Hi all,
I’m looking at the various Sinatra day tours for September, some of which you have suggested, and have a few more questions. I want to visit the day before my RS tour starts.
As you most likely know, there are 3,8 and 10 hour tours from various companies. Doesn’t 10 hours seem like a looong time? Or not? Will it be too much before I start my tour? I don’t want to be too tired before it even starts!
I need help deciding location. It seems like there are 2 main choices- spend the time in Sintra visiting sites or combine Sintra with a tour out to the coast and Cascais, which makes the tour longer of course. What do you suggest?
Thanks,
Kathy
Posted by
San Francisco
184 posts
We did the combo with the coast with Lisbon Riders and we were very happy with them.
Posted by
Austin, TX
1929 posts
Hi Kathy,
I was in Lisbon last October and it was easy enough to go to Sintra on my own. I went to the Rossio Station and took a train right to Sintra. There is bus service from the center of Sintra to the top or you can walk.
Myself I chose to walk some of the way. I have arthritis of the knee and. could not walk to the top. The bus was crowded and I did not feel like dealing with the crowds but I loved what I did get to see.
Are you staying in Lisbon? And why do you feel you need to take a tour to Sintra?
I was interested in an all day tour which would have included Sintra but I would have had to go to an ATM machine and get over $100 in cash. The tour company only accepted cash and I did not want to deal with that.
Lisbon and Sintra were very crowded late October so I am assuming it will be even more crowded in September and possibly hot as well. It rained every day when I was there.
Posted by
11164 posts
We have been to all these sites and ten hours sounds insane!
We took the train to Sintra from Lisbon, spent the day, saw all the sights, took train back to Lisbon.
Perfect!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5612 posts
We stayed two nights in Sintra and visited the palaces on our own. We also visited Cascais but that was on a day trip via train from Lisbon, easy peasy. I do not feel like a tour guide is necessary for either. It was nice to sleep in Sintra and then get up and get to Pena by 9am, via Uber.
From what I've heard the guides will get you to the palaces in Sintra and then you visit on your own. You can do a little research and travel between the palaces on your own.
We were in Portugal Spring of 2023. When you get advice from people, make sure you know when the person last visited Portugal. Tourism has grown in what seems like an exponential rate. While it might have worked well to do a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon a few years back, I'm not sure how well this works these days unless the traveler is a very early riser or is traveling off season.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
224 posts
Wow, such quick replies. Suki, I agree that 10 hours is insane. I’m so not doing that.
I’m more interested in wandering the gardens and some of the palaces. What are your favorite palaces,
and I’m also interested to hear your suggestions of what I should see. If I do it on my own, how do I get from one to the other?
Jules M, it would be convenient to stay a night in Sintra, but I’ve already booked the hotel and the train ride isn’t long.
Phil, I did think about the crowds and I’m expecting it to be crazy, but if I tour on my own, I can always leave to go back to Lisbon if it gets too bad. I really don’t like massive crowds.
Susan, I read someone else’s post about enjoying Lisbon Riders. I’m glad you had a positive experience with your tour.
Any of you in the snow storms? If so, be safe.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1676 posts
This is ancient history now, but I did a tour that included Cascais and Caba da Roca right before I moved to Cascais. The stops both places just added to a long day and there wasn’t enough time to really experience Cascais. I would recommend not doing a tour that included these places. I agree with your instincts that it makes for too long a day - and doesn’t give you a real idea of either place.
As far as a tour vs. going it alone. My favorite trip to Sintra was the one in which I did the tour. It took the stress of getting from place to place off my shoulders. Especially with the horrible crowds these days, just getting from place to place is challenging.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
224 posts
Kathryn,
Sorry it has taken too long to response to your comment. You are saying what I’m thinking. I would rather linger and than rush. Are there tours available at each castle?
Posted by
Freedonia
15067 posts
On your way home, you could stop at get a real "Sinatra" tour:
https://sancerresatsunset.com/2022/07/04/frank-sinatra-walking-tour-of-hoboken-new-jersey/
LOL
Sorry, I just had to.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
On your way home, you could stop at get a real "Sinatra" tour...
I had the same thoughts... I gotta be MEEEEEE... 🎵
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2413 posts
Ol’ blue eyes is back ??
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
224 posts
You guys are funny, thanks for making me laugh!
Maybe on another trip I can stop and see Sinatra but I think there’s a song in there, potato- potato, Sintra- Sinatra.