Hello, I am a single 50 yo woman traveling in Portugal the last two weeks of September. I will have 3 extra days at the end of an RS tour (ending in Porto, but I fly out of Lisbon). I am going back and forth between spending them in the Algarve or taking a flight to the Azores. Or, possibly visiting a volunteer site in Beja in the Alentejo region. Does anyone have thoughts about these options? I'd like transportation and sightseeing to be as simple as possible as I am not a super confident traveler. I'd appreciate any feedback you can give. Thanks!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Algarve: Five or six hours by train to Albufeira from Porto with a change in Lisbon. Lots of people speak English. Azores: Of the three days, two will involve flights which eat time. Language not a problem. Beja: Language might be a problem. Probably five or six hours away with two train changes. Beja is okay, but that's my least favorite part of the Alentejo. Trains: Both the Algarve and the Alentejo runs will have train changes in Lisbon. Lisbon has multiple stations. I don't know if a station change will be involved, nor how to do it if it is.
Posted by
Toledo
56 posts
When we finished the RS Portugal tour (which you will love!) we took the train back to Lisbon and stayed at the Tryp Oriente Hotel at the Parque das Naçoes, alongside the train station at Gare do Oriente and the Vasco da Gama Bridge. IT is a 5 minute walk from the train station you will arrive in from Porto. It is a whole different part of Lisbon that you will never see on the RS tour. There is a very nice funicalar along the waterfront park and lots of bars and restaurants in the warehouse area. Also an aquarium. Best part is you are very close to the airport. So no matter what you decide this is a good option.
Posted by
OP
Williamsburg, Virginia
12 posts
Thanks so much Ed and David for your advice and train info. Points well taken. Still percolating with this decision...