Matt, we'll join you by 10pm, after your diner. Do you know Pavilhão Chinês? It's the temple of kitch style. If you don't know, you'll love it :-)

Okay L, call me when you arrive at the crime scene!

Matt

ladylyn915 - Did you still have your car when you were in Sintra? If so, did you find it difficult to find a place to park? I know most people suggest doing Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon after ditching the rental car, but I think it works best in our schedule to do it on the last day of the driving portion of the trip, before we get to Lisbon. I guess driving around Sintra is not advised, but can you park somewhere and then take the bus from one site to the next?

We did have the car. But I can tell you, after three days of very tiny one way streets, my husband was very happy to head for Evora. The weekend and daytime is the worst. When we went to Palacio de Seteais for dinner, the roads were deserted. With some patience you will find somewhere to park and its probably best if you want to see everything in one day.

Hi Isabel. Of course Lyn knows better than I because she was staying there.
But we parked the car near the train station and Pizza Hut in the lower town and took the bus everywhere.

I cannot remember the number of the bus, but if you look in Rick Steves Portugal book, it tells you exactly where to park. I cannot find my book at the moment. At least it did in the 2005 book.

Sher- Don't be so sure. I don't think Ieven knew there was a "lower" town vs what? upper I guess? Didn't know that. But I am very familiar with the train station and pizza hut sign. We laughed and laughed because every time we got turned around, we seemed to be back at the train station and pizza hut. We parked twice on the upper road behind and across from the Nacional Palacioe de Sintra.

Thank you for the tips re: Sintra tours. I think we will end up taking the train and doing it on our own.
Another question - we will be driving back to Lisbon from Lagos on a Thursday in August. Any ideas of a spot to stop on the way to Lisbon? Lunch, a quick look around - Evora? Is it even possible/worth it with only an hour or two?

Lobo and Matt,

What do you think? Should I just contact you when we arrive, or will that be too late to plan something for dinner?

I leave for Paris on Tues. I will have my lap-top so I will be on-line, if all goes ok with it.

You know where I'm staying. The apt. does not have it's own phone though. I have a cell phone, but will not know the number till I get over there and get a SIM card.

namaka

Yesterday morning saw the inaugaration of direct flights from Lisbon to Philadelphia: US Airways will be flying this route until 27th October this year and the first flight yesterday was made with a Boeing 757-200. Hopefully throughout the summer many of our American friends will be making use of this service, bringing them to Lisbon for the Lisbon Dining Club nights!

Matt

Namaka, don't stress. Between June 19 amd 30 we have a lot of opportunities to go out for dinner. Do you have my telephone number? please email me [email protected] and I'll reply with my telephone number. I think the same applies with Matt, but I'll let him speak by himself.
I have one suggestion: on 21st or 22nd, we can meet in "A Brazileira" for a coffee or a drink and set up the plan for a dinner on 24th. Does it sound good? We could go early (10-11pm) to let you take your children with you.
Matt, does it sound OK (Oll Korrect)

Lobo, sounds great. I just emailed you so I will be looking for your phone number to make sure I pack it with me.

Coffee or a drink beforehand sounds fine too.

I am renting a car for only a couple of days to re-visit my old home, school, etc. I will have it on the 24th if that helps.

Lyn. I only knew to look for the Pizza Hut because it was in the book. But it worked out fine for the parking. At least we got around easily.
I am going to be in New York from June 20 until June 27. Maybe we could squeeze in at least a phone call during that time. Part of the time I will be on Long Island and part of the time in Manhattan.
You can email me at [email protected] and I will give you my cell phone number.

Namaka. You and your family have a safe and wonderful time. I am glad you have your laptop. Maybe you can post about the apartment when you arrive. Then I will make reservations if you like it.
Sherry

Sherry, as long as the lap-top works, I definitely plan to post, so be prepared to hear from me.

And so we in Lisbon bid a fond farewell and bon voyage to Jen (Bailey) and Gregg. We had a very nice unplanned night with dinner at Trindade, strolling through Bairo Alto and beers in a Jazz cafe and ending up at some Kitsch chinese palace bar drinking Jasmine tea. It was a pleasure to host you both, many thanks for the present and each time I drink from it I will think of you. Look forward to trip report and photos, all the very best from Lizzy and I.

Matt

Nameka, have a great trip! and please let us know what the kids did and didn't like. Sara

sarasara, will do!

Jen and Gregg are very nice people. We wish them the best of luck. Joao&Gert

So unfortunately I could not meet Lobo this afternoon and likewise not attend the CP cleberations but I took my daughter to the local coffee shop to watch England (and what a poor game it was.) To give you some idea of costs of drinks I paid 9 euros 50 for:

3 Keneckas (Phonetic spelling - pints of beer9
1 bica
1 bifana - steak sandwich.
1 Bottle water
1 packet of Malteesers
1 Kinder surprise egg.
And endless plates of tremosos - butter beans to go with the beer.

Local coffee shops offer much better value for money than tourist traps, as Jen and Greg discovered on their tour of Portugal.

Matt

My railway wanderings now have a dedicated thread:

PORTUGAL BY TRAIN.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34819673

I'll be adding further reports as and when I make the trips but I hope it inspires you to make use of some of the more scenic lines. Who knows, perhaps I'll join you on your trip.

Matt

All:

Greg and I are now back in the USA. It's hard to express just how great of time we had during our trip to Portugal. We found that the sights were amazing, the food delicious and, most importantly, that the people were very friendly and welcoming. I plan to start a trip report and post some photos in the next few days to share our experience with you.

I also want to extend a gigantic "thank you" to Matt and Lizzy and Joao and Gertrude. Greg and I appreciate your generosity and the time you spent with us during our trip. You helped make our trip very special.

Jen