Matt_from_England

If it's anything like the last time we'll have a ball - it's only a warm up for when everyone comes across and joins us.

Where are you Lobo?

Matt

lobo_mau

Preparing to sleep. From my side everything is ok. Red Riding Hood already postponed the weekly visit to grandma to the next day, so she is available to join us. I'll reserve a table.
Matt, for us it's no problem at all if you wish to bring your children. Of course I leave that decision on your hands.
I'll call you Friday for last minute arrangements.

Sher

This is my last post until I return from Florida.

We love kids too. No problem with bringing them along when we meet if babysitting is a problem.

We have a 20 month old great grand-daughter which we babysit with often.

You guys take care.

tiara

We will be in Lisbon during Easter and Good Friday from Fri, April 14 to Tue, April 18. Am not sure if all the major sights/museums and restaurants will be open on these 2 days.

Our plan:
Fri - Arrive in the afternoon see Lisbon
Sat - Sintra and Estoril tour?
Sun - Lisbon
Mon - Should we take the guided tour to Fatima/Nazares/Batalha/Obidos?
Tue- morning Leave Lisbon

Should we take the guided tour to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril or try to do it on our own?

We are also looking for good goan Indian restaurants in Lisbon.

Please feel free to suggest any changes to our itinerary.

Thanks.
Tiara

Matt_from_England

I had an emailed question from Sheila recently:

we will be in Lisbon only for a day in May, coming off a ship. Do you have any suggestions for such a short period? Can we walk to the city from port, how far?
Thanks for any input.
Loved reading some of your suggestions.

And here's my reply...

In Lisbon there are two possible ports where your cruise ship will dock - for instance when my uncle came over his ship was in closer to Sta Apalonia Railway station, whereas at the other end ships dock close to the Docas area. So it would require a cab from each locale to get to the centre (Only five minutes or so from each). Depending on your time schedule you should catch a cab to Praca do Commercio which is downtown. You then have the option of walking aorund the tourist shopping area or you could (And should) if you have time take the old red tourist tram tour which lasts about 1 1/2 hours and takes you through the old parts of the city. Cost +/- 15 euros per person per trip.

Obviously as I say things depend on the amount of time spent in port and which port it is. I think that the old tram trip is best in the given time to see a cross section of the city and it doesn't involve walking and getting lost. Also stops halfway at Basilica de Estrela.

I'd suggest a nice meal but then with all that food on the cruise they might not want to fill up...

Welcome Sheila and enjoy Lisbon, even for such a short time.

Matt

Matt_from_England

Hi Tiara and welcome.

The Monday would be a good day to get out of town as many museums are closed. I don't know what guided tour you talk of but I would try to do less in a day.

Fatima holds no interest for me but Nazare is nice. Batalha? Hmnn, many other towns worth seeing as well but Obidos is a day's visit with the travel times - very photogenic is taking pics is your thing.

Sintra again is a day's visit on its own - Pena Palace, the moorish castle, the town itself. Likewise Cascais and Boca de Inferno - that is a day on it's own. Either can be reached via public transport. Perhaps pick one but as Lobo says on the weekend, esp easter sunday Sintra may well be busy.

Restaurants closed? In Lisbon? At the weekend?...The only thing you may find on Easter sunday is some of the higher end ones may need pre booking and have set and expensive menus.

Now indian restaurants - you are talking to a specialist in this field. (As someone who weekly visited Curry Club of Great Britain rated restaurants) I have searched high and low to discover the best and will eat in two. One way out of the way in Cruz de Pau and the other a Nepalese place down near Hospital CUF infante Santo (I'll post the address later unless Lobon knows the road). But a Goan place? I did eat in one years ago and recall it was pretty crap: I think I had Goan fish curry. To sweet. No restaurant will be spicy enough for English tastes - I always request a plate of chopped green chillies to add. BTW did you know the 2nd hottest dish (after phall) the vindaloo is in fact a Portuguese invention? Vin (wine) da Alho (Of garlic) but of course the English version has mutated into the fiery delight we now know and love.

I'll see what I can discover - English people always know the best curry houses!

You should have a great holiday, make sure to post any more questions soon so we can answer them before you leave.

Take care

Matt

lobo_mau

Matt, I spent the last few minutes searching for the Nepalese restaurant with no success.
Speaking about spicy food, one year ago I went to Casa Mexico and made the mistake of choosing a dish with 3 bombs in the menu... You may guess how difficult was to accomplish the task since it's not my style to leave food behind...

gaild202

Matt & Lobo-you are awesome. thanks so much for all the great info.. I would love to meet for a drink in mid-May. we have 1 afternoon in Porto and my husband loves Port - any recs? also any info on transporte Vigo-Porto.
obrigado,
gail

Matt_from_England

Casa Mexico sucks big time. Overpriced tosh. What was it you said a few hundred posts back about treading in dog poo?

Matt

lobo_mau

Invitation for 1 drink??? more than accepted Even for 2 drinks
Matt, who are the candidates for post #400?

Matt_from_England

I've noticed that Barb65 has been hanging out here a lot recently...

Or perhaps someone high up in Random House saying that they'd like us to produce their next book on Portugal ;-)

Or the manager of one of Lisbons most expensive restaurants welcoming us for a free dinner for four...

Or, or, or.

Or you Mr Wolf?

Maybe someone new will get the chance: we'll have to come up with a prize like is awarded to a superstore's millionth customer - but it'll have to be something that can survive being posted unless they claim it in person when meeting us in Lisbon.

Now we were thinking of parking at Amoreiras and walking but the weather really was crappy today wasn't it.

Matt

tiara

Hello Matt and Lobo,

First I would like to thank you both for all the suggestions. We would love to meet with you two if you are free during our stay at Lisbon.

I found these goan restaurants. I am not sure how good they are. For the other Fodorites, Goa was a poruguese colony. Goan food is a mix of portuguese and Indian food.
Goan Restaurants

1. Restaurante Xanti
Casa de Goa, Calcada do Livramento, 17
Alcantara, 1350-188 LISBOA
Tel: 219 301 71

2. Restaurante Nau do Restelo
Rua de Pedroucos, 1 A
1400 LISBOA
Tel: 213 020 675

3. Restaurant Cantinho do Martins
Rua S. Pedro Martir, 23
LISBOA
Tel: 218 875 842

4. Restaurant Sabores
Rua do Zaire, 17 B
LISBOA
Tel: 218 129 144
Velha Goa
R. Tomãs Anunciação, 41 * Campo de Ourique * Lisboa
12.30-14.30h / 19. 30-22.30h * Opens Everyday * Tel (0)1 60 0446
Cantinho do Paz (Rua da Paz 4, tel 21 390 1963

Thanks!

Matt_from_England

Tiara,

I don't know you. But you are already leading me astray! Do you know that indian food is like a vice to me? I will have to arrange now with lobo to try at least one of these places before you come over.

Shame on you for putting up these details...

Now, a plate of sliced green chillies please ;-)

Matt

tiara

Hi Matt,

Let us know if you get a chance to try any of these restaurants. My husband and I are really looking forward to go to one of these goan Indian restaurants.

We will be staying near praca restauradores. Any suggestions for good restaurants in that area?

Cheers!

bailey6325

Hi! I have a question about postal addresses in Portugal. I've been using viamichelin.com to help me with driving directions for our upcoming trip. I want to make sure that I understand the addresses correctly. The address for our hotel in Lisbon is as follows:

Calcada do Garcia, No. 6, 1º e 2º andar 1150-168 Lisboa

For this case, could you please tell me which is the street address and which is the postal code?

Thank you!

Matt_from_England

Hi Bailey,

Let's break it down:

Nº 6 (Number 6)
1º e 2º Andar (1st and second floor)
Calcada do Garcia (Name of road)
1150-168 (Post code)

Matt

Barb65

I think the report and photos of the second meeting of the LDC with it's newest members should be #400. Looking forward to it.

Tiara you have added a whole new experience! Thanks for explaining goan. It sounds like something we definately do not want to miss. Matt I hope you have a chance to pick one of these for everyone.

I am working on our daily intineraries and I think I have WAY too much planned. But don't want to give up any of it. Any one have an opinion on Sobreiro near Mafra? Sounds like great fun in the book I am reading.

Barbara

PS why is it taking me over 1/2 hour to get this posted? UGH!!

tscherne

Hello. I am planning a Portugal/Spain trip in mid-October. I am doing online research while at work and am looking into places to stay, etc. I have not yet figured out how Lisbon is set up... what is the name of the hip part of town? I want to stay in a centrally located hotel, so we can walk out of our door and be in the midst of it all. Any recommendations on which neighborhood we should consider, and hotel recs for that area? Thanks so much!!!

- Tracy

bardo1

topping for tscheme.

Matt_from_England

Don't think Bardo that you'll claim number 400 just by do a ttt!

Okay so whoever gets the next one has it.

BTW this is where Lobo and I are eating with our wives tonights: and so now the Lisbon dining club numbers four!

http://casadospassarinhos.restaunet.pt/en/index.asp

Photos and report to come later if not to full or drunk ;-)

Matt