Stayed at a lovely resort west of Lisbon, Cascais, well-served by buses and trains, enabling us to get to Sintra and Lisbon from just outside the Cascais Orbitur campsite entrance.
Loved both Sintra and Lisbon. Photos say it all.
A snapshot of magical Sintra where we did the recommended climb, and it is indeed a climb!, through the gardens of the Villa Sassetti to the palace. Needs another visit to see more.
Villa Sassetti
Palace de Pena
Courtyard in Palace
Got the bus, then train from Cascais to Lisbon; took one of the iconic old trams around some of the old city centre streets. Again, a lovely city; the first two photos are of Cascais:
Stayed overnight at a campsite at Porto Covo, where not made particularly welcome by the main reception person! then inland to a free aire with good reviews at historic town of Evora. Whilst congratulating myself on how well all was ‘working’ at this aire – nice location, safety in numbers, international community, but brits around if help needed quicker etc, the peace of the Saturday night was disrupted for upto an hour and a half, because Benfica had won the Portuguese league. The disruption consisted of the town’s primarily male Benfica supporters driving round and round the town centre roads (which unfortunately went past the aire) hanging out of their sunroofs, shouting, waving flags, and constant pressing of their car horns. It did come to a stop thankfully around 11:30, and indeed a good night’s sleep was had. Evora was worth the visit, as my first inland Portuguese town, and driving the non-toll roads to get there took me through some pleasing countryside.
So landed yesterday (Sunday 12/5) at Camping Alvor, in Alvor, Western Algarve, after a really enjoyable 65-mile drive on non-toll roads seeing some of the countryside behind the Algarve coastline. Set up to watch the Race for the Title matches, at the back of the van despite the heat etc, to try and mitigate the noise and the irritation it caused, of the strimming being carried out on pitches around mine. Was achieving this reasonably successfully until all of a sudden there was a sound as if a whole load of earth had been chucked at the bonnet of the van. The strimmer stopped ominously. Basically a stone had been thrown up at my passenger door window, resulting in its complete shattering.
What was originally intended as a 2-night stay, I could see turning into more than that, and my sister had literally just booked a flight out on Sun 19/5 to join me in Lisbon and up to Porto for a week.
Long story short, the campsite have organised through their insurance to get a new window which will have to be sent to whichever service centre in Portimao. It will apparently arrive by tomorrow evening, meaning they’ll fit it Wednesday (hopefully!)
The good is that this is a very nice place to stay – spent 4 hours cycling around and about – to Portimao, and back along coast past Praia da Rocha, and these iconic beaches. There’s lots more to explore/do etc, and the campsite is well set up, given that it has a static caravan ‘permie’ presence. Have a very nice pitch under the trees, and have put the awning out for the first time this season. 🙂
Cycled to town of Tavira today – about 4 miles away; absolutely loved it – reminded me of St Martin de Re on Ile de Re in France, but alot less understated. The buildings are beautiful. Also am realising that it’s great to be enjoying this weather now in May – around 25 – 27deg today, without the holiday crowds which people have indicated there are in late July/August.
Well – indeed a fabulous city to visit – nice campsite to stay at at town called Dos Hermanos; half-hourly air-conditioned (very welcome, even at mid to late 20’s) bus within 50 metres of the site for the sum of 1.70eu.
There was a feria day on Wednesday and the obviously proud citizens were already parading about in their traditional finery.
Just an example; fantastic to see all the colours of the dresses
Wanted to see this city, so stayed at the above campsite across the bay at Puerta de Santa Maria and got the water ferry from there – about 30 min crossing for 2.75 euro. Enjoyed doing a 2-hour walking tour around the centre. Can see the naval influences, some of the buildings reminded me somewhat of Plymouth. Worth the visit, and campsite reflecting the european campsite dwelling diversity which is really fun.
