Portugal: Europe’s Best-Kept Vacation Secret
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
By Richard Levy
Thinking about a European vacation? Forget about France, Italy, Spain or the U.K. They’ll be overcrowded with tourists, long lines at tourist attractions and overpriced restaurants and hotels.
My advice is to make plans to go to Portugal. Portugal has everything you could ever want in a spectacular affordable, delicious, fun vacation. The Portuguese people are welcoming, most speak English and they embrace Americans.
Portugal has spring-like balmy weather year-round and they have great heritage; they ruled the seas for more than 200 years.
Portugal has little serious crime and trash on the streets. From the moment you arrive until the day you depart, you can drop your defenses and have your anxiety eased because Portugal is stress-free.
Take TAP, the outstanding airline of Portugal. TAP has won more awards for the “best inflight experience” than any airline. Their New York-to-Lisbon fares are lower than those to most other European destinations. Consider flying business class one way; it costs much less than most airlines and it’s an incredible experience, with comfy chairs that collapse down into cozy beds, gourmet meals and, of course, delicious Portuguese vintage Port.
If you can only take a 10-day vacation, fly TAP non-stop from Kennedy Airport to Lisbon, spend five nights in the captivating capital of Portugal and five nights in Porto, the charming historic city nestled on the Douro River.
Lisbon has some of the most spectacular cultural attractions and restaurants in Europe. It’s also more affordable than any major European city. A decadent seafood dinner costs under $100, including a bottle of Portuguese Vino Verde.
Lisbon is home of Fado, the unique mournful songs sung by Portuguese women. After dinner wander into one of Lisbon’s many Fado Cafes and make friends with a bottle of vintage Port. No alcoholic spirit lingers as seductively as when you slowly cherish its last drop.
On your first morning, take the half-day Hop-In Hop-Off Bus Tour to get a good feel for the city and its tourist attractions. Then return to places that enticed you.
My favorite restaurant for dinner for delicious local specialties is Bairro do Avillez.
Ask your hotel to book the half-day taxi trip to the historic city of nearby Sintra and its spectacular hilltop Pena National Palace.
After your delightful time in Lisbon, take the express train to amazing Porto and spend the second half of the trip in this charming, waterfront city. Porto is gorgeous, and its bustling cafes are a must-go. After your second glass of Port at a café you’ll probably say, “You know, I could live here.”
Porto’s the perfect place for a “Pied de Terre.” Studio apartments in the downtown historic area run about $200,000 and there’s financing. Contact Susana da Silva – she’s lovely and one of Portugal’s top real estate brokers – at smlsilva@remax.pt or at +351 917329425.
My favorite restaurant is Mistu. It’s like eating in Rick’s Café in Casablanca.
Nightlife at Porto’s clubs is fun and uninhibited, so let your hair down and dance the night away. Clubs open at dusk and close at dawn.
Book a hotel in the historic district near the waterfront. My favorite is Hotel Infante Sagres. It’s 70 years old with classic elegance, an award-winning restaurant, a spa and the location is perfect. (It’s worth splurging.)
After five spectacular days in Porto, take the express train back to Lisbon. Celebrate your last night by getting dressed up and dinning at Bistro 100 Maneiras, one of Lisbon’s most fashionable restaurants. After dinner head for a Fado Café for a nightcap of vintage Port for your last delicious taste of Portugal.
Hastings-on-Hudson resident Richard Levy is a former advertising “Mad Man” creative director and now a travel writer. He’s also an inventor of innovative products and is writing and illustrating a new children’s book. You can contact him at RichardLevyTravelWriter@gmail.com.
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