This is the rough itinerary we have come up with after several weeks of researching. Your thoughts are most welcome. I will start by saying that we want to see these particular areas, but realize that we will not have an in-depth visit in any of them. We are not slow-paced travellers, but we like to take our time and enjoy little cafes or evening times listening to music, we like to bicycle, gentle hiking, see the views, see and learn some history and enjoy cultural activities to the area. Staying and being in areas with local people is of interest to us as well. Here goes:
4 nights in Seville with a day trip to Rondo and Cordoba, see Alcazr and Cathedral, flamenco dancing, tapas bars.
Bus to Lagos and spend 4 nights in Lagos or Salema?(Kayaking, biking, beach walks, views, food, music)
5 nights in Lisbon with day trips to Sintra, Obidos, Nazare
Train to Porto with for 3-4 nights with day trips (or overnight) to Guimares and Viana do Castelo and a river ride to Pinhão with 2 nights stay in a vineyard there, train back to Porto
Fly home out of Porto
* A variation might be to fly into Madrid instead of Seville and stay in the village of Cuenca before making our way down to Seville. The idea is to see a small part of Southern Spain while on this trip to Portugal.