Seeking help from the Forum to review what I think is a good itinerary for Portugal with stopover in Iceland Sept-Oct 2023. This will be my first time in Iceland and second trip to Portugal. Traveling solo for 3 weeks, so probably all public transportation (trains, buses, ferry).
My first trip to Portugal my focus was The Algarve and Lisbon (at the end of a Spain trip 2015). Now it’s up North from Lisbon - coastal, Porto and Douro. I enjoy churches, cathedrals, museums to a certain extent but also really like spending active time outside with city, beach and nature/park walks. I’m intrigued by the huge surf in Nazare too.
One question I have: for days in Nazare, do you think I could accomplish day trips to Obidos and Alcobaca on the same day using the bus? I’m toying with the idea of renting a car when leaving Lisbon for the coastal journey and returning it in Porto. I have not rented a car outside of the US but have read a lot about those who do. I’m a little uncomfortable driving by myself in a foreign country and just think I may enjoy the scenery more if I’m not focused on driving.
Please let me know what you think - tweak the plan somewhere?
9/29 Flight Seattle > Iceland arrival early a.m. - drop bags, explore Reykjavik
9/30 Iceland - South Coast tour (Reykjavik Expeditions)
10/1 Iceland - Golden Circle tour w/Fontana Springs (Reykjavik Expeditions)
10/2 Flight Iceland > Frankfurt (early morning), then Flight to Lisbon (early evening)
10/3 Lisbon
10/4 Lisbon
10/5 Lisbon - Food tour (this is a holiday)
10/6 Sintra day trip (Pena Palace and National Palace)
10/7 Lisbon Flea Market and Cascais day trip
10/8 Travel to Nazare (bus) or pick up RAC - Explore Nazare and Sitio
10/9 Nazare - day trips to Obidos and Alcobaca
10/10 Travel to Coimbra late afternoon (bus)
10/11 Coimbra
10/12 Coimbra - day trip to Conimbriga
10/13 Travel to Porto mid-day, do RS Porto walk
10/14 Porto - Gaia for Port lodges and do RS Inspired Trolley Ride
10/15 Porto - visit Museums and Churches; River cruise(?)
10/16 Travel to the Douro - Quinta stay
10/17 Douro - Quinta stay
10/18 Travel to Porto (train) late afternoon/early evening
10/19 Flight Porto > Frankfurt early morning
10/19 Flight Frankfurt > Seattle late afternoon
I have not booked my flights from Frankfurt to Lisbon nor Porto to Frankfurt yet. Also, I have my accommodations in Iceland and the Quinta in the Douro reserved but nothing else. I am following the Forum, using guidebooks and the internet on suggestions for accommodations in Lisbon, Nazare and Porto. Mostly, I enjoy comfortable small inns or hotels but usually at least once during a long trip will look at standard “Americanized” hotels with all the amenities. Suggestions?
Thank you for looking this over and I am open to your ideas. I have a fair amount of time to plan and tweak this.
Linda
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