We have booked our usual one week stay in Vilamoura but would like to travel further this time and perhaps stay overnight closer to Lisbon. Could anyone tell me how long it would take to drive there and what not to miss outward and return or is it better to take a tour bus?<BR>Thanks<BR>

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Tina,<BR>While in Lisbon be sure to see the Monumento de Descobrimentos (Monument of Discoveries) and the Torre de Belem (a monument to maritime triumphs) if nothing else. They are two of Portugal's most famous monuments and best of all they are within walking distance of one another.<BR><BR>-Eric

Drive Faro - Lisboa all highway connected in about 3 hours.<BR><BR>Check out the coast line from Cape Espichel to Set&uacute;bal, Sesimbra is good place to stay overnight, Portinho da Arrabida is great to have lunch.<BR><BR>Take a ferry across from Set&uacute;bal to Troia and proceed south to Grandola and then to Faro. Check the Rice Museum-Restaurant in Comporta, and the river Sado tidal areas...<BR><BR>A tour bus won't let you do this... how adventurous are you?<BR>www.bikeiberia.com <BR>&gt;Experience the best of Portugal and Spain by Bike.&lt;

I too would recommend Setubal and the Setubal Peninsula for a full day trip from Lisbon. Visit the Saturday Market, visit the castle ( Castelo de Sao Filipe)for breath-taking views across the harbor and the Sado estuary . There are small boat trips available on the estuary, try an evening stroll along the harbor promenade park.Visit the Igreja de Jesus, , eat at one of the side walk seafood grill-cafes. There is great shopping in the Barrio Antigo. Take a drive through the Serra da Arrabida, visit the castle in Palmela with its excellent historical /archeological exhibits, visit Cabo Espichel and Nostra Senhora do Cabo. <BR><BR>Hotel Albegaria Solaris , Pra&ccedil;a Marqu&ecirc;s de Pombal, Tel : 351 2 65 54 17 70, Fax : 351 2 65 52 20 70 is a reasonably priced, quiet place to stay if you decide to make a full day of it. Setubal is off the track for tourists, but is a wonderful place, and some of the best sea food restaurants in the greater Lisbon Region!<BR>

Anywhere along the seacoast just north or south of Lisbon, and you'll be in 7th heaven. Particularly the little fishing villages south - Setubal Peninsula sounds right - believe there's Sesimbra, and further south for wide, sandy beaches Merida (sp?).