Hi - First time trip to Portugal. Four women flying in/out of Lisbon from US. We have the final three nights of our trip booked in Lisbon. Am thinking that since we'll be tired, it might be easy and pleasant to spend first two nights in Cascais. From there, head to Porto with stops along the way (maybe hire a driver or rent a car). Spend two nights in Porto - wine tour/day trip to Duoro Valley. Leave Porto and stop in Evora en route to Lisbon. Final three nights in Lisbon. Is this too much? Thank you!!
Posted by
OP
6 posts
We will be there late May
Posted by
11159 posts
We covered those places plus Obidos in two weeks. Less is more applies here.
Posted by
WA USA
1083 posts
An option, take a train when you arrive directly to Porto. The day you arrive tends to be a lost day anyways and you can nap on the train. See Porto and Douro Valley. Then train back to Lisbon for the final nights. Do Cascais and Evora as day trips from Lisbon. That way, you just have 2 hotels and not have to lose so much time changing accommodations. Also avoids the need to rent a car. This will give you some flexibility in case you happen to want to just spend the day in Lisbon instead of Evora etc.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Great idea on going directly to Porto. Thanks!
Posted by
WA USA
1083 posts
We did that and were happy with the decision.
Posted by
USA
89 posts
If you can manage train while jet lagged or you at coming from somewhere nearby then it is inside a good day saving option.
Most people do open jaw between Porto and Lisbon to save one day killing one way journey.
Our recommendation to friends have been to do open jaw with car+driver for the one way journey between the two cities with 3-4 stops of your choice among Obidos, Nazarre, Aveiro , Coimbra (need more time here), Fatima, etc
I prefer to do that between Lisbon and Coimbra as I like to stay at least one night in Coimbra. Most friends have used Fernando Batista of PortugueseChauffeur.Com (great reviews on TA too) for this one way trip.
Another idea take from RS tours is to drive from Coimbra to Douro Valley. Stay in beautiful but cheaper valley accomodations slightly away from Pinhao. Spend 24 hours doing various activities and visiting viewpoints in Pinhao/Tua/Regua area and then drive to Porto and return the car.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you - really great suggestions!
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Two out of four of us are 23 (vs. 50-something) and want the beach, so trying to fit in a little something for everyone. :)
Posted by
WA USA
1083 posts
From Lisbon to Cascais by train is between 30-40 minutes. Why I mentioned it might be an option to day trip versus changing hotels. But really up to your group and their willingness to pack up and move locations versus having a base and day tripping. Different travel styles.