Portugal Journals

Portugal in November

A November 2005 trip to Portugal by teemee

Driving into Sintra Photo - Town of Sintra, Sintra, Portugal

Quote: Visits to Lisbon, Sintra, Belem, Porto, Amarante, Guimaraes, and Citania de Briteires, Evora, Cromeleque dos Almendres, Alvor, and Loule (Algarve).

10 Photos

Hotel Zenit Lisboa

Hotel

Quote:

Excellent new four-star hotel. We booked through RatesToGo at 75 euro per night. This hotel opened only 3 months ago, and I expect I will not be able to afford it on my next visit to Lisboa! Rooms are spotless and very modern, with hardwood floors and all wood and glass surfaces. The windows are pretty soundproof but do open if you need some air. Beds and linens were also modern, comfortable and streamlined. Reception staff was extremely helpful and Portuguese/English bilingual. There is a slightly pricey but excellent restaurant in the hotel. The fresh fish was excellent, as were all the breakfast dishes I tried.The hotel is very close to the Picoas metro stop and Marques de P...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 4, 2005

Hotel Zenit Lisboa
Av 5 De Outubro 11
Lisbon, Portugal

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Pensao Policarpo

Hotel | "Pensao Policarpo , Evora"

Quote:

There are excellent accommodations. Mr. and Mrs. Policarpo are gracious hosts with a beautiful pension. There is much original decor and the staircase is still made of the beautiful original 16th-century wood. It's a perfect balance of privacy and warmth. The pensao itself is almost impossible to find, however. If you're staying there and have a car, be sure to ask for directions to the parking lot--the street address and entrance are on a pedestrian street (which we had to spend 10 minutes painfully backing out of). I would definitely stay again!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 2, 2006

Pensao Policarpo
Rua Da Freiria De Baixo, 16
Evora
+351 (266) 702 424

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Residencial Pao De Acucar

Hotel | "Residencial Pao de Acucar, Porto"

Quote:

First of all, the staff was incredibly kind and helpful, the best I experienced my entire trip. Pao de Acucar was an excellent value. The rooms are plain and the sheets aren't that soft, but the place is very clean and only 45 euro/night! It is just off Rua dos Aliados, a beautiful "main drag" for government buildings and very close to the river.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 3, 2006

Residencial Pao De Acucar
Rua Do Almada 262
Porto, Portugal
+351 222 002 425

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Restaurante a Tasquinha

Restaurant | "Restaurante a Tasquinha, Porto"

Quote:

It was the most delicious food I had in Porto. It was fresh fresh food, and the spicing delicious. There was excellent fresh fish, personal attention, and so many homemade desserts that I wanted to stay a week to try them all. The owner was also very helpful in selecting my first bottle of vinho verde. The company was great if you like locals and families, and they were all very friendly.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 2, 2006

Restaurante a Tasquinha
Rua do Carmo 23
Porto, Portugal
+351 (22) 332-21-45

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Town of Sintra

Attraction | "Sintra day trip"

Quote:

Sintra is a magical place. I was skeptical because of all the hype, but it isn't hype at all. Driving in felt like entering a completely different land. Adding to the magic were the fairy lights hung in the trees along the road for the holidays. My companion and I spent most of our time at Castelo dos Mouros, which is old, a little spooky, and powerful -- I thought I felt the Moors still lingering there. Shopping very expensive here, and found everything stocked here also stocked in Lisboa for about 30% less!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 4, 2005

Town of Sintra

Grand Lisboa, Sintra

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Belem: Monastery of St Jerome

Attraction | "Belem, Lisbon--Tourist Heaven"

Quote:

Set on a sunny, beautiful coastline just southwest of Lisbon, Belem is considered the "heart and soul" of Portugal and is closely tied to its navigation age. I first visited the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, which is a must for architecture lovers. The stonework utilizes unusual symbols such as shells, ropes, and fish intricately worked into more traditional sacred symbols. The Tower of Belem and the Monument to the Discoveries are both worth a stop. Take a moment while you're there to stand on the sand and look out at the ocean, as so many explorers in the 16th century did, before setting off on unknown journeys. Finish your visit with famous pasteis natas (warm custard-like sweets) from Pasteis ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 5, 2006

Belem: Monastery of St Jerome
Praca Do Imperio, Belem
Lisbon, Portugal