My august holidays in the charming Portugal

PORTUGAL
8 to 23 August 2005

This summer we went to visit Portugal. Given the distance we opt for formula fly-drive and it is clear that later buy the plane ticket will cost us more expensive flight, and it is our case, in fact we "wake up" in June and the flight departing from Portugalia Bologna and arrived in Lisbon, we will cost € 400 each. A / R (you can do better). To choose the car with Hertz a Fiat Bravo to € 524.82 for 10 days.

We plan to arrive in Lisbon, stay there six days, then take the car, drive to Porto, stay there 3 days and then down to 'Algarve. That agency can book the package Flight, car and 2 nights in 4 star hotel (€ 490 triple x 2 nights) in Lisbon, just to look at the set and 'accommodation.
Legend: ° to see, ° ° on not losing, you can lose ^, ^ ^ to avoid

August 7
Departure from Bologna at 21 beautiful day and beautiful view from the plane, we arrive at Lisbon airport at 22 locations (+1 compared to us). Eyes open out the porthole arrival Lisbon because the plane is beautiful, with the river Tagus (Tejo) and its ups and downs. With a convenient bus arrives near the centrally located Hotel Mundial and already breathe the quiet air of this city as the first impression seems detached and reserved.

Lisbon / LISBOA
August 8
After a buffet breakfast outside the hotel we meet already in some places tell us from driving Routard (our bible). The Rossio Praça da Figueira ° °. We note the particular type of pavement typical of Portugal and the famous azulejos, ornamental tiles that cover most of the buildings. We pass to the nearby Igreja de Sao Domingo · antiques and feature, we stop and photograph the old station of Rossio with the façade Manueline we encounter in the lift Elevador de Santa Justa ° high port city in the Bairro Alto, we in fact we are in the Baixa, the lower town. Along the Rua Augusta ° ° to reach the door that reaches the harbor, which leads to Praça do Comercio °. With an aim to get above the Castle of São Jorge Rua da Alfandega ° ° we travel to get to observe the Casa dos Bicos ° to the front with diamond shapes, and behind is the self, the Lisbon Cathedral ° ° in the neighborhood historic Alfama, the oldest of the city. Near there is also the Igreja de Santo Antonio (not particularly interesting for those who are not devout). Let the Miradouro de Santa Luzia ° from the balcony where there is a wide view of Alfama and finally arrive at the Castle of São Jorge ° ° (family ticket 3 pers. € 4.5) which offers a beautiful view of the city even the streets and around town are pleasant to visit. To return you can take the tram but we preferred to go down a steep alley that led us directly on Rua Augusta ° °.
The evening dinner Tigelinha ° °, a little 'difficult to reach through the streets narrow, comparable to our restaurant with home cooking, small but very simple, cheap and above all tasty. Sopas, Bacalhau Sardinhas in many ways and the house specialty (25 € in 3). Then before leaving the hotel with a glass of ginginha the cherry liqueur and on ...

August 9
This morning we take the tram in Praça do Comercio ° ° to bring us towards the Mosteiro de Jeronimos Belem ° °. It 'full of beautiful carvings and decorations Manueline typical Portuguese, not surprisingly is the heritage of UNESCO. The tour takes us three hours away and after a quick lunch in the modern museum we move on foot to the nearby and world famous Tower of Belem ° °. The view is one of the most famous in the world and is very beautiful views of the Tagus. Within a couple of miles from here toward the center there is the Casa de Belém pastéis ° ° which produces the most famous pastéis Lisbon, if you're here you can not taste it! Are scallops puff pastry filled with custard baked with a unique flavor. The bakery produces continually pastéis, so you can always enjoy them warm. After tea we visit the interesting Museu dos Coches ° (with free lisboacard) with exposure to real cars and not. Tonight is the last night at the hotel and then seek an economical solution for staying another 3 days. Choose area of Chiado where we say that there is more possibility there Pensão de Camoes ^ 2-star accommodation a bit 'strange (apparently derived within a health facility, but for that convinces us), the room 3 beds, bathroom tiny, but fits us is narrow (4 nights x 3 people 360 euros).

August 10
After accommodation to the new board, we take the subway for the first time to head to East ° °. Modern district built for Expo 98, the Parque das Nacoes ° °.
Here is a nice walk in the street with beautiful fountains that leads from one side to the cable car (5.5 € each.) Overlooking the Ponte Vasco da Gama and the other to 'Oceanarium (10 € each.) And the Museum of Science (Pavilhao do Conhecimento) (6 € each).. L '° ° C The Oceanarium impressed modernity and beauty and also the Pavilhao do Conhecimento · Is there like one of the best place visited, in our opinion. (Combined ticket Oceanarium, Cable Car, Pavilhao do Conhecimento € 16.5).
In the evening we dine at Chiado near Praça Luis de Camoes ° in a good restaurant at the foot of the cable car 'Elevador da Gloria, the usual or bacalhau sardinhas. The night sleep just because we find to be in an area of nightclubs where they sing fado folk song and is moving up in the morning ... this morning seemed a quiet area ... so we are still on holiday and take advantage.

August 11
We do a tour of the Bairro Alto also called Chiado ° °, neighborhood is distinctive because it higher than the Baixa and connected with cable cars, lifts and escalators, and is also the area that was most devastated by the massive earthquake in mid-seven hundred causing thousands of deaths, a visual reminder of this can be seen in the ruins of the Igreja do Carmo. In the afternoon we visit the Estufa Fria ° a botanical garden in the Park Eduardo VII, where under the shade of trees sheltered us from the heat.

August 12
Day on the beach at Estoril °, we go by train from Cais do Sodre, they run frequently, is a beautiful sandy beach and clean sea for our first swim the Atlantic Ocean!

 

Sintra, Porto, Evora

August 13
Visit the town of Sintra 30 km from Lisbon. We go to the Rossio train station and arrive after about 45 min., Newly arrived at the station immediately take the bus (3.7 to € 3?) (Guided inter alia by a nut along the narrow road that leads and impassable the hill), which brings us to the Palácio da Pena ° ° which was the summer residence of the kings of Portugal. This is also UNESCO heritage and it deserves a visit, mixes all styles: Arabic, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque and then we go to enjoy the view from the Moorish Castle but they are only remnants of the original castle. Even the city center is lively and cute, to visit include the Palácio Nacional ° ° with its two huge conical chimneys.

Porto
August 14
Today we move north to Porto from which we expect to make trips to other interesting places in the north. After removing the car previously booked and after about 300 km to reach the 'Information Office to find accommodation. The gentle and nice lady brings us in a short time in at the 'Hotel America ° to 1.5 km from the center with private parking (€ 225 triple x 2 nights). As soon as system starts with a city tour and visit the Romanesque Cathedral of Sé ° °. We have dinner at Casa Pereira Rua Cimo da Vila, 64 ° to good local but suitable refreshments. In the evening stroll to the beautiful Ribeira ° °.

August 15
After an excellent breakfast buffet with good sweets back in the old town which is recognized as a heritage of 'Unesco, to complete the visit the day before. Let the market Bolhao ° for shopping and visit the Church dos Congregados °, and the nearby São Bento railway station feature ° whose interior is decorated with typical azulejos that make it interesting. We look at the staircase of 240 steps of the Torre dos Clérigos °, the highest tower of Portugal, which offers a panoramic view of the city, then we stop in the gardens of Cordoaria sandwich. Descending towards the São Francisco Church ° ° (€ 3 each.), With interiors decorated with rich gold and disdainful. In the afternoon we go to the coast opposite side of the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia to visit one of the many wineries, we choose Calema ° (€ 2 each.) From which we buy half a dozen bottles of tawny and ruby Porto · ° we found excellent after appropriate samples. We leave the interesting visit to some 'shine for different tastings and recrossed the Douro from the famous Ponte Dom Luis ° ° from which we witness a series of daredevil jumps of local boys. Eat from Adega São Nicolau ^ ^ (and expensive as we go unmet).

Barcelos, Braga, Guimaraes
August 16
Today we take the car to take a hike in northern Portugal's Minho region. After about 62 km we arrive in Barcelos, a charming city famous for its polychrome rooster, a symbol of Portugal. Here we visit the ruins of the ducal palace ° from the terrace where you can enjoy views of the city, then we go to 'tourist office and then visit the Igreja do Senhor da Cruz ° and the Igreja do Terco °. We are hungry and so we find a rotisserie where to buy a Frango (roast chicken) great chilli. We settle the gardens by the river Cávado and swallow our food with a hunger and a memorable taste, it is an episode that also always like to remember the beauty of the landscape in which we were.
After lunch we take the car with a visit after 22 km away to Braga, beautiful and vibrant university city with Baroque architecture. The place of tourism is on the Avenida da Liberdade, São Paulo step Largo °, Largo de Santa Cruz ° and then Praça da Republica ° °, side by side the so-called Castle of Braga ° ° stroll along Rua do Souto ° which leads to ° Baroque Cathedral, built on Roman ruins and below the arch of Porta Nova.
At 17 o'clock we finished the tour of this small town and we go to 25 km in Guimaraes city whose old town is UNESCO World Heritage. And 'dominated by a castle and palaces in the center have a particular architectural style "Anglo-Portuguese. After removing the map from the tourism office or Praça de Santiago ° °, we advance in the narrow and picturesque downtown streets, Rua de Santa Maria °, Largo do Toural °, which is small and can be visited in a couple hours.

Luso, Bussac
August 17
This season is very hot and many fires are reported on television and then decide to move in a calm and cool, and choose Luso Bussaco. Leave a port city that we really liked to go a bit 'to the south and continue hiking in the region of Beiras. Luso is about 110 km from Porto, is a resort with a source here in Portugal is famous and people come from all over the mainland to stock the excellent water that comes out. Since the time we arrive in the tourist office is closed go to a grocery store to ask if they know someone who can provide accommodation. The owner gentle brings us by a friend that we rent a nice apartment (€ 40 per night). Happy for the system starts immediately to visit the forest Bussaco ° (Mata do Buçaco). There is a green and luxuriant park entrance fee (€ 2.5 tot) located on a hill whose summit is the Palace Hotel do Buçaco ° °, now a luxury hotel surrealistic architecture where it says that was filmed by Orson Wells' Citizen Kane.
In the evening participate in the festival feature held during this period with a concert of popular music and sale of local products. We eat decently Tony (€ 21.65 in 3) in front of our apartment. The rest well at night, cool and silence ...

Coimbra
August 18
From our apartment after we had abundant supply of water from valuable today we head to sea Buarcos ° to 70 km wide and beautiful beach with fine sand and clean sea. We impress the shoreline and the sea with waves of icy water and huge waves. Since we are close (56 km) visit Coimbra (place de turismo) which is semi-desert (they are all at sea! For the hot weather), however the center located on a hill and surrounded by walls is very nice. In particular walking in Rua Visconde da Luz ° ° and we pass between its various side rail crossing between the church of San Bartolomeo ° l 'Arc de Almedina ° °, Praça do Comercio and Self degrees.

Evora
August 19
With the aim to arrive in the Algarve party and we stop in Evora about 300 km from Luso. Evora ° ° is also Unesco's therefore definitely worth a visit. Find accommodation at the Ibis Hotel chain ° (€ 70 night), we found a good value for money, among other things situated near the city center. As soon as system starts with the visit of the city very characteristic and well kept. In Praça do Giraldo ° · Is there a place of tourism from which we take the appropriate maps. We pass to Praça do Giraldo ° ° composition characteristics

Algarve

Algarve (Lagos, Sagres)

August 20
Passing through the desolate landscape of 'Alentejo after 300 km we arrive in Lagos (place de turismo unreachable by car). A charming and pleasant seaside resort surrounded by walls in the region 's Algarve ° °. Here we stayed at Residencial Cidade Velha ^ booked in advance via the internet (25 € each day = 300 € = 75 € tot.). The center is all very narrow pedestrian streets and after downloading the baggage we are forced to leave the car at the municipal parking lot that is fortunately free. The room is decent but nothing assegnataci that Edil morning after breakfast we realize that unfortunately is not as substantial as much as we do! In the afternoon we go on foot to the town beach ^ accessible via a ferry crossing the channel which separates the center from the seaside. The beach is clean but we understand that for the most beautiful beaches we will have to move the car. In the evening we have dinner at the Casa Rosa ^ address supplied to us by one of the many boys paid to ensnare the tourists, but overall we were finished eating well because you could play some board games available in the room.

August 21
Another day of rest in the beautiful Praia de Camilo ° ° Côte d'Oiro with fantastic snorkelling passing under natural caves, beaches and bays and inaccessible.

August 22
Today we go in the most southern of Portugal, Sagres ° °. The promontory is timely windy and stormy sea, and in fact is a destination for surfers, and a series of bays overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Then we spend the next Cabo de Sao Vicente ° °, where there is a market where we buy the typical blue woolen sweaters, and several stalls where we refreshed, here's a cliff 80 meters high lighthouse, the view is beautiful .

Returning to Lagos we go out of curiosity Lake (Barragem) from Bravura that we see from the maps in the evening we have dinner at an Indian restaurant Kohi Noor ° a bit 'expensive but very good.

August 23
Unfortunately, our vacation is almost over, we return to Lisbon to deliver a unpresentable car rental and then take the plane back home!
It 'was a great experience in this country from the costumes simple and genuine, the locals are very friendly but reserved, the scenery is breathtaking and definitely worth all the effort made. Of course we ran a lot and this is our only regret is because some places worth visiting would be more accurate and more relaxed but then the holidays and the budget have flown ...

NOTES:
Time high temperatures average 30-40 degrees with the sun blazing, fire and state of alert in the central regions, never a rainy day, even if a breeze on the coast continues to be much relief.
Language: Portuguese as a Romance language is similar to Italian and making the ear it is understood quite easily, otherwise English or Spanish

Total cost of holiday for a family of 3 persons (2 adults + child 13 years):
Flight Bologna / Lisbon / R € 1,200.00 3 people
Car rental: € 525.00 10 days
Hotels in Lisbon: € 490.00 2 nights
Lisbon pension: € 360.00 4 nights
Hotels in Porto: € 225.00 3 nights
home Luso: € 80,00 2 nights
Hotels in Evora: € 77.00 a night
Lagos pension: € 300.00 4 nights
total of 3 persons: € 5,100.00

(To be honest this spending is completely out of our standards, in fact staying conscious can save more on the flight and accommodation)

If you want advice, and various impressions, or if you want to leave us your comments contact us at our e-mail: alpatom@libero.it
http://iviaggidilalpatom.altervista.org

We recommend the guides we have provided the information on places to visit: City Book Lisbon Portugal Routard.