click on the link above that Alex provided. Gives all the info for pousadas. Lots of different packages available.

There now is a pousada in Porto too.

One member of the party has to be 55 to qualify for "senior" discounts.

ooh then I just squeak by, cool. (uh oh, just gave away my age, darn it).

so here are a couple of possible itineraries but none of them get us up to Guimares so would appreciate suggestions:

1 Night Sintra
3 nights Tomar/Obidos/Navarre area
2 nights Evora
1 night Marvao/Castelo de Vide
1 night Braganca
1 night Duoro valley
2 nights Porto
3 nights Lisbon

but too much moving around I think

Option 2

3 night lisbon
2 nights Tomar/Obidos area
2 nights Porto
1 night Duoro
1 night Braganca
3 nights Evora
1 night Sintra
airport

Option 3
4 nights Lisbon
3 nights Obidos/Tomar etc
2 nights Porto
1 night Guimares
3 nights Evora
visit Sintra on way to airport hotel

ok...feedback? thanks

I hate one niters---not necssary.

totally agree Bob, seems like you spend most of the time getting from here to there. how would you consolidate?

You asked for hubs and you have 14 days---see above.
The only variation on that theme may be either Porto or Evora as your 5th hub.
Perhaps 3-2-3-3-3, but a max of 5 hotels.

got it Bob, thanks. do you see Marvao and Evora as the same hub, or two different ones?

OK,OK you got me !
Good question---they are too far apart for one hub.

I do love Marvao, but hard to get to on this itinerary.
You have two options---drop it[blasphemy], or stay 1 nite[ more blasphemy].

or further blasphemy, skip Porto and do Marvao for two nights?

Hmmm !
Porto did not do it for me, but it did rain.

Here are some shots you may like---pre-digital.

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3832

so lovely Bob, thanks