HI, thanks to all who responded to my earlier post.
I will now fly into Oporto, pick up a car for 7 days and head south, ending up in Lisbon where I will stay on for 4 more days after dropping off the car and husband at the airport. Any tips on lodgings in Oporto and other places will be much appreciated. Love to drink port, so I am looking forward to that "pilgrimage". Any opinions on a good driving itinerary? Thanks.

From Oporto I would head north first, especially with 7 days for tourism. Do not miss Viano do Castelo and the Minho region. Stay in Obidos to explore that area, end in Evora before dropping the car.

I was hoping you'll reply, Bob. I was wondering if I had time to swing north from Porto. Is it doable if I left early am, and headed north from Porto to visit Caminha, Viano do Castelo, Guimares and perphaps Braga (are the latter two worth a visit? Should I stay one night in that area or start heading south after? Where should I stay in the Beiras region? Was thinking of visiting Aveiro, Tomar and Nazare. Might skip Comhimbra, we are not into large University towns. We like good food and small not too touristy fishing villages and small picturesque towns.
Will plan to spend a night at least in Obidos. I can't find much info on Marvao online. Will visit Evora Estremoz. Planning to stay the last two nights before my husband flies off at Palacio de Setais in Sintra. He will skip Lisbon entirely but I will stay there for 4 more days without a car. Thanks again for your input. I was totally clueless about Portugal when I started planning this last minute trip 2 days ago. I love the internet.

You can use Viano as your north base to explore the Minho[Guimares, Braga,Ponte di Lima,Barcellos]for at least 2 nites. Use Obidos as your base for Nazare, Batahla, Tomar etc. Then drive to Marvao for one nite and end in Evora before dropping the car. That is a bit of driving but very doable. Stay at the Pousadas in Viano and Marvao, but not in Evora. In Obidos, stay at Estalagem do Covento.

Again, thanks, will definitely check up on your lodging reccomendations. Gotta to run to work now.

I ask the previous posters to not get offended by my post, but once tangwah is likely to do some research in Internet, I took the freedom to spell correctly the names of towns and places.
And they are: Porto, Viana do Castelo, Guimaraes, Coimbra, Seteais, Ponte de Lima, Batalha and Estalagem do Convento

lobo_mau.
Have revised the itinerary from my original one.
I would like some feedback on the new one if you can.
Arrive Lisbon drive directly to Braga.
Four nights in Braga or surrounding area.
An undecided night somewhere between Braga area and a little south of Obidos.
Four nights on the coast South of Obidos.
Three nights in Lisbon.
Return home.
We are willing to do the long drive upon arrival to the Braga area. But in the middle of the trip, we thought we would like to break up the three hour+ drive. Unless you think another night spent in one or the other of the two places could use another day.
We received the tickets for May instead of November. Better weather and longer daylight.
Thank you.
Sherry

Hi Sher
I know I received a mail from you, but I am fighting currently with computer problems.
As far as the change of calendar is concerned, I can only congratulate you by the change, it seems a very wise decision from all points of view.
In the way down, I think you should consider one night in Bucaco (forest and hotel in the midlle of it).

Thanks Lobo. If you think of anything else, please drop me a line.
I wanted to go before next year, but I am glad we are going in the warmer weather.
I did look at Bucaco, thank you for the suggestion.

see http://www.europeforvisitors.com/eur...es/bussaco.htm

In the region where Bussaco is located look for Bairrada village, and eat the suckling pig eaten along with Bairrada champagne.