We are planning a trip to Portugal in early July for nine nights. We know we want to stay in/near Lisbon (maybe Cascais? or Sintra? if not in Lisbon) for 3 nights; Obidos, 1 night; Ourem, 1 night; Coimbra, 2 nights. My dilemma is what to do with the other 2 nights? We need to be near the airport the last night. Should we try to get to Evora? Which would be a drive from Coimbra or do Evora first and end up in Obidos? If anyone has advice, I need it! Thanks.

Topping, hoping you get some answers. Or you might want to repost with a message header referencing Portugal.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Wade, I am not sure I totally understand your sequence. However,given 2 days, I would try to make it to Evora and then spend your last nite at the Pousada at Palmela--south of Lisbon.

Wade,<BR><BR>We have visited Portugal in November of 2000 and 2001.<BR><BR>Looking at your itinerry, I have the following suggestions/questions:<BR><BR> #1---I believe you are short one night in the Lisbon/Sintra area. Three nights on arrival in the country, actually equate to 2 1/2 sightseeing days. It will take an "entire" day to just see the main sights in Sintra <BR>(Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors and the National Palace---plus I am sure you will want so time for either/both lunch and dinner and some browsing time in the shops on the hilly streets surrounding the main square.<BR><BR>This will leave you only 1 1/2 days to do all the sights of Lisbon, Belem, and maybe taking the commuter train for a fast look at the beach towns of Cascais and Estoril. <BR><BR>You may want to add the fourth night in either Sintra (cool mountain heights) or at a resort hotel in Cascais or Estoril, if you want beach atomosphere.<BR><BR> #2--Given the rest of your stated itineary, I believe that Evora is too far in the opposite direction of the rest of your travels to justify one overnight.<BR><BR> #3-- Bob's suggestion for a final night at the Pousada Castelo Palmelo is a good one---beautiful facility with a quaint town at the foot of the castle/monastery complex. It would make a special "finale" to your journey.<BR><BR>My only caution would be that your trip to the airport is on a Saturday or Sunday morning---there is "no" commuter work traffic on those days inbound to the city. You will have the road to yourself. On a weekday, traffic could be an issue.<BR><BR>If it is going to be a weekday, consider spending your last night in Lisbon as the fourth night in that area. This way, you will be able to drop your rental car at the airport on your way back toward the city. The morning of your flight, you can catch a $15.00 taxi ride to the airport.<BR><BR> #4-- I somewhat understand your itinerary---we have done this norhtbound area out of Lisbon on two occasions.<BR><BR>I hope you plan on seeing Bathalla, Alcobaca, and Nazare (upper and lower towns)on your way to Ourem.<BR><BR> #5 ---Are you staying in Ourem (the hilltop walled city) for its own sake or as a stop to visit Fatima or Tomar? It is quite tiny, crowded with tourists in the daytime, and deserted at night. A much smaller version of Obidos without the stretch of souvenir shops.<BR><BR>If you have other questions, please post. <BR>

Thanks for your response. Do you think this is doable: 1 nite in Obidos, the next 2 in Ourem at the Quinta da Alcaidaria. This would give us time to see all the towns & attractions in that area. Then, 2 nites in Coimbra and finish with maybe 2 nites in Sintra or 1 in Sintra and 1 in Cascais and then, our final 2 in Lisbon. What do you think? I think you're right about not trying to do Evora. Thanks. Wade

Wade,<BR><BR>Following is my full e-mail address---write me if you need help.<BR>It is too difficult to communicate on a public forum with these many specifics. ([email protected])