Okay, hopefully this will be my final post reaching out to all the knowledgeable forum posters here.
We have now put together a somewhat organized itinerary for Apr. 24th – May 19th. But looking for advice for tweaking as we love this forum for just that! Advice like should we be spending any additional time in certain places, cut back on time in other places, etc.
A little background – we spent a week in Lisbon last March with a full day trip to Sintra, and a car rental where we drove to Tomar and spent the day, then carried on to Obidos where we stayed a night and the next morning, then back to Lisbon. We spent a day out in Belem as well.
We love natural beauty, geology, geography, historical sights/towns, architecture. Not interested in any beach time, have spent many holidays in beach destinations.
Apr. 24 – land in Faro at 10:30 am, pick up rental car and sightsee to Sagres and area, overnight in Lagos. Note neither of us experience jet lag, with one exception when we travelled to Taiwan.
Apr. 25 – Lagos (kayak rental or a kayak tour to Benegil and possibly the coast near Lagos as well for cliffs, caves and rock formations. We have done a ton of kayaking in the past – it’s a passion!)
Apr. 26 – Lagos
Apr. 27 – Tavira for one night
Apr. 28 – To Evora with visit to Monsaraz on the way (RS forum advice), overnight Evora
Apr. 29 – Evora and overnight. Monoliths to see.
Apr. 30 – To region around Covilha with a visit to Marvao and Monsanto on the way. Overnight somewhere around Covilha, Belmonte, or Mantiegas?
Here’s where we get a bit loosey goosey. Not sure if we should head west through the mountains or keep heading north towards the Douro Valley? Ultimately want to see the Douro Valley regardless of which way we drive.
Want to visit Lamego as well.
Want to be as far east as Sao Joao da Pesqueria.
Drive the Douro Valley as per routes advised here on this forum, taking in Miradouro Galafura.
Stay in the Valley somewhere for one night - recommend central location, most scenic?
Visit Guimaraes and Braga for one or two nights??? Probably Guimaraes. Stop for a walk and gawk in Amarante on the way.
So we have five days/four nights to play with between the Colvilha area and when we arrive in Santiago de Compostela on May 5th. We could always give up one night in SdC if forum experts feel we need more time in an area prior to arriving in SdC. Will post on the Spain forum as well for our Spanish jaunt.
May 5 – Arrive in Santiago de Compostela for three days with side trip to O Faro (is it worth it?) or somewhere else that should not be missed while we are there???
May 8-15 – Porto. Return rental car prior to checking into accommodation.
Would like to have at least four days to really see Porto, rather than just running around trying to cram in everything in a couple of days.
Early train or bus to Coimbra (spend a night so we have two full days in the area). Conimbriga very high on our sightseeing list while there. Batalha OR Alcobaca (forum reviewers think they are similar, and prefer Alcobaca) and not sure about Fátima given we have seen many cathedrals and not religiously drawn there either. Read mixed reviews about Aveiro and Nazare so could skip these two places.
Only firm day trip from Porto is on May 12 - Train/bus to Vila do Conde as there is a football match there; partner is stoked to attend that.
May 16 – Train to Lisbon. Loved Lisbon, wanted to squeeze in two more full days to roam around! Would the train out to Cascais be worth our while? Realize it’s just a beach town, but is it charming enough to be worthy!?
May 17 – Lisbon
May 18 – Lisbon
May 19 – 8:20 am flight home
Thank you SO SO much in advance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially where we have gaps and uncertainties.