iconic stairs) that continues down the mountain to the elevator. Along the way little chapels have depictions of religious scenes https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bbd7b51c20.jpg Religious scene inside the chapel https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2638d61cd.jpg The stairway exit, to the left is the elevator https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...744838d62f.jpg Elevator https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...96e8047159.jpg The elevator and the church https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...89080d28e1.jpg Organ detail https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3f11c81827.jpg The grotto ( man made) https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...521074279.jpeg Grotto and church https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6c0f759284.jpg View of church from grotto https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b8a6e43302.jpg We stayed at one of the converted religious buildings, view from my room https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0e723e322.jpeg Waterfall on the hill behind church https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c531f90f8d.jpg Lake on the hill behind the church. The fish have a very strong red coloration This is the last stop on our multiday side trip, we're going back to the Algarve. |
Café life
Café life is all about taking it easy. Connecting with friends, people watching, enjoying an unhurried coffee. Not rushing, taking your time is expected at the café. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...43290b19f6.jpg At the café take your time, enjoy every sip https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...49c5ddf1e0.jpg Cafés have a variety of pastries https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9229d2dad6.jpg They also have sandwiches https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...04c5fdcf64.jpg Salgados top to bottom, shrimp, meat, codfish https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...87bc4387a2.jpg Some also serve light meals at lunchtime, usually Bitoque https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...15ad5d4360.jpg It's all about taking it easy |
Wow!!! Bom Jesus in Braga looks so beautiful and amazing! How many nights did you stay in Braga?
Where are the cafe photos from? |
I've had a Bifana supreme, or special, can't remember. They added an egg and cheese. Delicious.
40 days to departure for us. Thanks again for posting all this. |
KarenWoo
We stayed in Braga for two days, this was part of a multi day side trip. The purpose of the trip was to see friends but we took in some sightseeing along the way. The café photos are from the area around Vilamoura, as we stroll along the area we take breaks at the café - perhaps the reason why I'm gaining weight or maybe my clothes are shrinking. Bdokeefe You'll have much better weather than we have, making for a more enjoyable trip. |
This is an alert for anyone that likes to walk in forested areas - it's caterpillar season.
On our morning walk this morning my wife screamed because she thought this was a snake, we almost stepped on them. Apparently they fall from the trees in a ball and then form conga lines. A local person told us they are poisonous. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...774b5fd962.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1eb515537c.jpg |
That's wild!
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Continuing to enjoy your posts and finding them very helpful. We leave Feb. 27th!
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Restaurants
Our favorite restaurants are the mom and pop restaurants, they offer the best value and they have the traditional Portuguese cuisine. Many restaurants will place bread, olives, etc, that have an extra fee, ask. Prato do dia is plate of the day, usually the fastest plate available. Diária/ menu completo/ ementa turística/ refeição completa, usually mean a plate of the day with something else included in the price, could be one, some or all of these : drink, dessert, bread, olives, soup, every restaurant is different, ask what's included. Glovo and Uber are the most popular food delivery services. Portuguese don't tip at restaurants (because wait staff makes the same salary as the patrons - unlike in North America where tipping is used to supplement lower salaries). The lowest priced meal ( for two) that we paid so far was €20, the most was €88, and we average €30. Most restaurante price by the plate, however some price by wheight (kg) making meals expensive, know the difference. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...505a956cf1.jpg Some restaurants have the fresh fish on display. You can point to the one you want. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1ce4922508.jpg Bitoque, the most popular, fastest and cheapest meal at a restaurant. It's a thin cutlet of meat( chicken, pork or beef) with fries, rice and egg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8f97a030ab.jpg Feijoada, bean stew https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...35466abb9d.jpg Carne de porco á alentejano, pork meat with clams https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9cd7afb775.jpg It's common for restaurants to prepare and present the same dish differently. This is pork meat with clams at a different restaurant https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cdf4109bc9.jpg Robalo grelhado, grilled sea bass. Most fish are served whole, heads included. If a fish is big then only a fillet will be served. This one was cut in half and grilled https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eaca5a1efd.jpg Robalo assado no forno, oven roasted sea bass https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...30c7f6f551.jpg Dourada grelhada, grilled sea bream https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...766ab18689.jpg Arroz de marisco, seafood rice https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6aaf234554.jpg Mista de carne, mixed meats https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...86b5892e8f.jpg Conquilhas, clams from the Algarve. They have a mild flavor https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b402f49c7.jpg Lulas a algarvia, squid Algarve style, an acquired taste. Because they are small they aren't cleaned (guts still in), this also happens with some small fish (sardines) https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2177694277.jpg Bacalhau cozido, boiled codfish https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d275955cfa.jpg Bacalhau com natas, codfish with cream https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...edb3ee1d39.jpg Cabrito assado no forno, oven roasted goat https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...823db26569.jpg Chocos, cuttlefish. In the squid family but thicker meat and different flavor. For those that want to try it, I'll explain. It can be ordered with or without ink. The ink gives it a different flavor profile https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7fdd34b1cb.jpg Without ink is cleaned, with ink is not cleaned. Notice the head/tentacles (edible) and the back bone https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...146da3e77a.jpg Backbone removed. The mouth in the head is like a parrot's bic and must be discarded. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...07e8b2dcb0.jpg Cut in half the ink goes everywhere https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6d827b19bc.jpg My plate, fingers, lips, teeth, everything was black. Bring a toothbrush https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0744a5a488.jpg Cataplana de marisco. Seafood cataplana. This is a regional dish of the Algarve. Cooked in a round pot with a lid. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b93715e8e8.jpg Sardinhas grelhadas, grilled sardines. They are grilled whole, not cleaned, guts still in. They have many little bones and a very strong smell and flavor. Wash hands several times afterwards https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e439ee2d01.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ef9402c1e.jpeg Occasionally I will order something that reminds me of home |
Virginiafish
I'm glad you're enjoying the post. Your trip is almost here. The weather is much better now, no rain and warmer temperature. Hope you have a great trip. |
Faro - storks, bones and unpleasantness.
We took a day trip to Faro, as soon as we arrived we could hear the clack-clack of the storks in their nests. It seemed that any high point had a stork. Strolled thru the streets until we arrived at the church that has the bone chapel. It's a macabre sight but also a reminder that we all have the same final destination. The chapel is less impressive than the one in Évora and some of the bones are broken or have desintegrated. After the chapel we strolled thru the pedestrian only streets. Very few people were around us but I noticed an individual following us, whenever we stopped he stopped, I would stop in front of stores and on the store window reflection I could see him stopped and looking at us. This went on for awhile. Then I decided to stop turn and look at him directly, he stopped looked at me and walked away to another street. After that experience we went to a different street with restaurants. I stepped away a few meters to look at a restaurant menu, beggar asked my wife for money and she said no, the beggar swore at my wife ( in English) fxxx oxx , I immediately intervened and some unpleasantness ensued ( just verbal , nothing physical). After that we decided it best to leave Faro. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b3c5e0b7b1.jpg Storks on churches https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5fdf2102c4.jpg Storks on light poles https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0330c06cee.jpg The church with the bone chapel https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e73385e572.jpg Golden altar https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ad2c290931.jpg Carving detail https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...32a639f906.jpg Bone chapel https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fae1c6328d.jpg Bone chapel ceiling https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d45d76952d.jpg Pedestrian only street with few people, this is where we were followed https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f683eac8f9.jpg Pedestrian only street https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4e111cc29b.jpg Restaurant street, the unpleasantness incident https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a71d5bc5f5.jpg We didn't love Faro |
Your food photos remind me of why I didn't care for Portuguese food (fish, seafood and eggs).
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More practical info
Anyone using the buses in the Algarve can purchase the Vamus bus card. The card can be purchased at bus terminals and it's a pay as you go card so you load and reload money into it. We receive about 30% discount on the bus trips. One card can be used by two persons. The card only works on the Vamus buses. We used a local hairdresser, €10 for men's cut, €45 for ladies wash and cut. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9b2ec03354.jpg Vamus prepaid bus card for the Algarve https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...601ba45526.jpg It was time for a haircut. We went to a different hairdresser but the prices are similar to this one |
Loule and Mars shopping
We took a day trip to Mars shopping mall and Loulé. Mars shopping is supposed to be the largest shopping mall in the Algarve. It has a traditional indoor mall and an outside shopping area built to look like a street, in between the two is a mini golf and restaurants. Interestingly the mall has a display for flights at Faro airport. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6186ec4107.jpg Mars shopping mall indoor section https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5a413a5362.jpg Mars shopping flight info display for Faro airport https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...108fea4235.jpg Mars shopping outdoor section, built to look like a street https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ef1aed6c91.jpg The mini golf between the two sections. As I was talking to my wife about visiting the castle in the distance (zoom in) a local informed us that it was built in the past 20 years and it's a private home, built to look like a castle Afterwards we went to Loulé. We strolled in the old town, with the narrow cobblestone streets, visited the castle facade and the market. The market has an exterior Moorish design that makes it architecturaly interesting. Unfortunately we arrived too late and the vendors were finished for the day. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3493e55f18.jpg Loulé market with Moorish design elements https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...81e7c6dc8.jpeg Market entrance https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0e999de46a.jpg Empty market stalls, we arrived too late https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6e135d800.jpeg Old town streets https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a8df8a6cc.jpeg Old town https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...49f30dc5d.jpeg Old town https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...58d648c76f.jpg Loulé castle, while it's very old there's not much left except for a portion of the facade wall We came across some cork trees, the cork provides protection against fires that are common in Portugal. These trees seem to be abendoned since the last harvest https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...869c21730.jpeg Cork tree, the dark area is the harvested area of the tree https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5d34965b2.jpeg Cork is harvested every 7 years |
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