bailey6325

Peppermint - I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the convent and the pottery place! Wasn't the pottery shop something? I could have walked away with the entire store! And the couple couldn't have been friendlier! I would love to read about your trip, so please post a quick message here letting me know that you wrote one - I don't want to miss it!

bailey6325

topping for Brit

tower

HiJennifer:


Thanks to your report we paralleled many of the places you recommended. I recall taking notes and printing out some of your suggestions,..and enjoyed your informative and excellent photos. We had a marvelous 14 days and then went on to London, where the "sticker shock" was severe..but we had fun.

Thought I'd send you our Portugal pix which overlap many of yours...but at least it may give you a kick knowing that someone followed many of your suggestions.

We were able to get Golden Age 40% discounts at three different outstanding Pousadas ...the Estalagem in Obidos was perfect at €100, and we did Nazare'/Sitio as a day trip, and stayed threee nights in Sintra with our car.

You're right, indeed, Portugal is a gem of a country in every way. We took Lobo's advice for Calde Verde Fado in Lisbon....also drove into the northern mountains to Belmonte on an interview mission to hunt up the sinagoga just built about ten years ago by the remnant of the hidden Jews in that town, who still number about 125.

Thank you again, for being so instrumental in having us choose Portugal...it was my last remaining country in all of Europe where I had yet to visit. Mission accomplished.


http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Portugal2008

Stu T.

bailey6325

Stu - your photos are beautiful! Thank you so much for providing them. They brought back so many fond memories of our trip. I'm so glad that you had such a nice trip and I'm very happy that my report was of some help.

tower

Obrigado, Bailey!

TDudette

Led to this from peppermintpattie's TR. Bookmarking for later leisurely read.

jiba

Bailey and Stu
Thanks for your wonderful trip reports and photos. My husband and I will be visiting Portugal the last week in April. Our Itinerary includes arrive in Lisbon tour Cascais, Sintra (3days). Move onto Obidos, Nazare (2days) and finish in Porto.

My question is would you spend a day and night drive through Douro Valley and maybe sleep in Pinhao or take one of the river boats from Porto that go out and back in a day? My last 2 nights are already booked at "Guest House Douro" but I have an extra night that could be dedicated to somewhere in the Douro Valley.
Thanks for any input.

bailey6325

jiba - If it were me, I would drive through the Douro and stay overnight. We really enjoyed our day spent driving through the vineyards - I don't think it would be the same from the boat.

jiba

Thanks Bailey
I think we are going with the car rental and doing the drive. What a great report you have started here full of great information and pictures! I promise to post on our return!

jrlas5

Hi Bailey, i was reading your excellent report, but I still need your advise. Our first stop will be Oporto for 02 nights, and we have only 02 night more before we get to Lisbon, to the Lapa Palace. Wich cities would you reccomend us to stay over night (1 night in each one)? Coimbra and Obidos or......? I'll appreciate a lot your help!
Thanks and regards!

chincoteague

Hi, Bailey. Don't know if you still check in...loved your travelogue. (also peppermintpatti) We are heading to Portugal in Oct 2009 and will be visiting many places which you have described so eloquently. Looking forward to pottery and finding Bartis

aboynamedsue

tag

cjacob

Hi Jrlas- I'm curious as to your thoughts on the Lapa Palace? I'm considering Porutgal for my Honeymoon in June 2010 and we're thinking about staying in Lapa Palace. We'll spend 4 nights in Lisbon- including a day trip to Sintra and a possible day trip to Evora. Thanks!