My husband & I are planning a 17-day trip (not including 2 air-travel days) from 04/24/23 - 05/12/23 beginning & ending in Lisbon. We are planning to travel through the country via public transportation (trains &/or buses) rather than renting a car to visit key cities.
Overnights destinations:
Lisbon: 6 (split between beginning & end of the trip)
Evora: 2
Ciombra: 3
Porto: 5
Day-trips from the 4 overnight destinations:
Cascais
Sintra - Would it be worth spending 2 nights here instead of 6 nights in Lisbon? Maybe toward the end of the trip?
Aveiro
Costa Nova - Not sure how to arrive here by bus or train
Duoro Valley (even if it's going to be "brown")
Guarda
We are in the very early planning stage & appreciate any suggestions. I borrowed 2 books from the library (Rick Steves, of course, & DK Eyewitness) which are helping. This forum provided great advice when I planned my 2018 Ireland trip & it's wonderful to be reaching out again! Thank you!