We will be in Lisbon April 2-5, arriving on a Monday, Hotel TivoliJardim, then Sintra for 2 days, Hotel Tivoli next to the national palace, then lisbon 1 night,Tivli Jardim, and on to Barcelona for 4 nights.
I read much of Matt's running blog and learned far more than the several guide books I have looked at-thanks for the many suggestions on what to do and where to go. e
Your further thoughts would be much appreciated:
dlerth
1. If I only have 1 day for a day trip out of lisbon using public transportation/train or bus or both to vist north of Lisbon as far as Coimbre, what would you suggest?
2. Lisbon restaurants:
you suggested for fado and dinner--Parreirinha de Alfama---What typically is the cost of a 3-course meal and wine?

Is "Retiro dos Passarinhos" in Rua Campo de Ourique the same or a different restaurant that "Casa dos Passarinhos",Rua Silva Carvalho?

Can I take the train or bus from Avenida area to Trinidade or is a taxis the only way?How long should it take?

3. To Sintra from Avenida metro: the blog suggested taking the suburban line from Entrecampos. Would it be shorter and easier to stay on the blue line to Sete Rios and catch the suburban line to Sintra?

4. travell to Sintra on the suburban line via Benfica with a small carryon and backpack from either Sete Rios, if doable, or Entrecampos, that requires a change on th e metro: is there an advantage to going first class and if so do you need a seat reservation?

4. Sintra hotel: any thoughts on whether the standard rooms at Lawrence's are decent or better than the standard rooms at Tivoli Sintra?

5. Sintra visiting hours for attractions-he palaces, monastery, and such--are there any limitations on hours on the Friday and Staurday when we will be in sintra?

6. Rainy weather:what is typical during April 2-8 in for Lisbon and Sintra?

thanks alot for your time and suggestions

artnuvo

To me the easiest and best day trip from Sintra or Lisbon north would be to nearby Obidos, one of the finest and most medieval looking walled towns i've ever been to. And if into staying there is a sumptuous Pousada there built right inside the walls. Pousada? Whatever is the equivalent of Spain's Paradores in Portugal. Bus is more convenient for Obidos as it takes you into the town; trains dump you off in a dumpy station below the hill town.

thanks for the suggestion.

Can you answer any of my other questions?

1. I second Palenque Bob about Obidos. It's possible to go by train and by bus. Train is the very slow regional train of the (far)west line. It stops everywhere. The station is on the base of Obidos hill. Be prepared to walk 2 miles or so. The bus (called expresso like the coffee) is direct, faster and leaves you more centrally located. In both options, Sete Rios is the place to take the train or the bus.
2. Lisbon restaurants:
As an educated guess I's say that 30..40 euros for a dinner in Parreirinha de Alfama is a good approach.
It's the same, but the name is "casa dos passrinhos" (bird's house). It's a walking distance from Amoreiras shopping center and building.
Av da Liberdade is very close to Trindade (one mile maximum), but Trindade is on the top of the hill and av Liberdade on the base. You may easily walk (Rossio, Rua do Carmo, Rua Garret, Trindade). A good alternative is to catch Santa Justa elevator and Trindade is very close to the top of the elevator.
3. Several Fodorites used the option of taking the blue line to Sete Rios and felt confortable with the option. It spares you one change of Metro train.
4a. I don't have an opinion on this.
4b. The same
5. The same
6. Yes. some showers are expectable

how is matt doing?

Will there be a LDC event during our lisbon stay-april 2-5, 7, and, if so, would like to join.

Bruce Birchman, Washington, D.C.

I had no more news from Matt and Lizzy since they left to Albion. I hope the new year brings them back.
Referring to a LDC on the dates you mentioned it's always difficult during working days. But, if not a formal LDC, we are always available (loba and I) at least for a mini-LDC

our last night in lisbon is sat april 8, returning to tivoli jardim after 2 days in sintra. if that sat works for an ldc that we can join, please advise.
thanks

correction-our last day in lisbon is sat april 7, so if you can work somethng out for an ldc or with other ldc'ers, please advise.

Artnuvo, 7th April is good for us. We'll have the huge LDC in Adega das Gravatas on 17th March, and therefore I think a miniLDC is more suitable for us. Mini LDC is composed by a visit to a Fado Club for a soup, pão com chouriço, drinks, desserts (camel spit, saw dust or rice pudding).
Budget-wise, a LDC is around 20...25 euros and a miniLDC around 15 euros.
The schedule for a LDC is 7:30pm...11:30 pm. For a miniLDC is 10:00pm... 1:00am.
Recently we have had the LDCs in Carnide (phonetic "car need&quot which is in the outskirts of Lisbon (metro station Carnide). The location for the miniLDCs usually is Caldo Verde (Bairro Alto district), much more centrally located (metro station Baixa-Chiado).
If Lizzy and Matt are present, the fun is the same in LDCs and miniLDCs, otherwise it drops 75%.
Stay tuned. My email is [email protected]. My telephone number is +351 96xxxxxxx

We are looking forward to meeting you and matt and lizzy and any other available members of the LDC. Fado and dinner with LDC would be a great ending to our Portugal trip. You also can reach me until April 1, when we fly to Lisbon, at [email protected]