Cinque Terre or Portugal in August?

If you really want to go to CT, then go. Why ask others? Personally, I couldn’t think of many places I would least like go to in August, but it’s not my trip!

I also wouldn’t try to cover as many different corners of Europe in one trip, but again, that’s my choice. How long is your trip? You are leaving it quite late to be looking for August accommodation in CT, Croatia and Portugal if you want the Algarve.

I like Portugal, but you aren’t going to see much of it in 3-4 days.

Jennifer,

I do want to go to CT but as it is August and weather can be very hot plus crowded I am asking if it is better to skip this destination in place of Portugal.

Portugal is excelling on the food front at the moment, particularly in Lisbon, plus the prices are far more favourable in comparison to its neighbours.

It's all personal preference of course but if it was me, I would choose Portugal every time however I have no interest in visiting CT. I think there are many similar places throughout the Mediterranean but without the crowds and hordes of cruise shippers descending on it every summer plus as a foodie I am far more likely to experience better food encounters in Portugal than I am in CT.

Helsinki and Croatia are odd additions however and don't really fit in with the flow. I would focus on Barcelona and Portugal only.

Thanks for your reply JC!

So Finland we were planning to visit because we have family / in laws that want Tom take us around for 3 days. With free accommodations included.

I am still considering if we should make the stop to Finland

Or just keep it

Barcelona... CT / Portugal / Croatia

Barcelona we found cheap flights $296 nonstop a person / one way so it is our main airport to fly into and get into Europe :). I only left 2-3 days for Barcelona as I was not planning to visit it but the flight was too good to pass up!

My husband enjoys nature and we thought Croatia would be great to visit also we are game of thrones fans :)!

Our first trip to Europe we went for about 24-25 days to London, Paris, colmar, Venice, 5 days Santorini, 5 days Rome then home. (Venice was not as enjoyable for us and we kind of wish we skip or only stayed a night there IMO food was terrible! Lol but Rome food was great!)

Thanks for your reply JC!

So Finland we were planning to visit because we have family / in laws that want Tom take us around for 3 days. With free accommodations included.

I am still considering if we should make the stop to Finland

Or just keep it

Barcelona... CT / Portugal / Croatia

Barcelona we found cheap flights $296 nonstop a person / one way so it is our main airport to fly into and get into Europe :). I only left 2-3 days for Barcelona as I was not planning to visit it but the flight was too good to pass up!

My husband enjoys nature and we thought Croatia would be great to visit also we are game of thrones fans :)!

Our first trip to Europe we went for about 24-25 days to London, Paris, colmar, Venice, 5 days Santorini, 5 days Rome then home. (Venice was not as enjoyable for us and we kind of wish we skip or only stayed a night there IMO food was terrible! Lol but Rome food was great!)

Hi JC!

another question regarding Portugal. Would you say 3 days in Lisbon and 2 in Porto is enough to see most of the major sights? We do not need to see everything and every historical place/ museum :)

We like to see like 1-2 major things as it makes it more enjoyable to submerse ourselves culturally/ enjoy the trip. Our first European trip consisted of a lot of museums and sights and it was a bit overwhelming :). Really enjoying getting lost and just wandering sometimes!

Let me know your thoughts. I think we plan to cut out Finland.

But our flight home is out of Croatia

Most feasible for us would be

Barcelona
Portugal
Prague 1.5 days as it has a direct flight into Dubrovnik (Portugal has no direct flights to Croatia )
Dubrovnik (Croatia day trips may include hvar etc)
Split
Home

I haven't been to Portugal yet so I'll let others with more experience weigh in however I understand that the general consensus is, if you can, do both with perhaps more time dedicated to Lisbon.

I'm with you on the pace aspect. I don't feel the need to see everything, for me Portugal is going to be pretty much all about the food and wine when I go.

I think it's wise to skip Finland particularly given your reticence towards fast paced travel.