Portugal - Car Hire industry - Ongoing Complaints from Clients

Given the growing litany of complaints about the car hire industry in Portugal in forums on sites such as tripadvisor.com,  I am beginning to think that the time is coming to suggest a public online petition to the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, ASAE (the Portuguese State Trading Standards Authority) and to the European Commission Directorate for Mobility and Transport suggesting that the car rental industry in Portugal (and possibly other EU member states) may require investigation as regards alleged possible anti-competitive behaviour and discrimination against clients from other EU nations.

I read a couple of days ago that:

"Today, Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 on bus and coach passenger rights becomes applicable, providing bus and coach travellers throughout the EU with new rights."

…europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kallas/headl…

I think the time is coming when a similar regulation maybe needed for the Car Rental Industry across the EU including Portugal. Like mobile phone roaming, it might also address the high cost of cross-border one way car hires in the EU and issues about responsibility for provision of services for payment of motorway tolls etc..

There are now legally entrenched EU rights for Air Passengers and now Bus and Coach Travellers.

Why not for clients of the EU Car Hire Industry?

Portimão to Lisbon - 4 April, 2013 - Benfica/Newcastle

This refers to the Newcastle - Sporting Lisboa Benfica Match at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Estádio do Luz). 

It is likely that this will be a well attended match. One should plan to arrive in plenty of time.

There is a train service (www.cp.pt) as follows:

Dept: Portimão 13h12
Change at Tunes Junction
Arrive: Lisboa Sete Rios 16h53

From Sete Rios(Metro Station - Jardim Zoologico - in same complex), take the Metro line "Linha Azul" in the direction of Amadora Este and descend at Metro station Colégio Militar/Luz. Then follow the crowds.  

It will be difficult to get back by public transport the same night! The only option is the 01:00 www.renex.pt bus departure from Lisbon Oriente Bus Station (Taxi from Éstádio de Luz) to Portimão arriving 04:45. I would suggest that it would be better to plan to return the next day.  

Sad happenings in Aljezur, Algarve

The Câmara Municipal de Aljezur ordered the demolition at 02:00 last night of the old landmark building on the corner of the EN120 where it crosses the bridge to Nova Igreja.

Despite legal efforts to prevent its demolition the building, which was admittedly in a bad state and a contribution to traffic problems, was a historic building in the town.

It is such a pity when other ways and finance cannot be found to prevent this type of event!

More information here: (in Portuguese)

 http://www.sulinformacao.pt/2013/03/demolicao-mercearia-ponte-aljezur/

New Street Wine Shop - London, UK - March 2013 - Portuguese Wine Month

New Street Wine shop in London UK has been hosting a Portuguese Wine Month during March 2013.

See: New Street Wine Shop - D&D London - Offers

For those of you living in the London sounds like a great place to taste and enjoy the best of Portuguese Wines which are among the world's best!!

Brazil and South Africa agree to provide collaboration to expand air routes

Brazil and South Africa agree to provide collaboration to expand air routes

Interesting article on developing direct co-operation between the BRIC nations leaving out the usual intermediaries of Europe and the USA! The medium and long term implications of such developments for US and European air transport operators and tourism are profound!

8 Reasons to Go to Portugal Now | Travel News from Fodor's Travel Guides

8 Reasons to Go to Portugal Now | Travel News from Fodor's Travel Guides

Excellent article! Incredibly, Portugal is getting more and more coverage as a travel destination in the foreign press!

We need to keep pushing this.

Seville - Bus Service between Airport and City

The following is the up-to-date current (March 2013) information on the bus service between Seville Airport (Aeropuerto da Seville (SVQ))


Sevilla - Tussam EA Airport Bus Service - Plaza das Armas - Avda. Carlos V(Jardines del Prado)/Prado San Sebastian - Nervion Plaza - Estacion FC Sta. Justa - Aeropuerto da Sevilla -

Timetable (March 2013): http://goo.gl/py4dE 

Service Brochure (March 2013): http://goo.gl/y12C7

Service Webpage: http://goo.gl/QqLUJ

Where to see Azulejos? (Traditional Portuguese Tiles)

In Lisbon visit:

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Rua Madre Deus 4

1900-312 Lisboa,

Portugal

Tel:+351 218 100 340

Opening Hours:

Monday Closed

Tues: 10:00–18:00

Wed. 10:00–18:00

Thurs: 10:00–18:00

Fri: 10:00–18:00

Sat: 10:00–18:00

Sun 10:00–18:00

Website: http://mnazulejo.imc-ip.pt (Down this morning)

email: geral@mnazulejo.dgpc.

Public Transport Bus Access: Bus only! Lines CARRIS: 28 / 718 / 742 / 759 / 794

There are also several azulejo clad buildings in central downtown Porto.

Also have a look at:

…wikimedia.org/wiki/…Azulejos_in_Porto

And

…instituto-camoes.pt/azulejos/eng/index.html

And a wonderful gallery of azulejos in Porto and the area here:

http://bit.ly/10c5vMw

Travelling from Fatima to Salamanca, Spain

The best bet would be to take a bus from Fatima to Coimbra and then the daily train from Coimbra to Salamanca!

There is a daily rede-expressos.pt coach service leaving Fatima at 21:00 arriving Coimbra at 21:55

There is a 23:37 daily departure from Coimba-B Station arriving Salamanca at 04:36.

You would need to take a taxi the 1km from the bus station to Coimbra-B station

You should also buy tickets in advance. Online, these can be acquired via the spanish train operator renfe.es

Nah Nah Bah, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal - Opening 2013

Its happening!!!

Your favorite Lagos 5-star Burger bar and general party central is back for its 2013 season as from Friday, March 22 , 2013!

Selmo's been stateside this winter at The Croissanteria, 86th St. NYC, learning new tricks!

Barlaventoexpert is going to be in Madrid on 22 March, but all you fans of Nah Nah Bah get down to Lagos for what promises to be a fun evening!

Nah Nah Bah
Travessa do Forno 11  8600 Lagos, Portugal

Reviews: http://goo.gl/nyBPe