Assistance to hlrflr with itinerary in Portugal.

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Posted by sl.wolf (Salt Lake City, UT (Previous Seattle, WA)) on 06/04/17 01:14 AM

Nazare stay would give you access to Obidos, Alcobaco, and Batalha, not to mention a sea view. Self directed 1-2 sites. If on your bucket list, consider a small van tour of several sites from Nazare. Van tour could also be done from Lisbon, but distance to sites would increase the time involved to travel and decrease time at sights. The above sites are major tour bus sites.
I would not suggest day trip to Sintra. We prepared for travel to sites the afternoon prior to staying two nights. We were able to see 4 sites plus a trip to Colares beaches, seafood lunch with a sea view and the most western site with a thousand other visitors. Sintra is very quiet compared to Lisbon. Depending on travelers goals, I would suggest day trips to Lisbon from Sintra if you know the city (Lisbon) well.
I just loved Tomar Castle. It could take more than half day to see. Tomar is a small community on a river, we had a great meal there. I would not recommend staying in Tomar. Minimal lodging and services.
Now, in my opinion! I would spend 2-3 days in the east, i.e. Marvao. It is a destination area that is not traveled by many. The area is on the north area of the hot and dry Alenjeto (did I spell that right). That being said, there will be limited services. If the information desk is open they will be more than happy to help you in english. The hikes are long so back and forth may need to occur. Others go to this area to bird watch or is it identify. On the way to Estremoz, for a parador stay, it would be a great one night stay. Most likely Marvao will be dead at night! You may see the stars!
Is Estremoz, as a stay, close to the sites you wish to see. Near distance will blossom into longer distances. Suggest you stay in the town that maximizes the sites you wish to see. I personally did not explore Estremoz. We stayed in Santiago Escoural. Distances were short but time was long!
In Portugal, the sites are many. Churches were varied, there were many. Castles take a second to the church. I did not include Coimbra on my bucket. We were able to see the roman ruins just north of Seville. It was incredible! Bones in Evora, no way, we saw bones at two churches in Faro with no crowds.
We did mid and south Portugal, I would not be able to give my opinion on the north. It looks beautiful! I would do northern Portugal with the southern coast of France.