Lily

We will be in Portugal in September and driving from Fatima to Porto then Porto to Pinaho and then Pinaho to Evora. Any suggested scenic driving routes would be most appreciated. Thanks for any help,

bobthenavigator

Do not miss Marvao--a special place.

Lily

Yes, thought we would stop in Marvao on the way to Evora from Porto. Thanks Bob.

lreynold1

Lily, how much time do you want to spend on these drives? What kinds of things would you like to see? Historical sites, natural beauty, towns, mountains? There are lots and lots of places in these parts of Portugal, but it just depends on how much time you have to devote to them. In between Fatima and Porto, for instance, I think a drive through the old stone towns in the mountains around Lousa is very nice, but that would take a couple of days. If you're looking for stops that would be more direct, the monastery at Batalha is obvious. Maybe if you give us an idea of the parameters you're working with, we could be more helpful. Your problem is going to be winnowing down from the many many wonderful things to see and do! Laurie

sssteve

I haven't found many people who took the time to visit Marvao. (Bob, I know you were there!) We also visited Castello de Vide, which like Marvao is a mountaintop jewel!

We enjoyed it. Check out my web page on our trip to Portugal. Perhaps it will help you in your planning. Here's the URL.

http://www.travel.stv77.com/portugal/pt.htm

Lily

Thanks Steve, very helpful. Yes, I should have been more specific but actually just looking for a scenic drive with maybe short stops but with the idea of getting there in one day and taking a route that's an alternate to the motorway.

Lily

Also wondering now after seeing Steve's report if we can reasonably drive through Bucaco Forest and Luso on the way from Fatima to Porto?

Sher

May I suggest the Thomas Cook "Drive Around Portugal" which we have used twice before and intend to use again next month.

It has 23 top tours. These are very comprehensive drives which includes all of Portugal. It gives high points on the itineraries with the time frame for each tour.

We found this book invaluable. I ordered mine from Amazon. The last copy I ordered (this is our second) we got last April as our previous copy was two or three years old but I believe a newer copy was available after we ordered ours but not in time for our last trip.

Michael

You will get an impressive view of the upper Douro valley if you get to Pinhão from the north.

Going from there to Evora, in addition to Marvão, I would stop at Vila Nova de Foz Cõa to visit the Complexo de arte rupestre paleotico de Vale de Cõa. You might want to look at my trip report which can be found by clicking on my name.

Lily

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Sher, I got the book and it's very helpful, thanks.

Sher

Lily. I am taking my copy with me next week. If we found some of the route suggestions too time consuming, we just skipped some stops.
Also, I like that it gives side trips along a certain route that are add ons. And I like that it includes a great deal of Portugal with areas "outside the box"
Have a wonderful trip.

chincoteague

Reading your thread and can't wait to hear about your trip. We are traveling in late October on a similar route. Any tips on hotels is appreciated.

Lily

Chincoteague, I put my trip report up on this site this week so have a look. We had a wonderful time and great accommodations. By the way, I love your Fodorite name as Chincoteague is one of my favorite places in the world.