This is just an advance warning: at 500 posts I'll be closing this thread to new posts - (well I can't physically do that but you know what I mean) and opening up "Things to do in and around Lisbon Part III (Inc Portugal)"

Is that okay with everybody?

Matt

No. I think you should just stop posting and write a book.

Matt,
Hotel was beautiful Penha Longa. And what made it even better was the staff. Unbelievably friendly and nice.
I am so sorry I got sick. All of you are such special people, it would have been an honor to enjoy a meal with all of you. But I have to tell you, the food and I did not agree at all. I think just some bad choices on my part and some unfamiliar foods helped to upset my stomach for a number of days and I think the fish on the 26th just put me over the edge. It may not have been bad, but left me quite ill. You will just have to look us up when you next come to NYC for sure.

Sher, how did you know about my other past time? Or sorry, were you referring to Lyn's excellent photo posts?

BTW a book about what?

Matt

Lyn, what a most excellent idea - A New York Dining Club! Wow, who else can we get coming? Unfortunately as I explained to Sher, this year with the new baby travelling will be very difficult but we will definitely be returning sometime next year - it'll be my fourth time!

I really love New York.

Matt

Well, a year is not so long to wait. A NYC dining club would be great. HOWEVER, I can't promise $20 meals unless you only want pizza and that may be difficult. But, there are always street vendor hot dogs......

I'm back on duty and delighted with so much information and photos!
Matt your photo of a steam train in Oriente station is something out of this world!!!
I don't know the plans of CP, but I think that a steam train making the Cascais/Lisbon during summer weekends would be a immediate success.
Bailey and Barb, it's so good to know you are enjoying your time!
Ladylin, thanks for your report. As I said before the Upper Alentejo is my favourite part of Portugal.

Lobo, what are you still doing up? What am I still doing up? Finishing some beer, listening to jazz and being mellow. How was your weekend?

I must go through this thread and compile an updated list of who is coming when. We still have a busy summer of L.D.Cs you know.

Speak soon. Go to bed.

Matt

wow. everybody's pictures and reports are so fantastic! We're in New York and will happily hook up for a NYCDC...

Lyn, thanks for the info on Sixt car rental. Also thanks for the great post. We will be leaving 2 weeks from today and i am so excited I may burst. Please post photos of Evora. We will be visiting there and staying 2 nights in Monsaraz. We will definitely go to the pottery shop but I think the wine tour will be out because we will have the kids with us. Thanks so much for all the great info.

Henry and casper and Lyn. I am in New York often...or I hope to be now that the air fare is at a decent level.

I will be there the weekend of June 20th and hope to return in July, but defintetly in August.

I will join a NYDC anytime. Just name the time and place.

Matt. We have so much information on the I and II posts, that we could easily fill a book.

This would be the best book on Portugbal available. Watch out. Fodor's may start quoting you.

Wouldn't it bew fantastic if we could meet in New York?.

Sher-
The weekend of June 20th we head to Portugal! But a NYCDC could certainly be in the cards for August...it's just too bad Matt and Lobo can't seem to join us then!

Okay hands up how many of you check in here first thing in the morning and last thing at night? And then are disappointed when there are no new posts? I personally love waking up to find a few more posts in the thread. This really is some great community we've established here - friends before we've even met. And that NYCDC - I want to see the report and photos from that one...

Matt

Matt, I confess I check in here first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I got a laptop with wifi connection, and in fact I don't even need to get up.
A note of caution to Lisbon visitors: temperature is high and the sun is shining. Based on personal experience I advise anybody visiting Lisbon to bring sun glasses, to use a hat, to apply skin protection in exposed areas and to drink a lot of water (no, beer is not a substitute).

henryandcasper.
Wow, you are almost there.
Have a great time.

Lobo, Matt, et al:

I'm thinking I must find a way to convince you to have NO MORE LDC until we arrive in September !!

I hope that by the time we are there you will still be as enthusiastic and will not tire of eating out every week !!

I check the thread soon after waking, just before work, at lunchtime, just before I leave work and (sometimes) before going to bed. - At least it's not an obsession!

Changed our plans so we fly out of PIT instead of NYC, into Lisbon and out of Porto. We end up with a full day (layover) in Madrid, which I hope will prove to be exciting also.

Is anyone familiar with Moimenta Da Beira ? The parents of a 'sorta half sister' live there and we're thinking of visiting.

Current thoughts on itinerary -
Lisbon - 3 days/nights
Peniche/Obidos 1 day/night
Meandering drive to Moimenta Da Beira (ideas on places to eat/stay along the way ?)
Porto (sister of 'sorta half sister') 1 or 2 days - maybe spend a day on the train.

I'm very eager to learn what people have found about renting cars. Current plan is rent in Lisbon and drop off in Porto.

David

"I hope that by the time we are there you will still be as enthusiastic and will not tire of eating out every week !!"
David, in addition to all these activities you see here, there is still the field work we do in between
Moimenta da Beira is a lovely place... I guess...
And this is post #499. Now there weill be a moment of pause, because no one wants to write the number #500...

I'll do !! I love Portugal !!

So everybody, I'm pleased to announce that once more have we reached 500 posts in this second Lisbon and Portugal thread thus is it time to put it to bed and open # 3 which can be found here:

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND LISBON PART III (Inc Portugal)

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34816717

Please join us in the new thread where life continues as normal and feel free to post any questions or raise any points.

I'll come back and check in here occasionally but please consider this thread now closed to new posts.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon, your faithful servant - Matt from England.

Matt, I have to add one more post.
Kenderina, the next time you are coming to Portugal to see your "old man", please let us know and Matt and I will organize for sure a LDC meeting with you as a guest of honour. Right Matt?
After we had the pleasure of meeting so many Portuguese and Americans, it will be great to have one fine Spanish Lady joining us.