Going May 10 to 19

Meant to add it's just me and my wife. both 29 y/o

Caglejd, just what kind of responses do you expect? You say nothing of your interests other than 'off the beaten path' which is pretty much meaningless.

There are a lot of knowledgeable posters here on the TT who can answer just about any specific question but you still have to do YOUR homework first. Otherwise, all you are doing with a general question like this is asking people to write a guidebook for you. You can buy a guidebook and read it or do some online reading, it is not reasonable to expect people to write one here for you.

What would you say if I wrote, 'I plan to visit your home country, what should I do?'

I would say there's much to do. If you're landing in NY and have 10 days, I'd recommend renting a car and driving down the eastern seaboard. 2 days in NYC, 2 in DC, then go to the beaches of NC for 2 days (and I'd list the best ones), then Charleston, SC for 2 days, Savannah for one, and then catch a quick flight back to NYC for a return flight.

#3, you assume that the OP likes beaches, but he doesn't because he is allergic to too much sunshine. Maybe he does not have a driving license. I hope you understand better the remarks made by travelinstyle and come up with some indications about your interests.
I assume you realise that no one can predict the weather.

#3, you assume that the OP likes beaches, but he doesn't because he is allergic to too much sunshine. Maybe he does not have a driving license. I hope you understand better the remarks made by travelinstyle and come up with some indications about your interests.
I assume you realise that no one can predict the weather.

Good response caglejd. You have just illustrated the trap many responders fall into. You have have written what YOU would do, without any idea of what interests me. Liberat has pointed that out to you.

If I had asked the question, and if you had answered as you did and if I was as Liberat suggests, everything you wrote would have been a waste of your time writing and my time reading. See the issue now?

The more relevant information you provide, the more relevant responses will be and the less of anyone's time that will be wasted. There is no point in people responding and listing 100 things you COULD do and you then reading that list and picking 5. You can read a guidebook for that.

Now answer me this. In your opinion where can I find the best street halal meal in NYC? That's a question you probably won't find an answer to in a guidebook. (Dont bother to answer, I already have my own favourite) That's the kind of question worth asking AFTER you have done your own homework as to what to see/do on your trip.

By the way, your suggested east coast itinerary is also falling into the common trap of trying to see/do too much in too little time. I hope you don't do that on your trip to Portugal.

Hi,

May is a lovely time to visit Portugal. Winter rains have stopped, countryside is green and with wildflowers, temperatures are moderate (typically mid 20s celsius).

From Lisbon, some off-the-beaten track areas include:
- Alentejo inland: historic towns, medieval hilltop villages, rural areas with Mediterranean feel
- West Coast between Sagres and Vila Nova de Milfontes: cliffs, secluded beaches, surf, nature reserves
- Arrábida Peninsula: Portinho village and natural park, 45 mins south. Limestone mountains, clear seas
- Mountain Beiras: granite mountains, stone villages, glacial valleys, traditional
- Douro: scenic vineyards on terraces above river
- Minho: northernmost region- green, bucolic, villages, rivers, coast

Hope that gives an initial feel for some of the regions.
More detailed info here:
http://www.hideawayportugal.com/modules/home/home.php

Does JPCarvalho have anything to do with johniesplace?