Getting Married in Portugal and the Algarve for non-residents

Thanks to the heads-up from Cubsur for this link providing an excellent synopsis in English about getting married in Portugal!

http://weddingceremoniesportugal.com/ceremonies/civil-ceremonies/

Spain - Andalucia - Seville & Huelva Regions - Damas S.A. Bus Timetables - Winter 2014/2015

The Winter 2014/2015 Damas Bus timetables for that company's services in the Seville and Huelva regions of Andalucia, Spain, including services from Sevilla and Huelva to Faro, Albufeira, and Lagos in the Algarve region of Southern Portugal and with connections to Lisbon are available for download in PDF format using the following link:

http://www.damas-sa.es/horarios.pdf

Dawn over Meia Praia, Lagos, Portugal - This Morning

Taxi from Lisbon Airport to Marriott Hotel, Lisbon

Taxi drivers at Lisbon Airport are a right bunch!!! Ever since the metro extension opened to the airport, and they have lost trade, they have been out to shyster poor unsuspecting punters.

The local police(PSP) arrested at least airport 20 taxi drivers for malpractice in 2014 according to the local press. 

In the past three months, I have had run-ins with two taxi drivers at Lisbon Airport, one who took us on a long new ring road motorway diversion, adding 4km to the trip between the Airport and Praça Saldanha, before I could stop him. The other one took exception to me asking him politely to take us DIRECTLY to our hotel without passing GO and collecting $200. 

I should point out that I have known Lisbon for over 40 years, I live in Portugal and I am reaonable fluent in Portuguese!!!!

It should not cost more than 25/30€ one way for the above with bags depending on the time of the week/week-end or day/night and should be considerably less.

What to do if you are a first time visitor to Lisbon??

Consider taking the Metro or Bus if possible! Avoid the Taxi Rank at Departures.

Alternatively, although it may cost a bit more, I would suggest considering buying a pre-paid taxi voucher on-line from the AskmeLisbon website:

See: http://bit.ly/1CDX11O

This site is operated by the Lisbon Tourism authorities. They have branches at the Airport and in town.

For more info one can call them on : (+351) 210 312810 or contact them via Facebook.

From the map I reckon the trip is located within the 1coroa option but check with the hotel or AskLisbon..

Prices quoted on the AskLisbon site are much cheaper than you have been quoted. You might get charged something cheaper picking up a cab BUT for peace of mind a pre-paid voucher may be a better option.

Alentejo - New York Times

An excellent article on the Alentejo as a tourist destination by Eli Gootlieb can be found in this weekend's NYT.

See: http://nyti.ms/1Cj1N4z

I heartily agree about his comments on the B&B Hotel (now known as the Hotel Moov) in Evora. Excellent quality and value for money within the city walls.

Airlines Operating Lisbon to Madrid route - January 2015

The following airlines operate Lisbon - Madrid:

Iberia.com

flytap.com

easyjet.com

aireuropa,com

Always check all airlines as sometimes the mainline carriers have better deals, especially if you are travelling with hold baggage.

Portuguese State Youth Hostels to be Privatised.

An article in today's Dinheiro Vivo, reports that the Portuguese Govt. intends putting up 25 state youth hostels up for privatisation by June 2015.



More here (in Portuguese):



Estado vai entregar a privados gestão de 25 Pousadas da Juventude - Dinheiro Vivo

Tunes Station-Algarve

Portuguese Railways, cp.pt South-bound Alfa-Pendular from Lisbon and Porto to Faro coming into Tunes Station in the Algarve, Portugal.this morning. (Station for connection to Lagos, Algarve, Portugal.)

Portugal - Pingo Doce Supermarkets - Payment by Multibanco Card for purchase less than 20€

Following a visit to my local friendly Pingo Doce Supermarket today, it transpires that the supermarket chain owned by Portuguese Retail group, Jeronimo Martins, has again started, as from 2nd January 2015, accepting Multibanco Debit Cards for purchases of values less than 20€. It appears that the lifting of the ban also applies to credit and debit cards.

This restriction, introduced a couple of year ago, was a real pain for the consumer.

For more, see this article in observador.pt: (in Portuguese ) http://bit.ly/1xKypTS

Breakfast at Cafe Odeon, Lagos, Portugal

Great Transatlantic Breakfast at Cafe Odeon this morning! Come and eat with Tom!