Hotel Roma is situated near the Entrecampos Train/Metro Station
From there you can get a Metro in Direction Rato, change to one Direction Stª. Apolonia and at Metro Station Baixa Chiado change for one for Rail Station Cais de Sodre.
Alternatively, you could walk to Areeiro Metro Station and get a train direct to Rail Station Cais de Sodre.
From Cais de Sodre there are frequent trains depending on the time of day/week to Cascais.
Cascais is not only about sandy shores but the train trip itself is worth it to see the Tagus estuary, the tower of Belem, Jeronimos Monastery and other sites of the greater Lisbon area.
Trip takes about 40 minutes each way.
Monday, 31 March 2008
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Internet Access Sagres
Il y a plusiers cafes s'offrent Internet en Sagres que inclui Dromedàrio Bistro - tel: (282) 62 45 66
Braga to Santiago de compostela by bus
Timetable for the bus service operated by alsa.es below (Click on image to enlarge):
travel tips from lisbon to lagos
Most local car hire companies do deals for 3 or 7 day hires and you may find it not much more expensive to hire the car for seven days than for two one-day hires.
Also bear in mind that having a car will enable you to explore the West Coast beaches north from Sagres if you want to.
Downtown Lagos is small so if you intend to stay in one of the hostels and just enjoy backpacker life a car will not necessarily be a necessity.
If that is the case you may find it cheaper to take the train or bus from Lisbon to Lagos and back.
By the time you pay for the car, fuel and toll Motorways (if you come the most direct route) it may well outweigh the cost of a taxi from Lisbon Airport to Gare Oriente and a train to Lagos for the four of you..
There again taxis are often hard to come by at Lagos Train and Bus Station although they have been improving recently.
Also bear in mind that having a car will enable you to explore the West Coast beaches north from Sagres if you want to.
Downtown Lagos is small so if you intend to stay in one of the hostels and just enjoy backpacker life a car will not necessarily be a necessity.
If that is the case you may find it cheaper to take the train or bus from Lisbon to Lagos and back.
By the time you pay for the car, fuel and toll Motorways (if you come the most direct route) it may well outweigh the cost of a taxi from Lisbon Airport to Gare Oriente and a train to Lagos for the four of you..
There again taxis are often hard to come by at Lagos Train and Bus Station although they have been improving recently.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
TAP - Air Portugal
TAP - Air Portugal is the national airline of Portugal and has been operating for 50 years. They have a good safety record.
There can be problems occasionally on the Lisbon - Faro sector if incoming flights are delayed. You may find yourself "bumped" to a later flight.
Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland and again has been operating for nearly 50 years. Good Record as well.
There can be problems occasionally on the Lisbon - Faro sector if incoming flights are delayed. You may find yourself "bumped" to a later flight.
Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland and again has been operating for nearly 50 years. Good Record as well.
Rental car offices at the train station at Lagos
No, there are no car hire offices at the train station at Lagos. There are several about 500m away over the footbridge on the main avenida.
However, I am sure that if you advise your car hire company as to your time of arrival or arrange to call them on your mobile when you are on final approach...e.g. after leaving Portimão Station, they will send someone to meet you.
As you are from the other side of the pond, remember that most vehicles here are manual shift. Remember to ask for an automatic if necessary although you will pay a premium for it.
However, I am sure that if you advise your car hire company as to your time of arrival or arrange to call them on your mobile when you are on final approach...e.g. after leaving Portimão Station, they will send someone to meet you.
As you are from the other side of the pond, remember that most vehicles here are manual shift. Remember to ask for an automatic if necessary although you will pay a premium for it.
New Route - London Gatwick - Faro - BA
news.cheapflights.co.uk reported yesterday that BA are to launch a route London Gatwick - Faro shortly. One presumes this is on the heels of the takeover of GB Airways by Easyjet.
Service sleighted to start 30th March 2008 but nothing on BA site yet that I can find.
Report here:
http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/2008/03/british-airways.html
Service sleighted to start 30th March 2008 but nothing on BA site yet that I can find.
Report here:
http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/2008/03/british-airways.html
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
São Martinho do Porto to Carvoeiro, Algarve
The main problem with this route is that there is no easy long distance train or coach service that serves Carvoeiro. There is a local bus service that runs via Lagoa several times a day.
To drive would take:
Time: 03h41 including 03h16 on motorways
Distance: 372km including 354km on motorways
according to viamichelin.
Rail would be your best public transport option as it would be more comfortable.
Take a train to Portimão and then a taxi to Carvoeiro.
Schedule as follows:
12h52 São Martinho Do Porto
13h06 Caldas Da Rainha
13h39 Caldas Da Rainha
15h31 Mira Sintra-melecas
15h49 Mira Sintra-melecas
16h18 Lisboa - Entrecampos
17h30 Lisboa - Entrecampos
20h44 Tunes
20h58 Tunes
21h32 Portimão
Travel time: 8h40mins.
Taxi to Carvoeiro would take about 20 minutes at that time of night.
To drive would take:
Time: 03h41 including 03h16 on motorways
Distance: 372km including 354km on motorways
according to viamichelin.
Rail would be your best public transport option as it would be more comfortable.
Take a train to Portimão and then a taxi to Carvoeiro.
Schedule as follows:
12h52 São Martinho Do Porto
13h06 Caldas Da Rainha
13h39 Caldas Da Rainha
15h31 Mira Sintra-melecas
15h49 Mira Sintra-melecas
16h18 Lisboa - Entrecampos
17h30 Lisboa - Entrecampos
20h44 Tunes
20h58 Tunes
21h32 Portimão
Travel time: 8h40mins.
Taxi to Carvoeiro would take about 20 minutes at that time of night.
Lagos - New Urban Bus Service
Further to my previous post, I have now obtained further details of the service courtesy of the website of the Camara Municipal de Lagos and the nascent web-site of the ONDA bus service.
Portuguese versions here:
Camara Municipal de Lagos
Onda - Timetables - PDF download
I have also translated a large part of this info which is available at the bottom of this article in three png images.
The interesting thing about these new services, resutling from a €1mn investment in new buses is that Lagos, Praia da Luz, Barão São João and Bensafrim will now have regular services at good frequencies between them even on Sundays from early in the morning till around 20:00.
It still means that is you want to go to Lagos from Praia de Luz for a night out you will have to take car but for those who only need day services it is going to be a great improvement.
Lagos Zoo will also now benefit from several services a day.
Just click one them and they will enlarge.
Onda Page 1
Onda Page 2
Onda Page 3
Portuguese versions here:
Camara Municipal de Lagos
Onda - Timetables - PDF download
I have also translated a large part of this info which is available at the bottom of this article in three png images.
The interesting thing about these new services, resutling from a €1mn investment in new buses is that Lagos, Praia da Luz, Barão São João and Bensafrim will now have regular services at good frequencies between them even on Sundays from early in the morning till around 20:00.
It still means that is you want to go to Lagos from Praia de Luz for a night out you will have to take car but for those who only need day services it is going to be a great improvement.
Lagos Zoo will also now benefit from several services a day.
Just click one them and they will enlarge.
Onda Page 1
Onda Page 2
Onda Page 3
Algarve - 12 day itinerary.
The first thing to remember is that the Algarve is a relatively small area measuring approximately 160 km long by 40 km wide.
You best bet therefore would be to base yourselves at say two or three places for 3 to four days each and then explore out from there.
If you want to avoid high rises keep well clear of Albufeira, which is the centre of mass tourism in the Algarve.
I would recommend something along the following lines:
Day 1 - 4 Head for Tavira and base yourselves there for 3 to 4 days. From there you can visit Castro Marim, Ayamonte, (just over the border in Spain), Vila Real Stª. Antonio.
On Day 4 - 5 Take the route up the left bank of the Guadiana River (Portugal/Spanish Borded) and visit Alcoutim and Mertola, and head for the old Roman town of Serpa. Be warned that this route can be very hot in late June, July and August.
See this article on my blog which may be of use:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/serpa-alentejo.html
Day 5 -6 - Drive Serpa/Beja/Odemira. Have a look at the old centre of Beja and the agricultural town of Odemira. From there continue the 100km to Sagres.
In the area of Sagres, I can recommend the following places:
Sagres:
Guest House Albergaria dos Mareantes
http://www.paraisolpraia.com/index.php?content=sel_hotel
email: paraisolpraia@gmail.com
or call Maria de Jesus on 00 351 918441745
Between Praia de Luz and Burgau (20 minutes from Sagres)
Guest House - Aurora-Sol
http://www.docemaralgarve.com/aurora.htm
email: info@docemaralgarve.com
Sra. Lucilia Matos
Day 7-9 from Sagres/Burgau Visit the spectacular west coast of the Algarve with its hidden coves and spectacular cliffs. Drive to the delighful inland town of Monchique nestled on the top of the small mountain by the same name. Visit the Spa 5kms from the town at Caldas de Monchique.
Day 10-12 - Stay in Lagos 30 km from Sagres. This is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve and was the departure point for many of the Portuguese Voyages of Discovery which opened the route around the Cape. It still retains its Portuguese character. During this time also visit Silves, 30km distant with its old Moorish City walls.
Back to Faro Airport 1 hours drive.
Please note that this is just a suggestion and can be played around with. However, it will keep you away from the mass tourism.
As regards a hire car, I recommend Luzcar who have offices in Lagos and a base at Faro Airport. Their prices may not be the cheapest at first glance but are all-inclusive. Their vehicles are of high standard and can be taken into Spain. I have know them and used them for 10 years.
More info here:
http://www.paraisolpraia.com/carhirealgarve/index.php?option=en
Have a good trip
Hope this helps.
You best bet therefore would be to base yourselves at say two or three places for 3 to four days each and then explore out from there.
If you want to avoid high rises keep well clear of Albufeira, which is the centre of mass tourism in the Algarve.
I would recommend something along the following lines:
Day 1 - 4 Head for Tavira and base yourselves there for 3 to 4 days. From there you can visit Castro Marim, Ayamonte, (just over the border in Spain), Vila Real Stª. Antonio.
On Day 4 - 5 Take the route up the left bank of the Guadiana River (Portugal/Spanish Borded) and visit Alcoutim and Mertola, and head for the old Roman town of Serpa. Be warned that this route can be very hot in late June, July and August.
See this article on my blog which may be of use:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/serpa-alentejo.html
Day 5 -6 - Drive Serpa/Beja/Odemira. Have a look at the old centre of Beja and the agricultural town of Odemira. From there continue the 100km to Sagres.
In the area of Sagres, I can recommend the following places:
Sagres:
Guest House Albergaria dos Mareantes
http://www.paraisolpraia.com/index.php?content=sel_hotel
email: paraisolpraia@gmail.com
or call Maria de Jesus on 00 351 918441745
Between Praia de Luz and Burgau (20 minutes from Sagres)
Guest House - Aurora-Sol
http://www.docemaralgarve.com/aurora.htm
email: info@docemaralgarve.com
Sra. Lucilia Matos
Day 7-9 from Sagres/Burgau Visit the spectacular west coast of the Algarve with its hidden coves and spectacular cliffs. Drive to the delighful inland town of Monchique nestled on the top of the small mountain by the same name. Visit the Spa 5kms from the town at Caldas de Monchique.
Day 10-12 - Stay in Lagos 30 km from Sagres. This is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve and was the departure point for many of the Portuguese Voyages of Discovery which opened the route around the Cape. It still retains its Portuguese character. During this time also visit Silves, 30km distant with its old Moorish City walls.
Back to Faro Airport 1 hours drive.
Please note that this is just a suggestion and can be played around with. However, it will keep you away from the mass tourism.
As regards a hire car, I recommend Luzcar who have offices in Lagos and a base at Faro Airport. Their prices may not be the cheapest at first glance but are all-inclusive. Their vehicles are of high standard and can be taken into Spain. I have know them and used them for 10 years.
More info here:
http://www.paraisolpraia.com/carhirealgarve/index.php?option=en
Have a good trip
Hope this helps.
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