hi,

my daughter and I are going to arrive in Porto by air from Madeira and drive to Lisbon. We have six days to get to Lisbon where we will spend 4 days (one in Sintra and 3 in Lisbon - we like cities).

We arrive in porto early evening. Should we taxi to town and visit Porto for a day, take the train through the douro valley, leave immediately to visit the countryside.

We like cities, mixed with small towns and pretty views. We like meeting people and mom is not interested in going to the beach, so we are skipping the South.

Have you driven through Central Portugal? Would you use a base, say Coimbra for 2 of the nights and do day trips or just do one nights, and keep moving. we are flexible.

Thanks Foderites - you always have great advice!
Bonnie

>Have you driven through Central Portugal?
I've been driving in the mountains and couldn't keep up with the speed the locals were going. Somtimes it was outright dangerous. I wouldn't drive after sunset if I could avoid it. But then, Portugal is just beautiful!

We spent 12 days in Portugal about a year ago and enjoyed it very much. The drivers are a little wild but the roads are pretty good. Here's the web page on our trip which may help you in your planning:
http://www.travel.stv77.com/portugal/pt.htm

As for your specific question, we enjoyed our time in Oporto. I would taxi to town and spend 2 nights there.(you didn't write where you intend to sleep the first night - I assume Oporto). Visit Oporto the next day, and on the second morning leave for the countryside and the drive south.
6 days is plenty to get to Lisbon, but I want to reccommend that you visit the towns near Oporto, like Braga and Ponte de Lima. They are beautiful cities. They will also burn up a full day. Also, don't miss the Port Institute in Oporto!

Hi there BonnieN

First let me direct you to the big Lisbon and Portugal thread:

Things to do in and around Lisbon Part III (inc Port)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34816717

Many of those coming over or who have been here hired a car and drove through the country so will be able to relate experiences better than I. Some have liked Coimbra, some not.

Also have a look at this thread:

Portugal by train

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34819673

Where I do part of the Douro Valley line.

Any questions feel free to add them to the Lisbon thread where you will be in good company.

Take care,

Matt

thanks to all.

steve, where did you stay in oporto and do you need a reservation for the port institute?

if we visit porto for a day and then leave, we will have 5 days. would we still have time for the minho towns.
i want to try to get to marvao (sp).

thanks. i am a little worried about the driving, from all that i read.

bonnie

Bonnie :

Please check out my web page. all the details are there...

The port institute is essentially a place to taste port. they have a limited menu with various light food platters, and a port menu with about 250 types of port to taste by the glass. In my opinion, it's also the best place to buy port. Tremendous selection and good prices.

In Porto, we stayed at the Ipenema Hotel Porto. Below is the URL. Be careful. There's another hotel with a similar name. This one is excellent - 4 stars and well located. It's on a street with several bus lines to downtown or it's a 20 minute walk. The other is 5 stars and farther from the center.

http://www.holidaycityeurope.com/ipa...orto/index.htm

If time is limited, one day will be enough to tour the towns in the north, then one day for the Douro, and then head south, spending the night in Coimbra or Obidos.
Now, go check my website.

I forgot to mention...

No reservations (as far as I know) at he port institute. We had no problem finding a nice comfortable couch the 2 or 3 times we were there. There's another institute in Lisbon, but we have been told that the one in Porto is the original and the better one.