Help me get excited about a week in Portugal
Dec 19th, 2017, 11:16 AM
#41
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Hi,
I cannot believe what i´m reading.
You cannot get excited for Portugal?
1st: Portugal: Best destination in the word 2017 (world travel awards, like the oscars of tourism)
2st: Lisbon: best city break of the world 2017 (world travel awards)
3st Madeira: Europe's best island destination 2017 (world travel awards)
4st: Algarve: Europe´s best beach destination 2017 (world travel awards)
5st: Porto: European best destination 2017
More than 1000 thousand years of history, Europe´s oldest country with unchanged borders.
Lisbon oldest western capital after Athens
Food to die for, colorful and vibrant culture, world heritage at every corner.
https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt
Do you need anymore excuses to not book right now?
I cannot believe what i´m reading.
You cannot get excited for Portugal?
1st: Portugal: Best destination in the word 2017 (world travel awards, like the oscars of tourism)
2st: Lisbon: best city break of the world 2017 (world travel awards)
3st Madeira: Europe's best island destination 2017 (world travel awards)
4st: Algarve: Europe´s best beach destination 2017 (world travel awards)
5st: Porto: European best destination 2017
More than 1000 thousand years of history, Europe´s oldest country with unchanged borders.
Lisbon oldest western capital after Athens
Food to die for, colorful and vibrant culture, world heritage at every corner.
https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt
Do you need anymore excuses to not book right now?
Dec 19th, 2017, 02:09 PM
#43
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I was not very sure about the meaning of "morose" but after searching I completely agree with the definition. Just listen some Fado (and translate the lyrisc)to understand. Just because the country is winning so many awards, that does not mean it is for everyone: it depends on what goals people have. I truly believe the OP will be disapointed, and that is really sad. There are so many exciting places in Europe, why not choose one of them?
Thursdaysd, Porto is not for everyone. Douro, yes, it's consensual. But Porto, the city, has a grey soul - Lisboa has a bright white shinning soul, Porto is grey and nostalgic. Yes, I live here, I was born here, I love the city, but why does me not encouraging all kind of people coming here seems odd? Some like yellow, others prefer blue.
Thursdaysd, Porto is not for everyone. Douro, yes, it's consensual. But Porto, the city, has a grey soul - Lisboa has a bright white shinning soul, Porto is grey and nostalgic. Yes, I live here, I was born here, I love the city, but why does me not encouraging all kind of people coming here seems odd? Some like yellow, others prefer blue.
Dec 19th, 2017, 03:02 PM
#45
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Once again I had to search for a word, this time "dissing". By what I can understand of that thing called "dissing", I was nos "dissing" Portugal, my country wich I love. But maybe I was dissing people that not understand us, portuguese people, and just go with the awards... As a tourist, thursdaysd, you might have a different view, and maybe the OP might have it too. As a local, I have a different view, and I want to help the OP not get disapointed. The OP never mentioned Malta, Greece or Cyprus... all of them very exciting (althoug I have never been to Cyprus) places. Why Portugal? A melancholy country? In all your visits to Portugal, have you ever been in a portuguese house, with a portuguese family?
Dec 19th, 2017, 03:05 PM
#46
Well, the OP is a tourist, so a tourist view would be more relevant. The tourists posting here weren't disppointed.
Sill not clear why you are dissuading visitors, unless you feel there are too many already.
Sill not clear why you are dissuading visitors, unless you feel there are too many already.
Dec 19th, 2017, 03:50 PM
#47
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Your're absolutely right thursdaysd. A tourist view would be more relevant, I can see that now. I will keep my mouth shut. (not too many visitors... just some that would be better at Disneyland...)
Dec 19th, 2017, 10:30 PM
#48
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"just some that would be better at Disneyland...)"
That was really uncalled for, Helena. What about her initial post-says that she is someone who belongs in an amusement park?
From the OP:
"We have been to Andalucia, Barcelona, Provence, Morocco all over Italy - listing these as they would have decent weather).
"We are in our mid-fifties, big foodies, love history, architecture, natural beauty and shopping. Less so into museums unless more history oriented. Looking for a recommendation of something that will get me excited - a truly amazing B&B or hotel, top notch fabulous meal, fabulous tour guide particularly for history, architectural wonder or a place with breathtaking natural beauty."
That was really uncalled for, Helena. What about her initial post-says that she is someone who belongs in an amusement park?
From the OP:
"We have been to Andalucia, Barcelona, Provence, Morocco all over Italy - listing these as they would have decent weather).
"We are in our mid-fifties, big foodies, love history, architecture, natural beauty and shopping. Less so into museums unless more history oriented. Looking for a recommendation of something that will get me excited - a truly amazing B&B or hotel, top notch fabulous meal, fabulous tour guide particularly for history, architectural wonder or a place with breathtaking natural beauty."
Dec 20th, 2017, 02:54 AM
#49
I spent two weeks in Portugal in March, a week each in Lisbon and Porto, and would happily go back. We stayed in a rental apartment in the Alfama district in Lisbon, and very much enjoyed the rambling maze of streets.
If it's any help to you, there is a trip report here:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...rip-report.cfm
If it's any help to you, there is a trip report here:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...rip-report.cfm
Dec 21st, 2017, 02:16 PM
#50
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Helena is not alone. On 12th December I disencouraged the OP about coming to Portugal and did so for him/her convenience because I honestly think he/she will hardly have a good time. It`s no shortage of fine and warm points in Europe as others pointed out and there is no need to repeat.
Dec 21st, 2017, 02:23 PM
#51
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On 12th December I disencouraged the OP about coming to Portugal and did so for him/her convenience because I honestly think he/she will hardly have a good time.>
You never said why? Curious and everyone's subjective opinion is good.
You never said why? Curious and everyone's subjective opinion is good.
Dec 21st, 2017, 04:44 PM
#52
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“Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.
But you are eternity and you are the mirror” (Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet). Neither the OP or the spouse are enthusiastic about a country and are asking others to help them to get excited? What's the point? Why not select a country that they really want to visit?
But you are eternity and you are the mirror” (Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet). Neither the OP or the spouse are enthusiastic about a country and are asking others to help them to get excited? What's the point? Why not select a country that they really want to visit?
Jan 5th, 2018, 05:10 AM
#53
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Why not skip Lisbon and visit Madeira Island off the coast of Africa but an autonomous region of Portugal. The weather is fantastic, there are mountains, beaches, amazing hikes, walks amongst the clouds and fabulous cliffs and dramatic scenery everywhere. The food is lovely and the wine and local drinks are yum. Best of all it is only 1 hr and 45 mins flight from Lisbon. I went for 10 days and wished I could have stayed another 10. Google it and prepare to be amazed.
Jan 6th, 2018, 07:14 PM
#55
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I went to Lisbon for work many years ago and extended my trip. While I liked it, I did not find it to be visually as stunning as some other European cities. Parts of the city were run down. Sintra was nice, Pena Palace is unusual and interesting. The time of the year must play an important part because I visited in January. Thursdaysd those are gorgeous pictures, I usually forward your link to friends who are planning to go in addition to my pictures so they can make a balanced decision.
Someone I know went on a bicycle trip through Evora, Monsaraz, and their pictures were gorgeous too. I would love to take a less active version of her itinerary.
Someone I know went on a bicycle trip through Evora, Monsaraz, and their pictures were gorgeous too. I would love to take a less active version of her itinerary.
Jan 8th, 2018, 08:41 AM
#57
My husband and I loved Portugal! We did not make it to Porto, although I wish we had. I would definitely go back and see more of the country.
We went to Lisbon, Estoril/caiscas, Sintra and Fatima.
I loved Lisbon, great city, clean friendly, good food that was very reasonably priced. We stayed in Hotel Britania which is around the corner from the main avenue, very nice small hotel. We went to Fatima for the 100th anniversary and stayed in the neatest hotel. I f you are traveling through there, the Hotel Luz Houses. You don't have to be catholic or even go to the Sanctuary. This is about 10 min walk from the Catholic stuff. It is such a cool little hotel/spa/ retreat.
We liked Estoril/Caiscas for a couple of days. Nice seaside town. You could do it as a day trip. We stayed at the Intercontinental in Estoril and it was a very nice hotel.
Food in Portugal is cheap and delicious! Bread was phenomenal! Wine is cheap too!
We went to Lisbon, Estoril/caiscas, Sintra and Fatima.
I loved Lisbon, great city, clean friendly, good food that was very reasonably priced. We stayed in Hotel Britania which is around the corner from the main avenue, very nice small hotel. We went to Fatima for the 100th anniversary and stayed in the neatest hotel. I f you are traveling through there, the Hotel Luz Houses. You don't have to be catholic or even go to the Sanctuary. This is about 10 min walk from the Catholic stuff. It is such a cool little hotel/spa/ retreat.
We liked Estoril/Caiscas for a couple of days. Nice seaside town. You could do it as a day trip. We stayed at the Intercontinental in Estoril and it was a very nice hotel.
Food in Portugal is cheap and delicious! Bread was phenomenal! Wine is cheap too!
Jan 8th, 2018, 02:16 PM
#58
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Thank you all for your replies!! Positive and negative. First to clarify, my husband and 25 yo daughter who are coming are VERY excited about Portugal, but I am the trip planner, so I need to get excited about a place before I can really start planning.
I watched Night Train to Lisbon and most importantly just powered through the book "The Portuguese: A Modern History" by Barry Hatton. It was an excellent book giving a thorough but concise history and analysis of the culture and people today. It gave me insight into why I wasn't feeling excited about it as well as why some previous posters were saying "then don't come!!'
This book was excellent for anyone planning a trip there and gave me a lot more insight into the country (as opposed to just which sites to see) and I am now looking forward to our visit and the opportunity to explore some of the places I read about and meeting the people as well.
I watched Night Train to Lisbon and most importantly just powered through the book "The Portuguese: A Modern History" by Barry Hatton. It was an excellent book giving a thorough but concise history and analysis of the culture and people today. It gave me insight into why I wasn't feeling excited about it as well as why some previous posters were saying "then don't come!!'
This book was excellent for anyone planning a trip there and gave me a lot more insight into the country (as opposed to just which sites to see) and I am now looking forward to our visit and the opportunity to explore some of the places I read about and meeting the people as well.
