I've got 14 days to spend in Portugal and think I will be mostly using the train (as opposed to flying and driving). I've got some places listed here but wonder if there are things I MUST see and do and perhaps anyplace I can skip. Since I won't be swimming I don't really feel the need to go to the beach and I won't be hiking really so I can skip the interior. If you've got suggestions on the best way to get around the country, please let me know. So, this is what I am thinking. Lisbon, Alentejo, Porto, Douro, Sintra, Tavira. I am looking to go at the very end of August or the 1 of September. Thanks so much for your help!

I'm also in the beginning stage of planning for Portugal next year and have found a lot of interesting trip reports and other useful posts by using the Search the Forums box at the top of this page. The trip reports are marked with an orange globe logo.

So, this is what I am thinking. Lisbon, Alentejo, Porto, Douro, Sintra, Tavira.>

Been to them all by rail and all are nice but in 14 days would pare down a bit - say Lisbon 4 days including day trip to Sintra;

and then either go north to Porto
or south to Evora and onto the Algarve and Tavira to me was a nice old town - no beach right in it - many Algarve towns are fairly new and full of high-rise apartments on a beach.

I'd say perhaps do Evora as a day trip from Lisbon

and then head north like to Obidos - ancient walled old town - then up to Coimbra - superb upper town

and onto Porto though Batalha, the UNESCO monastery could be a day trip from Coimbra or other base in that area -

Porto - 4-5 days - to me one of the nicest old-world cities in Europe - of course Port wine tours and several neat day trips - Braga and especially Guimares, part of the national patrimony and also along the Duoro River - all easily done by train.

For info on trains check: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com - Portugeuse trains are so cheap that walk up fares are fine - may be able to get some discounts in advance on the country's single higher speed line - Lisbon to Porto.

Portugeuse Railways Official Site:
http://translate.google.com/translat...t/&prev=search

Thanks Palenq! So many choices, so little time. Thanks also for the link for the trains…...

On the Portuguese train site www.cp.pt , there is information stating that one can get a 40% discount in all classes on Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains by buying tickets 5 days in advance.
http://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/disc...pra-antecipada

How much is full fare however and at the discounts what are the restrictions - if not much different and wanting any flexibility to alter trip plans once there go for the fully flexible tickets - if not take the cheapest but IME Portugeuse trains are cheaper than in most of Europe (and not nearly so nice!) - buses also run routes but trains IMO are always more comfy than buses.

If you aren't interested in beaches I'd skip the Algarve. Add Coimbra instead.

In general trains are fine, but the bus station in Evora is more central. However, I'm not sure Evora is really worthwhile without a car. The Roman remains are very underwhelming, and you really need to visit wineries or the prehistoric stone circles to justify the visit. But you could arrange those through your Evora hotel.

To me Amarante is one of the most beautiful towns and rarely visited. The old TAP used it in some of their ads. Braga in the hills is beautiful as well. And Viana do Castelo is interesting as Coimbra and in the south Evora.

And the Portuguese cuisine is sensational including their breads.

Yup skip the Algarve - very little of the dreamy Portugal there IME - Tavira and a few other old towns being the exception but even then there are much nicer places even between Lisbon and Porto and day trips out of Porto.