Free days in Portugal
#1
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Free days in Portugal
My sister is taking a wonderful 10-day Road Scholar tour in Portugal this March, and it seems to very quickly cover many highlights. It works out to about one day each in Cascais and the coast; Obidos, Alcobaca Monastery, and Figueira da Foz; the University of Coimbra; Montemor o Velho; and the Douro Valley, plus about one and a half days each in Lisbon at the start and Porto at the end. She has already tacked on a few days in Sintra before the tour, but she will also have a couple of free days after it ends. She is debating spending those two extra days in Porto or Lisbon ... or somewhere else. She and her husband love the outdoors and are not big foodies.
I know everyone has unique preferences, but if you had two more days after a pretty whirlwind experience, what would you do?
I know everyone has unique preferences, but if you had two more days after a pretty whirlwind experience, what would you do?
#4

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
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I agree with HappyTrvlr that both cities deserve more time, but since flights are already booked, I would suggest that she put those days in the city that most appeals to her interests after her research.
The Road Scholar itinerary includes time in Lisbon's Belém district, but I believe it's just a morning tour, before lunch, according to their 10-day itinerary.
She might want to spend more time at the many monuments there (or not...if she isn't an avid museum-goer).
She'll have a late afternoon in Porto, the next full day in the Douro Valley, then the final day in Old Porto itself.
If she's interested in a day trip on her own to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Guimarães, it's easy to do independently by public transportation from Porto and an easy city to see in a day trip. In Guimarães she could take the cable car up to Monte da Pena.
From her research on Porto and things to do/see in the city and environs, she may find that more appealing.
For outdoor walks, there's the beachside promenade in Foz, the very pretty and large Serralves Foundation gardens in Boavista and its Treetop Walkway, the Crystal Palace Gardens...
Or on a sunny day, she might enjoy crossing the river to Gaia on the Dom Luiz I bridge and wandering the riverfront cais or taking an uber to the traditional fishing village of Afurada for a look around.
The RS itinerary is a busy one, so she may just want those extra 2 days to relax and unwind at the end.
Is there a decent connection with no long layovers/multiple changes from Porto to her home city?
The Road Scholar itinerary includes time in Lisbon's Belém district, but I believe it's just a morning tour, before lunch, according to their 10-day itinerary.
She might want to spend more time at the many monuments there (or not...if she isn't an avid museum-goer).
She'll have a late afternoon in Porto, the next full day in the Douro Valley, then the final day in Old Porto itself.
If she's interested in a day trip on her own to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Guimarães, it's easy to do independently by public transportation from Porto and an easy city to see in a day trip. In Guimarães she could take the cable car up to Monte da Pena.
From her research on Porto and things to do/see in the city and environs, she may find that more appealing.
For outdoor walks, there's the beachside promenade in Foz, the very pretty and large Serralves Foundation gardens in Boavista and its Treetop Walkway, the Crystal Palace Gardens...
Or on a sunny day, she might enjoy crossing the river to Gaia on the Dom Luiz I bridge and wandering the riverfront cais or taking an uber to the traditional fishing village of Afurada for a look around.
The RS itinerary is a busy one, so she may just want those extra 2 days to relax and unwind at the end.
Is there a decent connection with no long layovers/multiple changes from Porto to her home city?
#6

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
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I agree. Porto is a great city just for exploring, full of interesting surprises. and great for photographs.
And this blog by a Porto native might give her more ideas-
https://portoalities.com/en/blog/
And this blog by a Porto native might give her more ideas-
https://portoalities.com/en/blog/
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#8

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,829
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Love both Lisbon and Porto, but think that in this scenario it makes the most sense to spend the extra post-tour time staying in Porto. It's a bit more mellow than Lisbon, a good place to chill and relax after the lively RS itinerary. And eat. And drink. 

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