Revised post- cruise itinerary
 

Thanks very much for input on my previous thread. After more research and your advice I'm rejigging things a bit. I think it's best to leave Evora for another time so my current plan is:

3 nights Lisbon
2 nights Nazare area
1 night Aveira ( is this a good idea? Didn't see any tempting accommodations)
3 nights Pinhao
2 nights Porto. (We will fly out of Porto).

I'm just not sure of the bit between Lisbon and Pinhao. Should I just limit it to 2 nights in Coimbra and go to Pinhao from there? I would appreciate any advice on this? Kathy

In summer, the most relaxing way to go to Pinhao is a Douro cruise.

My trip is in Mid- September and will follow a Southampton - Lisbon cruise. I will not be embarking on another multi day cruise of the Douro, although it will be fun to take a day excursion on the river. After the cruise, we want to see some of Portugal on land by renting a car in Lisbon and working our way back to Porto after. spending a few days at a the Casa do Viscondende Chanceleiros.

Therefore, I'm working on an itinerary so we can see a bit of the country. Initially I had thought of routing through Evora, but I do not want to take more than 10 days on this trip,so I'll save it for another time.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions on the itinerary I outlined above I would be most appreciative. Thanks. Kathy.

Aveiro accomodations: maybe you would like to take a look at Pousada da Ria:

http://www.pousadas.pt/pt/hotel/pousada-ria

Some suggestions:

São Martinho do Porto, near Nazaré, has a nice bay.

Do not miss Tomar (a city full of history)

Aveiro: if you are not diabetic, don't miss the egg sweets "ovos moles"

On your way North, through A17 between Nazaré and Aveiro, make a stop at "Montemor o velho", nice village with an impressive castle (this is still a gem, of the beaten path).

If you change your choice and go through Coimbra instead, then I suggest:

- Conimbriga (ruins near Condeixa A Nova)
- A stop at Vila da Feira (between Coimbra and Porto), nice village with small nice castle

In both cases, if you are in to tiles, you may do a quick stop at Válega, near Ovar, just for the church - a more naif style, strong colors, different from the rest of the country.

A boat ride from Porto to Pinhao takes half a day; there are trains too.
Tomar, Alcocaba, Batalha, Obidos, Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco in the case you should be interested in the cultural gems and scenic villages of central Portugal.

Thank you! Helena Fatima-- thank you for mentioning those areas. I think now I will route through Sao Martinhomdo Porto staying there overnight. Your other suggestions are very helpful.

Neckervd. Thank you. Those towns are definitely on my list!

Just to throw in a few more options -- I would recommend Guimaraes and Braga more highly than Aveiro. There really aren't any "attractions" in Aveiro, though it is a pleasant town, and the preserve on the ocean nearby is nice for a long walk. If you're headed to the Douro after Nazare area, there are a couple of gems in between -- Lousa and the schist towns nearby (and Piodao a bit further away) are lovely. Good walking, but you can drive a circle from Lousa and really get to some beautiful little places. Good luck with so many hard decisions!