There are also elder "day care" centers in some areas, usually urban areas though.

There are some in Mass. and not just in large urban areas

NJ, <BR>thanks for the wishes,but you are right, let's not press our luck and incur the wraith of the Fodor Forum police. <BR> <BR>XXX, <BR>My 81 yr. old M-I-L refused to look at elder housing situations, because they are <BR>"filled with old people"!!!!! <BR>So, elder daycare is out, it's not her style. <BR>Even in rural VT, we do have some places like this now. <BR>And to satisfy the F.F. Police, <BR>John, <BR>Glad to hear your trip is shaping up and I hope you enjoy Portugal as much as my friend did.

Yes, flamingoes can be seen in Portugal, and in their own way they may "dance" while you're watching. Following are places to see flamingoes in Portugal: <BR>Sado Estuary nature reserve <BR>Ria Formosa salt farm <BR>Castro Marim nature reserve <BR> <BR>(It's true. Look it up.)

And there's a "Flamingo Hotel" in Lisbon.

The only flamingos I saw in Lisbon were the ones I might have seen at the Lisbon zoo when I was living there. (if I saw them, they didn't make a big impression...) <BR> <BR>Bullfights? I don't like them. <BR>I did, however, end up going to one when I lived in Lisbon. (Won't go into the whys and whatnots) <BR>...Hooked up with an absolutely wonderfully, motley bunch of "travelers" (from S. Africa, Australia, N.Orleans, England...) (another great story, altogether) <BR>Anyway, all got along great, got together, and impulsively took a train outside of Lisbon to some big festival/fair/bullfight they'd heard about... <BR> <BR>...we all missed the last train back... <BR>...ended up sitting outside a 24hr gas station, drinking beer and sharing awesome stories til 6am... We all wrote our addresses on bullfight posters we swipped. (Mine's hanging up in the living room, as we speak) <BR> <BR>So anyway... <BR> <BR>almost saw Flamenco dancing in Seville... <BR>

Any other nature preserves recommended in the Iberian peninsula or elsewhere in Europe, for bird watching or other wildlife watching, not necessarily flamingoes though.

Monfrague National Park, Spain -- anyone been there?

This is one motley thread!

Arrochar (sp?) Scotland for birding

Wasn't it Elvira who ran into some flamingos in Europe? Was it in Paris? <BR> <BR> :-)

Yes, but how OLD are the flamingos in Portogallo? And for the record, I believe it was geese that Elvira was requested to return to the North American continent, as one of the more famous lines on the this forum: "And, please, take your geese with you."

Well we are back and although we had a few minor problems. We had a wonderful time. The pousadas we stayed in were great . My wife was not to crazy about the food since they use alot of spices in their cooking. But everything else was as expected. Alot of history in Portugal. Too bad it wasnt longer but there is always the next time. I want to thank all those that had recommendations and useful information. <BR>GOD BLESS <BR>JOHN

Well John, <BR>Admittedly, I didn't offer you any useful information or advise (at least on this thread), but I am thrilled that you and your wife had a wonderful time. Welcome Home!

Welcome back John! <BR>Thanks for posting, it is always nice to hear how trips pan out. <BR>Glad you enjoyed Potugal! <BR>

Did you see any flamingos?

Thank you Nancy & Sharon. Yes curious too many to count. Big pink feathers and long legs and necks.

much worse than "Asia" in my opinion

This was the thread that taught me that sometimes a person sounds it has to be a troll but there really are people like that in real life.

You have to go to Granada! It's beautiful. It's a city/town that's changed hands between Spain and Morrocco over the centuries. So, buildings and vibe are a cross between the two cultures. The Alambra palace and gardens are stunning, cobbled streets and squares for daytime wandering and bars open all night for dancing. Find the hot baths near the Church for amazing spa and massage all by coloured candle light...a weekend is perfect time to spend there...