<BR>Carolyn, I apologize for the lateness of my reply - I just now saw your question about a Toledo hotel. We didn't stay there, tho I wished we had, just did a half day trip, I think it deserved more time, and it's perfect for just meandering around.

Hi Cheryl! <BR> I am trilled that you posted your message. I will be flying into Madrid to stay for ~3 days in mid August during my college break with my parents. We will be renting a car in Madrid.I have heard that it is a great idea to take a day trip to Toledo. Do you advise this as well or can you recommend any other cities to travel to for the day? I would love to go to Barcelona, more than anything, but itsn't the drive very long? ( but the scenery would be worth it, or no?) <BR> Thanks, Line

How far is Sagres in Algarve from Lisbon & how long will it take me to get there? <BR>

<BR>Line, It's taken me so long to reply to you as I was in Italy when you posted your question, we're home now and I'm just getting caught up on this site. Yes, visit Toledo, you'll love it. Barcelona is too far for a day trip. <BR>ET - I'm not sure how long the drive would be but it only took us about 3 hours or so to get from the Algarve up to Cascais, next to Lisbon.

<BR>top!

Thinking about a honeymoon in Mid-July in Portugal, specifically in the Lisbon area. We definitely plan to visit Sintra. What places do you recommend we visit? We are interested in beaches that are clean, swimmable, and not that touristy. Hotel recommendations and appropriate lengths of stay in particular areas would also be helpful. Lastly, would renting a car be a necessity or could one get by with the train? Thanks.

can you recommend a good tour group/sightseeing bus? <BR> <BR>

Dear Cheryl, <BR> My husband and I are planning a trip to either Portugal (Lisbon & Madeira) or Spain (Costal Del Sol Torremolinos). HELP!! We can't decide. We want to tour a little and relax a lot!! Thanks for your help. I'll be anxiously waiting for your reply.

<BR>Hello and apologies to Chris and Beka, J.Bering, and Joy - have been busy ( mostly traveling!) and haven't had a chance to get back on this Board. <BR>But to try to answer your questions: We loved Cascais and Sintra and the surrounding area, easy to get to/from Lisbon, beautiful beaches/scenery but not really swimmable - kinda rough, and cold. We prefer a car, and taxis are cheap so didn't use any tours or the train. Used an English speaking taxi driver, paid a tip, and saw most of Lisbon that way, used the car for coastal and other sightseeing. We prefer the Estoril coast in Portugal over the Algarve and over the Costa Del Sol in Spain, but just our opinion. Other than what I've mentioned <BR> earlier for hotels, don't have any other recommendations. <BR>I hope you all enjoy your trip. I'm getting ready to leave for Italy again!

We are going to Portugal and Spain in three weeks. Help! I do not know what type of clothing to take. Please give advice for clothing and shoes. Thanks! <BR> <BR>Zee Koza

<BR>Zee, when we were in both countries, we experienced chilly/rainy weather in Madrid to hot/dry elsewhere, and very hot and humid in Lisbon. And that was late March/April. I wore mostly pants/tops, had one basic dress, good walking shoes (you'll do lots of walking) and a long, hooded black raincoat which came in real handy in Madrid. I remember noticing even in hot Lisbon, so many people (who looked Spanish or Portuguese) wearing dark clothing, even jeans, and boots which just seemed too hot for me. It also seemed that dress was more casual in these two countries as opposed to Italy or France on my trips. Lots of English and German tourists (lots of khaki and beige clothing it seemed!), few Americans that time of year. I would imagine it will be hotter for you. Wear lightweight, comfortable clothing, things that can be layered, but most importantly, good walking shoes!!

Cheryl, <BR> <BR>We are going to Estepona for a week in Septmeber staying in condo. What was your stay like and what should we see?

<BR>Doug, We only had a couple days in Estepona. Be sure to visit Puerto Banus, the marina with lots of little ristorantes and shops. Very scenic, and there are boat rides too. And visit the little village of Casares up in the hills. Scenic drive on way up, and the village is incredible.

Cheryl, <BR> You have been very helpful to many. My family is thinking aobut going to Portugal in December , understanding the weather is coller but still mild, Your thoughts? My plan is going to Lisbon and the near coast and north to Porto as you recommended. Staying away from the South. I would appreciate your input thanks Lou

<BR>Lou - glad to help, but probably won't be of much for your Dec. trip. So I hope some others can address your question too. Would imagine pretty chilly, but still perhaps good time to be there since it's not really heavy tourist season - unless of course if your trip is closer to Christmas, that perhaps could be more crowded with celebrators??? As I mentioned it's a vacation spot for many English and Germans. <BR> I loved the sight and sound of the powerful Atlantic Ocean, crashing it's waves on the rocky beaches - I love oceans any time of the year! <BR>Have a good trip!

To Lena going to Madrid mid-August with parents. I loved Segovia just a hour or so outside Madrid. It's a lovely small city with a fabulous Alcazar (castle) which you can tour and the Gothic cathedral is to die for! Some cute shops and great views. On the way back from there to Madrid I remember stopping at another palace, I think it was called La Granja. Very pretty and interesting.

<BR>ttt

Hello everyone, <BR> <BR>We're going to Portimao from 9 oct to 14 nov and will have a car for all 5 weeks. we love to visit the countryside and the villages (less touristy than the Algarve coast.) We were there some 10 years ago and really liked Portugal. <BR> <BR>I know the food will be as great as it was. <BR> <BR>We're hoping some of you will connect us with French or English speaking folks in the Algarve. Our intent is to shoot the breeze over a bottle of Portugese wine. <BR> <BR>Thanks all,

hi there <BR> <BR>i am planning to go to portugal for a 16 night trip next april-may ... at present the planned itinerary is: <BR> <BR>lisbon 3 nights - hotel britania <BR>cascais 2 nights - casa pergola <BR>estremoz 2 nights - P rainha santa isabel <BR>obidos 2 nights - P castelo <BR>coimbra 3 nights - quinta das lagrimas <BR>mesao-frio (north shore of Douro west of Vila Real) 1 night - P solar da rede <BR>guimaraes 1 night - P sa da oliveira <BR>porto 2 nights - ? <BR> <BR>plan to pick up a rental car in cascais and return it on arrival at porto <BR> <BR>does it sound like a reasonable itinerary without having to spending the <BR>bulk of the day driving? ... it is difficult to try to estimate driving <BR>time without any idea of what the roads and traffic may be like ... especially in the interior (the Mesao-Frio, Guimaraes area) <BR> <BR>for the longest legs of the drive - Cascais to Estremoz, Estremoz to <BR>Obidos, i plan to go by the toll highway <BR> <BR>any suggestion for a couple of hotels in porto - 3 or 4 star? - preferably one with local character, as you might notice from the selection in other cities <BR> <BR>i am not sure about the relative merits of staying in cascais or sintra ... any thoughts on that? <BR> <BR>will appreciate your thoughts on the above <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>regards <BR> <BR>cliff

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