We are trying to think of a new place to visit. I don't see a lot of posters who talk about Portugal, is it worth a two week visit for a couple in their 60's who are active. Love art, history, good food, and people of the country. Any advice would be appreciated. <BR>Thanks in advance(Can go anytime of year)

Portugal is one of the most charming countries of Europe. A little oldfashioned, rural, totally undramatic, just very nice. The best of Portugal are the Portuguese, the small cafes and bars, the cakes, azulejos, the markets, the portwine, vinho verde. The white towns and villages of dry Alentejo. The lush and wet Minho in northwest. Porto, Coimbra, and of course Lisbon. September and October are good months. Many think about Portugal as Mediterranean, but it is of course Atlantic. The weather is a little more unstable.

We also love Portugal--reasonable prices, good food , great and affordable shopping (particularly for linens and bedding--- the choices are endless)and pleasant/helpful people.<BR><BR>You can go as far north as at least Coimbra until mid to late November and get good weather. We have done November in two different years and had great trips---in two weeks you won't even scratch the surface of what the country has to offer.<BR><BR>Lisbon lite up for the Christmas holidays was very special.<BR><BR>Portugal is very good value as compared to most other countries in Western Europe.<BR><BR>Be prepared for "crazy---risk-taking" drivers once you are off the main autoroutes. They are much worse than the Italians.<BR><BR>

I am young - mid-20s - but I lived in Cascais, just outside of Lisbon for one year. The thing I noticed most is that when it wasn't the hot months of July and August, there were a lots of tourists, mainly in their 60s. I don't know if you are going as part of a tour (I saw many of those and occasionally met a few of the travellers, who were curious about me because they heard me speaking English) and they raved about Portugal. If you are active, there is a lot of great places to walk and good food is a given here if you like seafood. I would suggest early-May or early-October. I would also suggest that you stay in Cascais, and take your trips to Lisbon, Sintra and Obidos from there. The hotels can usually help you with further info.

Farrah,<BR> Can you help me? My fiance and I want to stay in Sintra or Cascais for our honeymoon next June. Can you recommend a place under 100 euro? We are also looking for places to stay in Sao Miguel too! Any advice on things we "must see"? Thanks!<BR><BR>Milissa

As Portuguese I am very proud to read these words about our country.<BR>You don't have to necessarly be interested in biking but if you get to visit our site you will learn a bit more of Portugal from a Portuguese!<BR>Didier<BR><BR>www.bikeiberia.com<BR >&gt;The best of Portugal and Spain by Bike.&lt;<BR>

Didier,<BR> As a local maybe you could help. My fiance and I want to go mountain biking in the Azores (Sao Miguel) as the second part of our honeymoon. Can you tell us where to find maps of the trails and a good place to rent bikes? We don't want to haul our very expensive bikes with us.<BR>Thanks, Milissa

Thanks everyone for your good suggestions on Portugal. We like traveling independly, so it will be fun doing the research for this trip. <BR>Thanks again.<BR>DEL

Portugal is a wonderful place to visit! I spent 2 weeks there from April 26 thru May 4th of this year. The weather was mostly nice but unpredictable as someone else mentioned. <BR><BR>The first week I spent in Cascais. It's a wonderful fishing village and easy to do day trips to Obidos, Sintra, Fatima, Lisbon, etc. Walking around Cascais was very enjoyable. They also have a local bus, the Casbus, that runs every 7 minutes..that made it easy to get around. Although, you can easily walk just about everywhere. <BR><BR>The second week we spent in Albufeira, in the Algarve. This is also a wonderful area to stay. <BR><BR>The Portuguese people are extremely friendly. Most speak English, all are very helpful. The food is excellent!! The prices are very reasonable for just about everything. <BR><BR>If you want to add a bit of spark to your vacation, you could go on to Spain. They said the Portuguese go to Spain for excitement and the Spanish go to Portugal to relax.<BR><BR>I'm sure you would love Portugal and the people!!<BR><BR>Sue<BR><BR>

I have not traveled extensively in Portugal, but it is high on my list of places I'd like to visit again soon.<BR><BR>I agree that driving is every bit as "adventurous" in Portugal as any other country in Europe I've ever visited. Suited my style of driving to a T.<BR><BR>And I have mentioned this before - - but it bears mentioning again. I absolutely loved the bullfight in Lisbon. It's a spectacle of pagenatry and horsemanship without equal. It's bloodless, and the bull is not killed. The fight ends when the toreador (and his gang of six others) immobilizes the bull in his bare hands - - one hand on each horn, and the others at each side of the bull's neck. You have to see it to believe it.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>