Our Projected Itinerary

This year, we are heading in a different direction - east to Portugal. The plan is to spend 9 weeks on the mainland and another 3 weeks visiting Portugal’s islands of Madeira and the Azores. Every week, we will be in a different town or city. Our friend, Donna, who lives in Elora will be joining us for a week in the Algarve and a little later for a week in Evora which is in central Portugal. We are hoping that another old friend of ours, Vaughan, will take time from his trip to Germany to visit us in Porto. The icing on the cake is that our daughters and their families will meet up with us during the March Break in Sao Miguel in the Azores.

Why Portugal? Years ago when our youngest daughter was involved with a performing group called Up With People, she came home from a year’s worth of travelling and performing and told us that Portugal was her favourite country. Well, that was 20 years ago and we still remember how excited she became when talking about it. Her enthusiasm stuck with us and now we are going to find out what created all that excitement.

We do know that there are lots of pluses to visiting Portugal. First of all the history, followed by the nature and the people and culture. We have read about whales and dolphins, caves, hot springs, beautiful beaches and the mountains. Fairytale palaces and old castles as well as the Harry Potter connection intrigue us. Then comes the wine and the food, especially the pastel de nata. How can we forget the Fado music in Lisbon and Porto. And finally, from what we have read, Portugal is a tranquil and peaceful country where it is still inexpensive to travel.

Anyone who has already travelled to Portugal, loved it so ... that’s why we are going there.

Here is our plan so far. We will fly from Toronto to Lisbon and then on to Faro on December 27 with TAP airlines. At the airport, we will rent a car from Luzcar for 2 out of our 3 weeks in the Algarve.

December 28 - TAVIRA - Apartamento no Coracoa de Tavira (Rita) - Air Bnb

January 4 - LAGOS - Lagos Uptown B & B (Fernando) - Booking.com
- we will be meeting Donna who will spend one night in our Bnb and then move on to a beach resort for a week
- at the end of our stay here, we will return the rental car.

January 11 - FARO - Sunlight House (Telmo) - Booking.com

January 18 - EVORA - Evora Inn (Diana) - Booking.com
- we will be meeting up with Donna here and possibly renting a car with her.

January 25 - T.B.A. TRAVEL WEEK - Evora to Douro Valley

Jan. 25 - Jan 28 - in the area of CASTELO BRANCO
Feb. 3 - Jan. 31 - in the area of GUARDA
Jan. 31 - Feb 3 - in the area of VISEU

February 3 - LAMEGO - Apartamento da Serra em Lamego (Manuela) Air Bnb

February 10 - PORTO - Feel Porto Historical Flats (Ana)

February 18 - T.B.A. TRAVEL WEEK - Porto to SIntra

Feb. 18 - in the area of AVEIRO
Feb. 20 - in the area of COIMBRA
Feb. 22 - TOMAR - Tomar Story Hotel (. )- Booking.com

February 25 - SINTRA - Cinco BnB (Carole and Stuart) - private booking
- we may meet up with our friend,Vaughan, here


March 1 - LISBON - LX4U Apartment’s - Expedia.ca
- Carnival weekend

March 3 - fly to FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLAND on Easy Jet

March 3 - CANECO - Oceanic Apartment ( Dulce) - Air BnB
- Carnival continues

March 9 - fly to PONTA DELGADA, SAO MIGUEL, AZORES on Santa airlines

March 9 - PONTA DELGADA - Hotel Alcedes - Booking.com
- one night here and will meet Amy, Matt, Audrey, Nathan, Caitlin, Cal and possibly Tim on Mar. 10 (6:30 a.m.)

March 10 - LAGOA - Atlantic House (Manuel) - Booking.com

March 16 - T.B.A fly to FAIAL ISLAND (or stay on Sao Miguel)

March 16 - T.B.A TRAVEL WEEK - Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge Islands

Mar. 16 - Horta Faial Island
Mar. 18 - Madalena, Pico Island
Mar. 21 - Velas, Sao Jorge Island
Mar. 23 - Horta, Faial

March 24 - fly to LISBON

March 24 - April 1 - LISBON - Belvedere Interdente Balcony Apartment - (. ) - Air BnB

April 1 - fly to TORONTORead more