Anybody travel to Portugal from the US?

[goofyernmost]

Went to Portugal in 1998 as part of a cruise.

We spent the day at Expo 98. I wanted to be able to say I had attended a World's Fair.

While I didn't learn much about Portugal in particular, it was where I learned that acceptable personal space varies dramatically by country/culture.

Many of the exhibits were structured like a Disney ride. There would be a long snaking line followed up by a standing pre show, and then finally the show/ride. Think the Monster Inc Laugh Floor.

While standing in the snaking line my wife and I would leave a normal(enough for one person), well normal for many western countries, amount of space between us and the group in front. The people behind us, if they are not also from a pro personal space culture, would try and fill in that gap with some from their party. The person trying to fill the space would get pulled back by others in their group who would explain to them we were Americans and we left too much room. That was at least what we understood with our not so great Spanish.

Then when in the preshow area, people would be packed, and I mean packed, in the front of the room. Packed so tight that only 50% of the preshow area was used. So the front 40% would contain 90% of the people and the back 60% would contain 10% of the people. The back was people from the US, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, etc. The front was packed with people from Asian or Hispanic parts of the world.

SLIGHT TOPIC ALTERATION: I thought I was the only one that traveled a long distance for a worlds fair. The 64 Worlds Fair was in NYC but I was to young to go on my own. I was old enough for the 67 Worlds Fair in Montreal and since it was only 60 miles away I went to that a number of times. (in fact I still have a large overhead photo of the entire grounds, framed and on the wall of the room I am presently in). Then I traveled all the way to Vietnam and took R&R in Osaka, Japan to see the 70 Worlds Fair.

Minor disclaimer here, I can't say that I got there on my own, the United States Air Force was a lot more responsible for my being in that area of the world than I had. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

 

[Frwinkley]

We travel to the Azores & Portugal every year. Lisbon is a busy city plenty to see & do.
Porto is nice for wine, if you are going when its warm go to Algarve, catch a live Fado performance in Lisbon and if you can swing it take a plane to St Michael Azores they have flights daily.

We aren’t wine drinkers, so I’m assuming there’s lots of other things to see and do.

The Algave area looks so beautiful. We’re much more into walking, hiking, sightseeing than we are beach/water activities.

Where might be a good area to stay? Lagos? We like upscale hotels with easy walkability to shops, sights, dining.

Thank you!

 

[BayouQueen]

Yes! We are going to add this to our plans.

If I may ask: what time of the year did you travel? I’m concerned about the heat, so am thinking late Sept/early October.

Our trip was in April. It was very pleasant then. Probably fall is, too.

 

[Draco0801]

We aren’t wine drinkers, so I’m assuming there’s lots of other things to see and do.

The Algave area looks so beautiful. We’re much more into walking, hiking, sightseeing than we are beach/water activities.

Where might be a good area to stay? Lagos? We like upscale hotels with easy walkability to shops, sights, dining.

Thank you!

Porto has lots of sightseeing & shops museum it's a city so plenty to see other than wine. Algarve is known for beaches, but they do have caves and grottos & cliffs to explore. If you stay in Lagos they will have nice hotels that are close to shops & dining, never stayed there but we did a restaurant & wine tour and stopped in a few of the hotels

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I would love to see Portugal for real. I’ve been to Portugal, but only the airport in Lisbon… and that was over 30 years ago.

 

[Frwinkley]

Porto has lots of sightseeing & shops museum it's a city so plenty to see other than wine. Algarve is known for beaches, but they do have caves and grottos & cliffs to explore. If you stay in Lagos they will have nice hotels that are close to shops & dining, never stayed there but we did a restaurant & wine tour and stopped in a few of the hotels

Thanks very much! We're really looking forward to this trip!

 

[Earstou]

Took a river cruise in November on the Douro River. My gosh, the Douro Valley is so beautiful! After a few days in Lisbon, we traveled to Porto to begin the cruise. Porto is a beautiful city, especially from the water. I would like to return and explore it further.
Possibly too out of the way, one of my favorite excursions on the cruise was to visit Castelo Rodrigo. It's a small village on a hilltop, contained within medieval walls, very pretty and interesting.
We aren't into wine either, but we visited one of the wineries along the river and it was very interesting. Hearing about the special boats for the wine barrels and the dangerous journey to market was fascinating.
I've been on a few river cruises, and this was hands down the most beautiful! I did not realize that the grape vine leaves would take on fall colors like the trees, so extra beauty with the fall colors!

 

[Frwinkley]

Took a river cruise in November on the Douro River. My gosh, the Douro Valley is so beautiful! After a few days in Lisbon, we traveled to Porto to begin the cruise. Porto is a beautiful city, especially from the water. I would like to return and explore it further.
Possibly too out of the way, one of my favorite excursions on the cruise was to visit Castelo Rodrigo. It's a small village on a hilltop, contained within medieval walls, very pretty and interesting.
We aren't into wine either, but we visited one of the wineries along the river and it was very interesting. Hearing about the special boats for the wine barrels and the dangerous journey to market was fascinating.
I've been on a few river cruises, and this was hands down the most beautiful! I did not realize that the grape vine leaves would take on fall colors like the trees, so extra beauty with the fall colors!

Did you travel from Lisbon to Porto by train? We are thinking of flying in and out of Lisbon (from the US), spending 3 nights in Lisbon, then up to Porto, and then down to the Algarve area, with our last night being back in Lisbon for our return flight home.

 

[Earstou]

No train. It was a part of the cruise, and they bussed us.

 

[Buzz Rules]

It looks gorgeous and is now on my radar as a trip for 2025!

Anyone with any tips or itinerary suggestions?

I'm thinking 10-12 days.

We love beautiful scenery, walkable towns, hiking, etc.

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks/portugal-guide

https://www.visitportugal.com/en

https://www.ligaportugal.pt/

https://fpr.pt/

 

[Frwinkley]

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks/portugal-guide

https://www.visitportugal.com/en

https://www.ligaportugal.pt/

https://fpr.pt/

Thanks Buzz! Adding these to my list of resources!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Thanks Buzz! Adding these to my list of resources!

The Iberian Peninsula is on my bucket list since I have ancestory from both. I highly recommend seeing a soccer or rugby match while you are there.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Thanks Buzz! Adding these to my list of resources!

You might be able to see CR7 as well if you see the national soccer team play during your trip:

https://www.fpf.pt/pt/selecoes/futebol-masculino/selecao-a