Saturday 31 July 2010

Alvor to Zoomarine and Slide and Splash

It appears, from the zoomarine.pt site, that there is a daily bus departure from the Pestana Dom Joao II at Hotel D. João II (bus stop) 9.25 to Zoomarine.

There also appears tp be a bus at 09:05 and 11:05 to Slide and Splash.
http://www.slidesplash.com

Much cheaper than taxis.

I am sure the hotel reception can provide more info.

Visiting Portugal - August 2011

Please note I am not a travel agent! I am happy to answer specific queries and provide general comment.

First of all, August is peak tourism season here in the Iberian Peninsula. It is also very very hot. This summer has been hotter than usual. Consequently, I would strongly not recommend heading into the following regions of Spain as you will not be able to do anything in the daytime. - Extramadura, Andalucia, Castilla y Leon. The Asturias and Galicia should be ok owing to the influence of the Atlantic. I would also have to say that I cannot recommend visiting the interior of Portugal during this time as temperatures also can hit between 35ºC and 40ºC during the day.

I would suggest that if you want to visit the North, you consider flying from Frankfurt-Main to Porto in the first instance. Pick up a hire car there and visit Guimarães, Braga, Ponte de Lima, and then swing into Galicia, Spain and possibly visit Santiago da Compostela and Ourense. Head back in to Portugal and visit Chaves and Bragança. From Bragança head south towards Viseu and Coimbra. from Coimbra head towards the Algarve bypassing Lisbon. Head for the Barlavento region of the Algarve around Lagos and Sagres which is slightly cooler owing to sea breezes.

The head back to Lisbon by coast roads. Dump the hire car and visit Lisbon using public transport which is much easier.Then head up to Porto again by train or bus.

For distances between towns I suggest you use Google Maps or viamichelin.com to calculate these.

A final point, as regards car hire,  remember to specify automatic shift (which will atrract a premium) as most vehicles this side of the Pond are manual shift. I also recommend a vehicle with air conditioning for the time of year in question.

Lisbon Airport to Rocha Brava Resort, near Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal

Unfortunately, Rocha Brava is one of those locations that is somewhat isolated from access to public transport but also from the local community. If you want to explore the Algarve a hire car is recommended. Remember to specify automatic shift (which will atrract a premium) as most vehicles this side of the Pond are manual shift.

I would not normally recommend travelling to the Carvoeiro area from Lisbon, as public transport options are not good. The nearest public transport hub is Lagoa Bus Station or Portimão Rail Station. However, it is unlikely there will be enough taxis on service at either location to lift 11 people with bags. You would also have to get from Lisbon airport to either Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus/Rail Station or Lisbon Sete Rios Train Station.

Links to train timetables and the services offered by bus companies Rede Expressos/Eva and Renex are available in the panel entitled "Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links" to be found on my blog here:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/

By toll motorway, the distance is 270km / 3 hours drive. A private transfer for this sort of distance will be quite expensive.

I do not understand why you are not flying into Faro Airport which is +- 70km from Carvoeiro and is the regional airport for the Algarve.

From there, it would be much easier and cheaper to arrange an airport transfer direct to Rocha Brava.

The following company is able to quote for such a trip:

http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/faro-airport/ 

Current prices are in the order of € 108.00. Thes may increase by next February however.

The same company is quoting a price, on their Lisbon Airport Site, in the order of € 520 from a similar transfer from Lisbon Airport to the Carvoeiro area.

Friday 30 July 2010

Lisbon Airport to Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station

1. Rede Expressos buses from Lisbon only depart from the Lisboa Sete Rios Bus Station. They do not leave from or pass by the airport.

2. To get from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon Sete Rios Long distance Coach Station take the following bus which leaves from outside the Arrivals hall:

(Aeroshuttle - Copy of note from Lisbon Airport website.) Aeroshuttle (CARRIS Nº96) - Available everyday, every 30 minutes between 7am and 11pm, the aeroshuttle connects Gare Oriente - Airport - Entrecampos - Sete Rios Bus/Coach Station - Praça de Espanha.

3. For online purchase have a look at this discussion by Cubsur on tripadvisor forums.

http://bit.ly/bXqWj7

As far as I am aware there is no difference in price whether tickets are purchase online or in persons.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Lisbon Airport to Quinta da Marinha, Cascais

Quinta da Marinha resort is located on the Atlantic side of Cascais, the famous coastal town about 25km from Lisbon.

There are no direct buses or trains. You could organise a private transfer or taxi as suggested above.

Another transfer company is: http://bit.ly/alg5sn

Alternatively, you could get the Aerobus service from outside Lisbon Airport arrivals hall to Cais de Sodre station:

See: http://bit.ly/9b2Ga3

From Cais de Sodre Station, you would then have to get a train to Cascais which takes about 35 minutes, depending on time of day/week/night.

On weekdays, trains that leave every 15 minutes on the 15 minute mark are high speed to Cascais.

Outside Cascais Station, you should be able to get a taxi for the 3km 5/10 min ride to Quinta da Marinha.

Boom Festival 2010 - Transport.

Lots of people are interested in public transport to Boom Festival 2010.
See these articles on my blog: http://bit.ly/9ucCmH

If you are working there, can you please have a go at the organisers about the lack of public transport access.

As I said in one of my posts...

"Boom is always a problem. Getting there and back by public transport is a real hassle as Idanha-a-Nova is right in the sticks.
It is something I find strange about an event that supposedly supports green issues. The amount of carbon monoxide that has to be emitted getting to the event must be huge, given that most people have to come by car or taxi from Caldas da Rainha. "

Monday 26 July 2010

Day Trip from Vilamoura/Loulé to Lisbon

I would not recommend driving to Lisbon for a day trip.

Although it will only take you about 2hrs:45mins, getting into the centre of Lisbon can be a pain as can be finding parking.

There are regular trains from Faro via Loulé Station ( on the old road from Quarteira to Loulé ) to Lisbon Entrecampos. (nearest station to Vilamoura).

There is an Alfa-Pendular from Loulé daily at 7h06 arriving Lisbon Entrecampos at 9h56.

Until the end of September (summer timetable) there are return departures as follows:

Lisbon Entrecampos 18h51  Loulé 21h44   2h53
Lisbon Entrecampos 19h30  Loulé 23h09 3h39

From Entrecampos I would recommend either a taxi or Metro(change at Pombal) to Rossio in the baixa, the old centre of Lisbon.

The above should give you at least 8 hours in Lisbon. (Delays withstanding)

You will be more relaxed. There are good on-board cafes on the train and you will have a great view of the Tejo and Lisbon going north as you come out of the tunnel just after Pragal station.

Tours of Northern Portugal

When I was in the North of Portugal, last month, I had the opportunity to visit the installations of QualityTours in Guimarẽs opposite the castle in Guimarães. These include a very well stocked shop with a wide range of souvenirs and locally produced wines and gifts.
 
The compay also provide a wide range of travel and tourism services for those visiting the North of Portugal.

Their web-site can be found here: http://www.qualitytours.pt

Largo Martins Sarmento
nº 89, r/c Esquerdo
4800-432 Guimarães
PORTUGAL
Telefone: +351 253 527144
Fax: +351 253 527146
E-mail: geral@qualitytours.pt

Lagos, Algarve to Lisbon - Public Transport

There are three ways to get from Lisbon to Lisbon by Public Transport:

1) Train - http://www.cp.pt

Extract of Full Timetable here: http://scr.bi/cF7njC

Transit Time to Lisbon between 3,5 and 4,5 hours.

Train Change at Tunes Junction.

Descend at Lisboa Entrecampos for Downtown Lisbon and Lisboa Oriente for Lisbon Airport.

Prices up to € 22.50 depending on train.

2) Bus - EVA/Rede Expressos - http://www.rede-expressos.pt - Arrive: Lisboa Sete Rios Bus Station

Extract of Bus Timetable (includes eva and rede expressos) here:

http://scr.bi/aZMews

Prices between € 18:00 and € 19:00 one way per adult.

3) Bus - Renex - Arrive: Lisboa Gare Oriente Bus Station

Timetables here in pdf format: http://www.renex.pt/Files/Horarios_SUL.pdf

Prices usually less than Rede Expressos but transit time about 4,5 hours.

Sunday 25 July 2010

How to get to Praia de Luz/Luz from Faro

There is no train to Praia da Luz. The nearest station is Lagos which is the western terminus of the Algarve Line.

A taxi/transfer to Praia da Luz from Faro Airport would start around € 70 but may increase depending of time of day/night/week-end etc

There are no direct public buses from Faro Airport to Praia da Luz. You must get a local bus to Faro Train/Bus Station and then a train or bus to Lagos and then another local Onda bus to Praia da Luz.

For more information have a look at Cubsur's excellent site:

http://www.algarvebus.info

Getting to Luz

Depends what you want to do. If you plan to stay in Luz all the time and just take a short daytime bus trip to Lagos, a transfer will do you fine.

A return transfer to Luz from Faro Airport will cost, based on current prices, in the order of € 140.00 depending on the transfer company.

In October, you may be able to get a budget small Class A hire car for +- € 150.00 for a week which would allow you also to explore the Western Algarve.

Saturday 24 July 2010

Easyjet - Serious Delays - London Gatwick

My wife is at present aboard an Easyjet plane waiting at a gate at London Gatwick with destination Faro, Algarve. (Flight Number EZY EZY8925).  

There were big delays at "check in" and in loading of the luggage. The estimated time for take-off was 16:20. The pilot has now informed the already boarded passengers, that because of the delay, the flight had lost its "slot" and now expects to have to wait until 18:25 for take-off.  

In principle, the flight may be up two hours late in Faro.

This is not the not only Easyjet horror story in recent weeks, and while it is easy to blame the French and Greek Air Traffic Controllers for the mayhem, this does not explain why passengers had to wait in the queue for up to 2 hours to get to a check-in desk.

Something is very very wrong with Easyjet, as well as the new owners of Gatwick. We are supposed to be in an economic crises with fewer people travelling. However, it seems that even with less people travelling and fewer airlines operating,  chaos still prevails.


Easyjet! Get bigger planes, fly longer routes to avoid France and LGW management get your act together.

Friday 23 July 2010

English brands in the Algarve

Ply her with G&T's instead... She won't know the difference!!! :)))

My recipe - effective year-round in the Algarve and stress-tested over the years on my other half's sibling who is a Professional full-time GD...(Gin Dragon)

- Large Glass
- 1 Good Glug of locally available Gin
- 2 slices of Locally available limes
- 2 slices of Algarve Lemon
- 4 to 5 ice cubes
- Dash of "Shhh" - ewe know who's Tonic Water

Works a treat...

or if you must, take a gander (or pato) down to Apolonia in Almancil...me suspects they should be able to oblige.

See: http://www.apolonia.pt/

Bus from Lisboa to Peniche on 25.07.2010

The last bus ( www.rede-expressos.pt ) on Sunday evening leaves from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station at 22:00hrs. This is exactly the time you will be arriving. It takes 15 minutes by taxi from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station. You should be there at least 30 minutes before the bus leaves to by a ticket.

The next bus is as follows:

Monday Morning:

Dept: 07:00
Arr: 08:35

So you may have sit the night at the airport or check in at a Hostel (better than the bus station.)

There are no trains from Lisbon to Peniche.

Bus service from Faro, Portugal to Estepona, Spain

I dropped an email to the Tourism Post at the Oficina Municipal de Turismo in Estepona about services between Seville and Estepona.

Their reply was as follows:

"Para llegar desde Estepona hasta Sevilla debe usted tomar dos autobuses: El primero desde Estepona hasta San Pedro de Alcántara, y el segundo desde San Pedro de Alcántara hasta Sevilla. Para el trayecto a la inversa el recorrido es el mismo. Para más información acerca de horarios, duración del trayecto y precios, le ruego visite la página web de la compañía www.ctsa-portillo.com donde encontrará toda la información de autobuses de la zona."

For those who don't do the Spanish:

"To get from Estepona to Seville should you take two buses: the first from Estepona to San Pedro de Alcantara, and the second from San Pedro de Alcantara to Seville. For the journey in reverse the route is the same. For more information about schedules, travel time and prices, please visit the company www.ctsa-portillo.com where you find all the information on buses in the area."

As the Faro to Seville winter timetables are not yet out, we can only surmise but based on last years winter schedules, the following routing may be possible:

Faro - DAMAS/EVA bus to Seville Plaza das Armas

Dept: Around 09:00
Arr: Seville Plaza das Armas circa 14:00 (Spanish Time)

Local C4 Bus to Estacion AutoBus Prado

ctsa-portillo bus - Seville Prado to San Pedro Alcàntara

Dept: 16:00
Arr: 19:20

ctsa-portillo - San Pedro Alcàntara - Estepona
Dept: 19:30
Arr: 20:05

or

Dept: 20:00
Arr: 20:35

Note all times are based on previous knowledge and existing timetables and may change with incoming winter timetables.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Seville - New Ryanair Base - Nov. 2010 / Ideas for new Routes

Ryanair have just announced the creation of their 44th Base at Seville, Andalucia, Spain.

Operations will begin in November 2010.

In addition to existing routes to Seville the following new routes will be created:

10 New Seville Routes

Bari
Paris
Eindhoven
Santiago
London (LGW)
Valencia
Marseille
Venice
Palma
Zaragoza

References:

lowcostportugal.net - http://bit.ly/98GF4n
ideal.es - http://bit.ly/cLCjP8

europeaninvestor.com

Additional routes from Seville, I personally think would be worth exploring by Ryanair or other low cost airlines, are

Seville-Porto
Seville-Lisbon (If a suitable deal can be done with the Portuguese Govt. to give Ryanair access to Lisbon.)

There is a lot of evidence of substantial demand from forums dealing with travel between Spain and Portugal for low-cost routes between Lisbon and other centres in the Iberian Peninsula including Seville and Malaga.

I also think that the time is coming, where Ryanair and/or other low cost airlines should be looking at (at least) seasonal routes between airports in Poland and the Iberian Peninsula.

This summer, here in the Algarve, I have met several Polish travellers, with and without much disposable income, who say they love Portugal and  Spain but that lack of good lowcost air links is a problem.

As the Polish economy seems to be in growth, unlike many other EU economies,
(see this recent article published in Business Week: http://bit.ly/c0sU45 ) , I cannot help thinking that low cost air routes between Poland, Spain and Portugal may offer potential growth opportunities to lowcosts!

Alvor to Lagos

Sorry for the delay in commenting on this.

http://dolphinseafaris.com/ have now mutated into a group operating under the name of Seafaris.

See: http://www.seafaris.net

What they do not yet advertise on the web, but what they are punting at Lagos Marina this summer is their Lagos - Alvor - Portimão Marina water taxi service.
According to their current flyer, Lagos/Alvor - one way is € 10.00 - Return € 15.00 (per person, I presume.) Lagos/Portimão add € 5.00 each way.
Their contact phone numbers for Lagos are (+351) 912009075 and (+351 282 798 727)

Driving to Cascais from Lisbon Airport

Hopefully, you will miss the tail-end of the Lisbon evening rush hour which can be manic.

I have driven in many cities around the world, and all around Portugal, in horrible traffic conditions, but the A5 Lisbon to Cascais is one of those urban motorways I always avoid as it is a racetrack complete with lunatic drivers!!
 If there are evening traffic jams or breakdowns blocking traffic, allow at least 90 minutes from the airport to Cascais.

Also be aware that road signs indicating of off-ramps on hte ring-road suddenly pop-up out the blue. If you are taking the 2º Circular (E01) to connect with A5, make sure, what ever you do, that if you miss the off-ramp for the A5, you do not miss the next off-ramp for Alcantara. If you do, you will end up over the toll bridge on the south side of the Tagus.

Lisbon to Figueira da Foz - Public Transport

There are two options to get from Lisbon to Figueira da Foz by Public Transport.

1) Rail

There are several trains throughout the day from Lisbon Gare Oriente Station (10 minutes by taxi from the Lisbon Radisson.) to Figueira da Foz.

The timetable can be found here: http://bit.ly/9BipiT.

Most require a change of train at Alfarelos Station. A couple require a chnage of train at Pombal and Alfarelos Stations.

2) Bus

Rede Expressos - http://www.rede-expressos.pt - have three daily services from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station (10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Lisbon Radisson depending on traffic.) to Figueira da Foz.

Current Schedules show the following departures:

Dept. Lisbon: 08:30       
Arr. FdF:     11:15

Dept. Lisbon: 15:45       
Arr. FdF:     18:30

Dept. Lisbon: 18:30
Arr. FdF:     21:30

Whichever option you take, I would recommend buying tickets the day before as your intended date of travel is ultra-high season.

Hope this helps.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Car Hire Algarve - No Stock at Present

I have just been meeting with a leading local internet marketing specialist for a car rental business here in the Algarve.

During our meeting of at least 45 minutes he had 5 to 6 calls from clients looking to hire cars for the coming week on arrival at Faro.

The bottom line is that most of the large car hire firms operating here in the Algarve have no vehicles available until well into the second week of August and most small ones have nothing available until at 1st August

This confirms similiar sentiments echoed by another local car hire firm on Sunday.

Basically, if you haven't pre-booked a car for your visit to the Algarve over the next tens days, it is highly unlikely you will get one.

Main reason for this is the lack of lease financing from the banks to enable car hire firms to boost their summer fleets.

Book early for 2011 as the drought of hire cars in high summer is likely to continue.
I have just been meeting with a leading local internet marketing specialist for a car rental business here in the Algarve.

During our meeting of at least 45 minutes he had 5 to 6 calls from clients looking to hire cars for the coming week on arrival at Faro.

The bottom line is that most of the large car hire firms operating here in the Algarve have no vehicles available until well into the second week of August and most small ones have nothing available until at 1st August

This confirms similiar sentiments echoed by another local car hire firm on Sunday.

Basically, if you haven't pre-booked a car for your visit to the Algarve over the next tens days, it is highly unlikely you will get one.

Main reason for this is the lack of lease financing from the banks to enable car hire firms to boost their summer fleets.

Book early for 2011 as the drought of hire cars in high summer is likely to continue.

Sunday 18 July 2010

Vigo to Porto/Lisbon

The train departure at 07:40 from Vigo is the only daytime train departure for Porto and Lisbon.

For buses try The train departure at 07:40 from Vigo is the only daytime train departure for Porto and Lisbon.

For buses try alsa.es.

There is a daily bus departure as follows:

Dept. VIGO          12:00
Arr.  LISBON Sete Rios 19:30  
 

Saturday 17 July 2010

Algarve - Car Hire - Car Rental - Luzcar - New Website

Luzcar, the well established and reputable car hire and car rental firm, based in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal and with a base at Faro Airport, Algarve, Portugal have just launched their new redesigned website.

See: http://www.luzcar.com
  
The writer of this blog has known Luzcar for many years and has often rented their vehicles.  The inclusive prices quoted by Luzcar may not appear to be the cheapest on the market, but include items such as free second driver, insurance to cover short trips to Spain etc. The quality of service offered by Luzcar is also almost always excellent.

This blog strongly recommends Luzcar for Car Hire and Car Rental in the Algarve. 


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Luzcar, une entreprise de location de voitures bien établie et de qualité basée à Lagos, Algarve, Portugal et avec une base à l'aéroport de Faro, Algarve, Portugal vient de lancer son nouveau site web redessiné.

Voir: http://www.luzcar.com

L'auteur de ce blog a connu Luzcar depuis de nombreuses années et a souvent loué leurs véhicules. Les prix TTC cité par Luzcar ne semblent pas être les moins chers sur le marché, mais comprennent des éléments tels que deuxième pilote libre, d'assurance pour couvrir les trajets courts à l'Espagne, etc. La qualité du service offert par Luzcar est également presque toujours excellent.

Ce blog recommande vivement Luzcar pour la location de voiture à l'Algarve.



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Luzcar, una empresa de alquiler de vehículos bien establecida y de la calidad, con base en Lagos, Algarve, Portugal y con una otra base en el aeropuerto de Faro, Algarve, Portugal ha puesto en marcha su nueva página web rediseñada.

Mostrar: http://www.luzcar.com

El autor de este blog ha sido Luzcar durante muchos años. Los precios inclusive Luzcar no parece ser el más barato en el mercado, pero incluyen elementos tales como el seguro del conductor libre segunda cubierta para viajes cortos a España, etc. La calidad del servicio prestado por Luzcar casi siempre es excelente.

Este blog recomienda encarecidamente Luzcar en alquiler de coches en el Algarve.



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Luzcar, una società di noleggio auto ben consolidata e di qualità con sede a Lagos, in Algarve, in Portogallo e con una base all'aeroporto di Faro, Algarve, Portogallo ha lanciato il suo nuovo sito web riprogettato.

Mostra: http://www.luzcar.com
 

L'autore di questo blog è stato Luzcar da molti anni e spesso elogiato i loro veicoli. Nei prezzi è compreso Luzcar non sembra essere la più economica sul mercato, ma comprendono elementi quali l'assicurazione secondo driver libero per coprire brevi viaggi in Spagna, ecc. La qualità del servizio fornito da Luzcar è quasi sempre eccellente.
 

Questo blog consiglia vivamente Luzcar per il noleggio auto in Algarve.


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Luzcar een autoverhuur bedrijf opgericht en kwaliteit op basis van in Lagos in de Algarve, Portugal en met een basis op de luchthaven in Faro, Algarve, Portugal heeft haar nieuwe website gelanceerd herontworpen.
 

Toon: http://www.luzcar.com
 

De auteur van deze blog is Luzcar vele jaren en vaak geprezen hun voertuigen. De prijzen inclusief Luzcar lijkt niet de goedkoopste te zijn op de markt, maar ook objecten, zoals een tweede pilot gratis verzekering dekking voor korte uitstapjes naar Spanje, enzovoort. De kwaliteit van de dienstverlening door Luzcar is bijna altijd uitstekend.
 

Deze blog raadt Luzcar voor autoverhuur in de Algarve.

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Luzcar, en biludlejning selskab veletableret og kvalitet baseret i Lagos, Algarve, Portugal og med en base i lufthavnen i Faro, Algarve, Portugal har lanceret sit nye redesignede hjemmeside.
 

Vis: http://www.luzcar.com
 

Forfatteren af denne blog har været Luzcar i mange år og ofte roste deres køretøjer. Priserne citeret inklusive Luzcar synes ikke at være den billigste på markedet, men omfatter emner såsom sekunder chauffør fri forsikringsdækning for korte ture til Spanien, osv.. Kvaliteten af service, som Luzcar er næsten altid fremragende.
 

Denne blog anbefaler stærkt Luzcar for biludlejning i Algarve.

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Luzcar, en biluthyrning företag etablerat och kvalitet baserat i Lagos, Algarve, Portugal och med en bas på flygplatsen i Faro, Algarve, Portugal har lanserat sin nya omgjorda hemsida.
 

Visa: http://www.luzcar.com

Författaren av denna blogg har Luzcar i många år och ofta lovordade deras fordon. Priserna anges inklusive Luzcar inte verkar vara billigast på marknaden, men innehålla uppgifter om sådant som andra förare gratis försäkringsskydd för korta resor till Spanien, osv. Kvaliteten på de tjänster som tillhandahålls av Luzcar är nästan alltid utmärkt.
Denna blogg rekommenderar starkt Luzcar för biluthyrning i Algarve.


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Luzcar, ein Autovermieter gut etabliert und Qualität in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal und mit einer Basis auf dem Flughafen in Faro, Algarve, Portugal Basis hat ihre neue Website lanciert neu gestaltet.
 

Show: http://www.luzcar.com
 

Autor dieses Blogs ist seit vielen Jahren Luzcar wurde oft gelobt und ihre Fahrzeuge. Die Preise verstehen sich inklusive Luzcar scheint nicht zu den billigsten auf dem Markt sein, aber auch Gegenstände wie zweiter Fahrer kostenlos Versicherungsschutz für Kurzreisen nach Spanien, etc.. Die Qualität der Dienstleistung durch Luzcar vorgesehen ist fast immer hervorragend.
Dieser Blog empfiehlt Luzcar für Mietwagen an der Algarve.


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LUZCAR, uma empresa de aluguer de automóveis bem estabelecida e de qualidade com base em Lagos, Algarve, Portugal e com uma base no aeroporto de Faro, Algarve, Portugal lançou o seu novo site redesenhado.

Mostrar: http://www.luzcar.com
 

O autor deste blog tem sido LUZCAR por muitos anos. Os preços cotados LUZCAR inclusive não parece ser o mais barato no mercado, mas incluem itens como segundo piloto de seguro grátis para cobrir viagens curtas para a Espanha, etc. A qualidade dos serviços prestados pelas LUZCAR é quase sempre excelente.
 

Este blog recomenda LUZCAR para o aluguer de automóveis no Algarve.

Marbella to Porto

This is a difficult route.

The only cheap direct way between Marbella and Porto is by bus via Seville and Lisbon.

For the bus:

There is a bus departure from Marbella to Seville(Prado) at 16:20 daily. Transit time 3.30 minutes. You can then connect with the alsa.es departure from Seville(Prado) at 23:45 arriving Porto at 12:15.(Portuguese time) the next day.


Alternatively, you could take a train from Malaga to Madrid and then a low-cost flight (ryanair.com) to Porto from Madrid to Porto.

By bus/air:

There is an alsa.es bus departure at 08:30 from Marbella arriving Madrid (Estacion Sur) at 15:45. You could then take the Metro to Madrid Barajas Airport to connect with the ryanair.com departure at 18:40 arriving Porto at 18:55 (Portugal Time.)

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Car Leasing - Portugal

Sorry for the delay in replying but have been considering this.

To be honest, I have no experience in car leasing here in Portugal.

I do know that car hire companies having been having one devil of a time getting lease financing for their fleets over the past 2 years owing to the economic crisis.

If you are a member of the RAC or AA you might be able to get advice from the Portuguese equivalent, the ACP.

They have an office in Faro just around the corner from the Station.

R. Francisco Barreto 26
8000 Faro

Tel: 289 898 950
Fax: 289802132

email: acpfaro@acp.pt


Hope this helps.

Train from Lisbon to Porto

Ok Friday is a week-day.

You need to allow time to clear immigration and customs.

You will then have to face the Lisbon rush hour traffic.

With bags, I would recommend a taxi.

Allow at least 2 to 2,5 hours before planning to catch your train

There is also the Aeroshuttle bus from outside the airport terminal to Gare Oriente.(CARRIS Nº96) - Available everyday, every 30 minutes between 7am and 11pm, the aeroshuttle connects the Airport with Gare Oriente.

You can get tickets at Gare Oriente station. The Ticket offices are on the mezzanine floor. Allow plenty of time to purchase them as the ticket offices may be busy at that time of the morning.

There are two main types of trains running between Porto and Lisbon.

1) Alfa Pendular - High Speed
2) Inter-city - More stops.

If you go to my blog at:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/

Scroll down on the right hand panel until you come to the section entitled:

»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

You will find links to the Portuguese Railways Porto/Lisbon/Faro Train Timetable in pdf fromat which details current services.

Both train types have cafe services with sandwiches and snack on  board. I would not try to pick up breakfast en route as the station and airport will be very busy at that time of day.

If the train is not busy, tourist class is fine. There is no smoking in the carriages.

Monday 12 July 2010

Bullfight in Evora - eyewitness opinion - "Cows with guns!"

Much as I love the Iberian Peninsula and I love good horsemanship, my belief in the "the Right to arm bears!" also extends to "the Right to arm Bulls!"





http://bit.ly/9tdXhB

Beach Party - Lagos

Unfortunately, the Maritime Police have now increased their presence in Lagos and are now taking a very dim view of such parties.

One such party got a visit a couple of weeks ago and everyone had to pack up and go home.

It's all part of the effort to Lagos Council, during this economic crisis, to chase away budget travellers and caravaners, and fill the new 4/5 star hotels that have been built or are being built.

Saturday 10 July 2010

Portugal - Lisbon to Ericeira Bus Timetables

The following links lead to the latest timetables (in pdf format) for the bus services operated by Mafrense, (http://www.mafrense.pt/ ),  between Lisbon, Portugal and Ericeira, Portugal.

http://scr.bi/cDBnvf

http://scr.bi/cUqNhF

http://scr.bi/agqSWN

Recent Trip to Galicia - Photos - Ribadavia

The following are some photos from the area of the delightful town of Ribadavia, in Galicia, Spain just north of the Portuguese border.

Ribadavia - Plaza Maior  

 Ribadavia - Street View













Traditional Galician Grain Store on Stone Pillars - Near Ribadavia.

Friday 9 July 2010

Barcelona to Castelo Branco

There is no direct train from Barcelona to Castelo Branco.

You would need to take a train from Barcelona to Madrid and then a train or bus from Madrid to Lisbon. 

Altenatively, vueling.com fly from Barcelona to Lisbon.

There is a train from Madrid to Badajoz but you would have difficulty getting from Badajoz to Castelo Branco.

If you are going to the Boom festival, the organisers do offer buses from Madrid and Lisbon Airports.

See: http://bit.ly/cHU6d7

Also see my recent comments here: http://bit.ly/ayPd2E and http://bit.ly/9aU8gD.

From Lisbon you would need to get a bus from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station to Castelo Branco,

For timetable see: http://scr.bi/d72U1m (Page 2 - Scroll Down)

or Train

For timetable see: http://scr.bi/bnFP8W

Hope this helps.

Thursday 8 July 2010

Tavira, Portugal to Tarifa, Spain

By Public transport the only option is bus to Seville Estacion Plaza das Armas Bus Station, C4 Bus to Estacion Prado, and then TG Comes Bus to Tarifa.

Algarve - Seville - Current bus timetable here: - http://scr.bi/bE7TZg

Seville - Tarifa bus timetable here - http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_33.htm

Seville to Marbella by Bus

Seville to Marbella direct bus timetable here:

http://bit.ly/advMn3

See Page 5.

3 services per day.

Lisbon to Morocco options

Rail is not an option!

Small matter of few train links between Portugal and Spain, the Straits of Gibraltar and yet to be developed submersible trains/rail tunnel to be built.

Basically you will have to head by coach to Tarifa/Algeciras in Spain or by a scheduled flight with a major airline or as from 2nd November 2010, nip up to Porto and get ryanair.com from Porto to Marrakesh.

These old articles on my blog may also be off interest.

http://bit.ly/dDmFsb

Portimão to Lisbon - Public Transport

Lets summarise this:

There are three ways to get from Portimão to Lisbon by Public Transport:

1) Train - http://www.cp.pt

Departures (Summer 2010 timetable) at

6h29
8h50
13h10
14h28
16h38
18h28

Transit Time to Lisbon between 3,5 and 4,5 hours.

Train Change at Tunes Junction.

Descend at Lisboa Entrecampos for Downtown Lisbon and Lisboa Oriente for Lisbon Airport.

Prices up to € 22.50 depending on train.

2) Bus - EVA/Rede Expressos - http://www.rede-expressos.pt - Arrive: Lisboa Sete Rios Bus Station

Extract of Bus Timetable (includes eva and rede expressos) here:

http://scr.bi/dzQThc

Prices between € 18:00 and € 19:00 one way per adult.

3) Bus - Renex - Arrive: Lisboa Gare Oriente Bus Station

Timetables here in pdf format: http://www.renex.pt/HorarDwn.php

(Site downloads not working at present.) Prices usually less than Rede Expressos but transit time about 4,5 hours.

Buses/Trains between Albufeira and Sagres

The only realistic way to get from Albufeira to Sagres by public transport is by bus.

It is necessary to take a bus from Albufeira to Lagos.

Current Timetable here: http://bit.ly/bB9nPB

Then another from Lagos to Sagres.

Current Timetable here: http://bit.ly/6CpGiy

Note that not all the buses run daily.

Click on the word "ver" to see detail. "Diariamente" means "daily".

Timetables from Sagres to Lagos:

Current Timetable here: http://bit.ly/9U2GN5

Timetables from Lagos to Albufeira:

Current Timetable here: http://bit.ly/daITKD

There is a train leaving Lagos at 19h14 arriving Albufeira Station at 20h22.

Please note, however, that Albuferia station is 8km from Albufeira Centre.

There is no bus to Albufeira that connects with this train so it would mean a taxi to town.

Also see Cubsur's excellent website here: http://www.algarvebus.info

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Monday 5 July 2010

Fatima - Mass Schedule

St. Luke 11:9

See: http://bit.ly/9EhGzX

Exits stage left quickly, muttering "Hail Mary's", closely followed by an enraged papal bull and watching closely for imminent lightning strikes from the management upstairs!!!

::)))

Transport - Praia de Pedrogão

I have just checked out the website for Camara Municipal de Leiria in whose area Praia de Pedrogão lies. It turns out the the main bus operator in the area appears to be RodoTejo. According to the RodoTejo website ( http://www.rodotejo.pt ) there is only one bus per day on weekdays from Leira/Monte Real to Praia de Pedrogão and one bus back. Even in summer, it appears bleak.

The bus depart Leiria at 10:15, arriving PdP 11:10.
The return bus departs at 12:20 arriving Leiria at 13:17.

It is probably better to come from Porto, as you can get a metro from the Airport to Porto Campanha and then change trains at Coimbra-B and Bifurcacao De Lares before disembarking at Monte Real or Leiria to get a taxi to PdP..

I have published an extract from the current CP rail timetable here:

http://scr.bi/9jHktL

Nazare to Lisbon

According to the Rede Expressos site there are two daily departures from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station to Nazare at 12:00 and 14:00. Transit times are 1hr50min. First return in the mornings is a daily departure at 06:50.

I have posted the relevant Rede - Expressos timetable extract here:

http://scr.bi/bmuglz

To get from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon Sete Rios Long distance Coach Station take the following bus which leaves from outside the Arrivals hall:

(Aeroshuttle - Copy of note from Lisbon Airport website.) Aeroshuttle (CARRIS Nº96) - Available everyday, every 30 minutes between 7am and 11pm, the aeroshuttle connects Gare Oriente - Airport - Entrecampos - Sete Rios Coach Station - Praça de Espanha.

Tickets (3,50€) can be purchased onboard and also in the Tourism Office at arrivals (public area).

Tel. +351 213 582 334)

Transit time about 20 minutes.

Lagos, Algarve, Portugal or Hvar, Croatia?

OK I am biased as I live in Lagos, but I do think that Lagos fits yor bill.

We has a steady throughput of young travellers from the US, OZ, NZ and Canada, most staying at one of the various hostels here in Lagos.

We have excellent beaches, including the 5km long Meia Praia Beach.

At night there are several bars and great restaurants where everyone hangs out.
Lagos is less busy than Albufeira and more attuned to an varied International crowd.

List of Hostels in Lagos here: http://bit.ly/ci0kyk

One downer though is that getting to Malaga from here means either hiring a car or changing buses in Seville.

This link may be helpful: http://bit.ly/cYBCK1

Also Malaga itself is a port city. Nice as it is, I'm not sure you shouldn't be looking at places down the coast from there like Fuengirola, Marbella etc.

Sunday 4 July 2010

Lisbon to Bilbao transfer

This is a long long trip of over 1000km taking at least 8 hours.

For Group Bus Hire on this route have a look at this recent article on my blog: http://bit.ly/9iF3w1

Faro to Islantilla

There is certainly no train service. There are no direct buses either.

The nearest town to Islantilla with a substantial bus service is Lepe, the "strawberry capital" of Spain and about 20km east of Ayamonte on the old Ayamonte - Huelva Road..

I have checked on the Spanish web and while there are indications that DAMAS, the local bus company operate between Lepe and Islantilla,

This schedule might work but is convoluted:

Faro Airport to Faro Station - Taxi or Bus

Faro Station to Vila Real Sta. Antonio Station - Train (The Damas/EVA bus to Ayamonte/Seville times do not tie in with this schedule unfortunately as there is no corresponding bus between Ayamonte and Lepe.)

Dept. Faro: 14h34
Arrive VRSA: 15h41 (16.41 Spanish Time)

Walk 1km to the Ferry over the Guadiana (Add one hour for Spanish Time)

Ferry to Ayamonte and 1 km walk to the Bus Station Bus

Dept. Ayamonte 19:00
Arr: Lepe: 19:15

Taxi 7kms to Islantilla.

or: (just found this link)

The Lepe Council (Ayuntamiento de Lepe,) have just announced on their website that there will be a bus running every 30 minutes from Lepe to La Antilla and back from 07:00 to 24:00 throughout the summer. Islantilla appears to be on the route into La Antilla, which is the local village.

See: http://bit.ly/aIHt25
Remember it may be quite hot at the end of August and walking between the Station with baggage is probably not what you want.

The alternative is a transfer with one of the myriad shuttle companies operating out of Faro Airport, such as http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/faro-airport/index.php

Bus from lisbon sete rios to estoril

There are no direct buses from Sete Rios to Estoril.

Your best bet is to get a Metro from Sete Rios to Baixa Chiado Metro Station, Change there to the Green(Verde) line to Cais de Sodre. At Cais de Sodre you can get a suburban train every 15 to 20 minutes to Estoril. Takes about 30 minutes or so.

First time into Faro

Bus Info: See Cubsur's: http://www.algarvebus.info

Fado music in the Algarve off-season might be a bit difficult. Its more a Lisbon and Coimbra Thing.

The "O Papagaio" restaurant in Espiche outside Lagos, in the Western Algarve, does offer Fado sometimes but I have not been out there this year.

See: http://bit.ly/9AH3lD

Although its a bit of a way from Faro, I would suggest you have a look at Lagos, Burgau and Salema in the Western Algarve. Good beaches and good public transport links.

Saturday 3 July 2010

Summer 2010 - EVA/DAMAS buses - Seville - Algarve- (Faro/Lagos/etc) - Lisbon

Just picked up the new summer schedules for the EVA/DAMAS bus service from Seville (Sevilla), Spain to Lagos, Algarve, Portugal.

These are effective from 4th July 2010 until 6th September 2010.

Frequency is now 4 services per day with two high speed services and 2 through connections to Lisbon.

See: http://scr.bi/bE7TZg

Seville airport to Faro airport

Let's try to be clear!

1) There are only two efficient and effectives ways to get from Seville Airport to Faro Airport!

a) Car
b) Bus/Private Transfer

2) Seville Airport to Faro Airport.

According to Google Maps the distance between the two is 213 km or about 2 hours 6 mins.

I live in the Algarve and have driven this route many times, the last time 2 weeks ago, and I would suggest 2hrs. 15mins is nearer the target if traffic in Seville is heavy.

a) By Car

There is one company that does, at times offer, reasonable priced car hire from Spain to Portugal, specifically Faro Airport. I know that some people have encountered difficulties with them in peak season owing to a shortage of cars, but is is worth a shot.

See: http://www.iberiacarhire.com/

b) By Bus

Firstly, you will need to get a the airport bus from Seville Airport into the Prado bus station and then a C4 local bus to the Plaza das Armas bus Station.

By September, as Cubsur says above, the bus frequency between Seville and Faro will probably be down to 3 buses per day. We are unlikely to know the schedules until early September but it is unlikely they will differ much.

Based on last winter, I reckon the applicable daily bus timetables will be as follows :

DAMAS/EVA

Sevilha 07:30 Faro 10:10
Sevilha 16:15 Faro 18:55

ALSA.es

SEVILLE 23:59 FARO 02:15 next day

You will then need to get a local bus from Faro Bus Station to Faro Airport.
Bus times here on Cubsur's site: http://bit.ly/c2NFqI

As regards private transfer:

These guys are currently quoting € 226.50 for transfer from Seville Airport to Faro Airport.

http://bit.ly/9UdwBj

I am sure that other transfer companies, such as polotur or algarve-365.com will quote similiar prices.

I really do not think dropping of cars in Huelva or Ayamonte will make the trip any quicker or cheaper. Huelva is a pig of a city to drive around and then finding the bus station is not easy either.

Ayamonte is OK. However, you have to get the ferry across to Vila Real de Sta. Antonio, and then either train or bus to Faro and then a bus or cab to the Airport. One other point though, is that, if I remember correctly, several car hire firms offices are not in Ayamonte itself but on the Isla Canela nearby. That means more taxi fares back to Ayamonte.

From my perspective, you are as well dropping off the car at Seville Airport and taking the bus direct from Seville to Faro, even if it means adjusting your plans..

Lagos - Update - July 2010

In a bit of a rush but will posted fuller note over the week-end.

- New Car Park (Largo das Armas) behind old city walls - Now open!

- New Car Park on the main Avenida - Open but was full just now when I passed

- Avenida is now open again for through traffic.

- Car Park by Marina Rio Hotel being tarred.

WARNING - Police now patrolling Avenida aggresively looking for badly parked cars etc

Completion Works - Still ongoing at all carparks.

Thursday 1 July 2010

Getting from Algarve to Valencia

This is a difficult one and not the first time it has been asked.

There are few easy and cheap ways to get directly from the Algarve to the Costa da Sol, Valencia and Barcelona.

I would suggest that bus would the fastest and cheapest even though it will take the best part of the day.

There are two buses per day from Lagos to Seville. (Estacion das Armas Bus Station)

See: http://bit.ly/9abIPU

Alsa.es - Seville (Estacion das Armas marked without *P*) to Valencia Timetable
http://bit.ly/9JMgx6

Hope this helps