There is more to Portugal than the Algarve - visit Lisbon

Advantages: Easy to get around and different quirky places to visit, everyone speaks English
Disadvantages: The City seems a bit 'faded glory'- places uncared for and tired

...what we would see on the way going across the Serra do Caldeirao and which regions we would pass through and then as it was early she said she would be quiet until nearer Lisbon. As we approached Lisbon she told us about the toll on the A22 and the various industries approaching Lisbon and the fact that we would go into Lisbon over the April 25th Bridge and see the huge statue of Christo Rei which is a bit like the Corcovado in Rio and overlooks the city of Lisbon from a great height. This bridge was the first to cross the Tejo and was originally called Saladar Bridge until the coup overthrew the Fascist dictator Saladar in 1974 and Portugal became a democratic Republic. The Portuguese are justifiably proud of this bridge and liken it to the Golden Gate bridge of San Francisco which is does resemble to be fair. We drove over the bridge...

catsholiday 21.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Lisbon (Portugal)

  Portugal's Costa do Sol

Advantages: A Stretch of Coastline with Villas and Architecture from a Ggolden Era
Disadvantages: None

...Estoril and its coastline has always been a favourite getaway for me especially when I worked in Lisbon and still to this day is somewhere I love to visit even though the area has changed a great deal with time. When I first visited Portugal's Cost do Sol over 20 years ago the area had what I can only describe as a 'Miss Faversham look.' It was run down and jaded around the edges. Beautiful villas had been left to decay when their owners fled during the Revolution. I remember walking through private lanes looking at these beautiful ornate buildings with windows broken, overgrown gardens and gates falling off their hinges. Gypsies had taken refuge in many a property, children playing in the streets while scrawny cats jumped into turned over bins. Even though there was a sadness to the area part of the resort had enormous charm and made...

Praski 06.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Cascais-Estoril (Portugal)

Graceful Portugal

Advantages: Relaxing, hot, beautiful scenery
Disadvantages: very steep streets, mad drivers

...I went on my first holiday aboard in 20yrs last year, with my sister, her husband, and their family - to Portugal, we stayed in an apartment complex a few miles out of Lagos - We were only there for a week and had a day trip into Lagos - we caught the local bus, which was air conditioned, but was a bit rickerty, the journey took us about 40mins, through very narrow streets in places. At one point we thought the bus would not make it, but it limped and got us there. It cost us the equivalent of £2.00 each on the bus. Once there the main highway boarding along the coast and the marina is very wide and very busy, there are many crossing along the road, which you can us to cross safely and go into the town. We walked along the front, where you go to many little coves and swim in the sea - which is the most beautiful blue. One...

arnoldhenryrufus 17.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Lagos (Portugal)

London Mercure - just what the doctor ordered!

Advantages: Very close to Tate Modern, and Southwark tube station
Disadvantages: Located on the other side of the river from the likes of Oxford Street

...I stayed at the London Mercure London City last weekend as part of a birthday treat from my boyfriend (I believe he booked it as part of a deal with rail tickets/show tickets/hotel, so am unable to tell you how much the hotel costs separately!). We stayed there for one night (a Saturday) after spending the day shopping in Oxford Street and the evening watching Phantom of the Opera at the London Palladium. We were able to check-in from 2 o'clock onwards, and we arrived at approximately 5pm. We were greeted at reception by a member of staff and a trainee, and were offered a smoking or non-smoking room. We opted for a non-smoking room and were given room 502 on the 5th floor. Room 502 is just a few steps away from the lift, and is forwards facing so you can see straight out into Southwark Street. It is a two-person room with a decent...

Luvlylana 04.06.2008 · Read review
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Review of Mercure London City Bankside, London

  The modern face of Air Portugal

Advantages: Got there in one piece
Disadvantages: Ohhh where to begin? Customer service, Cabin crew, food?

...~Introduction~ Transportes Aereos Portugueses or TAP Portugal was formed in 1945. The first planes were converted C-47's (or Dakota's) as used by Allied forces to drop troops on D-day and ferry in supplies. Most of the original TAP pilots were trained in England by BOAC, whilst others completed training with Iberia the Spanish national airline. The early routes were local, the first was Lisbon to Madrid, then the major Portuguese cities were added and finally international destinations. Step forward 50 years and we have the modern TAP Portugal with destinations to the major Portuguese cities, Europe, Africa and South America. In 2002 TAP carried over 5.5 million passengers on it's network, (Source: www.worldaviation.com). For this you get jet engine planes, grubby leather seats, sulky attendants, tasteless food and incompetent...

buzzard_cad 12.09.2005 · Read review
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Review of TAP Air Portugal

A week at the Mercure...

Advantages: Reasonably priced!
Disadvantages: Rooms basic.

...I stayed at the Mercure in December 2005. It was a bit of last minute booking - booked it on the Friday and then travelled on the Monday. Due to this it was the literally the only place in central London available for the week and prior to this I had never even heard of the hotel! Location - It is literally just behind the Tate Modern and Millenium Bridge. It is about 10mins walk from the hotel to the nearest tube at London Bridge so it is relatively easy to get about. Rooms - Rooms are basic. Similar to staying in an Ibis or Travellodge. They do have everything you need though - TV, tea and coffee facilities etc. And they seemed clean. Facilities - The hotel has a small gym. In has a restaurant and bar but I never ate or drink so can't comment on this. Staff all seemed relatively friendly. Price - It was between £60...

DuckJen 16.06.2006 · Read review
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Review of Mercure London City Bankside, London

Portugal Revised

Advantages: see above
Disadvantages: see above

...After some helpful suggestions, I decided to do this opinion on the town in Portugal I went to, Lagos. Lagos is on the western end of the Algarve, about 100km from Faro, and it is one of the most historical places in Portugal. On the front, there is a huge statue of Henry the Navigator, possibly Portugal's biggest hero, but you can find a much stranger statue in the centre. It is supposed to resemble a spaceman, although it is actually a statue of a 15 year old king, and it is a very controversial statue, because this king led Portugal to a disastrous defeat in Morocco, but he made Lagos the capital of the Algarve, which earned him this statue. The town today is one of the least built up in the Algarve, probably because it does not actually have its own beach. To the west, there are alot of smaller beaches, and not much building...

Yeahmate 03.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Lagos (Portugal)

Northern Portugal - Something A Bit Different

Advantages: Quieter less popular holiday venue for Brits
Disadvantages: Weather doesn't stand comparison with the Algarve

...I?ve tried a couple of times to get a more localised category put on Ciao, but since we have in fact ranged over a sizeable part of northern Portugal, I?ll file this under Portugal:General ******************************************************************** I?ve been to Portugal for a two-week holiday four times now over a six year period, the first three occasions, being, not surprisingly, to the Algarve region. This year, we felt like a change, so we head north to the Douro and Minho areas of the far north ? so far north in fact that it borders Galicia in north-western Spain. After all, an area that produces port and vinho verde can?t be all bad, can it? Well no IT can?t but the early August weather is another matter. Please don?t go there expecting the same fortnight of pool- or beach-side laziness that you can get away...

BNibbles 21.08.2004 (22.08.2004) · Read review
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Review of Portugal:General

Friendly Portugal

Advantages: Nice People, beaches and towns
Disadvantages: Not alot of shopping

...My parents moved to Portugal last year and invited my children and myself over for a three week holiday. I have to admit I was not keen to go as I have not long moved back to the UK from Spain. I was very surprised how friendly and caring the people were. They have a very laid back lifestyle but a very welcoming as well. My parents live in the Algarve in a sleepy little area near Montegordo called Villa Real. This is a 45 minute drive from Faro airport. It has lovely beaches that never seem to be over crowded, however they never seem to be empty either . There is very little English spoken but the locals do their best to try to understand you and always have a smile on their face. Montegordo itself is used to more tourists and there are a few English speaking bars. The town centre has a pedestrian only area and it is lovely to sit...

vichar68 21.02.2007 (24.02.2007) · Read review
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Review of Portugal:General

Get out of the Resort and see the real Portugal

Advantages: A lovely part of Portugal
Disadvantages: None

...My hubby and I grabbed a last minute deal to Portugal back in April of this year and found the Algarve area really relaxing and friendly. We stayed in Albufeira which was the largest resort and very popular with the tourists. It had an area known as the strip which to me was very much like Blackpool great to have a quick look around but not very relaxing because it was full of bars and overpriced tacky shops. The old town of Albufeira was a nicer place to visit with its beach front bars and winding streets filled with shops and tavernas. The square itself was full of different restaurants, there was plenty of choice but some were quite pricey, but I liked it here because there was always some sort of entertainment. We stopped for a beer one afternoon just to listen to the Pan Pipers and ended up staying for an hour or two, after...

rosiesmum 01.06.2008 · Read review
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Review of Algarve (Portugal)