Ryanair - New Dublin Route To Bremen

Ryanair yesterday announced a new Dublin to Bremen route starting September 2013

For more info see:

New Dublin Route To Bremen

Lisbon Airport Online Shop

There is an online Lisbon airport shop where you can pickup puchase on arrival. 

It operates between 08:00 and 22:00.

However, for those interested the site is:

https://www.airport-shopping.eu

and there is an collection point within the baggage hall prior to customs.

I saw it last time I was through LIS at the beginning of the month!

See:

http://goo.gl/fi65i

Braga - Article in the Dallas News

Interesting Article on Braga in the Dallas News from February 22, 2013:

http://www.dallasnews.com/travel/international/20130222-three-perfect-days-in-braga-portugal.ece

London City Airport (LCY) to Faro (FAO) - Summer 2013

BA will be operating three flights a week between London City Airport (LCY) and Faro (FAO), Algarve, Portugal between 22 July 2013 and 30 August 2013.

See: http://goo.gl/zV7a9

Ryanair - Dublin Runway Caper - February 15

Not good news for St. Michael of O'Leary:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2283617/Ryanair-just-screwed-What-Dublin-Airport-flight-controller-told-airline-plane-forced-jets-abort-landing.html

First problems with flights in Spain and Italy, now problems at home base!!!!!

Bus Station (Rede Expressos) in Porto

The main bus station in Porto from where long distance Rede-Expressos and Citi-Express services arrive and depart is:

ROD. BEIRA LITORAL-GARAGEM ATLANTICO

RUA ALEXANDRE HERCULANO Nº366

4000 PORTO

Tel.: 222052459

(2 minutes walking from "Praça da Batalha")

Its location can be found on the following map:

http://goo.gl/vp7Vh

If you then need to use the Metro, the closest station is Metro Station Bolhão, 5-6 minutes walk from "Praça de Batalha.

Coimbra do Chaupal

On the topic of Coimbra, I would mention my acquaintance Jõao Farinha, and the guitarristas from Fado do Centro on Rua do Quebra Costas nº 7 - 3000-340 Coimbra in Coimbra. (You'll find out why the street is called "Quebra Costas" when you go there!) ))

João has a wonderful voice and his colleagues have created a wonderful show case for the haunting and melodic sounds of the traditional Fado of Coimbra.

See: http://www.fadoaocentro.com/

Here they perform the famous fado do Coimbra, "Coimbra", while strolling through the streets of Coimbra. I have had the pleasure to listen to them in person five or six times and it is a wonderful experience!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xry3cOuw2M

The lyrics in Portuguese are:

Coimbra do Choupal,
Ainda és capital
Do amor em Portugal,
Ainda.

Coimbra, onde uma vez,
Com lágrimas se fez
A história dessa Inês 
Tão linda!

Coimbra das canções,
Tão meiga que nos pões
Os nossos corações
A nu.
Coimbra dos doutores,
P'ra nós os teus cantores
A fonte dos amores
És tu.

Coimbra é uma lição
De sonho e tradição
O lente é uma canção

E a lua a faculdade
O livro é uma mulher
Só passa quem souber
E aprende-se a dizer

Saudade.

The lyrics cannot be literally translated as the song conveys the "alma" of the students of Coimbra and their longing (saudades) for their famous alma-mater. It also makes romantic references to incidents in Portuguese history. 

The line "A história dessa Inês " casts Coimbra as Inês de Castro, who was murdered in Coimbra in 1325. (See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In%C3%AAs_de_Castro)

Enjoy!

Almond Blossom in the Algarve

A good presentation on the history of the famous January/February almond blossom in the Algarve region of Portugal:

http://visitportugalblog.blogspot.pt/2013/02/algarve-almond-trees-in-blossom.html

Lisbon Airport, Portugal - Aerobus to Gare Oriente

Silly Me!

I have just realised a few months after the Metro link opened between Lisbon Airport and Lisbon Gare Oriente Rail/Bus Station, that the Aerobus service that used to run between the Airport and Gare Oriente has been discontinued.

This is an obvious move given the availability of the Metro link.

Driving from Lagos,Portugal to Lisbon by back roads

The easiest non-electronic toll way to get to Lisbon from Praia da Luz or Lagos avoiding electronic tolls is as follows:

1) Praia da Luz to Lagos on the N125.

2)On approaching Lagos turn left before the Total Garage, at the first roundabout, onto the A22 motorway feeder road. Follow the signs for Bensafrim, Aljezur, Sines.

3) After 8km on a non-toll motorway, one comes to a roundabout.

4)Turn left and continue on the N120 to Aljezur

5) Go through Aljezur and turn left onto the N120 towards Rogil, Maria, Vinagre, Odeceixe.

At Odeceixe one crosses a bridge into the Alentejo.

Continue on passing São Teotonio until one comes to Odemira.

6) At Odemira, drop down the hill, cross the bridge and turn left.

7) Continue onto the next roundabout and cross straight over following signs on the N120 to S. Luis and Cercal. (The next 10km of road are a bit curvy and bumpy.)

8) Pass through S. Luis and continue to Cercal.

9) At Cercal, one will come to a roundabout - turn right on the N262 towards Alvalade.

10) When you reach Alvalade, continue straight on until you hit the old Algarve - Lisbon road. (IC1)

11) Turn left onto the IC1. Pass through the village of Mimosa,

12) Continue along this road about 30 kms until you reach an off-ramp leading off to the right heading for the A2 - Lisboa Motorway.

13) Take this road. When one comes to the toll plaza, take a ticket.

14) Then follow the A2 passing Grandola, Alcacer do Sal and always following the signs for A2 Lisbon.

15) Near Marateca, the motorway from Madrid merges from left. Keep following A2 Lisboa.

16) After about 30 kms one comes to an intersection indicating A12, Ponte Vasco da Gama, Montijo, Lisboa. Follow this off to the right.

17) After about 30km one will come to a toll booth where one can pay cash to a human or a machine.

18) Shortly afterwards you will go through another Toll Booth where one can pay cash to cross the Vasco da Gama bridge into Lisbon.

19) Continue onto the bridge, cross the Tejo.

20) At the 2nd off-ramp after the bridge follow the signs for 2ª Circular, Aeroporto onto the 2º Circular (Ring Road).

21) After about +-4kms one will see the off-ramp marked Aeroporto to one's right.

22) Take this off-ramp, bearing off right into the Airport approach and voila.

Transit Time PDL - Lisbon on this route (+-4:30 hours driving) (I have done it at 04:30 on a Sunday morning in 3:45 minutes non-stop)