Santarem is not far from Lisbon and other tourist centres such as Fatima which is why there are a few hotels there.
Have a look at the following:
http://www.hotelalfageme.com/
Hotel Alfageme*** - Santarém
Hotel do Prado*** - Santarém
hotel.prado@mail.eurest.pt
http://www.maisturismo.pt/hsantarem
SANTARÉM HOTEL
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Friday, 24 October 2008
New Low Cost Hotel Chain in Portugal - Star InnHotels
Sergio Bastos of http://www.lowcostportugal.net this morning cites a report in the Portuguese Press of the opening of a new "low cost hotel" in Porto operated by the group Star Inn.
The companies website is here:
http://www.hotelstarinn.com/
The First hotel opened on the 22nd October 2008 according to the company website.
The company envisages another ten hotels throughout Portugal over the next 5 years.
http://www.lowcostportugal.net also reports that the Easy Group will be opening a hotel in Porto in the first three months of 2009.
The companies website is here:
http://www.hotelstarinn.com/
The First hotel opened on the 22nd October 2008 according to the company website.
The company envisages another ten hotels throughout Portugal over the next 5 years.
http://www.lowcostportugal.net also reports that the Easy Group will be opening a hotel in Porto in the first three months of 2009.
Bus/Train travel from Praia da Rocha to Porto
As indicated by algarveholidayer the train from Portimão Station is a good option.
1) Train
From Praia da Rocha you would need to get a local Vai-Vem shuttle bus via Largo de Dique (Lines 5 & 6) from Praia da Rocha to Portimão Station.
If early in the morning you may need to take a cab the 15 minute drive to the station.
See Cubsur's excellent page on this here:
thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/011.htm
From Portimão you would need to get a local train to Tunes Junction - about 35 minutes.
At Tunes you would connect with either one of the twice daily Alfa-Pendular Services that run through to Porto via Lisbon or get one of the Inter-City Services to Lisbon Gare Oriente Station where you would connect with a Lisbon to Porto Train.
As Algarveholidayer indicated timetable info is available on the www.cp.pt site.
You can find a direct link to the pdf version of the current CP timetable for this route on my blog:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
Scroll down on the right and you will find at panel entitled:
»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
In this panel look for:
>>>Portuguese Railways - 2008 - Lisbon - Algarve Faro/Lagos Timetable
>>>Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable
Click on each to download the timetables in pdf form.
You are looking at a minimum of 6,25 hours for the services using the fast Alpha Pendular from Tunes.
2) Bus
If you also look in the panel on my blog entitled
»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
You will also find two links entitled:
# RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Algarve timetable (pdf)
# RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Porto timetable (pdf)
Renex (www.renex.pt) operate seven daily bus services from Praia da Rocha to Lisbon Gare de Oriente Coach Station.
Renex also operate connecting buses to from Lisbon Gare de Oriente Coach Station to Porto.
The minimum transit time on this route is about 7.5 hours.
1) Train
From Praia da Rocha you would need to get a local Vai-Vem shuttle bus via Largo de Dique (Lines 5 & 6) from Praia da Rocha to Portimão Station.
If early in the morning you may need to take a cab the 15 minute drive to the station.
See Cubsur's excellent page on this here:
thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/011.htm
From Portimão you would need to get a local train to Tunes Junction - about 35 minutes.
At Tunes you would connect with either one of the twice daily Alfa-Pendular Services that run through to Porto via Lisbon or get one of the Inter-City Services to Lisbon Gare Oriente Station where you would connect with a Lisbon to Porto Train.
As Algarveholidayer indicated timetable info is available on the www.cp.pt site.
You can find a direct link to the pdf version of the current CP timetable for this route on my blog:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
Scroll down on the right and you will find at panel entitled:
»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
In this panel look for:
>>>Portuguese Railways - 2008 - Lisbon - Algarve Faro/Lagos Timetable
>>>Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable
Click on each to download the timetables in pdf form.
You are looking at a minimum of 6,25 hours for the services using the fast Alpha Pendular from Tunes.
2) Bus
If you also look in the panel on my blog entitled
»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
You will also find two links entitled:
# RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Algarve timetable (pdf)
# RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Porto timetable (pdf)
Renex (www.renex.pt) operate seven daily bus services from Praia da Rocha to Lisbon Gare de Oriente Coach Station.
Renex also operate connecting buses to from Lisbon Gare de Oriente Coach Station to Porto.
The minimum transit time on this route is about 7.5 hours.
Health Spa in Lagos
Try the Solinca Health & Fitness Club underneath the Aqualuz Hotel:
Aqualuz
Morada:Aparthotel Aqualuz, R. Sacadura Cabral, nº8 . 86000 Lagos
Tel: 282 780 150
Fax: 282 770 628
E-mail:aqualuz@solinca.pt
Website:
http://www.solinca.pt/
(Needs Flash)
Aqualuz
Morada:Aparthotel Aqualuz, R. Sacadura Cabral, nº8 . 86000 Lagos
Tel: 282 780 150
Fax: 282 770 628
E-mail:aqualuz@solinca.pt
Website:
http://www.solinca.pt/
(Needs Flash)
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Lisbon to Porto - Estadio de Dragão (FC Porto FC)
Firstly you need to understand the route.
There is no Metro at Lisbon Airport yet.
You would need to get a cab from Lisbon Airport to Gare Oriente Station.
This would take between 10 and 15 minutes dependent on time of day.
From there you would have to get a train to Porto Campanha Station.
Transit time about 2hrs 40 mins to 2hrs 50mins.
From Porto Campanha you would then need to get the Metro to Estadio de Dragão - The Porto Stadium.which is the terminus and four stations down on the ABC and E lines
To be safe and allow for problems you therefore need to allow 4 to 4.5 hours for the trip.
For information on the Porto Metro see:
http://www.metrodoporto.pt/pagegen.asp?SYS_PAGE_ID=873878
For information on the train times Lisbon to Porto go to my blog at
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/
Scroll down in he right hand panel till you find the section:
Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
You will find a link entitled:
"Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable"
Click on it and you will be able to download the current timetable in pdf format from Portuguese Railways for the Lisbon - Coimbra - Porto service.
Hope this helps.
There is no Metro at Lisbon Airport yet.
You would need to get a cab from Lisbon Airport to Gare Oriente Station.
This would take between 10 and 15 minutes dependent on time of day.
From there you would have to get a train to Porto Campanha Station.
Transit time about 2hrs 40 mins to 2hrs 50mins.
From Porto Campanha you would then need to get the Metro to Estadio de Dragão - The Porto Stadium.which is the terminus and four stations down on the ABC and E lines
To be safe and allow for problems you therefore need to allow 4 to 4.5 hours for the trip.
For information on the Porto Metro see:
http://www.metrodoporto.pt/pagegen.asp?SYS_PAGE_ID=873878
For information on the train times Lisbon to Porto go to my blog at
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/
Scroll down in he right hand panel till you find the section:
Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
You will find a link entitled:
"Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable"
Click on it and you will be able to download the current timetable in pdf format from Portuguese Railways for the Lisbon - Coimbra - Porto service.
Hope this helps.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Lagos - Algarve - Seville Bus Service
Thanks to Cubsur for this.
The timetable for this twice daily service has now changed to the winter service and are operating 2 daily every day of the week!
This is a change from what had previously been advised.
Timetable here:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
From Site of EVA Transportes
Lagos Sevilha 06:30 13:00 Diariamente
Lagos Sevilha 13:45 20:15 Diariamente
The timetable for this twice daily service has now changed to the winter service and are operating 2 daily every day of the week!
This is a change from what had previously been advised.
Timetable here:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
From Site of EVA Transportes
Lagos Sevilha 06:30 13:00 Diariamente
Lagos Sevilha 13:45 20:15 Diariamente
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
lisbon to cadiz
Without a doubt the most enjoyable way will be by hire car.
There is no convenient train services (you would have to go via Madrid and Seville), nor flights, (you would have to go via Madrid.)
As regards buses, alsa.es operate Lisbon Oriente (10 minutes from the Airport by cab) to Seville Daily via the Algarve.
LISBOA OR. SEVILLA 09:30 17:45 Euro 76,00 Daily Return
LISBOA OR. SEVILLA 20:45 05:45 Euro 76,00 Daily Return
TG Comes (http://www.tgcomes.es/) operate coaches between Sevilla to Cadiz every couple of hours.
On weekdays there are services leaving at 19:00 and 07:00 which would tie in with the arrival from Lisbon.
Return Price would be about Euro 23:00. Transit is under 2 hours.
Your round cost by bus would therefore be about Euro 100.00. For two people this would work out at Euro 200.00
The problem with this route is that it involves around 12 hours travel each way in a bus.
By Car, you have the chance to be more flexible and see more of both Spain and Portugal.
A Scenic route which I have driven much off as as follows: (Courtesy - Google Maps/Tele Atlas)
Driving directions to Cádiz, Spain from Lisbon Airport
521 km – about 6 hours 31 mins
See: Google Map at:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Aeroporto+de+Lisboa,+Lisbon,+Portugal&daddr=IP2+to:37.874853,-6.514893+to:Cadiz,+Spain&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRSgRAIdgNWH_w%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=7&via=1,2&sll=37.605528,-7.602539&sspn=4.046645,9.437256&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=7
This routes you via the Alentejo region of Portugal, The town of Beja, the town of Serpa, (Great place for layover - see Casa da Serpa in the right hand panel), Seville in Spain, and Cadiz.
As regards Car Hire, I would suggest that you look at Auto Jardim - website here:
http://www.autocarhire.net/
They have offices at Lisbon Airport. Make sure that you tell them you are travelling to and from Spain.
Also remember we in Europe mainly use manual shift vehicles. Make sure if you need an automatic to specific this.
In November this year, rental prices for a week without optional insurance etc start from Euro 100 for a small hatchback.
There is no convenient train services (you would have to go via Madrid and Seville), nor flights, (you would have to go via Madrid.)
As regards buses, alsa.es operate Lisbon Oriente (10 minutes from the Airport by cab) to Seville Daily via the Algarve.
LISBOA OR. SEVILLA 09:30 17:45 Euro 76,00 Daily Return
LISBOA OR. SEVILLA 20:45 05:45 Euro 76,00 Daily Return
TG Comes (http://www.tgcomes.es/) operate coaches between Sevilla to Cadiz every couple of hours.
On weekdays there are services leaving at 19:00 and 07:00 which would tie in with the arrival from Lisbon.
Return Price would be about Euro 23:00. Transit is under 2 hours.
Your round cost by bus would therefore be about Euro 100.00. For two people this would work out at Euro 200.00
The problem with this route is that it involves around 12 hours travel each way in a bus.
By Car, you have the chance to be more flexible and see more of both Spain and Portugal.
A Scenic route which I have driven much off as as follows: (Courtesy - Google Maps/Tele Atlas)
Driving directions to Cádiz, Spain from Lisbon Airport
521 km – about 6 hours 31 mins
See: Google Map at:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Aeroporto+de+Lisboa,+Lisbon,+Portugal&daddr=IP2+to:37.874853,-6.514893+to:Cadiz,+Spain&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRSgRAIdgNWH_w%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=7&via=1,2&sll=37.605528,-7.602539&sspn=4.046645,9.437256&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=7
This routes you via the Alentejo region of Portugal, The town of Beja, the town of Serpa, (Great place for layover - see Casa da Serpa in the right hand panel), Seville in Spain, and Cadiz.
As regards Car Hire, I would suggest that you look at Auto Jardim - website here:
http://www.autocarhire.net/
They have offices at Lisbon Airport. Make sure that you tell them you are travelling to and from Spain.
Also remember we in Europe mainly use manual shift vehicles. Make sure if you need an automatic to specific this.
In November this year, rental prices for a week without optional insurance etc start from Euro 100 for a small hatchback.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Southern Portugal Itinerary
Sintra is only 30kms from Lisbon and is in fact now virtually a suburb of Lisbon.
I would suggest something along the following lines:
Full Day 1 -- Lisbon - See the Baixa, Alfama and possibly take the tram to Belem to see the Jeronimos Monastery and the tower of Belem.
Full Day 2 -- Lisbon - Take the Train from Rossio Station to Sintra (+- 60 minutes by train)- Full day in Sintra and/or take a bus to Cascais (Scotturb 403 every 75 minutes or so) or Estoril . Return from Cascais by train to Cais de Sodre station (+- 45 minutes). Wander up to the Bairro Alto for dinner.
Full Day 3 -- Lisbon - Tidy up what you didn't achieve on the first two days.
Full Day 4/5/6 -- Pick Up car at Lisbon Airport - Head North to Obidos, Batalha, Alcobaça and Nazare as public transport links to these from Lisbon are slow and convoluted. You might even have time to stay in Coimbra. There are IBIS Hotels in Leiria and Coimbra which might be good economic bases to stay at.
Full Day 7 - Head back via Santarem and the inland bank of the Tagus to Evora.
Full Day 8 - Day in Evora
Full Day 9 - Leave Evora and travel via Monsaraz (Fortified Hill top town) and Alqueva Dam to Serpa. (I recommend Casa da Serpa - see http://www.casadeserpa.com/ )
Full Day 9 - Travel via Beja and Mertola to Tavira.
Full Day 10 - Tavira and possibly old Town Faro or pop over the Guadiana to Ayamonte in Spain for Tapas.
Full Day 11 - Tavira
Full Day 12 - Lagos - Explore Lagos
Full Day 13 - Lagos - explore West Coast to Sagres.
Full Day 14 - Leave Lagos and make your way by car up the West Coast to Setubal. Stay at the IBIS just outside Setubal. Explore are and then head for Lisbon Airport (40 minutes).
I understand your concerns about driving on the wrong side. However, once you are clear of Lisbon, things are very easy as we have an excellent motorway system. To undertake the itinerary you want to do, hiring a car is the only realistic option if you don't want to spends hours grinding around on local buses or trains. This is particularly true when trying to visit Obidos, Nazare etc.
Check out some of my comments about this on my blog:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Obidos+Nazare
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Portugal%20Lisbon%20Praya%20de%20Rey%20Obidos
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Portugal%20Lisbon%20Nazar%C3%A9
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Portugal%20Lisbon%20Figueira%20da%20Foz
I would suggest something along the following lines:
Full Day 1 -- Lisbon - See the Baixa, Alfama and possibly take the tram to Belem to see the Jeronimos Monastery and the tower of Belem.
Full Day 2 -- Lisbon - Take the Train from Rossio Station to Sintra (+- 60 minutes by train)- Full day in Sintra and/or take a bus to Cascais (Scotturb 403 every 75 minutes or so) or Estoril . Return from Cascais by train to Cais de Sodre station (+- 45 minutes). Wander up to the Bairro Alto for dinner.
Full Day 3 -- Lisbon - Tidy up what you didn't achieve on the first two days.
Full Day 4/5/6 -- Pick Up car at Lisbon Airport - Head North to Obidos, Batalha, Alcobaça and Nazare as public transport links to these from Lisbon are slow and convoluted. You might even have time to stay in Coimbra. There are IBIS Hotels in Leiria and Coimbra which might be good economic bases to stay at.
Full Day 7 - Head back via Santarem and the inland bank of the Tagus to Evora.
Full Day 8 - Day in Evora
Full Day 9 - Leave Evora and travel via Monsaraz (Fortified Hill top town) and Alqueva Dam to Serpa. (I recommend Casa da Serpa - see http://www.casadeserpa.com/ )
Full Day 9 - Travel via Beja and Mertola to Tavira.
Full Day 10 - Tavira and possibly old Town Faro or pop over the Guadiana to Ayamonte in Spain for Tapas.
Full Day 11 - Tavira
Full Day 12 - Lagos - Explore Lagos
Full Day 13 - Lagos - explore West Coast to Sagres.
Full Day 14 - Leave Lagos and make your way by car up the West Coast to Setubal. Stay at the IBIS just outside Setubal. Explore are and then head for Lisbon Airport (40 minutes).
I understand your concerns about driving on the wrong side. However, once you are clear of Lisbon, things are very easy as we have an excellent motorway system. To undertake the itinerary you want to do, hiring a car is the only realistic option if you don't want to spends hours grinding around on local buses or trains. This is particularly true when trying to visit Obidos, Nazare etc.
Check out some of my comments about this on my blog:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Obidos+Nazare
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Portugal%20Lisbon%20Praya%20de%20Rey%20Obidos
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Portugal%20Lisbon%20Nazar%C3%A9
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Portugal%20Lisbon%20Figueira%20da%20Foz
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Lisbon - Rocha Conde Obidos Cruise Terminal
Alcantara Doca as I said is the main dock for Cruise Liners in Lisbon, although there are some facilities at Sta. Apolonia.
However,there are several different quays at Alcantara, one of which is "O Terminal de Cruzeiros da Rocha Conde de Óbidos".
Link here to the relevant page of the the Port Authority here: (in Portuguese)
http://www.portodelisboa.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_PORTO_LISBOA/PORTO_LISBOA/INSTALACOES_PORTUARIAS/TERMINAIS_CRUZEIROS/CRUZEIROS_ROCHA_CONDE_OBIDOS
Google maps link here:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=38.703262,-9.162244&spn=0.003893,0.009216&z=17
The quay is 3 km from Praça de Comercio and about 5 km from Zuzabed.
Zuzabed is about 9km from the Airport and look at between Euro 10 and 20 depending on time of day and week and whether you have bags.
However,there are several different quays at Alcantara, one of which is "O Terminal de Cruzeiros da Rocha Conde de Óbidos".
Link here to the relevant page of the the Port Authority here: (in Portuguese)
http://www.portodelisboa.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_PORTO_LISBOA/PORTO_LISBOA/INSTALACOES_PORTUARIAS/TERMINAIS_CRUZEIROS/CRUZEIROS_ROCHA_CONDE_OBIDOS
Google maps link here:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=38.703262,-9.162244&spn=0.003893,0.009216&z=17
The quay is 3 km from Praça de Comercio and about 5 km from Zuzabed.
Zuzabed is about 9km from the Airport and look at between Euro 10 and 20 depending on time of day and week and whether you have bags.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Birmingham to Porto - Winter 2008
I really do not think it is necessary to fly to Faro.
Ryanair fly Birmingham to Porto and are showing flights twice a week in December on Mondays and Fridays.
Flight No.FR 1072 16:15 Depart Brums 18:45 Arrive Porto.
From Porto Airport you can get a metro to Porto Campanha taking about 30 minutes and then a train from Porto to Coimbra.
You could then catch the 20:47 train from Porto Campanha arriving Coimbra-B at 21:44.
Alternatively, Easyjet fly several times a week from Luton to Lisbon. Prices for December as very low but departure time is very earlier at circa 06:35 or 08:35.
Again, fly to Lisbon, grab a cab for € 10 to Gare Oriente Station. There are hourly trains to Coimbra taking between 1 hour 45 min and 2 hours.
To see the timetable for the route go to my blog at
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/
Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
You will find a link entitled:
"Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable"
Click on it and you will be able to download the current timetable from Portuguese Railways for the Lisbon - Coimbra - Porto service.
Below you will find the timetable for the Faro Line as well.
Hope this helps.
Ryanair fly Birmingham to Porto and are showing flights twice a week in December on Mondays and Fridays.
Flight No.FR 1072 16:15 Depart Brums 18:45 Arrive Porto.
From Porto Airport you can get a metro to Porto Campanha taking about 30 minutes and then a train from Porto to Coimbra.
You could then catch the 20:47 train from Porto Campanha arriving Coimbra-B at 21:44.
Alternatively, Easyjet fly several times a week from Luton to Lisbon. Prices for December as very low but departure time is very earlier at circa 06:35 or 08:35.
Again, fly to Lisbon, grab a cab for € 10 to Gare Oriente Station. There are hourly trains to Coimbra taking between 1 hour 45 min and 2 hours.
To see the timetable for the route go to my blog at
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/
Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
You will find a link entitled:
"Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable"
Click on it and you will be able to download the current timetable from Portuguese Railways for the Lisbon - Coimbra - Porto service.
Below you will find the timetable for the Faro Line as well.
Hope this helps.
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