My husband and I are making a last-minute trip to Portugal in 2 weeks; neither of us has visited this country before. We will arrive on a Sunday and are planning to stay at the Hotel Palacio Seteais at least until Wednesday as he has business meetings nearby on Monday and Tuesday. I am trying to decide what to do with the remaining time (we have a return flight leaving Lisbon Saturday morning). I had wanted to drive to Obidos and stay at the Castelo but it is booked.<BR>Does anyone have suggestions of how best to spend our time? We are in our 50's and prefer a relaxing as opposed to hectic trip<BR>and rather see the countryside than spend time in Lisbon. Thank you for any comments...

You could visit Sintra and Caiscais, which are smaller villages not far from Lisboa.

I second Sintra and Cascais. They're both very easy to reach from Lisbon - I would suggest using Sintra as your base and taking a day trip to Cascais and surrounding areas.<BR><BR>Sintra is one of my favorite places in Europe - beautiful little town, and lots to explore in the area. Don't miss the Pena Palace or the Cork Convent (Conventos dos Capuchos - think I probably butchered the spelling). Gorgeous!

Seteais Hotel is actually in Sintra.<BR>Mafra and Ericeira are 10kms north and really nice.<BR><BR>Try Evora for a difference, very nice small town (70.000) and an amazing country landscapes.<BR><BR>Very easy to get there, driving or public transportation. Rent as car may be your best bet.<BR><BR>Also Arrabida (Sesimbra) south of Lisboa is interesting.<BR><BR>www.bikeiberia.com<BR>&gt;Expe rience the Best of Portugal and Spain by bike!&lt;

Setubal(20 or so miles South of Lisbon) on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Have lunch at one of the many side-walk seafood grills. You can get there by public transit, it is also a very easy drive from Lisbon. <BR><BR>A previous post by me on the pleasures of Setubal :<BR><BR>"For anyone visiting the Lisbon area, I would recommend visiting Setubal and the Setubal Peninsula for a full day trip from Lisbon. Visit the Saturday Market, visit the castle ( Castelo de Sao Filipe)for breath-taking views across the harbor and the Sado estuary . There are small <BR>boat trips available on the estuary, try an evening stroll along the harbor promenade park.Visit the Igreja de Jesus, , eat at one of the side walk seafood grill-cafes. There is great shopping in the Barrio Antigo. Take a drive through the Serra da Arrabida, visit the castle in Palmela with its excellent historical /archeological exhibits, visit Cabo Espichel and Nostra Senhora do Cabo. <BR><BR>Hotel Albegaria Solaris , Pra&ccedil;a Marqu&ecirc;s de Pombal, Tel : 351 2 65 54 17 70, Fax : 351 2 65 52 20 70 is a reasonably priced, quiet place to stay if you decide to make a full day of it. Setubal is off the track for tourists, but is a wonderful place, and some of the best sea food restaurants in the greater Lisbon Region!"<BR><BR>http://groups.msn.com/RichWendysAwayFromHome­­Page/portugal.msnw<BR><BR><BR>

Did you try other places in Obidos? It's worth it.<BR><BR>Try: http://karenbrownusa.com/portugal/de...sso?RecID=3240

I recommend the following Itinerary<BR>Sunday 1 night Lisbon <BR>Monday - Wednesday 3 nights Sintra<BR>Thursday 1 night Obidos<BR>Friday - Saturday 2 nights Bucaco<BR>Sunday 1 night Evora<BR>Monday - Wednesday 3 nights Algarve<BR>You can stay in Pousadas in Obidos, Bucaco and Evora