I visited both last summer. Portugal would me choice.Wayfaring Blissfully http://waybliss.blogspot.com/

You will love Egypt. My husband & I were in Egypt & Jordan for about 3 weeks in 2010. We also did a Nile Cruise. Just loved it.
I got my guide who planned everything on this site & it was perfect.Have fun

Found your post 8 years ago. Would like to know the next episode: how was your trip to Egypt, and have you visited Greece or Portugal again later? I was back from Greece last month for a two weeks vacation and planning for the next year, was told to check out on Portugal, that led me to your post and impressed by so many advices!

Hi! Welcome to Fodors. The OP has not posted since December 2016 so it is probably unlikely s/he will respond. May I suggest you check out the many trip reports and threads on Portugal on this forum for inspiration. It may also be helpful to use the "Destinations" tab on the main Fodors site for some basic research. Happy planning!

Thanks! Will do.

I split a trip to these two countries last May. I would pick Portugal over Greece. I’m not a fan of Greek food, sorry if I offend anyone, I’ve spent over three weeks there, and have been to Greece twice before that. Yes the history and archeology is amazing, but so are the sights in Portugal. I’m going back to Portugal this Spring. I just love how beautiful the building and streets are.. The best part of Greece are the islands, and getting out of the big cities.

I was in Greece this fall the end if September and early Oct and had a wonderful experience with the weather (and food!). Athens-Antiparos-Paros-Naxos-Athens. Heading for Portugal for the first time next week!

Hi there! I'm actually a fellow Canadian from GTA who resides in southern Portugal and also love bith countries. Since you haven't seen the Alentejo and Algarve, I encourage you to try it as it is a different side to Portugal you haven't seen yet. If you decide on southern Portugal please contact me via message as I can make some fantastic recommendations for wineries and lovely little towns that will take yout breath away.

You say you haven’t been to Italy in decades and your husband has never been, yet you speak of pickpockets, purse snatchers, etc as if it’s a regular occurrence in Italy. Most of the publicized occurrences, usually on social media, are the exception and not the norm. I’ve got news for you. Greece too has its fair share of pickpocketers too and crime as well. Those types of crimes happen everywhere, whether it’s Rome, Jerusalem, Venice, Lisbon (full of them). In fact the first time we went to Lisbon about 25 years ago the room in our pension was broken into and the ONLY thing taken was my brand new, at the time, Olympus digital camera and a few other nonessential replaceable items. It’s obvious we were targeted, unfortunately. I was pickpocketed my first time in Italy, in Rome,almost 30 years ago, overloaded with baggage, I was a young at the time and all my cash was taken. As far as Italy being expensive, compared to where I live now (USA) it’s relatively cheap, unless one goes the 5 star tourist route, which we never do. I can’t give suggestions for Portugal/ Greece but I can tell you that whatever you decide we travelers will try to help.