Porto or Lisbon?

[redandblack]

I'd hire a car IN the Algarve area, da, (which I did) but I took the train from Lisbon to the Algarve with no problem at all.

If you go from Lisbon to Porto and had the time, stop off at Obidos, lovely place.

[devilsadvocate]

sorry, you're right - that's a better recommendation.

All this talk of Portugal is giving me the travel bug...like I didn't have it bad enough before!

[redandblack]

I'm trying to work out where to go next year.

Mrs R & B and I would be happy to go straight back to Portugal, but I think it's time for a cruise.

[devilsadvocate]

Dude, cruise v Portugal??? I know where I'd be going!!

I'm too skint to go to KI let alone OS at the moment. Can't see that changing for 5+ years either!

[redandblack]

I'm too skint to go back to Portugal next year, too, that's why the cruise option (Hawaii and Alaska) is looking good

[Q.]

Going to put this one out there and see what you guys might come up with...

You've got 15 days and fly into Porto on Day 1 (arrive mid-arvo) and fly out of Barcelona on Day 15 (morning flight). Where would you go and what would you do in between?

The only catch is that you've already been to San Sebastian, Madrid, Cordoba & Malaga. You'd consider seeing San Seb again, but would prefer not to go over old ground with the other cities.

[redandblack]

Easy, spend 14 days in Portugal, then go to Barcelona

[Q.]

Given limited time in Portugal though R&B, what would be the priorities sights and activities?

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Going to put this one out there and see what you guys might come up with...

You've got 15 days and fly into Porto on Day 1 (arrive mid-arvo) and fly out of Barcelona on Day 15 (morning flight). Where would you go and what would you do in between?

The only catch is that you've already been to San Sebastian, Madrid, Cordoba & Malaga. You'd consider seeing San Seb again, but would prefer not to go over old ground with the other cities.

Interesting scenario, pretty close to what I'm facing next year.
Going for
2 nights in Porto
2 nights in Lisbon
3 nights in Madrid
2 nights in Ibiza
1 night in Valencia
2 nights in Barcelona

[redandblack]

Given limited time in Portugal though R&B, what would be the priorities sights and activities?

Q, it depends on how much time you have in Portugal and what sort of things you like to see. Judging from your latest trip, you might like to ge away from the major cities a bit and see some different, smaller places?

If that's so, I'll have a think and come up with some serious suggestions.

[Q.]

It's not me that's going, I'm organising it for my partner, but yeah, she also likes to get away from big cities.

I was kinda wondering what might be worth seeing that was near Porto and Lisbon - day trip or one night stay.

[redandblack]

No worries, I thought you might have changed your plans.

There's possibly more to see from Porto, perhaps.

I'll PM you some info tonight if I can and summarise it here.

Broadly, an easy day trip from Porto would take you to anywhere on the Douro River: or to medieval towns such as Guimaraes, Braga, etc: or to seaside places south of Porto.

From Lisbon, there's the magnificent Sintra palaces or the beach resorts of Cascais and Estoril.

There's plenty more and whichever she did, she'll have a good time.

[devilsadvocate]

I totally concur with R&B's recommendation to see Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. I'd spend 2-3 days in Porto and 4-5 in Lisbon.

I'd also highly recommend heading down to the Algarve and spending a few days in and around Lagos. There are some fascinating old towns down there with beautiful beaches. Some of the naval history down there is amazing. The Fort at Sagres is awesome. We stayed in Carvoeiro and got all around the southern coast, with the highlights being Lagos, Sagres, Luz (if you see Madeline McCann, give the English bobbys a call) and Vila do Bispo.

If I had 15 days, i'd also travel up into the north west of Spain. Nat Geo's adevnture channel on Foxtel has been running a bunch of programs focussing on this area and it looks brilliant.

Seville is also worth a shout if she has the time. Although it's a big city, it doesn't feel big and some of the architecture there and history is fascinating.

Dammit, I wanna go!!!!

[redandblack]

da, I also stayed at Carvoiero

If you want a really nice half-day, take a solar powered boat trip from near Portimao up the river to Silves and back.

Quiet, good food and wine, great town.

[devilsadvocate]

Ohhh, forgot Silves! Loved that joint!

Carvoiero was a great little spot. A group of 8 of us rented a villa, so it wasn't quite the experience it could have been if we'd stayed in a backpackers as usual, but it was an awesome week.

Loved the supermache with cartons of Super Bock for 8 Euros!!! I've never bought so much beer in one transaction in my life!!!

[Q.]

Thanks fellas, I'll see what I can cram in for the week or so she's there.

[Q.]

Thoughts on this rough itinerary?

1 - Fly into Porto
2 - Porto
3 - Porto (Day trip to beach @ Vila do Conde)
4 - Porto

5 - Leave Porto in morning, bus or train to Lisbon
6 - Lisbon
7 - Lisbon (Day trip to Sintra)
8 - Spend all day in Lisbon, but catch an overnight bus to Seville

9 - Arrive in Seville (Spain) early morning
10 - Seville
11 - Seville

12 - Catch morning plane to Barcelona
13 - Barcelona
14 - Barcelona
15 - Fly out to London early morning.

[redandblack]

That looks a nice itinerary, Q.

I'd suggest on day 4 to catch a bus (RodoNorte) to Guimaraes. It would give a nice overview of the countryside and G is a world heritage town. The buses are excellent, not crowded and the trip isn't very long.

In Porto or Lisbon, a dinner with a Fado show is a nice evening. In Porto, Living Tours is a very friendly outfit that takes very small groups to a small, nice restaurant.

The easiest way from Porto to Lisbon is by train. There are 2 stations in Porto. The city station is a tourist attraction with its 'azalejos' (tiles).

[Q.]

Brilliant. Thanks mate.

[redandblack]

http://www.livingtours.pt/index.php?a=v ... rgvsrlqrqn

I'd really recommend the Fado evening. Small, cosy restaurant, good soulful singing and good food. We had a young girl as guide - very informal, funky and friendly.

The Minho tour goes to Braga and Guimaraes and the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, well worth a visit. Otherwise, just bus it to G by itself.