Holidays

[Kippaxian]

Currently in Barbados. Such a beautiful island with lovely people. Back next week. Next trip is to Vilnius in June.

Amazing place. Was there for T20 last year. A week in Holetown and a week in St Lawrence. Quite restricted as Covid still an issue (masks and 12pm curfew etc) so am going back in Feb 24 for a fuller experience. Probably be back to St Lawrence's Gap.

 

[AlgarveBlu]

Thinking of coastal Portugal in the summer after two terrific city breaks in Lisbon & Porto. Any recommendations?

Had the opportunity whilst being stuck here for a couple of years during covid to see quite a lot of the costal areas between Lisbon and Porto (although Portugal's' geography of over a 1000 miles of coastline).

Stand out for me of many stunning spots is Ericeira which is a great town not too far up the coast from Cascais. Really bustling old style authentic town with lots of eateries and bars in the cobbled streets leading down to one of the many the beaches nearby. If you get a chance stay at this hotel (Vila Gale) for a few nights which goes out into the sea and has a really Portuguese colonial feel about the whole place.

But you literally have hundreds of miles of pristine beaches and towns all the way up to Nazare (great vibe there especially if you like surfing) up to. Cascais has been spoken about alot, it's whats known as the Hamptons of Portugal and your well to do Lisbonites go there so can be pricy accommodation wise but around 30 minutes away from Ericeira.

For something different the Douro valley near Porto is very nice, had a great week there kayaking, eating and swimming in the Douro river with spectacular scenery snaking all along - wine and Port is not too bad either ;-)

 

[dromoreblue]

Had the opportunity whilst being stuck here for a couple of years during covid to see quite a lot of the costal areas between Lisbon and Porto (although Portugal's' geography of over a 1000 miles of coastline).

Stand out for me of many stunning spots is Ericeira which is a great town not too far up the coast from Cascais. Really bustling old style authentic town with lots of eateries and bars in the cobbled streets leading down to one of the many the beaches nearby. If you get a chance stay at this hotel (Vila Gale) for a few nights which goes out into the sea and has a really Portuguese colonial feel about the whole place.

View attachment 74172

But you literally have hundreds of miles of pristine beaches and towns all the way up to Nazare (great vibe there especially if you like surfing) up to. Cascais has been spoken about alot, it's whats known as the Hamptons of Portugal and your well to do Lisbonites go there so can be pricy accommodation wise but around 30 minutes away from Ericeira.

For something different the Douro valley near Porto is very nice, had a great week there kayaking, eating and swimming in the Douro river with spectacular scenery snaking all along - wine and Port is not too bad either ;-)

Sounds interesting. We're heading to Lisbon for the first time at the end of April. Doing 5 nts in Lisbon and 5 in Cascais. Ericeira sounds like our type of place. Will definitely check it out.

 

[AJ71]

Had the opportunity whilst being stuck here for a couple of years during covid to see quite a lot of the costal areas between Lisbon and Porto (although Portugal's' geography of over a 1000 miles of coastline).

Stand out for me of many stunning spots is Ericeira which is a great town not too far up the coast from Cascais. Really bustling old style authentic town with lots of eateries and bars in the cobbled streets leading down to one of the many the beaches nearby. If you get a chance stay at this hotel (Vila Gale) for a few nights which goes out into the sea and has a really Portuguese colonial feel about the whole place.

View attachment 74172

But you literally have hundreds of miles of pristine beaches and towns all the way up to Nazare (great vibe there especially if you like surfing) up to. Cascais has been spoken about alot, it's whats known as the Hamptons of Portugal and your well to do Lisbonites go there so can be pricy accommodation wise but around 30 minutes away from Ericeira.

For something different the Douro valley near Porto is very nice, had a great week there kayaking, eating and swimming in the Douro river with spectacular scenery snaking all along - wine and Port is not too bad either ;-)

My mum and dad booked a cheap last minute deal (Thomson Small & Friendly) holiday to Ericeira about 30 years ago. Loved it, went back several times and stayed at the Vila Gale. Have always meant to try it.

 

[Zabaleta5]

Has anybody visited the Shetland Islands?

 

[aka blue jambo]

Sounds interesting. We're heading to Lisbon for the first time at the end of April. Doing 5 nts in Lisbon and 5 in Cascais. Ericeira sounds like our type of place. Will definitely check it out.

Definitely go to the Time Out food hall in Lisbon
Trains to Cascais are slow and nae bog

 

[aka blue jambo]

Off to Samui in 2 weeks

 

[MCFC Wirral]

RE: Latvia. I’m due there towards the end of the year with Wales. Let me know what it’s like, please.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

RE: Latvia. I’m due there towards the end of the year with Wales. Let me know what it’s like, please.

If in Riga try and get the train out to Jumala beautiful bars on the sea about 30 mins and costs pennies to get there.

We went by open top boat on the river and back by train.

 

[vincent]

Amazing place. Was there for T20 last year. A week in Holetown and a week in St Lawrence. Quite restricted as Covid still an issue (masks and 12pm curfew etc) so am going back in Feb 24 for a fuller experience. Probably be back to St Lawrence's Gap.

Yeah quite easy to get to too as direct flights ex M’cr with Aer Lingus, TUI & Virgin.