Nikki

Matt, you don't really think Rick Steves is reading these posts, do you? Come on, tell the name of the little jazz cafe. Pretty please?

Barb65

seetheworld: we did get IDPs - it is really just a permit. Costs $20 each including the photo. It is really just an insurance if you get stopped and they want to see it or don't like your US drivers license. We did not although there were a few check points we passed and no accident but I was glad we had them.

Jen: I think I just should put your link to your photos in my report! They are SO good. Thanks for sharing them.

lobo_mau

To Jen and all who have been in Evora, there is a link to Evora photos last winter. A different perspective.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83107364@N00/page9/ see also next page.

Matt_from_England

Nikki, you know the thing is with the Jazz Cafe I don't know its name: I hadn't been there in years and we wandered round for ages trying to find it - the only thing that identifies it is a single red lamp outside (not to be confused with a brothel) and the strains of old "Blue Note" type jazz coming from within. Just a doorway and a few steps down. Come with me and I'll take you...

Matt

lobo_mau

Matt, I think is this one:
Restaurante Sinal Vermelho
89, Rua das Gaveas
Tel: 21343181
However the name says restaurant and not bar, I'm not sure.

lobo_mau

tel 213431281

Nikki

Matt, it's a date. Lobo, thanks for the details.

ekscrunchy

Bailey your report has convinced me to add Portugal to my short list of future trips. Thanks so much! Excellent report!

bailey6325

Here is a photo of the pottery I purchased for myself on our trip. The yellow and blue pitcher is the piece I talked about in my review that I purchased for 15E. The Coimbra piece with the rooster cost about 8E. All of the other pieces were in the range of 4E to 7E. All except the two stacked dishes in the back, left corner. The owners of Olaria Vale Coelho gave them to me for free as a thank you.

http://tinyurl.com/olgt7

nancy1652

Jen,
Your report and pictures are wonderful. I especially loved seeing the pottery you bought...well done! It was lovely meeting you and Greg at the LDC, and I know you will have many more wonderful travels.
Nancy & Meyer

bailey6325

Thanks Nancy. Greg and I really enjoyed yours and Meyer's company at the LDC - I'm glad that we were able to meet up. Also, I wanted to thank you for the Redondo map - it really came in handy. We would have been lost in Redondo for sure if we didn't have the map!

Mairead05

What a fanastic report and so helpful. Having travelled to Italy for holidays in recent years I was thinking about going to Portugal next year and this has really made me think that we definitely will.
However, how much could you see solely by using public transport, trains and buses? We live in Ireland and have never driven on mainland Europe as the idea of driving on the other side of the road freaks us out.

seetheworld

Bailey, thanks for posting the picture of your pottery!! I will have to muster up a great deal of restraint when I shop -- so many beautiful pieces. How did you manage to get them home in one piece? Did the shop owner wrap them in paper for you?

bailey6325

You're in luck Mairead05! Everywhere we went could have been reached by public transport (the only town I'm not sure about is Redondo). The only disadvantage to using public transportion (anywhere not just Portugal) is that you'll be on the train/bus schedule not on your own schedule. So, you may decide to not move around as much as we did. Good luck! Portugal is a wonderful destination. Let me know if you have any other questions.

bailey6325

seetheworld - the shop owners wrapped all of my pieces in paper and tape. That was sufficient while we were touring, then right before we came home I bought some bubble wrap and added that around each piece. We then packed them in our carry-ons and everything arrived home safely. I remember seeing at the shop in Redondo that they ship pottery home for you if needed - from the poster, it looks like they package it very well.

BYoung4u2

Bailey: Let me add my sincerest congrat. for a wonderfully detailed and certainly entertaining trip report. Ruth and I will be making a very similiar trip starting in Lisbon in late August to include an LDC on the 25th. Then North along the coast to Porto and eventually into Galicia, Austurias and will then head south finally landing in Estepona on the Costa del Sol. I have taken numerous notes from your report and know it will be a "Best Seller" thanks so much again, Bob

sappa

Hi,

This is my first post here at Fodors and since i'm living in Lisboa I was curious about what people feel about my town. I really enjoyed reading your posts e absolutely loved bailey's pics (I also lived in Évora for a few years and you captured it beautifully).
So i'm just writing to tell you about the jazz bar someone was asking about (i just couldn't help myself ) I think you may be talking about BARTIE'S. A lovely small and cosy jazz bar with a very friendly atmosphere and GREAT chicken toasts (make sure to try because it's soething special!).

Well since i'm going to Barcelona in September i'm going to continue my surch thereof.

Enjoy Portugal and come back always
Sappa

chicagolori

Oh my gosh Jennifer - you have complicated by life! I thought I had my short list pretty much decided for my next trips but NO!!!!!!!!! Now that I have read your report and seen your pictures, I have added Portugal.

See what you have done? Just kidding. I loved your report and your pictures.

Have a stupid question - in your accomodations, did they have regular showers (like the good old US) or only baths. I like the places you stayed but didn't see br pics and I am picky about having a shower to stand up in.

Thanks, Lori

bailey6325

I'm thrilled that all of you are enjoying my report and photos. I hope that you find them useful.

Lori - every single one of our accommodations had showers. Most of our bathrooms had just small shower stalls while some had bath tubs with shower heads.

Matt_from_England

Oh I'm definitely a <b>BIG</b> fan!