PeaceOut

Laura, I'd think that Portugal to Spain would be an easy move. If we had more than 6 nights, we would have liked to have spent more time in Portugal, like Porto. And in April, the Algarve might not be too hot or crowded.

Here are a couple of articles I'd found on Lisbon:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/ar...#ixzz22UswNzBv

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui.../overview.html

"Seedy" is NOT a word I would use to describe Lisbon! And, we felt safe at all hours. There are people outside until early morning hours, and none seemed threatening. They were just out having a good time in the sidewalk cafes.

thursdaysd

Actually, connecting Spain and Portugal isn't as simple as you might expect, thanks to centuries of enmity between them. The best way by train is the Lisbon-Madrid night train, although it can be done between Santiago and Porto. Otherwise, unless you want to drive and pay hefty drop charges, you need to take a bus (buses) to the Algarve.

go_laura

Thanks PeaceOut. Still researching...how much time did you feel you wanted to spend in Lisbon? Did you get to Porto at all?

Thursdaysd, Madrid is not in our plan for this trip, if we do decide on Portugal, the other part would be southern Spain - Seville, Granada. There's no convenient way to get from one of these areas to the other, that you're aware of?

thursdaysd

I believe there's a bus from Seville to the Algarve. If you do a search here you should turn up some info on it. Or try this: http://www.faroairportsguide.com/faro-to-seville.php

I'm not keen on beaches so have never spent time in the Algarve, I find the rest of Portugal too interesting.

Or you could fly - according to whichbudget TAP flies direct Seville-Lisbon, but it's not cheap.

danon

Thanks for posting......... I have been thinking about spending a few days in Lisbon
next year ( combined with our yearly visit to Spain.)
Some posters have not been particularly impressed by the city.....glad to read a glowing review.
Any problems with language?
(I speak Spanish .)
Vueling offers cheap flights from Barcelona to Lisbon.

lobo_mau

Beautiful report!!!
"clearly the people and the vendors were happy to have us there spending money in their city and their establishment".
As a local I'd say that Portuguese are not that calculist. I believe most displays of affection are genuine.
Danon, I'd try English as a 1st attempt, and Spanish if English doesn't work. Sign language as a 3rd option.
The cute old ladies gang is a problem of concern for citizens and authorities

danon

Thanks , lobo

PeaceOut

lobo, I didn't mean to imply the locals were not genuine.

danon, we do not speak Spanish, and it is a far cry from Portuguese, which sounds like such a complicated language. But English is widely spoken there and we had absolutely no problem. Maybe in the smaller towns, you could find a language barrier.

go_laura, we did not have time for Porto. We were 6 nights in Lisbon, and took the 3 train day-trips. Lisbon has a lot to see, and we were very happy with our length of stay there.

jelopez33

PeaceOut:Thanks for a wonderful report about a city and country that we have in our radar(we use to visit Galicia in Spain; the birthplace of my wife(we live in south america).please, can you be a little more specific about day trips?Attractions;how far are those cities;easy train trips?

PeaceOut

Jelopez, visiting South America is on our radar. Our daughter has been to Peru, Chile and Argentina. Where are you? We are really glad we chose to visit Lisbon.

(If you look above, you will find my trip details and some restaurants posted on Sept 11)

ter2000

A great trip with report with what an obnoxious title. So the rest of Europe has an "attitude"? I could make an Ugly American comment but this European doesn't do generalisations - unlike the original poster.

PeaceOut

Oh, brother.

Nutella

... or as we (or at least I) say here in Lisbon, OY VEY!

jelopez33

PeaceOut:
We live in Uruguay; the little country with beautiful beaches; somewhat hiden between Argentina and Brazil.If you visit us somewhat let us know(best time november to march; and even better december to february).

gomiki

PeaceOut, this is what I love about Fodors. Your report has me interested in a place that has not been on my radar. As Tiff's great Florence report did several years ago.

Your report has some great info. Thank you!

PeaceOut

I am glad my report stimulated some interest in Portugal. I admit it was never really on our radar screen until we had this opportunity to visit London for DH's conference, and I looked around to see where we could go before the conference. So glad we chose Lisbon for our first week away.

What a charming city.

Nutella, we loved listening to the spoken language. It is melodic, and sounds so complicated. Whenever we tried to pronounce a written word, we were way wrong. Thank goodness they mostly know English, as well.

gomiki, let us know if you go there!

jelopez, Uruguay sounds fabulous. Another 'hidden' vacation spot we will investigate.

Nutella

PeaceOut, the language is so difficult to learn. And don't just take it from me, all of my Portuguese friends, who I'd expect to have faith in me, tell me that too! When I previously visited here, I too thought everyone spoke English. But when you live here and need to deal with banking and bureaucratic matters and practical things, it's a different story. 'm currently taking several classes per week, but it's an uphill battle. And I thought it would be a piece of cake because I speak Italian. Não! But I do love a challenge

PeaceOut

I heard that, nutella. That Portuguese is one of the hardest languages to learn. Good luck! It will be worth it for you.

Kwoo

thursdays,
do you know what the air fare is from Seville to Lisbon? I've been thinking of a trip to Andalucia & then to Lisbon. How long would it take to go by bus or train?
Thanks.

thursdaysd

Suggest research at whichbudget.com, skyscanner.com and seat61.com, bahn.de.