Portugal

[lia]

This isn't to ask advice nor to give - it's just an attack of saudade! I've been reading this board quite frequently in this last month, but have heard of very few people going to Portugal - which is a shame..and I'm not Portuguese! anyway, here are some reasons to visit Portugal:
- because they speak a funny language
- because people almost only know Lisbon, but there's so much more to be seen
- because they can cook "bacalhau" (cod fish) in a bunch of ways
- because tehy've got the vinho do Porto
- because the cities are magical
- because you have to find the magic in each city
- because you can have dinner with 10€ and buy a beer for 1€
- because people yell in the street
- because old ladies are all dressed in black
- because the fado music is magical
- because they've got a word that can't be translated in any other language - "saudade"
- because if you go there, like a song goes, "aprende-se a dizer saudade" (you learn how to say saudade), and start to feel it
So, has anyone got a trip to Portugal to tell or, even better, to plan? ;D

[amandachristine]

I need to PLAN my 8 days in portugal... any suggestions would be much appreciated!
I was thinking lisbon then faros and lagos (if that's even how you spell them.... )
THANKS!
Amanda

[herrbert]

If you want to go three towns, I would choose Porto instead of Faro.

But how does it have to fit into you itinerary, or is this a trip on it's own?

[lia]

YEEEEEH!!! PORTUGAL!! Great Amanda! ;D in which period are you planning your trip? I'd say you'd better not miss Lisbon, it's a wonderful city full of things to see and do; Faro and Lagos are in the south, in the most turistic area of the whole county..as herrbert said, Porto is another city you may want to visit. I don't like it very much, personally, but it's the 2nd biggest Portuguese city and has no doubt much to offer -by the way, if you like wine tasting, then you definitely can't miss it - it's the Porto wine city! Coimbra could be worth a visit..I love it, but have to say that, even though it's the 3rd portuguese city, it's very small, and hides its charms to the tourists..you can either love it or hate i (don't hate it..). but, for example, if you're going in may you can't miss the "queima das fitas" there - it's a huge celebration, with concerts every night for a week, and follows a strict tradition - well, I'll tell you about it should it enter in your plans another city you could visit is Evora, where there's a chapel interely made of bones (yes, human..), and then Alcobaça, where there's a abbay, Batalha, a non-finished chapel, Figueira da Foz, huge beaches and night life..see, there's much to see, but I'll need to know what you're interested in and in which period you're going there to see if I can give you some advice !

[amandachristine]

Wow that was the most enthusiastic reply yet i think! I'm going from madrid (i think by train...) and will have about a week. My main thing is beaches( i know there's alot more than beaches to the world... but i dont think i can drag myself from them even for museums.... )
If you were set free for a week (2nd week of august) in portgual where would you go and what would you do?
and if you have been there and know any great hostels i wouldn't object to you sharing that with me too!
thanks sooooooo much for any help because i am clueless about all things portugal and pretty much all things europe trip 2007.
Amanda

[lia]

Yes, I'm really enthusiastic about this - and a bit envious, I miss Portugal a lot! ok, a week in Portugal in August..wonderful. well, first of all, you could check the travels by coach from madrid to faro or lisbon; it's along way, I know, you might prefer the train..but coach lines are quite cheap. then: the southern part of portugal isn't the one I know better, I must say..it's the most appropriate for going to the beach, though! I'd avoid albufeira in august, it's verrrrry turistic. you'd find more italians and germans than portuguese people! I'd go to Portimão and Aljezur (you'll find tourists there, too, but..it's august! , and from there I'd go up to Lisboa for a few days..there are some beaches near Lisbon, too, if you feel ocean-sick (like Cascais), and you can't miss Lisbon, it's gorgeus. besides, in august there's a street festival that takes place in the centre (the Baixa) every week-end - it's called BaixAnima, there's music, dance, theatre and so on..might be fun! you could even see the cars rentals, they're not very expensive at all, over there as for the accommodation, have a look in some online booking sites, like flashbooking or hostelworld, you might find something there! more: i'm a gastronomy fan in portugal you can't avoid cod fish and grilled sardinhas (not sure how to say that in english..it's a small fish), and in lisbon absolutely must go to belém and have a pastel de belém, it's a little creamy cake and that's the place where they've got the original ancient recipe of the monks..and then porto wine and ginginha!! (for the ginginha: the most tipical place to have a glass of it it's a very small shop that sell JUST ginginha in Praça Dom Pedro IV, in front of the National Theatre, on the left). Enjoy your planning and let us know how it goes!!

[herrbert]

If you are going to train Madrid - Lisbon, than consider, spending a little time (as long as you can afford, on this long day) in the town of Cacéres, the old town is beautiful.

If you are traveling in July/August, then it might be best to not spend so much time in a hot train in central Spain. You might want to consider a flight. check. www.vueling.com for some good offers. (Madrid - Lisbon)

[amandachristine]

Thanks for the tips guys!!! I would never have thought of flying (although that seems so obvious....)
I booked our flights yesterday and we're going Barcelona-Lisbon on Aug.5th then Faro-Madrid Aug.14 so we even have more time there then planned!!!

[me]

between Lisbon and Madrid, i took the night train. this works well and, if you're lucky, you'll get a Portugese sleeper car. the Portugese one in which i rode had just 4 couchette per compartment! a *big* improvement over the standard 6 per in Spain! in Portugal, there was even a sink in the compartment!

- d