I now have more restaurant suggestions than we have days to enjoy them...this picky eater will not be going hungry. Thank you!

Mel,
More chocolates: ARCÁDIA
Their shop in Lisbon---Rua da Misericordia 72 in Chiado
In Cascais--Alameda Combatentes da Grande Guerra
In Foz do Douro--Rua do Passeio Alegre 320

Ice cream: SANTINI
In Lisbon---Rua do Carmo 88 in Chiado
In Porto--Rua das Flores 87
In Cascais--Avenida Valbom 28
in Belém--underneath the Museu Nacional dos Coches (the Carriage Museum)

New Italian restaurant by chef who won a Michelin star in Hong Kong, offering an unbeatable 3-course lunch menu for 19 euros: LIBERTÀ, off Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, at corner of Rua Rodrigues Sampaio and Barate Salgueiro below Hotel Lisboa
Lunch menu served from Tuesday-Friday

Still following! Just started fine tuning our trip - May is not far behind!

May 4th departure for me. Wheels up from Boston for 16 nights in Portugal. 3 in Estoril/Cascais....3 in Lisbon.....2 in Tomar.....2 in Coimbra and then 6 in Porto. All travel by rail. Been to Portugal several times prior so apart from Porto we will likely stay in our locations without day trips. Enjoy the weather, the bifanas and the cheese and vino evenings. All apartment stays.

F
 

Mike,
I can’t begin to tell you how much we’ve enjoyed Cascais! It’s just a wonderful relaxing antidote to the hills, crowds and general bustle of Lisbon and Sintra. I could live here! More later…

You’re killing me, Maribel! We start our monthlong trip with 3 nights in Sintra (arriving the same day as Mike 1728!) and now I’m starting to get a little anxious over the crowds. I mean, I know we can manage it, but now Cascais sounds so tempting instead! And starting our trip in the most-touristed town is sounding less ideal, though Sintra has always been in the plan. But I’m also clear that a day trip sounds even less fun, given the return of the tourist crowds.

progol,
Later today I’ll write a long post about why we love Cascais and how to do a day trip from here to Sintra the easiest way possible. Cascais rather than Sintra for us makes a great, relaxing start to Portugal (or a relaxing ending). It’s a great place to shake off jet lag before heading to the hills. I told you on another thread not to rethink Sintra for 3 nights but given our experience yesterday, I have a different opinion. More later…
A long day trip fom here starting early is manageable. I’ll explain later.

We’ll, now you definitely have me curious! I’m open to suggestions, especially since you seem to be shifting your thinking.

Thanks for the food suggestions Maribel.

I had a bad dream about those crowds yesterday. Not just in Sintra but across Portugal. We detest crowds and I'm beginning to wonder if Portugal is going to be a nightmare for us.

Mel,
The Estoril coast is not crowded. Yes, it’s busy this weekend but only because it’s beautiful weather with 65F temps (everyone in shorts) but there is plenty of room to spread out and take long walks along this gorgeous coast (or rent a scooter or bike). We walked on our first day from the fortress in Cascais all the way to Guincho beach. Just beautiful! I want to live here!

So now that you’re seeing how things are unfolding, would you suggest we stay in Cascais for our first 3 days and make a day trip to Sintra, rather than staying in Sintra? I don’t need to see every structure and I, like Mel, want to have a pleasant trip with limited hordes! I accept that it’ll be busy but Sintra is beginning to sound increasingly less pleasant.

I’ll explain in detail tonigjt but yes Cascais is heavenly and Sintra honestly is unpleasant. The guide in front of us at Regaleira said that from Easter through Sept the line to descend the Initiation Well is an hour long.

Thanks, Maribel. I think I will change our plans now. If it’s bad now, I can only imagine what May will be like.

Hi progol,
Smart move
The two lovely places to start are Cascais on the Estoril coast and Sesimbra near Arrabida nature Park on the other side of the Tejo river.
Both are restful.

Hi, Maribel,
Thanks, once again!
I’ve found a few places in the historic district in Cascais even though it’s getting close (early May). It was in my plan for a day trip so I’ll keep it simple. We can decide whether or not we want to go to Sintra from there.

I’ll post later the few places I’m considering. Nothing too fancy, as I’m trying to keep costs down. But I found an Airbnb I liked and a small hotel.

Vegetarian in Sintra

https://www.instagram.com/apracasintra/