Preços de Lulas em Aljezur sobe após visita de turista inglês.

Relata-se que os preços das Lulas disparam em Aljezur, Algarve, após um turista Inglês e sua esposa visitaram o mercado do Aljezur ontem, conforme relatado na imprensa local e internacional. (Teriam viajado para o Algarve por easyjet.com).

Veja:

http://bit.ly/1btUfCZ

http://ind.pn/149vsBs

http://huff.to/14j9Fjs

http://bit.ly/14jagld

Squid Price in Aljezur spikes after English Tourist visits

It is reported that the price of squid (lulas) has spiked in Aljezur, Algarve after an English Tourist and his wife visited Aljezur market yesterday, (They allegedly travelled to the Algarve by easyjet.com), as reported in the international and local press..

links here:

http://bit.ly/1btUfCZ

http://ind.pn/149vsBs

http://huff.to/14j9Fjs

http://bit.ly/14jagld

Lisbon, Portugal - No Second Low-Cost Airport for Now.

lowcostportugal.net reported yesterday that the Portuguese Secretary of State for Transport, Sr. Sérgio Monteiro, in an address whilst opening a new shopping complex at Lisbon Airport, had advised that the Portuguese Government had decided that no new infrastructure in the form of a "second low-cost" airport was necessary, at present.

This appears to terminate the ongoing discussions about the possibility of using one of the airbases at Montijo, Alverca or Sintra for low-cost operations.

It is suggested that recent studies indicate that the existing Lisbon Portela Airport could have capacity, with investment, for up to 22 million pax per year well up on the 18 million previous forecast to be reached in 2018.  

Article (In Portuguese) here: http://bit.ly/14PRmsx

Um aeroporto low cost em Lisboa? - lowcostportugal.net.

Um aeroporto low cost em Lisboa? Estado diz que a Portela chega, por agora.

Weather Forecasts for the Algarve,Portugal

I would like to clarify why some many apps and websites provide the wrong info on weather in and around the Lagos, Algarve Area.

According to my research, there are only two official internationally recognised Weather Stations in the Algarve at Sagres and at Faro Airport. Most non-Portuguese web sites providing "weather forecasts" for Lagos, Algarve, actually appear to take their readings from the Sagres weather station. Unfortunately, many websites do not take into account that Sagres, lying on a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic has its own "micro-climate" which can result in weather conditions being totally different than those in Lagos +- 30km away. This is often the case, for example, in the case of BBC weather forecasts for Lagos.

The only reasonably accurate weather forecast for Lagos and other centres in the Algarve is from the Portuguese Met. Office where they extrapolate the data from the main stations and using local knowledge and history make reasonable accurate predictions. (though not all the time)

Portuguese Met Office: http://www.ipma.pt/en/index.html

To find local forecasts, select Faro from the "District" drop-down menu and then the nearest Algarve town to one's location from the City/Town drop down menu.

Lisbon, Portugal - Airport to Hotel Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade

he Hotel Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade, located on Avda. da Liberdade.

This Hotel is situated about 8 km from the airport. 

Map here: http://goo.gl/maps/Yt0XJ

Taxi Cost will depend on time of day/night/week-end and nº. of bags and can be estimated at the time of writing at between € 9.00 and € 15.00.

If one takes a taxi, MAKE SURE:

1) one gets a 4 seater cab not a 6 seater or the price goes up

2) the driver switches the meter on BEFORE he/she starts moving. (Any probs, there is usually a police office on duty around the stand. )

The Hotel is about 100m from the Metro Avenida Station.

To travel there by Metro, turn right when exiting the baggage hall, bear right when reaching the bottom of the ramp, one will see two large glass doors and signs for the Metro. Enter the Metro, "Red Line - Linha Vermelha" , buy a ticket and jump on any train and stay on until one reaches the Terminus at São Sebastião.

At São Sebastião, follow the signs for the "Blue Line - Linha Azul", direction Stª. Apolonia. Jump on any train and at the third two stop exit at Station "Metro Avenida."

Metro Map here:

http://bit.ly/143Lvti

Port of Leixões(Porto) Passenger terminal to Castelo do Queijo.

Leixões is the only port in the Porto Area capable of handling Cruise Liners of any size. According to the Port Authority website Passenger/Cruise vessels come alongside at Quay Nº. 1 on the North side of the main basin, which also happens to lie within the boundaries of the parish of Leça da Palmeira, which, in turn is a parish of Matsinhos.

See this map from the Port of Leixões Authority website:https://www.apdl.pt/gca/index.php?id=187

The Metro from Porto (Line 4/Blue Line - direction Sr. de Matsinhos) runs along the south side of the port. There is a halt at "Mercado" which is close to the bridge across the river. It appears from Google street view that there are stairs from the pedestrian walkway on the West side of the bridge down to street level on the North - West Side approximately 3/4 of the way across. Remember when dealing with ports that distances are deceptive. What appears a 500m walk may end up 1km because of fences etc.

The bus route 507 does not run near the Castelo do Queijo which is located at Praça Gonçalves Zarco, 4100-274 Porto. See map:http://goo.gl/maps/1t77F

See this google map: http://goo.gl/maps/fgF2j

I have checked with the online site of stcp.pt, the Porto Bus Company. There is no direct bus service from the North Side of the Port.

However, if you walk over the the famous bridge, turn right and in front/near "Mercado" metro stop there is a bus stop (São Pedro) served by Bus lines 502 (Direction) BOLHÃO and 500 (Direction) LOIOS. Descend at CASTELO DO QUEIJO bus stop.

It is also possible to get the 507 bus from the North Side near the passenger terminal, (Bus stop Fresca) change at "Mercado" to either the 502 or 507 as above.

Video - Two Orcas/Killer Whales - Sagres, Portugal

Portuguese news channel SIC Noticias reported this evening, with video footage, that two Orcas/Killer Whales were sighted today offshore Sagres/Cabo São Vincente/ Cape St. Vincent.

Video (in Portuguese) below (allow adverts to play):

Wizzair Annouces start of services to Moscow

Hot on the heals of its decision to make Warsaw Chopin its Warsaw base, Routes Online reports this morning that Wizzair have announced the commencement of flights from Budapest to Moscow as from  late September 2013.

This will be Wizzair's first route to Russia.

See: http://bit.ly/13SSfkP 

Wizz Air Confirms Chopin Airport as Warsaw gateway

Warsaw's "low-cost" option Airport, Modlin, it turning into an disaster!

Travel and Tour World today reports that Wizzair have decided to make permanent the transfer of all their Warsaw operations to Warsaw Chopin Airport.

It will be interesting to see if Ryanair which is due to start operations from Warsaw Modlin in early September 2013, follow suit!

See: Wizz Air Confirms Warsaw Chopin Airport

Where next for Spanish high-speed rail? | International Railway Journal

Intersting article here on the future of high speed rail in Spain.

Where next for Spanish high-speed rail? | International Railway Journal

Coimbra. Portugal - Local Bus Company SMTUC now offers hourly ticket

The Portuguese specialist transport publication "Transportes em Revista" reports that SMTUC, the city bus company for the famous University town of Coimbra, has today announced the introduction of a new ticketing system “Bilhete Horário” which allows passengers to by a ticket valid for travel on the city's buses for one hour. This allows passengers to changes buses without purchasing a new ticket for a new sector within a period of 60 minutes..  

Article here (in Portuguese): http://bit.ly/12AfzRq

Lisbon, Portugal - Sete Rios Bus Station

The Lisboa Sete Rios bus station looks like, well, one's usual bog standard nondescript european bus station set in what used to be sidings for the Lisboa Metro.

Many many moons ago, when I was a lad, Sete Rios Metro Station was called exactly that, "Sete Rios". Then some lunatic decided that as the local zoo was just around the corner, they would change the name of the Metro Station to "Jardim Zoologico".

This also confused the local inmates of the afore-mentioned zoological establishment when trying to get back to their cages before opening time on a Saturday or Sunday morning after a heavy night on the town.

Something like this: http://youtu.be/Xr3_tcYhdUQ

Lisboa Sete Rios Train Station and Bus Station and Metro Jardim Zoologico are all one and the same complex. One walks out the north-east-facing ground floor exit of the train station, having ascended from the metro, cross the taxi rank and there are a set of stairs/escalator leading up to the bus station.

See: http://goo.gl/maps/4nUZ3

(Rail/Metro station to the left - bus station a/k/a rodoviario to the right up the stairs)

Lisbon, Portugal to Carcassone/Bezier, France

Possible route as follows:

Train/Bus from Lisbon to Porto Campanha.

Metro from Porto Campanha to Porto Airport.

Ryanair.com from Porto Airport to Carcassone Aeroport(Sunday,Wednesday,Fridays)

Shuttle to Carcassone-Ville

SNCF to Bezier (+- 45 to 60min)

Bus from Lisbon Airport to Serta

1) There is NO direct bus from Lisboa Airport to Serta.

2) One needs to take a bus or taxi to Lisboa Sete Rios Long Distance Bus Station.

3) From there one gets a "Rede-Expressos" ( http://www.rede-expressos.pt ) bus to Serta.

To travel from the Airport to Lisboa Sete-Rios Bus Station take the Aerobus Line 2 Bus from outside the main arrivals hall at the Airport. The service runs every 40 minutes from 07:30 to 22.00. Takes about 25 minutes depending on traffic.

See: http://bit.ly/12uNdIe

One really need to get to the Bus Station 30 minutes beforehand to get you tickets unless one can manage to buy them online.

If you miss this bus, the next one is at 15:45 arriving 19:45.

Taxi - Serta: http://bit.ly/1dtFYC0


http://rede-expressos.pt also operate return services.

Wizzair - More new routes to Israel from Poland, Romania and Lithuania

Globes Business News (Israel) today reported that Wizzair is to start new routes from Ben Gurion to Vilnius, Katowice and Cluj-Napoca on October/November 2013.

See: http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000860948

I'm still disappointed that WizzAir corporate communications manager Daniel de Carvalho does not appear not been able to encourage the airline to explore routes from Poland to his home country of Portugal. 

I am certain that there could be a market for low-cost flights year round to Porto to service, among others, Polish pilgrims wishing to visit the Catholic shrine at Fatima and, as well, summer routes for holiday makers travelling to Faro in the Algarve from at least Polish and Hungarian airports, where there are no direct scheduled routes at present.

Bus from Lisbon to Lagos

(This is an example itinerary on how to get, by public transport, from Lisbon Airport to Lagos, Algarve based on a mid/late-morning flight arrival.)

With children, I would usually recommend the train.

There is a 14h20 train departure from Lisbon Gare Oriente arriving in Lagos at 18h57. (Change at Tunes junction.) One can buy tickets online at www.cp.pt (click on the Union Jack in the top right hand corner for the english version.)

There is a 12:30 departure EVA Bus departure from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station arriving Lagos Bus Station at 16:15. One would need to take a taxi from the Airport to the Bus Station, as timing may be tight by the time one pass through immigration and collect your bags. This bus does NOT stop en route...there is an on-board toilet. One can buy tickets on-line through http://www.rede-expressos.pt/. (click on the Union Jack in the top right hand corner for the english version.)

If you miss this bus, the next service from this bus station is the 14:00 Rede Expressos arriving 18:05 and there will be a 15 to 20 minute stop en route. (Instructions for ticket purchase as above)

The Renex.pt bus takes the longest but there is one that leaves Lisbon Gare Oriente Train/Bus station at 13:00 arriving Lagos 17:30. There will be a 15 to 20 minute stop en route. This appears time-wise to be the best connection. However, purchasing tickets for these Renex services outside Portugal can be a pain. The Lagos Renex agent says that if one calls the Lisbon office on 218 956 836, they can reserve seats and one can pick up the tickets at the RENEX Gare Oriente Ticket office on arrival there. There is no email service.

The problem with groups and in high season one really needs to reserve tickets before hand to ensure seats.

If one choosea either the RENEX Bus or the CP Train from Lisbon Gare Oriente, one can get the Lisbon Metro Red Line from the Airport in the direction of São Sebastião. It is only three stops.

From Lagos to Luz one has have two options: taxi or bus

The relevant bus timetable can be found here:

aonda.pt/templates/…Linha4Amarela.pdf

Wizzair to start Winter 2013/2104 Routes to Egypt

http://airlineroute.net has published an article stating that Wizzair.com will be starting weekly services from Warsaw and Katowice in Poland and Budapest in Hungary to Hurghada in Egypt on 28th October 2013.

Article here: http://bit.ly/12w1ZuC

I wish Wizzair would consider starting similar services from these bases to Faro in the Algarve, Portugal and Madeira.

E Lisboa a vê-los passar - os aviões da Ryanair - Dinheiro Vivo

More on the Ryanair/Lisbon saga (in Portuguese):

E Lisboa a vê-los passar - os aviões da Ryanair - Dinheiro Vivo

Book Sellers in Lisbon

There used to be a antiquarian book fair held under the arcades at Praça do Comerçio on Sunday Mornings.but I think with the remodelling of the square this has now passed on.

There used to be several antiquarian booksellers in the area around Calçada de Carmo running up from Restauradores Station to Largo do Carmo. Some may still be there but with the economic crisis don't count on it.

There also is a wonderful bookshop in Cascais, (40 minutes by train from Lisboa Cais de Sodre Station) Livraria Galileu, which sells all sorts of 2nd hand books in Portuguese and other different languages!

See: http://www.livrariagalileu.pt/

and

http://goo.gl/maps/YAVgT

Address:

Avenida Valbom 24-A

2750 Cascais‎

(3 minutes walk from Cascais Station)

I have had many a happy hour rustling through their piles in their basement storeroom.

Cleveland, Ohio, USA to Sevilla, Spain

Here is a list of airlines serving Sevilla Airport:

http://bit.ly/16dz1Rm

Here is a list of airlines erving Cleveland Airport.....

clevelandairport.com/Airport-Guide/Airlines.…

There does not appear to be any direct flights from Cleveland into a European hub.

Looks like one could be tied to a US Airline flying into a Spanish hub namely Madrid or Barcelona..

A check on the Cleveland Airport interactive route map show none of the US airlines are offering a through routing from Cleveland to Sevilla.

However, have a look at klm.com and airfrance.com. They do offer routings from Cleveland via Detroit and Amsterdam into Sevilla. Be aware that in December, prices will rise considerably after mid-month because of Christmas.

As Cleveland has no direct flights to European hubs, a minimum of three flights will be needed to get into and out of Sevilla.

New airport for Sintra

There have been ongoing discussions about the possibility of allowing low-cost operators to use one of the airbases around Lisbon, just like Ryanair.com and Wizzair.com use Ciampino Air base outside Roma.

The airbases that have been examined include Montijo, one the south side of the Tejo, just the other side of the Vasco da Gama bridge, Alverca about 20km North of the current airport at Portela and Sintra air base. The study has been going on for the past two years and although decisions are constantly promised in "the near future", to date nothing has been announced.

 I can see why!

Public transport options from Sintra to Lisbon is limited and the IC19 motor-road between the two is close to saturation.

 Alverca has a technical problem in so far as its approach and take-off paths may clash with those from Portelas Lisbon Airport. It would be the easiest and most convenient as there is a station on the Lisbon-Porto line just near the airbase.

 Montijo is the most often talked about option as it would also benefit tourism developments near Setubal and elsewhere in the Alentejo. However, public transport into Lisbon could be a problem.

 If you have a smattering of Portuguese, follow Sergío Bastos excellent website

 http://www.lowcostportugal.net/

Sergío is usually the first to publish news on new developments in the Portuguese commercial aviation world! (except on the odd occasion when I have beat him to it! ;).

If anything is announced about this, he will be one of the first to know.

However, personally, I think it is at present a long-shot given Portugal's current ongoing economic and political shenigans!

A final interesting point is that the IATA winter 2013/2014 slot requests for Lisbon Airport were released last week and Paddyair.com, (who at present do not operate from Lisbon Airport) have requested a substantial (read a stupidly high) number of slots. There has been no announcement from St. Michael of O'Leary about possible Lisbon routes but this may be start of negotiations with the new operators of Lisbon Airport, to figure out a way to make it commercially possible to enhance low-cost flight operations from Lisbon. (I suspect an agreement on landing and handling fees will be the main stumbling block.)

 See (in Portuguese): http://bit.ly/12KZeoj