Help planning 2 weeks in Portugal
 

My husband and myself are planning a trip for December and wondering if it is possible to see most of the country if we are based out of Lisbon and Porto.? So far we are interested in going to Sintra, Obidos, Evora, Estoril Coimbra, Belmonte, Barga,,Douro Valley, All suggestions are welcome! We were also wondering about visiting the east and west areas of the Algarve region in December? We do not like to drive but love walking in small quaint villages, markets, art/shopping, beautiful scenery, achetiture, wine and local experiences. Should we hire a driver/guide or do day trips from Lisbon and Porto?

My only overall suggestion, based on four or five trips to Portugal, is that the advice we got to avoid the Algarve altogether on our first trip, was the best advice we got!!

"the Algarve is NOT Portugal," our (then) local friend said - and he was right. We eventually did spend a couple of weeks in the Algarve in the winter, and enjoyed it then, but it is still NOT the real Portugal. For that, go to Lisbon, and then go north. It is a remarkable country still, and we fell in love with it in 1984, our first trip.

We did Porto > Lisbon with stops in between several years ago and LOVED it. We only had 8 days, so you can pack in more for 14 days. We drove, and it was great having the flexibility to make stops enroute.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-portugal.cfm

Since you do not like to drive,I would book a driver/ guide.

He will know the best ways to loop around ,for you to see all the places you want.

Decide on the price before hand and if it is satisfactory to you........ then your're off ! :)

I so appreciate the input! Wondering if anyone has suggestions of an excellent driver/guide ?

Of course Algarve is Portugal, since when the Algarve is only the coastal cities/towns in the south?

I've done all those places by train save Belmonte and had no problem -did day trips from Lisbon to Sintra, Estoril and Evora (though better overnight) - day trips from Porto to Guimares (check it out and add to list) - Braga and Duoro Valley.

Did Obidos and Coimbra by train between Lisbon and Porto. For lots on trains- https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (see their Portugal section for lots of places to go by rail) and www.ricksteves.com.