Hello! I'm finalizing plans for eight nights in Portugal in March with my husband and our 3 and 8 year old sons. The 8 year old is a seasoned traveler, but the pandemic has meant that the little guy doesn't have much experience. I spent 10 days in Portugal (Algarve, Lisbon, Coimbra) in 1998 and have great memories. I'm looking to have some plans, but not be too ambitious. The little guy still naps most days.
Fly overnight from the U.S. (Flight leaves at 11pm and I won't be surprised if one of my kids doesn't sleep.)
Day 1 - Check into Martinhal Chiado at 3pm. Nap, Easy dinner nearby. Nothing scheduled.
Day 2 - Kids spend the morning at the hotel kids' club, while husband and I wander like before we have kids. Pick up a few groceries. Lunch with family at Time Out, siesta, and then head up to the Castelo S. Jorge and dinner at Ramiro (reservations secured). Should be an easy first day.
Day 3 - Sintra. Train, 434 bus straight up to the Pena Palace, and everything else in flux. Babysitter back at the hotel so parents can go out for a quiet dinner. Maybe see a Fado show if we're still awake.
Day 4 - Unscheduled. Might need a low key day after Sintra. And if the weather is gorgeous, maybe Cascais.
Day 5 - Kids stay at the hotel kids' club. Parents to Belem. Lunch with family, siesta, and then ?? Perhaps wander Alfama or take the ferry across the river for dinner? Yes, I'm a bit sad about not taking the boys to Belem; but we will be able to see so much more without them, and not having to worry about the little one wandering off.
Day 6 - Pick up rental car at the airport and drive north toward our overnight near Lousa. There are so very many places to stop along the way. Obidos sounds like a perfect stop, but the chocolate festival starts the next day. So it may be already crowded with folks getting set up, but without the benefit of the festival. Other tempting stops are Tomar, the Mira de Aire caves, and the Bacalhoa Buddha Eden. With having to go to the airport for the car and wanting to get to Lousa before it gets dark (it's March!), we may only make one or two stops. Thoughts?
Day 7 - Conimbriga Roman Ruins for an hour, drive to Coimbra, wander, lunch, see the library (will make reservations). If the kids are up for it, see the Fado Ao Centro show at 6pm.
Day 8 - Not sure about this, but thinking Mata Nacional do Bussaco followed by a roast pig lunch. Then heading back toward Lousa and if time allows, going to see Talasnal, one of the schist villages. Is there a better day trip in nature with little kids from the Lousa area?
Day 9 - Drive back toward Lisbon, visit the aquarium, drop off rental car, 5pm flight home.
Okay, gotta help the 8 year old with his math homework. Your input and guidance are greatly appreciated!