International Travel Group Meeting - Sunday February 4 @ 9:30am Pacific Time

Yes, please!

Please add me Andrea.

Please include me!

Please add me too. i am in the process of planning our Portugal trip for September.

Barbara - Thank you for suggesting Portugal. I hope we have people who have good travel tips and advice for your trip there. We plan to go next year so I’ll be taking notes.

I will be there! Thank you!

I've been to Portugal (Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto) once. I'm hardly an expert, but I'm happy to answer what I can.

Thanks CWsocial.

Me, too. Can't wait to discuss travel to Portugal experiences. It is on the top of my bucket list right now.

Please add me!

I can at least mention what I have booked so far and what I have in my notes.

Yes I will join please. Thank you for organizing us all!

Barbara - I received a PM from someone who has a lot of knowledge about Portugal and he plans to share information with us.

Please add me to the meeting. Thanks!

I hope you all realize you will be responsible for talking me into Portugal. This is a big responsibility. LOL.

Oh, TexasTravelmom, it's always so tough to talk you into new destinations. Hah!

I’d like to attend. Thanks.

Please add me. Went to Portugal September 2022

I'll be thinking about you. Know it will be a fun meeting (they always are). Portugal is a trip I missed during Covid, so I'd really like to hear the discussion. I'm going on a little cruise to the Bahamas that weekend, I'll miss you all!!!

Oh, yes, please! Portugal is where I have my very best car story (which some of you veteran travel groupers may remember).

but it never hurts to hear it again. Just being sure to put down anything breakable or spillable, and sitting down. I'm ready to hear it again!

jody, I’m sorry you’re going to miss the meeting. The good news is that as of last month we are adding information to the meeting post instead of the chat so it’s always available to everyone. I hope you have a great time in the Bahamas!

Chani - how can we forget your car story! There will be plenty of new people to hear it again.

Hi Andrea,
Please add me to the participants list. Thanks.

Please include me in the invites;
let me suggest that you travelers-not-tourists check out the melodrama titled
1618
to get in the mood for the city of Porto.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13307400/

The movie is about what happens when the Inquisition comes to town.

I hope I'm not too late... please save me a space!

I would love to attend if there is still space. I have not been to Portugal, but it’s on the list!

Andrea...giving you a bump to the top of the forum!

We would love to join if possible.

Will be in Portugal 11-25 June.
Thank you

KDR, Please send me a PM with your email address.

We have a local meeting in Sacramento the 3rd Saturday of every month and you’re welcome to join us. Let me know if you’d like more information.

I won’t be able to attend, but am very interested in the topic. Will the meeting be recorded (understand if that isn’t possible). Thanks for doing this.

Sorry uala, but the meetings are not recorded.

My husband says he will attend instead of me, so please add me to the invites. Thank you!

I'll try to pop in if you send the link but it may be hard being on time.

Then again you may have reached quota in which case no worries.

Nigel - you’re on the list.

Hi Andrea,

I would like to attend if there is still room, please. Thanks!

MC

Andrea - I'm mark's travel buddy and he suggested that I try to attend. I would like to attend if there is still room on Feb 4th.

Thank you!

Hi, just now saw this. Should have checked earlier in the week. Is there space?
I did a Camino through Portugal in 2018, but frankly, do not remember a lot of it for some reason. Planning a 2nd Portuguese Camino in April. Looking for ideas in Porto and Valenca.

Please add me to the Zoom call invite.

To the new people who want to attend, you must send me a private message with your email address to receive the zoom link.

Yes, I would like to attend.

Andrea, I forgot to mention I will have to leave after Portugal to get to my grandsons 10 bday party

I just emailed the zoom link out. This month we had a number of new posters, some with their only post being a request to join today’s meeting, and some that made their request by PM and have zero posts. Some never provided their email addresses and some never responded to my PM to them. If you didn’t receive the link you fall into these categories. If you would like to join in the future we can discuss it via a PM.

See everyone soon!

I sent you a private message. Give my slot to someone else for today’s . Weather related issues.
Diane

Got it. Wow. So many responses. It should be a good zoom as always

I heard from someone that they didn’t receive the link. I was trying something new that apparently didn’t work, so I’ve sent new links the old way. Please let me know if you don’t get it.

Diane, I received your message. Thanks for letting me know.

I’m so sorry about any confusion. I cancelled the initial meeting I scheduled and scheduled a new one. I just sent new links so please disregard any earlier link(s) you got.

Follow up from our Portugal discussion, the transit card in Lisbon, which used to be the "Viva Viagem" card is now the "navegante" card:

https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/buy/viva-viagem-card/

You buy the plastic card (€0.50) and add funds to use on the buses, trams and metro.

Fronteira Palace is a gorgeous historic home in Lisbon with a beautiful outdoor reflecting pool decorated with tile work and statuary.
https://fronteira-alorna.pt/en/home/

Even on a crowded (marathon) weekend in Lisbon (or perhaps because of the marathon?) the palace was practically empty.

Two more topics from the meeting:

Coimbra: Fado ao Centro in a small chapel, with a dinner option:
https://fadoaocentro.com/

Lisbon: Lisbon Riders has a day trip to Cascais, Sintra and Pena Palace:
https://lisbonriders.com/group-tours/sintra-cascais/

Find Carl's Azores advice, as posted by our RS Webmaster:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/portugal/azores-islands-travel-advice

Fun fact: the similar-looking San Francisco Bay Bridge and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in Lisbon were both built by American Bridge Company.

https://www.kqed.org/news/11951820/whats-with-the-golden-gate-bridge-lookalike-in-lisbon

Great discussion was had this morning. I love Portugal and can’t wait to go back, and perhaps become a temporary resident.

Here are the links to the fado shows I experienced. As mentioned, the one in Lisbon was performed by women and was a dinner show and the one performed in Coimbra was performed by men and was a very nice cozy venue.

https://www.srvinho.com/en/

https://fadoaocentro.com/en/

The fairly new museum in Belem I enjoyed is called MAAT (Museum of Art Architecture and Technology)

https://www.maat.pt/en

Thanks for another great meeting, Andrea.

You asked for destination-specific suggestions. I would love to see a discussion on Belgium & Holland. Also, I'm a huge anglophile, so any discussion on any part of the UK and/or London is very welcome in my book. Paris would be great, too.

Thanks! See you next month!

MC

Great meeting everyone! Talking about Portugal took up the entire meeting with so much great information, so we will include the other topic during a future meeting. A special thanks to Carl for his in-depth knowledge of Portugal in general and specifically the Azores. I’m already thinking about Portugal next year and I haven’t even finished planning this year’s trip.

If anyone has suggestions about countries or even large cities they would like to discuss please let me know. Also any other future topics would be appreciated.

What a totally delightful meeting. Portugal is at the top of my bucket list now. Andrea, thank you for all you do to make this call happen. I know I speak for all of us....we REALLY appreciate you and this call.

Thank you for letting me participate in my first official Zoom meeting!

If I may add some more information...

Regarding mainland Portugal between Lisbon and Porto, there are lots of places to visit.

Sintra realistically needs two full days, and a third is not out of the question. Just visiting Quinta da Regaleira can easily take an entire morning or afternoon. Use caution when using the gps in and near Sintra as there are many very narrow streets. Stay on the bigger roads and let the gps recalculate. A short drive away is Cabo da Roca.

Sitio, situated above Nazare, is a must visit. Batalha Monastery (church only) is great for a quick 30 minute visit. The shops to the right and behind the massive equestrian statue sell cork products at great prices. Browse a little and you will see what I mean.

Minutes away from Fatima is Grutas da Moeda. The bakery in Obidos is named Capinha d' Obidos. Alcobaca monastery is amazing and worthy of a 2 hour stop.

Coimbra is worthy of an overnight. We stayed at Hotel Domus and parked around the corner at Bragaparques.

In the Douro valley, definitely stop at Igreja e Mosteiro de Sao Goncalo de Amarante. This is located in the village of Amarante. Then follow the driving route in the Rick Steves' guidebook to Pinhao. Visit one of the many vineyards on this route.

Braga, Guimaraes, Guarda, Serra da Estrela and Castelo Branco are not in his guidebook, but highly recommended by our family.

I read this article, 100+ Things to see and do in Portugal, back in 2018 and saved it just in case: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/travel-dining/g19040528/things-to-do-portugal/

For the Algarve, and not in his guidebook, visit the town and sites in Silves. Quinta do Frances is close by for a winery tour and tasting.

ATV excursions are plenty near Faro. We loved doing one.

Praia da Rocha is our favorite beach in the Algarve.

Most restaurants in Lagos are touristy and lack good service. Try not to eat in the center of town where there is lots of outdoor dining, across from the Navegadores Lacobriginenses Monument. Many waiters are downright rude, unfortunately.

And try to visit the Azores and Madeira in your future travels. :-)

Carl

This was a great meeting. For topics for a future meeting, I’d like to enthusiastically second ReedManTX’s suggestions of London and other parts of the UK.

Thanks for hosting these meetings, Andrea.

Thank you, Carl!

Another fun information filled zoom. They just seem to get better and better. Of course Chani car story with pictures was a definite highlight.

All the information is going to make my planning easier. Just wish we had more time, 2 weeks just isn’t enough.

Thanks to Andrea for organizing a great meeting. Thanks as well to all who contributed valuable information on Portugal. Hopefully I can use the tips on my trip in May. It was a great idea to focus on one country. Bravo!

This was a meeting truly worth its weight in ouro -
thanks to A&J for setting up and to everyone who contributed.

Thank you, Andrea, for hosting another great meeting. I enjoyed the idea of focusing on one country.

Just going through all the posts with links etc. A special shout out to Carl and CWSocial for all the info. I wish I was as tech savvy as you two are.

Yes a big tip of the hat to Andrea (this was my first meeting or meet up or really much communcation at all on RS website) We have used it for years, but mostly lurking and using the App or videos, etc. This was perfect timing and very appreciative of everyone and in particular Carl for sharing so much details that is clearly tied to much family history and travel we will certainly be needing to come back I am sure to Portugal (and we not got there yet the first time, but that is coming in June!) and getting to Madeira and beyond. I can tell already that our 14 nights is not going to be enough. Carl your additional update here has also helped cement our plan together too. So thanks for this additional tips.

Oh MAN! The Bahamas cruise was loads of fun.....I had great company! It looks like the Sunday meeting was great! Andrea, again, thanks for organizing the meetings. Looking forward to March!!

jody, we missed you. Happy you had a great time and we will see you next month!