We went to Portugal over 8 days in April 2013 for our first international trip as a couple. Unseasonably warm weather, free Moet Chandon, and plentiful rose pedals made it hard not to fall in love with this country. We started and finished in Lisbon, with trips to Evora (countryside, wineries) and the Algarve (beaches).
Itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Newark to Lisbon
Day 2: Tour Baixa and Alfama neighborhoods
Day 3: Day trip to Sintra for castles and hiking
Day 4: Bus to Evora (Alentejo Region). Explore the charming old town
Day 5: Cartuxa wine tasting. Late train to Albufeira for 1-night stopover
Day 6: Albufeira beach, then afternoon bus to Lagos
Day 7: Hiking to cove beaches around Lagos
Day 8: Train back to Lisbon and visit Belem neighborhood
Day 9: Fly home from Lisbon
Highlights
- Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro for seafood feast of tiger prawns, goose barnacles, and more (thanks Anthony Bourdain!)
- Celebrating our made up "anniversary" with free Moet Chandon/massive cheese platter at Fontecruz Lisboa and endless rose pedals at Pousada Convento
- Hiking along beautiful castles and ruins in Sintra
- Wine and olive oil tastings in Evora ("tastes typical of the Alentejo")
- Corny sugary drinks with umbrellas and sparklers in Albufeira
- LOWLIGHT - trying spontaneity with no hotel booking in Lagos; HIGHLIGHT - finally finding Mar Azul after 2 hours hunting
- Wandering through Lagos coves and beaches
- Fresh shrimp and octopus at a tiny convenience store looking restaurant for lunch in Lagos
Hotels
- Fontecruz Lisboa, An Autograph Collection (Lisbon)
- Pousada Convento Evora (Evora)
- Mar Azul (Lagos)