Sorry to keep bombarding this thread with my posts, but I just thought of one other thing since the discussion above had turned to pastries in Belem. In Sintra, there are at least two very yummy pastries to try:

Periquita Bakery -- try the Travesseiros, a flaky filled pastry. The bakery/cafe is right across the street and a little up the hill from the National Palace, and there's a second location recently opened further up the street, called, I believe, Periquita II.

Another fabulous bakery that makes Broas de Mel, which are hard to describe delicious honey cakey cookies/bars is Gregorio pastelaria. It's a little out of the town center, but all residents know about it. You can find broas de mel in many places and if you can't get to Gregorio's, it's worth settling for second best because they are very unusual and very delicious.

I have heard that there are pastry shops in some of the big Lisbon shopping malls (Colombo, Vasco de Gama are the two I've heard mentioned) that get these pastries direct from the bakeries, but I've never found them.

In Periquita, give a try to Queijadas pastries (cheese based cakes, gateau au fromage).

Thanks, everyone - this thread is making me hungry! In Sintra, I will try Broas de Mel, Travesseiros, & Queijadas.
I also appreciated comments on the safety issue of to/from the metro at night; I do plan to have my husband by my side for all such walks. We will probably cab it to the hotel from the bus or train station late at night, though.
Thanks, lreynold, for your very elaborate directions; they will come in handy. We always like to stop someplace to pick up water, some good wine, and fresh bread (I've read some very good things about Portugese bread) on our walk home at the end of the day to have in our room. I've also jotted down the restaurants; we're planning the Gulbenkian on a Sunday - will they be open then?

QUESTION: I was wondering, does the airport shuttle bus stop at the Marriott or will we have to take a cab to the hotel(our TAP flight is an evening one)?

I believe the Aerobus runs between the airport and Cais do Sodre station.

Then you would have to take a bus to the Marriott. Since there is a bus stop right outside the hotel, it would be easier maybe then taking the subway and walking to the hotel from the stop.

You might want to just take a taxi to your hotel and the Marriott website says that should cost about $10.

Maybe lreynolds will see this and reply.

Thanks, Sher. I wasn't sure if the shuttle was the kind that made multiple hotel stops, as they do in so many places. If it doesn't make a direct stop at the Marriott, then we will take a cab. I'd read that the airport cabs were notorious in overcharging, so I was hoping to avoid the situation.

Hi, Sher and newcomer,

I have taken cabs between the Marriott and the airport numerous times, but can't remember the charges. I remember once that I knew I was being ripped off with a charge of 13E, but that's as specific as my memory gets. One thing to do to try to avoid the problem is to make sure that the cab driver puts on the meter when you get started. There are a couple of legitimate surcharges based on luggage and times of days, I think, but the main technique used to rip off tourists is the failure to put on the meter. I will also say that I usually don't have the sense I'm being cheated, but then I pretty much know the route and can speak enough Portuguese to make myself understood.

If you do feel you are getting ripped off on your way to the hotel, you can see if the doorman will come to your defense, I guess.

Thanks - we will definitely check that meter!