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Portugal: mainland and islands
Dear members of the forum, I would like to visit Portugal in the middle of autumn. There is an idea: a week on the mainland, a week on the island of Madeira. Who rested like this? Is it worth it? Or all the same not to combine? Departure from Moscow.
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Answers • 9
we went on a Portuguese vacation tour - we were completely delighted. The host side tried very hard - interesting excursions. very rich program, beautiful nature, calm, benevolent country. And most importantly - very tasty food, from bread to sweets. It seems to me. it is worth choosing a gastronomic tour, because they show a lot of castles and cities, so there are plenty of impressions. You can devote more time to Portuguese cuisine - well, very good! As for Madeira, according to eyewitnesses, beach holidays there are not so hot - there are few convenient places to enter the ocean, it often storms, the water does not heat up. like in Turkey or Montenegro. The whole island is mountainous, so it's for outdoor enthusiasts. But the place is very beautiful. I think if you combine both - you will not regret it. But personally, I would stay more on the mainland. I wish you a good trip
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answered 12 years ago
Madeira is truly a chic island and worth a visit! I didn’t quite understand the comment about “not so hot a beach holiday” ... Yes, there are no beaches in such quantity and such length as in Turkey or Spain, but you can have a great time near the ocean !! There are exits both through platforms and sandy (mostly with black volcanic sand). You just have to remember that this is a rocky island!!! We were in September - great weather, calm ocean. We bought a tour of 4 days in Lisbon, 10 in Madeira. I liked it very much!!! If you are planning a holiday in Lisbon, take a hotel in the city center, more convenient transportation, proximity to the metro, the opportunity to wander the streets of Lisboa on your own, especially in the evening, beauty ...! In Madeira, they took a car and traveled the whole island. In general, I fell in love with Portugal, we plan to get out to the Azores. Tell us about your experience if you were there...
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answered 12 years ago
Thank you Fallerla. Will you send (in a personal) the coordinates of the TO that organized the tour? And further. Is our driver's license suitable for renting a car? Will there be language problems? (English Intermediate)
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answered 12 years ago
We were in Madeira - a fairy tale! A must to visit! :)
Regarding the rental - we planned to take a car, but changed our minds on the spot when we saw the roads and traffic. Really SCARY! :) On the spot you can take good excursions (the most expensive ones are "for Russians", "with a Russian guide", etc.) for the whole day. We took a one-day trip in the west of the island, then a one-day trip in the east, on our own we went through a not very difficult route along the levadas, having reached the beginning and end of the route by bus. From Funchal itself there is a cable car (teleferico) to the botanical garden, which is also more convenient than by car.
Regarding the rental - we planned to take a car, but changed our minds on the spot when we saw the roads and traffic. Really SCARY! :) On the spot you can take good excursions (the most expensive ones are "for Russians", "with a Russian guide", etc.) for the whole day. We took a one-day trip in the west of the island, then a one-day trip in the east, on our own we went through a not very difficult route along the levadas, having reached the beginning and end of the route by bus. From Funchal itself there is a cable car (teleferico) to the botanical garden, which is also more convenient than by car.
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answered 12 years ago
Baunty, took a tour through Vand Tour, they have a website, check it out. For car rental. In hertz and Avis, prices are much higher than in local companies, even with our discount (20%), and the choice in local companies is much larger. They give discounts if you take a car for more than 3 days. They didn’t even ask us for a driver’s license at the rental office, we didn’t apply for an international one, but in general it’s probably better to do it. At least we want to do it before the next trip. There are very few jeeps and other large cars, at first they did not understand, like a rocky island. . . When they took the car themselves understood. . . Tunnels go through the entire island, the so-called high-speed routes, the recommended speed is 100. It is very convenient and fast to get to anywhere on the island, but we drove mainly along the perimeter of the island, stopping by the road to the settlements we liked, admiring the amazing views. These roads are really narrow, two cars often cannot pass.. But it's not scary everywhere there are so-called pockets where you can get up and let the car pass. But the Portuguese amazed us, they are very polite and respectful when driving, they will always let you through, even if they have priority in traffic, they will explain how to get there.
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answered 12 years ago
We noticed that many cars have shabby sides, apparently narrow roads have an effect :) but the Portuguese do not worry about this at all. Our car was not examined at all, we agreed with the company and gave the keys to the reception at the hotel at the end of the lease. As for the scary roads in pachok's review - apparently everyone has their own perception, but the roads along the coast are very winding and you need attention, and of course you don’t drive, but you won’t see how much fun you get with more than one excursion. By the way, everyone travels along the coast at a low speed. I think you will orient yourself on the spot and make the right decision for yourself :) About the language. There was a feeling that literally all Portuguese know him, and at a good level. I think that even with an average level of English you will be comfortable and able to explain yourself, the Portuguese are very friendly and easy to get in touch with. My husband practically does not know English, but due to his sociability, he communicated with everyone very well :) There will be more questions to ask
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answered 12 years ago