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-   -   Portugal - need to choose month & how to split time btwn Duoro Valley & Sintra (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/portugal-need-to-choose-month-and-how-to-split-time-btwn-duoro-valley-and-sintra-1666168/)

denisea Apr 21st, 2019 12:35 PM

Portugal - need to choose month & how to split time btwn Duoro Valley & Sintra
 
We were in Portugal a few years back and have decided to return. We want to spend most of our time in Duoro Valley and are planning to stay at Six Senses. We have been in Lisbon and while we aren't opposed to going back, we want to do other things this time.

At present, we will fly into Porto and out of Lisbon (not sure which order yet but am thinking into Porto and out of Lisbon). We are planning 10 days and I'm thinking we would spend 6 in Six Senses Duoro Valley (goal is to relax and drink wine, maybe a river cruise and some spa time).

Is three days in Sintra too much? We were there for a day and saw Quinta da Regaleira and Cabo de Roca. We want to go back to Quinta da Regaleira but also see more. We are interested in Monserrate, Pena Palace, and Palacio Nacional e Jardin de Queluz.

Hotel suggestions in Sintra? I don't think Sintra is too far from the Lisbon airport but depending on our flight out (time), we might stay put in Sintra or move to Lisbon for the final night. Any thoughts on https://www.sintramarmoris.com/ or Tivoli Palácio de Seteais ?

We are thinking May, September or October. We want warm weather, would like to avoid rain but ya never know. Thoughts on Duoro during harvest? Post-harvest?

Suggestions, thoughts, and comments are welcome.

Robert2016 Apr 22nd, 2019 11:04 PM

Two nights in Sintra should be fine. There's nothing wrong with the Sintra Marmoris Palace, but Tivoli Palácio de Seteais is the top spot in Sintra, but you'll want to book directly with the hotel (https://www.tivolihotels.com/en/tivo...cio-de-seteais).

October will be great. It will still be warm, very warm in the upper Douro River Valley. We were there in mid-November and it was still warm and sunny every day.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9392466232.jpg
Alto Douro

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...72686cb97f.jpg
View overlooking the Douro River
*

Weekender Apr 23rd, 2019 08:20 AM

Denise:

Just read this on a United flight:

Three Perfect Days: Porto

Michael Apr 23rd, 2019 04:20 PM

We were in the upper reaches of the Douro valley in June and it was blazing hot. I would choose April/early May or late September/October to visit that area.


denisea Apr 23rd, 2019 06:44 PM

thanks...much appreciated. The weather is always a gamble but good to have direct feedback on it. Weekender - timely article! Obrigado!


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