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Need help organizing this Portugal itinerary

Need help organizing this Portugal itinerary

Old Feb 11th, 2018, 05:26 PM
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Need help organizing this Portugal itinerary

Day 1 (Monday)- we arrive in the morning in Lisbon. So we can try to get over our jet lag fast, I've schedule a free walking tour at 4:30pm. Not sure what we will see in this 2 1/2- 3 hour walking tour but plan on getting icecream (Gelataria Nannarella) and eating dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro.
Day 2 (Tuesday)- Spend the day in Belem. Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, Patrao dos Descobrimentos, get a pastry from Pasteis de Belem, dinner with fado music - recommendations for where to eat and listen to fado that's not a tourist trap?
Day 3 (Wednesday) - Day trip to Evora with olive oil tasting (with Viator).
Day 4 (Thursday)- Take Tram 28 early in the morning and stop at Castelo de Sao Jorge, Tower of Ulysses to check out view from the Camara Escura, Miraodouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara (garden with views)
I'm guessing the walking tour would take us pass Praca do Comercio but I really want to also see the Mercado da Ribeira, Cais do Sodre District. I am confused as to where they all fit in my itinerary? Help.
Day 5 (Friday)- Day in Sintra (sleeping overnight)- Pena Palace (3 hours) 434 tourist bus, Moors Castle, Monserrate Palace, The Quinta Regaleira, Pena Park - is this possible to do in 1 day? Perhaps we should move something to the next morning? We are also torn here between doing a walking hike with Walk Hike Portugal (their Western Europe Beaches) or moving on to Coimbra. Advice?
Day 6 (Saturday)- Travel to Coimbra and spend the night. Do a walking tour (our own) We are thinking: Quinta Das Lagrimas (beautiful garden), walk across the Ponte De Santa Clara bridge, eat lunch in the Restaurante Italia, walk in the Parque Manuel Braga, then Rua Ferreira Borges and Igreja De Santa Cruz, then grab coffee at the Santa Cruz Cafe and walk the Alco De Almedina and walk around the University of Coimbra. Go to botanical gardens of the University and end at the Pastel De Nata from the world needs nata cafe.
Day 7 (Sunday), 8 (Monday), 9 (Tuesday) - Porto - not sure why I can't seem to get excited about Porto. Recommendations for what to do in Porto?
We then head to Barcelona for 5 days and come back late in the evening the day before we fly out in the morning. No plans here, will probably just take our last night walk in Lisbon.

Last edited by layanluvstotravel; Feb 11th, 2018 at 05:26 PM. Reason: title was wrong
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Old Feb 11th, 2018, 07:45 PM
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You're not visiting the library at Coimbra university? Nor Conimbriga??

Porto - I believe cruises on the Douro are popular. Day trip to Braga. Port tasting across the river (I recommend Taylors).
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 05:39 AM
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can you tell me the name of the free walking tours, please? Thank you
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 07:10 AM
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Note that "free" usually means you are expected to "tip" the guide, who has likely paid the company for the "privilege" of guiding. I.e. they are not free.
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 07:41 AM
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For train info - assume going by train: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 12:16 PM
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Thank you! The "free" walking tour company is: Chill Out - Lisbon Free walking Tour . Lisbon Chill Out Free Walking Tours.
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 01:57 PM
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I can't imagine you'll spend three hours at Peña Palace. We preferred Palacio Nacional down in the town, beautiful historic palace with incredible tiles. Peña Palace is relatively new compared to Palacio Nacional.
We loved Quinta de las Lagrimas in Coimbra. Read up on the history of King Pedro and his Ines as their liaisons took place in this Quinta. Their tombs are in Alcobaça .
The library in Coimbra is exceptional and a must see.
Porto is a wonderful place to visit. Enjoy the riverfront, have some Port, and take day trip on the Douro River to the vineyards. The Minho region to the north of Porto was our favorite area in Portugal
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 03:42 PM
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A few suggestions for Porto.

The tours and tastings of port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia are a main attraction. Vinum Restaurant at Graham's Port Lodge has excellent views.
https://www.portugalvisitor.com/port...rt-wine-lodges
https://www.grahams-port.com/visit-g...urant-wine-bar

If you do a Douro River day cruise, take the boat upriver and returned by train to São Bento Station to see its glorious azulejos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A...ailway_station

Clerigos Church and Tower is not far from São Bento Station, as is the bookstore Livraria Lello, one of the inspirations for J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The University of Porto is also in this area, and if you've even caught a glimpse of the Harry Potter movies, you'll recognize their black capes worn by many of the students.
Clérigos Tower
https://www.livrarialello.pt/en/

On another day, take the riverside ride on the #1 tram from Porto to Foz do Douro.
Porto Tram City Tour - STCP
http://www.travelandlifestylediaries...to-foz-do.html

Porto is known for its "francesinha." My husband had one and seemed to enjoy it, but I passed on this one. It looked quite rich, but it falls into the category of "been there, had that."
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...porto-portugal

You might want to read this article, "36 hours in Porto" from the NYTimes travel section:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...-portugal.html
And more suggestions from two UK newspapers:
Porto city guide: How to spend two days in Portugal's second city | The Independent
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...staurants-bars
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Old Feb 12th, 2018, 04:07 PM
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Another couple of suggestions for Belém. If you enjoy contemporary art, you'll like Museu Coleção Berardo. Its cafe also has a great river views.
Museu Coleção Berardo | Belém, Lisboa / Lisbon
If your interests lean more toward the historic, you might enjoy the National Coach Museum.
Museu Nacional dos Coches

Your visit to Lisbon will be short, so you might not have time for this, but if you'd like to see more azulejos, you'd enjoy the National Tile Museum (it's not in Belém) :
https://www.visitlisboa.com/see-do/s...al-tile-museum

I think you have a good itinerary planned for Lisbon.
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