nmsky2007

Krimom: Re the train to Sintra. You can get the train from Sete Rios (near Jardim Zoologico on Metro--blue line), but check the timetable carefully as not all the trains on the Sintra platform make the complete run to Sintra. Some veer off the route and end up at Sintra Mira. Just be sure your train goes all the way to Sintra. Luckily someone on the platform helped me get the right train. Don't be afraid to ask.

You can also get the train to Sintra from a station near the Aveeiro Metro station on the Green Line, if that is more convenient.

donnamb

Travfirst,Exquisite photos thank you for sharing. WIll be going to Lisbon and Coimbra in a few weeks and can't wait to get there now!! Was not planning on going to Sintra but now it is a must see.
D

emilymarie

Great trip report. We will be in Portugal for 2 weeks in November and are hoping to connect with the LDC.

Hotel question as we are ready to make reservations - we were planning to stay at the Pestana Palace in the Belem area - should we be staying in a more central area where we can walk to more attractions, restaurants, trasportaiton etc. We will be in Lisbon for 4 nights and then driving to the Algarve region?? Thanks for your help.

travfirst

donnamb, I think Sintra definitely deserves a day. Enjoy your trip.

emilymarie,
I just watched recording of TV show Passport to Europe: Lisbon with Samantha Brown on Travel Channel. She had a segment on the Pestana Palace Hotel. What an amazing place to stay! I wish I was staying there. Reviews on the tripadvisor.com are very favorable.
Here the link to Passport to Europe (sorry, it starts with a commercial)
http://www.travelchannel.com/video/v...eId%3D16927292

lind

Hi, my friend and I are taking a last-minute two-week trip to Portugal. We arrive in Lisbon on Monday, Aug. 20!! Any suggestions on how long to stay in lisbon and whether to stay in hotel or rent apartment?

travfirst

Lind, we stayed in Lisbon for 3 days, 2 days spent sightseeing Lisbon and one in Sintra. I wish we had at least one more day to see everything I planned. With 5 days you can also visit Cascais and Estoril.

Check Matt’s post with his recommendations for Lisbon stay:

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND LISBON PART I

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34740328

About the rental, with such a short time left, you need to get whatever is still available.

travfirst

emilymarie,
Regarding your question, it depends on whether you like to return to the hotel during the day. We normally leave hotel for the day and rarely return, so location does not matter that much. Taxi cost 5-8 E to the most attractions or you can ride tram 15 for 20-25 min from Belem to Praca do Comercio.

lind

Thanks, travfirst for answering, Also, we will have a portuquese rail pass - where is good to spend a few days?
Beaches are great but like atmosphere better so best would be town possibly near
a beach that is not overrun with tourists. Or maybe no beach in center in mountains? Thanks...

3) Any other ideas for a two week holiday?

teacher33

Just had time last night to look at your pictures! wonderful shots, a great combination of overview and details.

My trips to Portugal were over 40 years ago, but I remember loving Portugal. I was not in charge of trip planning but went along as chaperone with high schoolers.

I was intrigued with how quickly the students (16-18) found friends among the younger staff of our hotels. None of our kids spoke Portuguese and I don't think many of the young staffers spoke English. But in no time, they all had some friends.

It also strikes me, as I look back, at what an innocent time that was. Our kids were not as worldly wise. After reading posts here about chaperoning European trips,I am not sure I would have the courage to do it today.

I was also remembering an incident at the Jeronimos monastery when we were there. We sat in some pews to listen to our guide tell us the story and I sat in the back row. The pews did not have solid backs and pretty soon I felt someone "poking" me through the slats. I thought someone was leaning over to pray and moved forward in the seat to give the person more room to rest his hands on the back of the pew.
I continued to feel hands at my back but couldn't do anything without causing a ruckus.

When we went back to the bus, some of the kids were falling over laughing. "Hey did you see Miss _____ getting pinched on her rear?" I turned beet red to match my coat. (It was winter). One of the chaperones (an old (at least at that time I thought old) lady) sniffed and said, "What did you expect wearing a red coat?! He thought you were a woman of the streets." I was mortified. Again I think things have changed a lot in 40 years! Has anyone even heard of this belief any more!?

travfirst

Lind,
You can try including daytrips from Lisbon to Evora, Setubal, Santarem, all accessible by train according to www.cp.pt.
If you like Port or vineyards, visit Douro Valley, the most beautiful wine region I've ever been to. You can go to Porto and then to Pinhao by train; there is a tourist train to see the Douro Valley.
A town of Tomar is nice and definitely has character. Convento da Ordem de Christo is located there (one of the UNESCO's sites). There's no train there however, perhaps a bus?
Coimbra, an old univercity town is definitely worth visiting for a day (a train goes there).
Aveiro, a small vacation town not too far from the beach is also nice. It has a couple of canals with boats, and they call it "the Venice of Portugal" but it's not really. It's is accessible by train.
Take advantage of tourist information offices (at least one in every town, no matter how small). They speak good English and will provide you with useful information. Some of them also have computers with free Internet. Free Internet is also found in some town halls, hotels, and libraries.
Enjoy your trip!