I'm scheduled to arrive in Lisbon on Sept. 18 for three days, train to Fatima overnight, and return for Viking excursion of the city for two days before heading to Porto for the Douro River cruise. I've had THREE Moderma vaccines, wear a mask everywhere and use hand sanitizer.
HOW SAFE IS IT TO TRAVEL now?
I also have the option of adding a week at the end of the trip to visit Salema. I live in Florida and enjoy the ocean. Is the trip worth it to the Algarve? Worried about COVID and wondering if I should wait and return another time. I'll be staying in AirBnB's when not with Viking.
Posted by
Prince George, BC, Canada
444 posts
I would compare rate of covid infections per 100,000 people to answer that question. In Florida and several other states, as of this past week, the numbers are over 15,000 cases per 100,000 people - according to data I was reading. For Portugal it is 117 cases per 100k people, according to Reuters. Go, wear your mask, take precautions, and have fun.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Safe is a relative term. You are from Florida, which is a high risk area, I understand. Therefore, despite your vaccinations, you are at risk of infecting your fellow travellers. Most of the people that I know have caught Covid have been double vaccinated - the third jab isn’t available in the U.K. yet.
Infection rates in Portugal are lower than at the peak, but vary significantly by region.
Personally, although being double vaccinated, I wouldn’t take a river cruise at present.
If you want to see the ocean, I wouldn’t head to the overrated Salema from northern Portugal, as there are better places to see the sea that don’t involve so much travelling, particularly in late September/early October, when the weather can be very wet. Public transport is sketchy in Salema (and much of the Algarve) so you would need a car. I would suggest staying around Peniche or Sao Martinho.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN
99 posts
I can answer part of your questions. I can't answer about the cruise or the Algarve, but I can share our experience in Portugal.
My husband and I were just there in mid-August. While we were in Lisbon and Porto mainly with day trips other places, I felt very safe. From a covid infection perspective, I was super comfortable that I wasn't going to pick it up there. We also stayed in AirBnB's as well, and this worked out very well. By the time we came home, our infection rates here were higher than in Portugal. You also do have to take a covid test before getting on your flight over there, which should help reduce the risk that you pick it up on the plane.
Your trip sounds really lovely!
Posted by
New Jersey, USA
7 posts
How did you get third shot of Moderna!