virginiafish

Great Day 1.
Arrived @ 12 noon tired, but full day was perfect. Hotel Fa Baixa-great location and staff. Arranged for driver to meet us. Tuk tuk tour with Joao from outkojoao.com, Lisbon tuk tuk tours recommended on this forum. EXCELLENT! Such a fund of knowledge, oriented us to Lisbon and wonderful dinner @ Merendinha do Arco recommended by Joao.

virginiafish

First, a correction to day 1, Joao’s address is https://linktr.ee/otukdojoao.
slept late today and enjoyed a leisurely, delicious breakfast at the Hotel. Walked to the Praca do Commercio, took bus to Belem and admired the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, entering the church (short line to get in), enjoyed a snack in the outdoor cafe of Pasteis de Belem, admired Padrao dos Descobrimentos, continued walking to Torre Belem. We then made the mistake of taking the 15e bus at rush hour. Disembarked at Cals do Sodre, had a lovely walk along the river to the Praca do Commercio and tried to decide upon dinner. Tried to go to our restaurant from last night, which we loved, but they had closed to new guests by 8:45. Decided to return to our hotel’s restaurant, as we were tired. It was fabulous and, apparently is highly rated. Food, service and ambience werre impeccable @ Sebastiao.

virginiafish

Day 3: visited the synagogue for an informative tour. Then, took the 24 Tram to the 28, had seats and took the complete run. Had a snack and took an Uber to the ferry to Cacilhas. Walked along the water to a fabulous restaurant, Porto Final and had a great seafood meal along the water. Took ferry back and walked to hotel, rested, and then went to the 1506 Jewish Massacre Memorial, and a final walk at Praca Dom Pedro IV. Nightcap of ginginha at the hotel after sharing another pasteis on the way back to the hotel.

maitaitom

"Nightcap of ginginha."

That is the way to end the evening.

Moderator1

We have slightly edited this thread's title to avoid confusion with an earlier Trip Report with the same title.

virginiafish

Thank you for the modification,
Day 4: another wonderful breakfast at the hotel and off to Cascais to get the rental car from Hertz. A lovely tuk tuk driver (Nelia Ramos 351 967 707 561), whom we were not using, stepped up and helped us to use Bolt and save money, hailing the driver down, too. Everyone we meet in Lisbon are very helpful. Got car and drove to Arraiolos. We wanted to see the Centro Interpretativo do Tapete, but after maneuvering the hilly, winding streets, getting a view from the castle ruins, we couldn’t find parking. Interesting town where houses have blue trim to ward away the devil. Moved on to Evora, stating at Albergaria do Calvario, lovely hotel. Took a walk to the city center and had a very traditional dinner in a small, mom and pop restaurant a few minutes walk away-TaskaFina-delicious and reasonably priced.

KarenWoo

Glad to hear you are having a wonderful time.

What is your itinerary? Destinations and number of nights?

virginiafish

This is our itinerary:Feb. 28 - Lisbon-3 nights @ Hotel de Baixa
Mar. 3 - Evora-2nights @ Albergaria do Calvario Hotel
Mar. 5 - Tomar-2nights @ Thomas Boutique Hotel
Mar. 7 - Cuimbra-2nights @ Pharmacia Guest House
Mar. 9 - Foz (Porto) - 3 nights @ Duas Portas
Mar. 12 - Cascais-2 nights @ Westlight Cascais Chalet

KarenWoo

Sounds like a wonderful itinerary. We visited only Lisbon and Sintra so we would love to return and see more of Portugal.

virginiafish

Day 5: wonderful made to order breakfast @ ADC Hotel, along with their other array of options. Met Sira from Evora Megalithica tours, who picked us up. We were the only ones on our tour with her, a dedicated, brilliant archeologist, who wants to make this experience informative to meet our needs and answer all our questions. Learned more about the Neolithic culture than I ever knew. Returned for a light lunch at the hotel and walked around Evora, ending up at the Capola dos Oslo’s, Chapel of Bones-sobering…. On our way to dinner at Dom Joaquim. Will report tomorrow.

virginiafish

Day 6: drove to Marvao. It was foggy, but we got some beautiful views. Walked over the bridge where Jews fled from Spain into Portugal in 1492. Drove to Castelo de Vide and visited the synagogue/museum. Unfortunately, did not get to enjoy the town, as it was pouring with cobblestone, hilly streets. Got to Thomar Boutique Hotel and dried off. These villages and mountains would be wonderful in good weather!

Dinner last night at Dom Joaquim was fabulous-lamb and octopus entrees delicious, excellent service, dined for 3 hours!

Moderator1

virginiafish has asked us to change the thread's title to "Wonderful Portugal"

KarenWoo

Your dinner sounds absolutely delicious!!!

virginiafish

Day 7: walked to the plaza in Tomar, explored, and then drove to the Alcobaca Monastery, stopping for lunch, @ Trinidad, which was delicious. We had a local chicken dish and desserts. The owner was very helpful and gracious, accompanying us to the door, warning us not to slip with the rain. The monastery was a 2 minute walk away. The self-guided tour was interesting, & the quiet and solitude fitting to the experience. It was raining off and on, and this was under cover. Drove back to Tomar and planning for tomorrow- Coimbra.

virginiafish

Day 8: visited the Knights of Templar and the Convento de Christo. On to the Sinagoga de Tomar and the Jewish Museum. This was well done, the docent was helpful and there was an informative video. Drove to Coimbra, checked into Pharmacia Guesthouse. (Needed to park on the other side of the river and walk about 8 minutes - flat -as it is on the pedestrian street.). Took Bolt to Coimbra University, got tickets and toured the Library and other buildings. Got tickets for the Fado a Coimbra last minute and took Bolt. Wonderful performance! Then, went to dinner at Restaurant Ze Manel, a few minute walk away, down an alley. Seven table restaurant. Waited outside for about 1 hour, but well worth the wait as he takes orders while in line, so they are ready right after you are seated. Watched my fish grilled to perfection. The ease of getting tickets, etc., is clearly because we are not in season.

JimboTx

Thanks for taking the time to detail your trip to Portugal .. it really helps!

plufmud

Thanks for your daily adventures! Was the chapter window in the Convento de Cristo still under construction?

virginiafish

yes

virginiafish

Day 9: very rainy day…. Vacillated in a major way with weather reports and whether to go to Porto, with days of rain there, and no refund possible from Duas Portas. Decided to go to Porto. When we were approaching Porto, at 4 in the afternoon, the fog was thick on the highway, high winds, and severe weather warnings. Turned around (yes, you heard that) and started southeast. They mountain scenery was beautiful, even in the rain. We pulled off at a little town, Pedrogao Grande, to have dinner at A Taberna do Ferrao. They were opening in 5 minutes, but reservations were apparently necessary because guests were celebrating International Women’s Day. They gracious agreed to have us stay, fed us some delicious soup and appetizers that were ready and just want we wanted! They even gave me a flower. As we returned to the road, it was really raining to hard to continue. Found Convento da Serta Hotel-gorgeous, spa-like, in the beautiful area amongst Schist villages, which we may explore tomorrow. Great end to the day!

progol

Sounds great! Serendipity has made a wonderful decision for you!