Hi, I'd appreciate advise on our first trip to Portugal this fall. I came up with this itinerary from the boards. If possible, we'd prefer not to move as much. Perhaps have 3 bases. Also, suggestions on hotels would be greatly appreciated. We'd like to stay in some Pousadas, but not all. Pricing $100-$250.
3 nights Sintra
1 night Obidos (Pousada)
3 nights Viano Castelo (Pousada)
1 night Combria or the Palace de Bussaco
2 nights Estromoz
2 nights Evora
2 nights Palmela (Pousada)
Thanks in advance.

I like it alot--it sounds something like an itinerary I had done for someone else about 2 years ago. My only suggestion is the consider this place in Obidos--Estalagem Do Covento. It is easy access and will cost about half the Pousada. Be sure to hit Marvao enroute to Estromoz if possible. And, see Nazare as you leave Obidos and head north. Viano is my fav. That area is truly a throwback to a previous era. Try to hit the Thurs. market day in Barcelos--a cultural phenom. Good luck !

We visited some of the same places earlier this spring--although we went west rather than as far north as you are planning.

In Sintra, we stayed at Casa Miradouro. It is within your budget. Frederic, the proprietor, was very helpful. He was also willing to pick us up at the airport. It was well worth the money to see your name on a sign and someone waiting for you. Casa Miradouro is listed in Fodor's and Karen Brown.

Personally, we did not think the Pousada at Obidos was worth the money. You may want to consider bobthenavigator's suggestion. Other historical pousadas that we stayed in at Belmonte and Crato were much more atmospheric in our opinions. We spent two nights in Obidos and used it as a base for Alcobaca, Batalha, Tomar and Fatima as well.

If you want to minimize moving around, you may want to add nights to Estremoz and drop the nights in Evora. It is only a 20 mi. drive (approx.) Personally, we were disappointed in Evora. Although we loved the city museum and cathedral, overall, it was not what we had envisioned. There was a thread about Evora on here a while back discussing this same issue. Perhaps you would be able to find it.

In Estremoz, we stayed at Monte dos Pensamentos (also in both Fodor's and Karen Brown). It is priced below your budget.

I highly second bobthenavigator's suggestion to go to Marvao if at all possible. Marvao (along with Tomar) were the highlights of our trip. There is also a pousada in Marvao (just be prepared for the drive into the village as it is unbelievable narrow and steep!)

Be sure to have a very good map. Driving on the toll roads was easy and expensive. Travel on secondary roads often took longer than we expected.

Thanks for the great advise, and yes Bob, that was your suggestion to a previous poster. What are your thoughts about staying in Combria verses staying at the Palace de Bussaco. And if I skip Evora should we stay 2 nights in Marvao. Also, our flight is at 11:00 am on Saturday, is staying in Palmela the last night pushing it? Thanks again.

Palmela will be OK with that departure time but get an early start. Try to get thru the bottleneck just past the middle of Lisbon by 0800--it should be fine after that. I love Marvao, but 2 nites is too much. As for Coimbra, I have never stayed there, but we did stop at the Bussaco and found it lovely if not a bit remote. I do not agree to skip Evora--we liked it--been there twice. I assume you are seeing Lisbon from Sintra--not a bad idea. Here is a thought ! If you keep 2 nites at Estromoz then go there directly and spend one day going up to Marvao and Castel de Vide. It is not far, and I hate one niters. I do find the Pousada at Evora to be overpriced--your call.
Hope this helps !

Again, I have to agree with Bob. I wouldn't skip Evora, I just wouldn't spend 2 nights there.

Other easy trips from Estremoz: the palace at Vila Vicosa, the many wine cooperatives in the area, Monsaraz, Elvas (although we didn't make it there), and the many ancient stone formations in the area.

It is easy to see Lisbon from Sintra. The train runs directly from Sintra to Rossio. In Sintra, there is a bus that runs between all the major tourist sites with a one-price bus ticket that is good for the day.

So which base should I add an extra night if we only stay one night in Evora? Which has more day trips to do? Would it make sense to stay 3 nights in Estromez or add on an extra night in Sintra. What about accomadations in Evora? I read good and bad about the Pousada there. Also, any advise on Combria and where to stay would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your interest.

Stay 3 nites in Estromoz and use it as your base to explore the villages that xxxx mentioned and Marvao. You do not HAVE to stay in Evora. It is not far and you can be there by 1000--spend a half day--and be in Palmela by 1700.
Also, if you add a day to Sintra you could see Obidos, Batahla and even Nazare from there--I hate one niters.
Cannot help with Coimbra.

That's a tough one. Are you set on staying in both Estremoz and Evora? Like you, we hate moving around all the time. I would chose one as my base for 3 nights rather than a 2/1 split since they are so close by each other. Do you prefer smaller or larger towns? Evora is definately bigger and has all the pros/cons that come with that. We spent 4 nights in Estremoz and really enjoyed the Alantejo (sp?) region. But it was toward the end of our trip and we had slowed our pace down. Also, Monte dos Pensamentos was only 70 Euros per night (it was off season) for a living room/bed/bath suite so it was easy on the budget. Plus, we could get our laundry done there at very reasonable prices and we desperately needed some clean clothes!! We looked at the outside and lobby areas of the Pousadas in both Estremoz and Evora. Both seemed nice. I don't recall the prices. We also used Estremoz as the base for Evora, Monsaraz, and Vila Vicosa. We had been at Castelo de Vide and Marvao the day before and spent the night at Crato. We didn't plan it that way, but it was the way it worked out. Let's just say we somehow ended up on a one lane dirt road between CdV and Marvao and that took up some time.

All that being said, Sintra probably has more options from it. With our 4 nights/3 days in Sintra, we spent 1 1/4 in Sintra and 1 3/4 in Lisbon. Depending on what days of the week you are in Sintra, be sure to check which days of the week things are closed. Pena Palace and the National Palace each are closed different days meaning you may have to juggle your schedule. There would be many options from Sintra. Another day in Lisbon would be nice (assuming you've not been there before). We spent another day in Lisbon before flying home and still did not see everything we hoped. The coastal towns of Cascais, Estoril and the Cabo de Rocha would be options. We didn't have time to get to those areas. For Alcobaca, Batalha, Tomar and Fatima you could either drive or get an organized tour from Lisbon. Also, the palace at Queluz is on the train line that runs from Sintra to Lisbon. I'm sure you'll get other suggestions too.

I'm no expert...have only been there once for approx. 2 weeks this spring. We loved it but had to make many hard choices about thing we would not be able to see due to time constraints. Coimbra fell into that category. But we did see the Roman ruins at Conimbriga in that area.

Sorry, I've probably raised as many questions as I've answered. Planning our trip to Portugal was sweet torture.

You are all so helpful. How does this sound for 14 nights...
4 nights Sintra (Casa Miradouro)
1 night Obidos (Estalagem Do Convento)
3 nights Viano Castelo (Pousada Santa Luzia)
1 night Combria or the Palace de Bussaco (No Clue???)
3 nights Estromoz (Pousada de Rainha or Monte dos Pensamentos)
2 nights Palmela (Pousada de Palmela)
I think I'm getting closer. We would love to just wing it, but I would hate to spend half a day looking for hotels. Take care.

Sounds ok.

Make sure you have a good map. Toll roads are worth the money. Any road that is a minor road in a mountainous area may increase your travel time. This was not my first time driving in Europe and I even survived a week of driving on the left while in the UK. But Portugal was a challenge.

Changing reservations at the Pousadas was not a problem when we were there. We often had the front desk staff call ahead to another Pousada to cancel or make a reservation.

Maisturismo.pt has a wealth of listings for lodging.

If you don't mind, what are you planning on seeing at each of your destinations? I'm having a great time reliving our trip through your planning.

I'm not that far yet. I just got Fodors and the DK Eyewitness Guides. I've started writing notes down from the boards. We're off this afternoon for a long weekend. So I'll bring my books with me. Believe me, when I get more info, I'll start asking for more advise. Did you post a trip report? I'd love to know what you did. If yes, please let me know. Thanks so much.
-Lynne-

I posted comments when we returned but not exactly a full trip report. I probably posted more before we left. I received good information from this board. Our trip was in March. The Eyewitness Guide is a great resource. All the pictures were really helpful. I also ordered brochures from the Portugese Tourist Board (or something like that). I can't remember the website anymore. Usually, I'm a fan of Fodor's guidebooks, but I found the Portugal book to be lacking. I checked every guidebook I could get my hand on from the library.

I like it--you will have a good time !
Portugal is unique, and you have done your homework. We did stay at the Pousada in Estromoz, but that was 8 years ago and the prices have gone up.
Be sure to report back !