Originally Posted by
iahphx
Thanks, Ian. Your post seems like a great place to start. I've bought my tickets (only 38 CHF each from GVA to LIS on Swiss) so we're definitely going.
Is the Algarve just too much of a mass-market sun-and-fun destination? If so, I could see why I would want to avoid it. Otherwise, as we have only a week, I guess I'll have to make some tough choices as to where to go. Since we're arriving in Lisbon, we'll obviously start there. If we're not really "city folks" (although, like most folks, we enjoy Barcelona, Madrid, London, Paris, Vienna, etc) would one-day be enough before heading to smaller towns and the countryside? As you've mentioned, I understand the area around Lisbon is quite pleasant: better than more remote destinations, or not? Thanks.
38 CHF !! IS THAT THE CO-PAYMENT ON AN AWARD?
The Algarve is really only a beach destination. The west coast and Sagres peninsula are interesting, and the south coast beaches are fine too - but it is generally more expensive than the rest of Portugal, and large parts of it form an expat hot-spot. Nothing wrong with that, and it can be a comfort to hear so much English spoken ..
There's a lot to see in Lisbon and its immediate vicinity - many places can be reached easily and cheaply on the commuter trains.
But if you were to rent a place outside Lisbon, you could consider picking up a car at LIS and heading straight out there. The motorways (tolls) are good.
Perhaps save the big city for a weekend visit some other time.
there are loads of holiday rentals sites - but this one specialises in portugal:
http://rentals.pt/en-GB/Listings/?En...Location=Évora