We are three couples in our early seventies, in good health but with the aches and pains of age. Being related and having traveled happily together in the past, we're now planning our first trip since the onset of the pandemic.
The basic plan is:
Day 0 (Sept. 8), fly overnight from Boston to Ponta Delgada
Days 1-6: Sao Miguel (we have reservations at a hotel in Ponta Delgada but would prefer a villa out of town; our difficulty has been finding one with (a) bedrooms containing at least two king or four 1/2 king beds, with the third bedroom having at least a queen bed); and (b) three full baths)
Day 7 (Sept. 15): morning flight to Lisbon; scheduled arrival 11:40 a.m., then transfer to Sintra
Day 7 (afternoon) - Day 9 (morning): Sintra (we're booked in the Sintra Boutique Hotel)
Day 9: transfer to Lisbon (we're booked in the Corpo Santo Hotel, but are looking--so far unsuccessfully--for a suitable apartment (see above)
Day 9 (afternoon) - Day 12: Lisbon
Day 13 (Sept 21): morning to early afternoon in Lisbon; transfer to airport for 5:55 pm flight home
My questions concern suggestions for how to spend our time in Sintra and Lisbon. (On San Miguel, weather permitting, we'll do a lot of walking, exploring, and relaxing.)
In Sintra, we'd like to see some high points without exhausting ourselves or feeling like we're on a tight schedule. Less, enjoyed fully, is more. Does it make sense to hire a private guide for our full day (or more?) in Sintra? (Because of COVID-19, we're leery of large groups.) If so, are there any recommendations?
I'll leave Lisbon for another post. The wealth of choice seems so great that I'd like to do more reading to get a better sense of possibilities before asking for advice.
Thanks in advance.