Back to the Alentejo--
I forgot--the Menir da Meada, 12 km north of Castelo de Vide is the tallest menhir on the Iberian Peninsula at 7 meters. I think it's the one in Michael's photo.

It was not the same menhir. The one I saw was within the same general area as Almendres Cromlech; maybe a 20 minute drive because of the lousy roads.

Yes, then it must have been the Menhir dos Almendres.
https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=13843.

Yes, that’s my plan - then the 2 the next day and enjoying Tomar in the evening. Then we’re off to Coimbra the next day! At least, that’s the plan 🤞

Good plan!

oh, good! I feel better now..😉

Can you hear my "phew" here? Similar plan, only that we'd be coming from Coimbra, and we'll have 3 nights in Tomar. The extra day is for Obidos.

xyz99,
Can you "fit in" a slight detour to Peniche on the coast from Obidos? I know, I'm really bad! Sardines!

I hear ya loud and clear!

A little bit about each monastery from a Portuguese travel writer that I follow-

https://nelsoncarvalheiro.com/alcoba...o-de-portugal/

https://nelsoncarvalheiro.com/batalh...o-de-portugal/.

Can I? Maybe, I don't know....how long do we need in Peniche? How would you split the day? Half and half? By then we'd we on day 23 of traveling, and I don't know how much running around we'd be willing to do.

Yessssss, you're bad!

Edit to say: now I can't get out of my mind that commercial (I have no idea what's for) with the llama (or is it a sheep?) riding in a convertible and singing "I'm baaaaaaad to the bone"

I promise, no more detours!

I forget--are you planning a day trip to Obidos from Tomar or an overnight?

If it's a day trip, Obidos gets hordes of day trippers from Lisbon and for me (may not be for others), it can be seen in 2 hours. I was just thinking that a late seafood lunch would be nice in Peniche on the coast, the land of the big waves. It's under a half hour from Obidos.

Loved Evora ( 3 nights a few years back) Agree with Maribel-dont miss the Chapel of Bones. We visited Monsaraz on a day trip (less than an hour) and really enjoyed it. It was a Sunday in May and surprisingly we had the village almost to ourselves. Enjoyed the castle ruins, the incredible views and just wondering around the narrow streets. There are a few wineries on the road from Evora and we stopped at one on our way back from Monsaraz and enjoyed a few samples and some cheese. Progol, please post on your time in Tomar as we also will be there for two nights in May-arriving via rail from Lisbon. Love history and looking forward to being further educated on the Knights Templar.

Thanks, Mike, for your experience in Momsaraz. I have several options for how to handle the days and probably decide which way to go when we get there. Since we are staying in Marvao, my sense is we probably won’t also go to Monsaraz, but I’ll leave it as an option.

When will you be in Tomar? We are there May 18 & 19.

Obidos will be a day trip. I had originally had it as our base (with Tomar as a day trip), but I was convinced here by several people to set the base in Tomar. Having Obidos as a base was in part to avoid the crowds during the day, and because of the proximity to Peniche; that looks like a nice, relaxing afternoon.
Now I'm second guessing myself - should we stay the 3 nights in Obidos, and enjoy it in the evening, after the crowds leave? Visit Tomar and the 2 monasteries from there?

<<Now I'm second guessing myself - should we stay the 3 nights in Obidos, and enjoy it in the evening, after the crowds leave? Visit Tomar and the 2 monasteries from there>>

Now, it’s hardly fair for me to remind you not to second guess yourself, but I would keep to the plan you already made. Though, in truth, I don’t even plan to visit Obidos, pretty as it may be, having read about the crowds. We’ll probably have enough of crowds in Sintra!

As you well know, I’m struggling with not second-guessing myself and still wanting to tweak my itinerary! But I’m trying to keep to the plan, since it is great - and I know yours is, too.

xyz99,
I would keep your base in Tomar, as it's a really authentic, pleasant, less crowded, tranquil small city on the river that I think you'll really enjoy and not dependent on the tour bus business from Lisbon. Just my thoughts.

Sounds reasonable, thank you. I must admit, I'm not 100% convinced, but I see your point. I used google street view and I understand why you are saying that. Obidos is very pretty in a sanitized, touristy way. Tomar is a real, living place.

That's an excellent way to put it, xyz99, "Tomar is a real, living place", not tourist dependent at all, while Obidos is pretty but overly touristy. But this is how my eyes see it; other eyes may see it differently.

Agree on Obidos. Great place to visit. But I would definitely prefer a less touristy village. We had a great time in Obidos, saw the sites, walked the entire ramparts around the town-with great views, had a light lunch, tasted the famous Ginja chocolate drops all in about 4 hours. Truly beautiful. But a LOT of tourists. Progol....we will just miss you we are in Tomar for 2 nights...May 11-13.