My wife and I are traveling to Portugal in July. I have reserved the Four Seasons in Lisbon for the first 4 nights but have 9 additional nights to fill up. <BR> <BR>We will have a car and are looking for "drop-dead" accomodations and towns to visit. <BR> <BR>We save our money all year long so we can REALLY enjoy our two weeks vacation together. <BR> <BR>Love to have suggestions. <BR>Thanks, Steve

Hi Steve! I just spent three weeks in Portugal touring by car for 15 days after we left Lisbon. For us the highlights were: Lisbon; the west coast down to Cape St Vincent, with Sagres and Silves; the whole region along the eastern border with Spain; the Douro valley. The lowlights were: the Algarve, we got out of there FAST; Porto. <BR>We didn't get north of Porto. Driving is fine, most country roads are pretty much deserted, and I swa very little of the erratic driving that the Portuguese are supposed to be fampous for. Finding your way in towns and villages can be a nightmare as their ideas of signposting are rather primitive. <BR> <BR>I can't offer much advice on hotel accommodation as we stayed for the most part, but the absolute best value in the whole country was in a place called Lamego. I can't remember what it was called, but it backed onto a square from where the huge staircase runs up to a church on a hill above the town. It cost 3500 esc a night with breakfast and was equal to any 4 star hotel. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip. <BR>Harzer

I'm afraid I can't help with the accomodations as we just did the 3 star hotel tour of Portugal. I think the Four Seasons was near our hotel by Parc Eduardo VII, if so, stop by the greenhouse at the north end of the park (210 escudos to get in but a lovely stroll). <BR> <BR>We rented a car and drove north up to Coimbra for three days. We really enjoyed the roman ruins at Conimbriga, near Coimbra. The mosaics are in excellent condition and the site is interesting to walk around. The National Forest at Bucaco was also cool, there is a hotel in the middle of the forest, the Bucaco Palace Hotel, that is supposed to be fabulous. We also enjoyed stopping at Tomar to see the Convento de Christo, Batalha to see the abbey and Alcobaca to see the monastery. There were a bunch of pottery stores in Alcobaca, so if you're looking to purchase any, that was a good place, much cheaper than Lisbon. <BR> <BR>Sintra, 45 minutes by train from Lisbon, is a must see. There's a bus that does a circular loop from the train station in Sintra, stopping at the National Palace, Pena Palace and El Morro. All are worth seeing, Pena Palace is the best. The palace at Quelez is also fabulous, about 30 minutes by train from Lisbon. We saw it the same day we saw Sintra but it was a bit rushed, more of a palace than the ones in Sintra with beautiful gardens and lavishly decorated rooms. I've read that theft from cars is high there, so be careful if you drive. <BR> <BR>We also drove through Nazare, if there was a quaint fishing village there, we didn't see it. And unless you have a religious reason to visit Fatima, that would also be a pass if my opinion.

Steve, I would direct you to these places that offer the best of Portugal. <BR>In Sintra, the Palacio de Sertais[sp.] <BR>is magnificent---a converted palace. <BR>After that, the best are actually in the <BR>Pousadas in 3 locations. In Viano do <BR>Castello the Santa Luiza Pousada is a <BR>fabulous location and good base to explore the Minho area. After that you <BR>can pick between 2 wonderful and historic Pousadas---One in Estromoz, I <BR>think it is called Santa Isabel---and the other is in Evora--perhaps the best of all the Pousadas. These are all good locations to see Portugal. If you do make it down to the Algarve--which I do not suggest in July---then the Do Infante Pousada at Sagres is the place to stay--what a view next to the Cape <BR> <BR>Good luck---you will like Portugal.

Some great suggestions! Thanks. <BR> <BR>I keep seeing "Pousada" come up. <BR>What exactly are they, and can we classify them as "drop-dead gorgeous" <BR>accomodations? And if they are not all in that category, which ones are. <BR> <BR>Please keep in mind that money is no object. <BR>Thanks again, <BR>Steve

Steve, <BR>Pousadas are the Portuguese equivalent of the paradors in Spain. Many were former monasteries or homes of royalty. <BR>What do you mean by "drop dead gorgeous"? If you want an ultra-modern hotel with a swimming pool and elegant shops the pousadas are not for you. If you like old world charm and a feeling of being part of history, they are. There was a post fairly recently with many comments on the pousadas. I liked the one in Evora ( former monastery, lots of blue and white tiles, plus a bone-filled chapel), but others found it overpriced. I also would suggest you thumb through Karen Brown's Inns and Itineraries. She has a new one for Portugal. She selects hotels based on charm and style and I have found her to be extremely accurate. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip. Portugal is lovely and I agree with the posters who advise you to get out of the Algarve fast. It's very built-up and quite commercial. <BR> <BR>Michele

Thanks, Michele. <BR>My mistake, "drop-dead gorgeous" has a different connotation to different people. I should have been a bit more specific. I think the features that mean the most to us are: <BR>1) Cleanliness <BR>2) Beautiful Surroundings 3) Brightness and Airiness <BR>4) Safety <BR> <BR>I will try to find Karen Brown's Inns at the book store this weekend. <BR> <BR>Steve

hi <BR>check out www.portugal-info.net <BR> <BR>enjoy