Portugal Other than the Algarve?
Discussion
I went to Porto several years ago for the festival of Saint Jao (excellent) few days there then drove up the north coast to the Spanish border and back over the course of the next week. Was lovely, few Brits, great food for cheap, lovely coastal town, countryside and fortified towns with amazing countryside. Valenca overlooking Spain was one highlight but there were many
A week in Porto, train back to airport to pick up hire car then a week around the north and back to the airport.
I'm not great with names but stayed at Via Prahia Dancora, Braga, Ponte De Lima, Guimares. Spent the last day at an old fortified town not that far north of the airport one with an Agri College that you could wander around which suited me as an ex agri student
A week in Porto, train back to airport to pick up hire car then a week around the north and back to the airport.
I'm not great with names but stayed at Via Prahia Dancora, Braga, Ponte De Lima, Guimares. Spent the last day at an old fortified town not that far north of the airport one with an Agri College that you could wander around which suited me as an ex agri student
Edited by loskie on Sunday 25th October 19:16
Vila Nova Milfonds is a nice little jewel south of Lisbon.. The coast is stunning.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Lisbon,+Portug...
Lisbon is a fantastic city, we loved our city break there and would love to go back.
I know you said not including the Algarve but have you been to the eastern end of the Algarve nearer Spain?
It's totally different to the Algarve west of faro.
Vila real de santo antónio is basically the border and it's a lovely place. There is miles of beaches with barely any other tourists in site.
Might actually only be a few miles from albufeira but it seems like millions of miles!
I know you said not including the Algarve but have you been to the eastern end of the Algarve nearer Spain?
It's totally different to the Algarve west of faro.
Vila real de santo antónio is basically the border and it's a lovely place. There is miles of beaches with barely any other tourists in site.
Might actually only be a few miles from albufeira but it seems like millions of miles!
Back in the early 80s we flew into Porto, hired a Renault 4 and drove through Braga to an apartment a friend had rented from one of his local agents. It was overlooking a lake in a national park and was superb, one of the best holidays we ever had. I wish I could identify where it was but all the lakes and mountains look the same on Google.
In addition to the lake there was a swimming pool and cafe that few of the locals used (they probably couldn't afford to, it was a very poor area) and though the roads were terrible, the R4 was the perfect vehicle for them. On one trip up into the mountains we found a Roman temple by the roadside, then more buildings from the same era, no fences, no visitor centres, nothing like that.
There was little to do but 'chill'. Canoeing on the lake, swimming, exploring, the occasional beer was about it but it was so relaxing.
In addition to the lake there was a swimming pool and cafe that few of the locals used (they probably couldn't afford to, it was a very poor area) and though the roads were terrible, the R4 was the perfect vehicle for them. On one trip up into the mountains we found a Roman temple by the roadside, then more buildings from the same era, no fences, no visitor centres, nothing like that.
There was little to do but 'chill'. Canoeing on the lake, swimming, exploring, the occasional beer was about it but it was so relaxing.
Riley, I suspect you were in Geres NP near the border with Spain. In Cascais, most of the best value restaurants are in or near Rua das Flores, or outside town along the Guincho beach road. Sintra is a must, especially the Pena Palace. Also the palace and monastery at Mafra. Is the car museum still open at Caramulo?
I enjoyed living in Cascais 87 and 88, and travelled all over. Before Portugal joined the EU in 88 and the money started flowing, road travel was not easy and with granite blocks the surface of choice, tyre life was shortened!
I enjoyed living in Cascais 87 and 88, and travelled all over. Before Portugal joined the EU in 88 and the money started flowing, road travel was not easy and with granite blocks the surface of choice, tyre life was shortened!
Possibly not aligned with your other goals (e.g. sun) but the Portuguese coast near Nazare has some of the biggest waves in the world - up to 90ft high - and people surf them.
I've had a plan for the past 5 years or so to combine a trip to Nazare with a city break in Lisbon (November is the best time apparently), but other things keep getting in the way. Looks like this years out too.
I've had a plan for the past 5 years or so to combine a trip to Nazare with a city break in Lisbon (November is the best time apparently), but other things keep getting in the way. Looks like this years out too.
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