Husband, daughter, and I will be in Portugal for our first time, in two weeks. Looking for ideas or advice on our busy itinerary. Daughter is social/emotionally like an 8 year old, not much of a walker, mostly loves beach and pool, arts and crafts (hands on), loves a good playground, and this is her first time to Europe. I've tried to build in kid-friendly things, but also want husband and I to see and do things that we like too (this is NOT a Disney vacation!). Thanks for any tips and idea!
NY>Lisbon and transfer to Faro
Rent card, drive to Sagres
Stay at Martinhal Sagres (4 nights)
Explore Benagil Caves, maybe a day trip to Lagos, relax at pool and beaches near hotel
Drive to Lisbon
Turn in car
Stay in AirBnB near Praço do Comércio (3 nights)
Explore the surrounding area - what's close?
Booked a tuk tuk food tour through Eating Europe for 1st full day
Considering day trip to Sintra (to see the grounds at Pena, and explore the town of Sintra), but questioning this because it sounds like it's so crowded? Best to train or Uber/Bolt? Would like to have someone take us up to the top, as walking will be wrought with complaints.
Or could do day trip to Cascais? Or other ideas?
Train to Porto - high speed train
Stay in AirBnB near the puppet museum (4 nights)
Explore the surrounding area after we settle in - any must see/dos?
Booked a 2-hour tile painting class on 1st full day. What else should we see/do?
Day trip to Douro Valley (via train) on 2nd day - would do a short river boat tour while there, and ideally walk around, have lunch, maybe wine tasting at 1 winery, since this will not be interesting for our daughter
Final day - Ride the Gaia Cable Car to the bridge; walk along the Dom Luis I bridge to return to Porto
Return home: Porto>NY
Couple of logistical questions:
- What's the difference or benefit betw Uber and Bolt?
- I saw a note that perhaps the train betw Lisbon and Porto is not working at the moment. Please tell me that's not true...
- A friend and her family did a chocolate making class in Porto last summer, but I can't for the life of me find this online. Anyone have info?
- Any other ideas to make this fun and memorable, and maybe even interesting enough for her to want to see other parts of Europe in the future?
Thank you all!