Movistar mobile phone from Spain

Movistar is a Spanish mobile phone provider and does not operate in Portugal. It would only work if you charge it up with money in Spain and are prepared to paying roamng charges in Portugal.

It probably will be blocked so that it only works with Movistar sim cards.

You may find a shop that will unblock it for a fee or you may be as well to buy a new phone here. You can pick up basic ones from any of the three operators for e 30.00

Living in Sagres

Sagres is effectively a small village. It is great in summer and on sunny winter days but it is situated at the end of a small peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic. It has its own micro-climate and as one can see from the terrain very few trees because it is so wind-swept.

There is a health centre there, but the nearest hospital of size is this private one in Lagos or the public one in Portimão. That having been said, from Tavira, one would have to go to Faro/Olhão for a sizeable hospital and many services and large shops

There are a couple of local Alisuper supermarkets in Sagres and a bakery. A Lidl has just opened in Vila de Bispo, which is the district town, 8kms away. Be aware for all dealings with authorities one would have to go generally to Vila de Bispo. There is a Ecomarche at Budens, half way to Sagres but for large items and things like dental care, Lagos would be your nearest.

Portugal - Metro / Light rail systems

At the present time, I am not aware of any green-site metro projects in Portugal.

However, there are several expansion projects in hand for the three main metro systems and one project to convert a rail ine to light rail.

At present there are three operating Metro/MetroLRT systems in Portugal and one project just about to start awarding contracts.

1) Metropolitano de Lisboa.

Cut and cover third-rail system first started in 1958. Currently has two line extensions under construction and long term plans for a further three extensions.

Website here in English:

http://www.metrolisboa.pt/Default.aspx?alias=www.metrolisboa.pt/eng

2) Metro do Porto

Light Rail system serving Porto, Portugal's second city. Operations began a few years ago. 7 Lines.

Website here in English:

http://www.metrodoporto.pt/

The website does not show any indications of future works but at least two recent press reports in the Portuguese press indicate that line extensions are planned.

See: (Both in Portuguese)

http://www.onoticiasdatrofa.pt/1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2791&Itemid=51

and

http://jn.sapo.pt/paginainicial/pais/concelho.aspx?Distrito=Porto&Concelho=Matosinhos&Option=Interior&content_id=972756

3) Metro Transportes de Sul

This a light rail system being developed to serve the suburbs of Lisbon south of the Tagus.

First lines enter service last year and the system is currently being expanded.

Website here in Portuguese:

http://www.mts.pt

4) Metro Mondego

Serving the Mondego valley area from Coimbra, this project envisages converting an existing full gauge line to Light Rail and developing a network form there.

Website here:

http://www.metromondego.pt/

Also always keep an eye on this site which may from time to time have nuggets of useful info.

http://www.lrta.org/

and

http://www.lrta.org/world/worldp-t.html#Portugal

Biarritz, France to Faro, Algarve, Portugal

This is a difficult one.

Public Transport links between France, the north of Spain and the Algarve are not good.

From Biarritz, apart from car, you probably are restricted to train or long distance coach.

Train:

1) The TGV/Sud Express leaves Biarritz at 20:49, arriving Irun at 21:23.
Departs Irun at 22:00 and arrives Lisbon Oriente at 10:54 the next day.

2) There is a connecting train to the Algarve departing Lisbon Oriente at 13:20, arriving Faro at 17:22 or Lagos at 17:55.

Buses:

Eurolines Portugal have a service advertised from Bayonne to Faro here:

http://www.eurolinesportugal.com/horarios_tarifas/ht_08.html

Although the service shows a timetable for winter 2007 I understand that the service still operates.

Dept: Bayonne at 23:55
Arr: Faro at 18:15 next day.

Salamanca to Tavira

Train:

The Sud-Express Paris to Lisbon train leaves Salamanca daily at 04:51 in the morning arriving Lisbon Gare Oriente Station at 10:54 the same morning.

There is a train leaving Lisbon Gare Oriente Station at 13:20 arriving Faro at 17:22. There is a train leaving Faro at 17:30 arriving Tavira at 18:10.

For the return there is a departure from Tavira at 7:46 arriving Faro at 08:24. There is a departure from Faro at 09:05 arriving Lisbon Gare Oriente at 13:06. There is a Sud-Express Lisbon to Paris train Departing Lisbon Gare Oriente at 16:14 arriving Salamanca at 00:05

For more information on timetables please see the Portuguese Railways website at www.cp.pt. Please note that these times are based on the current summer timetable and may change after September with the introduction of the winter timetable which is not yet available.

Bus

There is currently a www.alsa.es bus service leaving Salamanca for Seville (weekdays only) as follows:

Dept: SALAMANCA 06:45
Arr: SEVILLA 14:15

There is a departure from Seville Plaza das Armas for Tavira as follows:

Dept: Sevilla 16.15
Arr: Tavira 18:10

For the return, there is a departure as follows:

Dept: Tavira 08:10
Arr: Sevilla 11:30

Dept: Sevilla 14:00
Arr: Salamanca 21:25

Please note that these times are based on current timetables and may change. You should check with the operators website for actual times prior to leaving.

Lisbon to Marbella

The easiest and cheapest way to do this trip via public transport is as follows:(Click on images to enlarge)

1) Bus from Lisbon Sete-Rios to Sevilla. (www.alsa.es)



2) Bus from Sevilla to Marbella - Autobus de los Amarillos -



Other routes could include flying low cost to Madrid and then Malaga and taking a bus to Marbella. Bus Lisbon to Madrid and then Bus Madrid to Marbella.

Free Wifi Access in Tavira

In Tavira, the council have a wifi hotspot with free access at:

Câmara Municipal de Tavira - Tavira

Morada Praça da República

Cód. Postal 8800-951

Tavira

Telefone 281320500
Available: 9:00 às 18:00

Free Wifi Access in Lagos

The only place I know for sure you can do this in the area (because I've used it) is at the Centro Cultural de Lagos, in downtown Lagos. The Building & Cafe has free wifi access.

Centro Cultural de Lagos

Morada: Rua Lançarote de Freitas
8600-605 Lagos
Telefones: 282 770 450

Lisbon hotels

I would recommend the Ibis Hotel Malhoa which is situated about 400 metres from Sete Rios Bus Station, from where the bus to Seville departs.(All down hill).

see: http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1668/fiche_hotel.shtml

You would have to take a taxi anyway from the airport as there is no metro nor convenient bus service from the airport serving budget hotels.

Lisbon -Seville/Sevilla - Lisbon Bus Services

The following are the current (July, 2008) bus/coach timetables for the service Lisbon - Seville - Lisbon operated by www.alsa.es. (Click on images to enlarge)

Seville - Lisbon



Lisbon - Seville