We are planning a family (2 adults and 2 kids ages 13 and 8) trip to Portugal in December'01 and I have a few very basic questions as I begin my research. <BR> <BR>First, are we crazy to pick Portugal for a December trip? Will it be cold and rainy and miserable? Cool is fine and a day or two of rain is fine but are chances good that all 2 weeks of our trip will be under water? <BR> <BR> Second, do any families who have traveled in Portugal have any recommendations of family favorite (and family friendly) activities, restaurants, accommodations? <BR> <BR>All help and suggestions are appreciated! Basically, my husband hates hot weather. Our last two trips to Europe were in the summer but to the cool climates of Scotland and the Netherlands. I thought Portugal might be too hot in summer for him but I don't know if December will be a good travel time. <BR> <BR>Thanks for all input.

Any Portugal experts around? All info. is appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks again, <BR>Wendy

Wendy-our family of four went to Portugal last year during spring break so I can't help on the weather situation. However, I would be happy to suggest some of the things that interested my kids(ages 14 and 17-at the time)if you want to privately email me.We spent a week there(Lisbon,Sintra,etc.) without a car using all public transportation and had a super time! Portugal was wonderful-people were friendly,prices were unbelievable and the history experienced well worth the trip!You will be very surprised about this wonderful country!!!Debbie

Debbie, <BR> <BR>Post some info here. Although I don't need to worry about entertaining kids, my husband & I are going there for 11 days, arriving on Easter Sunday, and I'm having a hard time getting info from this board. Much of it is over 1 year old. <BR> <BR>Please post for all to see, some specifics of your trip. What the weather was like--cost of trains or bus (whatever you used) to go to Sintra area, etc.--just exactly where you visited. <BR> <BR>Thanks so much, <BR>Jean

Debbie: Thanks for the offer of info. I will definately send you an e-mail. Maybe you can also post some of your family's favorites here as well. It looks like Jean and others would appreciate it. Thanks again! <BR> <BR>Wendy

Hi Wendy <BR>December is a good month to travel in southern Portugal, especially in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve. There isnt much rain there and temperatures are ok, hardly ever goes under +10ºCelsius at night (sorry, im not familliar with F). I live in the north, this year we had the rainiest winter in the last 100 years, but not in the south where weather and good. <BR>Mind that here all restaurants and accomodations are family friendly, i think it is even forbiden to limit children acess in those sort of places. Anyway, i had never seen any sort of problems concerning children acess in restaurants and accomodation. <BR>I believe it is much easier to travel in Portugal in winter than in summertime, there are very few tourists and you can experience the true spirit of the country. <BR>Have a nice trip. <BR>Maria <BR>

Wendy-sorry I haven't been near a computer to answer. Anyway,as I said before you will love Portugal. Our trip was centered in Lisbon with side trips to Belem,Sintra,etc.Because we ended up going at the last minute(changed plans from Rome last year due to millenium stuff)we stayed at a great Best Western hotel across the street from the worlds fair new metro line-we had connecting rooms and the price was great!Some of the things off the top of my head for kids(will find notes later)were:Expo park-(the aquarium,tram ride out over the water and their version of a huge modern mall........Belem- with explorers monument,the church with Vasco de GAma's tomb and just being down on the water with all of the historical things,Lisbon- with the trolley rides,flea markets, the castle overlooking the harbor and Sintra which is beautiful. In Sintra,have a bite to eat and be sure to hike to the top even if it is cold and windy-well worth it.

Sorry! the hand moved the mouse on the wrong spot? Anyway,the hotel we stayed at was in a residential section that had a mini grocery mall along side it which was great for getting snacks,drinks,etc.Banks all around the area with school,etc.The metro station was all done in gorgeous mosiacs and was just a walk across the street and it went everywhere. We did all our travel by the underground,train or bus.Because my daughter is into oceanography,we enjoyed the permanent things such as the aquarium that was left from the World's Expo. <BR>My husband and I each have a history degree so our family is probably more into a history mode than other families. However, just traveling around Portugal and enjoying the "common things" of life was fascinating for us. The food was great,inexpensive(coffee is actually 75 cents!)and the sights in Lisbon itself were great.My kids were starting to bring back to the front of their brains all that they knew about Magellan,Vasco de Gama,etc.Our family picked an area each day and then worked from there.We are trying to go away(major overload) next week so if you have any questions,write me-I feel like I cannot remembered anything at this point so I apologize.Debbie

Wendy,, Went with my daughter (14) and nephew (8) husband, Dad and stepmom 2 years ago to Algarve in February..chilly but bright... visit Faro (see ancient Roman baths just north of town)...visit Monchique and watch bread being baked in the town square as has been done for 1000 years...watch fishermen hang offf the cliffs to fish at any of the western Algarve sea ports...eat well and cheaply at Piri-piri (barbecued chicken places in Guia and many other spots) ...see the place where Henry the Navigator sent the ships off to explore the world...explore Albufeira without tripping over thousands of British tourists-off season (and eat at Restaurante La Mangerie there if poss...they made our little guy feel very welcome while the adults lingered. Have fun!

Thank you so much Debbie, Maria, and Lee for all of your helpful information. I am feeling a lot better about traveling in Portugal in the winter! Now I am getting excited to open those tour books and start reading! I am sure I will have more questions once our iterary starts taking shape. Until then, thanks for reassuring me and getting me started. <BR> <BR>Wendy

Wendy, <BR> <BR>I was in Portugal in late October/early November many years ago. Stayed in Lisbon, the pousada at Obidos, the Palace in Busaco, a quinta in Sintra and a pousada in Evora. Weather was not that great but was OK. Rained a couple of days but no big deal. Was very cool in Busaco but I was there in September of 1997 too and it was cool (love it there). Weather in Lisbon was warmer and rather pleasant. It is more humid as you go north. Not interested in the Algarve (might as well go to Miami) so I can't tell you what it's like around there in the late fall. <BR> <BR>I'm with your husband, I hate hot weather especially in the cities. Only the very best hotels have decent air conditioning. The air pollution in Lisbon, Porto, Braga area was horrific in September (more so in the north because of the hills). I can't imagine what the pollution is like in July and August. Makes any U.S. city seem clean on our worst air pollution days in the summer. <BR> <BR>With the possible exception of Christmas, especially in the larger cites, travel will be much easier in December because it's off season. Don't be afraid to drive. The Portuguese have improved 1000% from my first visit in 1983 (really terrifying) to my most recent visit in 1997. They also now have an excellent highway system (kind of ruins the oldtime charm though, nothing like seeing a walled city from a highway or vise versa). We have driven all over including Porto and Lisbon with no problems whatsoever. <BR> <BR>People are extremely kind and friendly, food is delicious, accommodations were great. We stayed at a range of places from a quinta in Sintra to The Palacio in Busaco, to a five star hotel in Porto. All were very reasonable and very pleasant. <BR> <BR> <BR>

DEAR WENDY, MY FAMILY OF 8 SPENT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS(2000/01) IN SINTRA AND LISBON. IT RAINED, BUT BEAUTIFULLY, LIKE IN THE TROPICS. IT WOULD RAIN FOR AN HOUR THEN THE SUN WOULD COME OUT. IT RAINED ALOT, BUT WE WERE TOLD IT WAS RARE. AS I SAID IT DIDN'T MATTER BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS FRESH, GREEN , AND LUSH. WE RENTED A HOUSE AND A VAN AND MADE SEVERAL DAYTRIPS WITH RAIN, RAINBOWS, AND SUN.MY ONLY ADVICE, PACK CLOTHES THAT DRY AS FAST AS THE WEATHER CHANGES. THAT SAID ,OUR TRIP WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

We are going to Portugal for the first two weeks of April, 2001. Two adult couples who like to see historic sites, eat good food,drink good wine and have fun. We're spending the first couple of days in Lisbon and then taking 10 - 12 days to tour. Plan to go north along a Western route to Oporto and then south on a more inland route down to the Algarve then back to Lisbon to return to Canada. We're planning to stay in 5 Star accommodations. Any suggestions for places to stay or eat or sites to see that we should absolutely not miss?

Also thinking of planning a family trip to portugal (probably lisbon area), march '02. just wondering about hotel accommodations for a family of 4 (kids 10 & 13 and don't like to share a bed). any recommendations? thanks

My husband and I are going to Spain and Portugal in July. How's the weather there. We planned to rent a car from Seville and explore south west of Spain. We need help with cosy b&b places to stay. Can we get by with English. I speak un poco Spanish and no Portuguese. Any help would be appreciated. Want to know about Hawaii and Vietnam write me.

Wendy - My wife and I are just back from Lisbon, Sintra and Porto....loved it. The visit to Portugal far exceeded my expectations. The residents are very friendly, anxious to help and if you use only a word or two in Portugese will demonstrate how well the speak and understand English. Don't miss Pena Palace in Sintra...the weather in May was great, can't wait to go back.

I usually travel to Portugal and some of my trips are in winter. Portugal is a very tourist friendly country and you will not find any problem to get around. Driving is not now as it was, regarding dangerous attitude, but you might find funny using also public transportation within Lisbon ( tramways, metro ). The landscape is beautiful in December and the cities are ornated for Christmas. Some suggestions: <BR> <BR>-In the Algarve (which is deserted by that time) you will find three landscape highlights: <BR> *The Sagres/Cabo de S. Vicente area. Rugged cliffs, scenic beaches, interesting lighthouse, beautiful sunsets. <BR>*Ponta da Piedade(Lagos)and Algar Seco(Carvoeiro), two rocky chaos just by the sea that offer you suggestive views. The essence of Algarve coast. <BR> <BR>In Evora: it is amazing the Capela dos Ossos ( Skulls chapel ) in Sao Francisco church. <BR> <BR>Sto Antonio Caves (close to Ourem, Fatima): beautiful caves. <BR> <BR>Lisbon`s Aquarium de Vasco de Gama. <BR> <BR>O Sitio Viewpoint in Nazaré, absolutely breathtaking. <BR> <BR>Belem area is also beautiful ( good seafood there ). <BR> <BR>Cristo Rei Statue viewpoint in Lisbon. <BR> <BR>Temperatures might be cool (50ºF /35ºF )in the interior but mild although humid at the coastal area, decreasing towards North. Expect also some rain specially in the North. <BR> <BR>Roman ruins in Conimbriga ( close to Coimbra ) <BR> <BR>Old Castles in Sintra, Marvao and Lisbon. <BR> <BR>

Note to Thanh: <BR> <BR>We drove from Seville to Portugal earlier this year. July will be very hot, esp. in Seville! <BR>One tip - stick to English in Portugal (don't use your Spanish). Portuguese are wonderful people, and rightly proud of their country and culture. <BR>Another tip - visit Tavira (eastern end of the Algarve coast in Portugal). One of the nicest towns in Europe, IMO. <BR>Nothing outstanding, just a really good chilling-out place. <BR>Enjoy your trip!