Portugal Road Trip

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ext212
ext212

I started to look at my Portugal maps and books and I'm having trouble narrowing down our itinerary! I would like your advice, lovely Lonely Planet folks!

From the airport, we'd like to go straight to Sintra. I wanted to go up North and perhaps camp at one of the parks, but I read that it's rainy in October. If it's indeed too rainy for Parque Nacional Geres, we'd still go to Minho from Porto then go south maybe to Parque Nacional Serra da Estrela. (I would like to hit one of those parks!)

Then finally drive to Lisbon and then work our way down to Faro and that coast the rest of the week.

What do you guys think? We will arrive in Portugal October 10 at 6am and then we fly out the 16th around noon., so not a lot of days and that's why I'm pained to cut any of the spots off.

Please take a look at this map:

http://www.google.com/maps/ms?source=s_d&saddr=Sintra,<i>Portugal&daddr=Porto,+Portugal+to:Parque+Nacional+da+Peneda+Ger%C3%AAs,+Ponte+da+Barca,+Portugal+to:Amarante,+Portugal+to:Parque+Natural+da+Serra+da+Estrela,+Manteigas,+Portugal+to:Faro,+Portugal+to:Lisbon,</i>Portugal&hl=en&geocode=FW4EUAIdsL9w_ykjM9Llm9AeDTEgN5DkvesABA%3BFRDmcwIdPZ58_ylp1HTw-mQkDTEvKhThESxWQA%3BFRbwfQIdPId__ykPQG99IAklDTGAOt7JlY8OGw%3B%3BFZ12aAIdQPSM_ylVdeu8sNg8DTEVdfYW1rlQBw%3BFUDPNAIdd-uG_ynfH90ZxFIFDTEZRVSyULcWgA%3BFW6fTgIdgJp0_yk78-RhGjMZDTHQNpDkvesABA&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&doflg=ptk&msa=0&msid=114360660230731523491.00048da58989dc49a27e1&ll=39.924482,-7.852478&spn=1.143713,1.906128&z=9

Thanks for your time!

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bmarques
bmarques

A couple of tips :

  • Between Porto and Pinhão (close do Peso da Régua), you have a great scenic road that follows the Douro river and Oporto Wine vineyards. It's classified as UNESCO landspace, and it's really a treat.

  • While heading to Algarve, follow the sealine. The Costa Vicentina has a beautiful seaside landscape, with calm beaches.

  • Evora is also UNESCO classified, and has a lot of monuments to see.

  • Geres is well worth of your time. Look for the waterfalls!

  • Braga is a must!

  • While visiting Sintra, take the detour to Cascais, is also nice.

  • Close to Lisbon you have the Sesimbra / Arrabida zone, which is a nice mix between mountains and seaside.

  • Towns that deserve a small visit : Tomar, Alcobaça, Óbidos, Nazaré, Guimarães, Vila do Conde, Marvão, Elvas, Beja, Sagres.

Well, if you need any help, just ask for more!

Best Regards,
BMarques.

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bessieboo
bessieboo

Hi - I think you are covering a lot in 6 days and could spend a lot of time on the road trying to fit in the North and the Algarve. Sintra takes a day at least as there is so much to see. It may be best not to try and fit in the Algarve on this trip and concetrate on those parks that you really wanted to visit as there is so much to see in these areas. Which airport are you departing from? If it's Faro the Algarve may be more achievable. I hope this helps, BB

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ext212
ext212

We will be coming from Lisbon. Do you recommend skipping Faro so that we do not spend too much time on the road? Aw, but I would hate to miss the seafood along that coast!

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bessieboo
bessieboo

Peniche has some fantastic seafood and just up the coast from Lisbon! About an hours drive. :) BB

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