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-   -   Maybe We'll Get To Portugal After All! (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/maybe-well-get-to-portugal-after-all-1680722/)

HelenaFatima Jul 3rd, 2020 08:45 PM

Thanks all of you giving me support. It's hard to give information, if people are going to be nasty. We have a problem with Lisbon area. Still trying to identify the chains. We, as all the world, are trying to fight this virus.. Please be kind. Portugal is a lovely country, but as I said before, we will be here next year, and the others to come. After all, we have the oldest borders in all Europe..

EYWandBTV Jul 5th, 2020 05:41 AM

HelenaFatima, thank you for all of this helpful information. We had a trip to Portugal planned for October, bought the plane tickets, reserved the hotels (including the wonderful Hotel Memmo in Lisbon). We made our first trip to Portugal last October and we loved the country so much we wanted to return. But unfortunately covid arrived so we will not be going this year.

HelenaFatima Jul 6th, 2020 12:41 AM


Originally Posted by EYWandBTV (Post 17124763)
But unfortunately covid arrived so we will not be going this year.

Sorry for you. Don't worry, we will be waitting for your visit as soon as this stupid virus has treatment or a vacine.

I myself was making plans, in January, for vacation this year. Intended to go to Crete (Greece) in May or October (I am not a wealthy person, so I choose de lowest prices. Flights were, more or less 20 euros, can you imagine? So total for go and return, 40 euros). Obviously did not went in May, and I do not believe things will improve until October. So yesterday we had 30º degrees (celsius) and my dinner was a greek salad and toasts with tsatsiiky (greek dishes). Me and my cat spent one hour or so at youtube, seing videos about Crete. Not exactly the same, but...

If you can find salted codfish where you live, I can put here some recipes. That's our national dish.

Meanwhile, more than 30 days in my city and the cities around without new cases. But... all can start, again, in a minute. And still bad situation in Lisbon (not the city, the region).

Yesterday there were a lot of daulphins at Tejo (Lisboa'r River). Less cruises, more daulphins, I guess.

There will be another October in 2021. Please stay healthy, and come to visit us. You cannot miss the roman ruins in Lisbon (underground, never visited because I'm claustrofobic). And other tips I can give you till then (although I'm from Porto).

Thank you for your kind words.
Helena

julie_sanchez Jul 6th, 2020 01:49 AM

If I were you, I wouldn't risk it as Portugal started locking down again its population especially in Lisbon...

HelenaFatima Jul 6th, 2020 08:37 AM


Originally Posted by julie_sanchez (Post 17125063)
If I were you, I wouldn't risk it as Portugal started locking down again its population especially in Lisbon...

Thank you very much for the information! I was not aware we have started a new lockdown! I knew, as I wrote above, that in Lisbon area restaurants must close at 11pm. Wouldn't call that a lockdown... maybe you're better informed than me. In my residence area, I can go out anytime I want for any reason that I don't have to report. Last weekend beaches were at the full capacity (a funny flag is put there when noone else can go inside). But I don't feel any kind of restrictions besides keeping social distance... and wearing a mask in closed spaces.

Unfortunatley the borders with Spain, that was one of the worst case in the world, without response from health authorities to the sever surtus of the vírus, are open. So... I don't know untill when I can feel my country safe. They are our only neighbours, and started making queues at the 1st july to enter Portugal.

Anyway, there is one thing I learned: in case of doubt, the answer is no. That's whay I keep my self postinf in this thread - don't come if you're not confortable. We will be here in the future!

Thanks again for the info, I will search now what are the fines if I don't stay confined, as you say I must.

Helena



progol Jul 6th, 2020 08:41 AM

Helena,
Thank you for your excellent advice and wonderful attitude! It's a pleasure to read your posts and get your thoughts on life in Portugal.
I had a trip planned for the spring which I had to cancel, and will definitely visit Portugal someday in the not-too-distant future.
Thanks again for the kindness you display in writing here!

Paule

zebec Jul 6th, 2020 09:02 AM

Helena probably knows this Portuguese song. It is called 'Cuidado' by Madredeus. The title means 'Caution' and maybe it has a special meaning for those of us who are itching to get back on a plane ('We're only at home when we're on the wing').
Patience and caution will surely serve us all well, as none of us are immortal, including Corgis.
'Brigado.

I am done. The melancholy song.

scrb11 Jul 6th, 2020 09:33 AM

Do Porto and Lisbon have many restaurants with terrace dining?

Or are the city centers too dense so there aren't too many places with outdoor space?

Or does the heat make people dine indoors for the air conditioning?


Dancebert Jul 6th, 2020 11:36 PM


Originally Posted by julie_sanchez (Post 17125063)
If I were you, I wouldn't risk it as Portugal started locking down again its population especially in Lisbon...

The government issued new regulations effective 1 July to 15 July. Translated, and linked to original here - https://www.safecommunitiesportugal....tional-travel/ How about you post a quote from the link that supports your claim? I ask because I've read it and I live in Portugal. In Caldas nobody is locked down.

HelenaFatima Jul 13th, 2020 07:29 AM

scrb11, I'm not sure about Lisbon, but at Porto many restaurants have an open yard at the back. I don't know how to explain, but let me try: houses used to have a backyard, to grow fruit trees and have animals (like chickens, rabbits, etc) In a quarter, you can see (with google, for instance, that there is a space between the vack of the city houses). Many of these houses are now restaurants, etc. So they have an open air space, although it is not in the front.

zebec, of course I know the music. What an excellent choice! She is singing about the ocean, and how it can be dangerous! And saying "cuidado", that is "be caution", with an emphasis on "alert".

Maitatom, I hope to have better news for you in a week or two... for the time being, things are not going very well.

TPAYT Jul 13th, 2020 10:50 AM

scrb11....and I’m not sure about Porto, just went on a day trip there. In Lisbon for 4 nights we ate every lunch and dinner outside. Quite gorgeous weather in Sept.

scrb11 Jul 13th, 2020 10:56 AM

Great to hear TAPYT and Helena. Whenever I'm actually able to visit.

I saw some places in Porto along the river, in the Vila Nova de Gaia, including some rooftops for tasting porto. But those must be popular and usually full of people.

HelenaFatima Jul 13th, 2020 01:25 PM

scrb11 one of my favourite restaurants in Porto is "Caraças". It is located at the heritage part of the city, at Rua das Taipas. They only serve at dinner. Usually they are open in working days, unless they are not. As it is a family restaurant, sometimes they just decide "today we are not working". They only have two dishes, one of meat and one of fish. If you go there and there is no fish, well, that means the night before there was a storm, or something like that, so fishermen were not allowed to go fish. They only serve fresh fish. Mother is in the kitchen, grandmother outside with the barbecue, and the girls serving at tables. They have a backyard, next to the ancient wall and with views to the river. A meal for two people is about 30 euros, with apetizers (magnificent cheese from Ribatejo region), dishes, a botle of wine, dessert and coffee. They are one of the just mentioned with a backyard.But there are many others. You just have to ask! (by the way, in Portugal everybody speacks a litle bit of english. Don't be afraid that you are not undersand)


scrb11 Jul 13th, 2020 02:24 PM

Found it, bookmarked it.



HelenaFatima Jul 13th, 2020 03:08 PM

Yes, that's the one I mentioned. Really near you can also find the best restaurant in the city, (search for Anthony Bourdain, he was there and loved it"), the name is "taberna Santo António"".

nasty01 Jul 21st, 2020 02:33 PM

Love Portugal
 
I hope you make it to Portugal, as it is a lovely Country to tour. Madeira is also a relaxing vacation with lots to do. My suitcase from Italy was 4 days late arriving, so I had fun shopping the smal shops as well as shopping center enjoying the locals.

Dancebert Jul 30th, 2020 10:40 AM

Portugal revised entry restrictions, effective 1 Aug. They've added 12 countries to the list of those from where regular, i.e. non-essential, travel is permitted. They are Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal....tional-travel/


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