SINTRA-NEED HELP URGENTLY BEFORE 9/19
 

Due to the recent events, I have had to change my travel plans and will now lose 2 days. Unfortunately I will be in Lisbon at the end of my trip instead of the beginning. <BR> <BR>Question for those who have been to Portugal lately.... Is it safe to drive from airport in Lisbon to Quelez & Sintra with a trunk full of suitcases & personal possessions? If I am going to see these 2 wonderful places it will have to be right after we land and on our way to Obidos. Our first night will be spent in Obidos. <BR>I know parking in Sintra is a nightmare but will we come out of the Palace in Quelez and Sintra and still have a car?? We will not leave any maps etc in the front seat. Thanks for your speedy reply in advance. <BR>We will not have time to take the train when we are staying in Lisbon as will only have 2 days in Lisbon.

You.will.be.fine,Lisa <BR>Unlike.this.darn.conputer! <BR>I.shall.try.to.eail.you.tonorrow.after.the.tec h's.work.on.this. <BR>There.is.good.parking.in.full.view.of.the.pala ce.and.public.areas.in.Sintra. <BR>We.loved.Portugal. <BR>Do.not.iss.the.Pena.Palace.Lovely! <BR>See.the.ocean.at.Colares. <BR>The.drive.along.the.ocean.is.glorius! <BR>Cheers! <BR>Gloria

<BR>Lisa, we too loved Portugal, and wrote about our trip on this forum awhile ago. Have to agree with Gloria that the coast line is gorgeous - just loved it. And the Palace is exquisite. We parked in Sintra for a day, and as in other places, always felt safe. If you use common sense, I don't think you'll have any problem. Have a wonderful trip.

I don't know why you are worrying, Sintra is such a lovely place. I couldn't imagine anything happening to your car there. Yes, it is a tiny town, and parking may be a problem. But, I honestly don't think you should have any safety concerns. What I don't understand is if you are staying in Lisboa why you can't take the train into Sintra. I think it only takes about 45 minutes and is very cheap. I have been to Obidos and enjoyed it. It is so tiny that you can walk through the entire village in about an hour. There is this beautiful tiled porch there. You walk down this alley, go through a doorway, and there it is. You just don't expect this beautiful thing to be there. I also agree with the above that you should go to Pena Palace in Sintra. Now, if you take a taxi up to the palace, the driver will ask you if you want him to wait. If you say no, when you come out it may be hard to find a cab because all the other cabs are waiting for passengers who had them wait. You can get a bus back down into town but it may be full and you will have to stand. It really doesn't cost that much to have a cab wait. I think it was $30 for the two of us. Now, listen to me, for I have been to Lisboa many times and have very good friends there. You should go to the Gulbenkian Museum (take Metro at Restauradoes Station). This museum is full of treasures. The Gaurdi paintings of Venice are riveting, as well as the Sevres silver of Napolean. This museum should be in New York or Paris. Also, go to the church of Sao Roque in Biarro Alto. You will be hard-pressed to see anything like it. It is too bad you will not have time to go to Cascais. This place is so pretty, with shops, and a little beach. It is nice to have lunch al fresco at one of the cafes overlooking the beach. Have a good time. Lisboa is one of my favorites. JG

I don't know if I qualify to answer this post, because I haven't been to Portugal recently, but instead I live here permanently. <BR> <BR>After leaving the airport, the only way to get to Queluz is to take the 2nd Circular, direction west (Benfica, Cascais, etc...). 2nd circular is a kind of road ring. At the end of 2nd circular, there is IC19 (noway of getting wrong). In IC19, just do line of sight navigation following the arrows do "palacio". <BR> <BR>If you leave the airport to Queluz between 5 pm and 7 pm, you must be patient, because 2nd circular should be very overloaded. At any other time, you shouldn't face any problem. <BR> <BR>From Sintra to Óbidos there are two ways. One following the coast line. Its an experience of a life time, but it costs time, which I feel you can't afford to waste. <BR> <BR>The other way is to return direction Lisbon (IC19), then follow the CREL (direction Alverca) then, after 2 tunnels and a long bridge, follow A8 (direction north) just to Obidos. <BR> <BR>This second option requires you about 1 hour (below the legal speed limit of 120 km/h). <BR> <BR>Last advise: In the car, and at any time, don't leave anything (suitcases, handbags) visible from the outside. <BR> <BR>In Obidos are you staying in the Pousada? Don't forget that Obidos is famous by it's "ginginha". It's a sweet alcoolic drink, made from some kind of berries. Don't drive immediatly after having the ginginha. <BR> <BR>Drive carefully, choose always the right lane, don't forget to show other drivers your intentions in case you decide to change direction, respect speed limits and traffic officers on duty and don't pay attention to the horror tales made public here in Internet about driving in Portugal.

hi Gloria <BR> <BR>thanks for your help. Unfortunately the Pena Palace will not be open when we are there will have to go to the national palace. <BR>I have also found out that TAP Air is running 4+ hrs delay out of NY. I hope we arrive in Lisbon before the palaces of Quelez and Sintra close for the day!

Hi Cheryl <BR>thanks for your advice

John G- <BR>Glad to hear I wont have a problem in Sintra, also plan on driving to Quelez to see the palace if I can get the plane to land before they close! <BR>I cant go to Sintra, Quelez while in Lisbon as we now have only 2 days in Lisbon & part of the first day will be spent driving there from Coimbra. There is so much to see in Lisbon itself that I can no longer afford to take the time for day trips via train to Cascais, Estoril, Sintra & Quelez. Originally I was spending 4 full days in Lisbon h/e had to re arrange my entire vacation in a hurry due to the recent horrific events in NYC. <BR>Everything you have mentioned to do in lisbon I have on my list. There is also the Belem & Alfama districts with lots to see & they take time. Thank you for your help. I guess there will always be a next time if I dont fit all in on this trip!

Hi J <BR>Thanks for the traffic directions to Quelez. My plane was going to arrive in Lisbon @ 7am however since TAP went back into service there has been at least a 4 hr delay leaving JFK airport in NYC. So, it looks as though if I arrive in time for lunch it will be a miracle. <BR>Is the trip from Quelez to Sintra difficult/time consuming? I would like to hit both palaces on the day we arrive. <BR>I dont know if you have ever been to USA California however the first route from Sintra to Obidos sounds like the drive of highway US1. Too bad I will miss out on this experience h/e as you say, time is of the essence. Yes I am staying at the Pousada in Obidos. Thank you for all of your help, I will pack these directions.

I was there a few weeks ago - I used the train from Lisbon then the local bus which goes around the attractions on a circular route - you can hop on & off with a day ticket you buy from the driver. <BR>I noticed that the lonely planet guide advised care if parking at the castelo dos mouros or the monseratte gardens (take valuables with you etc)- can't comment about that but it might be best to find a safe place then use the bus-try asking at the tourist office? <BR> Sintra-Vila is short on parking but you might find somewhere. <BR> The Pena Palace was, as you say, closed! <BR> Portugal isn't particularly bad for thieves, better than many places, but wherever tourists are there are always thieves.I was given a good going over by pickpockets in the bus station at Lisbon in the crowd to load baggage!(they got nothing) <BR> The drivers are scary - although very good to pedestrians.

Dear Lisa: The Torre de Belem is nice, but it is not spectacular. It is just an empty tower. Although, they do have a lovely gift shop. Same for Monument to the Discoverers. The Monastery of Jeronimos is worth seeing. If you don't have time, skip these and go to Gulbenkian, Sao Roque, Alfama, Biarro Alto. The Castle of St. George offers great views, but it is also an empty building. You can get just as good views from Santa Justa Elevator and it will save you time. There is a cafe in Chiado called Cafe Brazileira-go there and have a drink. The people there are locals and will talk to you. My b/f and I went there and before we knew it we were being whisked away for dinner by a group of natives. The Portugese are very, very friendly if you embrace their culture and tell them how beautiful Portugal is. Another name to remember is Amalia Rodrigues. She is the most famous person in all of Portugal, being an iconic Fado singer. (She is now dead.) Just tell people how much you love her music and doors will literally open for you. I told the maid at my hotel that I adored her and she gave me anything I asked for: pillows, towels, soap, shampoo, etc. I don't know what the above person is talking about, I never had any problems with pickpockets at all. The only thing the locals will warn you against is taking the train to Sintra at night and to beware of the African immigrants who congregate in groups. The Arabs will drive you crazy asking you to buy hashish if you are in Baixa. Anything else you need to know just ask. Ciao, John G.

hi Frank <BR>thank you for your info. I will have no choice but to keep the suitcases in the trunk of our rental car & just pray as the plane from NY still on 4 hour delay which means with any luck I will land in Lisbon at lunchtime and I have to check into hotel in Obidos by 6 pm this does not leave much time for seeing the sights of Quelez & Sintra.

hi John <BR> <BR>your updates noted with thanks. Will definitely need that drink so will go to Brazileira! and remember Amalia <BR>Well I'm scheduled to leave tomorrow... so far JFK airport still open. Thank you again for all of your help. Will let you know how it went when I return!

Lisa <BR> <BR>I don't know if I'm posting in time before your departure. <BR>If you have just a short time, I think you'd skip the Queluz Palace, and concentrate in Sintra. <BR>I agree with John that Belem tower is best from the outside. In Belem area, check the Coaches Museum to know how the royals traveled before the automobile era and Pasteis de Belem (custard pies factory). Coaches Museum is usually referred as the best in the world in its kind. Don't forget the big Aquarium (Oceanarium) in the former Expo98 ground. <BR>Most underground stations are beautiful, with marble statues, tiled walls and other artistic displays (mostly those leading to the Orient station). With 100 escudos (less than .5 USD) you may go everywhere in Lisbon. The tram way 28 is another thing not to miss. It goes though the most typical districts of Lisbon. You may take it, run all way around and return to the original point. <BR>I don't agree with John in one of his points. You don't need to buy affection os Portuguese, telling them things you don't think. Just come with openmind, be natural, try to be nice and them will repay you in excess. <BR>John, no hardfeelings. I appreciate your posts.

Buy? Who said anything about buying affection. I don't think paying a compliment is buying. Anyhoooo, I totally agree with you about the Coaches Museum. I forgot about it. The coaches in that museum are fabulous; it is impressive. Beijinhos, John G