Tedgale, wonderful trip report. I also just finished reading your 2014 Portugal trip report. These will definitely help us when planning our trip there in May 2016.

We were thinking of stopping in Tomar when we leave Obidos en route to Coimbra but it sounds like we should plan an overnight stop there.

Tedgale - thank you for providing us, once again, a great review of your travels. Always a pleasure to read of your adventures.

tC

Sorry for the late replies -- I've been off Fodors and busy with moving house.

Nina 88: The Quinta da Pacheco is more "special" and very stylish, with a good restaurant (something Delfim reportedly lacks). But the standard rooms are on the small side. I'm glad we stayed there. But if staying only 1 night, I would want to stay in one of their fancier, pricier rooms.

The Delfim is less personalized, even a bit anonymous since it was quite empty, but spanking new and very comfortable with lots of bedroom space, a small balcony and a very memorable view, which the Quinta lacks.

We travel a LOT (I've been to Europe 4 times in the past 12 months) so I'm less apt to look for lifetime memories and more inclined to look for solid value and, indeed, a bargain -- if I can find one without compromising comfort.

I thought the Delfim was very good value. The Quinta was lovely, with lovely people, but to get the very best out of the place, you have to spend quite a lot.

To many people, this would be an easy choice -- get the best and pay for it. To me, it's not so obvious.

Thanks, Karen and Teacher.

Cindyjo, if you booked a month in advance you should be fine. March is still (very) low season outside of the cities. You might get some good deals that are not offered this far in advance.

NOTE: The Pousadas run by Pestana group seem to have regular sales in JANUARY for winter/ spring bookings. Savings can be quite remarkable, esp for those of us 55+.

No complaints about our car rental (Europcar, I think).

There was no problem with the car rental company about crossing the border. And the border crossing (at 2 different points) was nothing at all. Like crossing from one US state to another. As long as you're not driving an 18-wheeler you just drive past the border.

Thank you Tedgale. I actually placed our reservation with Quinta bec. because although the rate is higher, it does include the wine tour + sampling and I've read that the dinner they offer is actually good. I believe Quinta is also nearer to the Peso do Ragua train station which we will take when we do the day tour to Pinhao and Pocinho (sp?) and back to Porto.

Yes, the Quinta is a bit closer to Regua. I suggest that you go to Google maps in advance of arriving there and review your routing, as I did. When arriving, the turn-off from the N-S road paralleling the motorway onto the E-W road along the river is quite tricky. The turn into the Quinta is not very well signposted either.

Greetings. Great trip report :) I am headed to Portugal in April with the folks. Questions are how do I find posadas for some of the places we plan on staying and how did you find the driving in general? ( we are from Calgary ). I will be doing the lions share of driving and wonder if I am getting myself into a dog's breakfast. ;)

Dragonfly: Pousadas are now managed by the Pestana hotel group. If you google "pousada Pestana", you will find the Pestana website.

They often have sales for advance bookings. I saw an email from them today about Spring discounts

Re driving: the big roads are so large and so empty that they're a pleasure to drive. On smaller roads, you may meet road hogs and dare-devils (or farm vehicles and slow trucks). But generally I find the drivers pretty consistent and certainly less irritating than Ontario drivers.