itsanita

I appriciate so much your taking the time to give me all the great advice and insights. I will tweek my itinerary so that I don't need to call in a helicoptor (so funny). Hopefully, with all my pre planning, we will get to see most of the sights using several of the elevators/lifts. Since we are by ourselves, we can decide how long too stay at each area. And I will take your advise about the Natas. Do you feel entering The Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem should be high on our priortiy list? Or are visits to the outside areas enough? Again, .....thanks for the info and advice.

We have a 4 hour priviate Tuk Tuk tour. It will take us whereever we want to go, but their suggetions: Lisbon Catherdral, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Feira da Ladra (flea market), Pink Street, Sao Pedro de Alcantara veiw point (but I think we can do that from the Castle), Pasteis de Belem (custard tarts???), and then Belem and Monument to the Discoveries. Since it is a priviate tour, we can add/delete and stay as long as we wish at these areas. Then once he drops us off at the Castle, we were planning on seeing the Miradouro das Portas do Sol for the view, then head down towards the main square in the city centre (Praça do Comércio). Walk to the edge of the river where there’s a quay. (Two marble columns on either side of some steps lead into the water ?) Take a drink / snack break at the Terrace Ministerium. Then head back up to the Santa Justa Lift to CARMO Convent and ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. I do have notes as how to get there bypassing the lift if it is crowded. We would probably grab dinner there and then head back down to our hotel. Does this seem doable to you?

I found this while looking for ways to DOWN from the Castle. We are taking a tour in the am, and have requested to be dropped off at the end of the tour at the Castle. After spending some time there, we are then planning on walking back to our Hotel da Baixa. When putting all the above names in google maps, it looks so very confusing. Would it be easier to just walk back, skipping all the elevators? Is it all downhill? Thanks so much for your help!

Never too much info!! Thanks for taking the time to share.

Thanks for your suggestions. We leave the cruise ship in Lisbon and have reserved Hotel da Baixa for a additionsl 3 nights. We choose that location, as it seems to be in a pedistrian aread and central to everything. I am now trying to figure out how to best use my 3 full days there. I will definitaly look into the public transportation and perhaps a private half day Tuk Tuk tour. Also looking at a trip to Sintra and perhaps a trip to Fatima. So MUCH to see!

How would you find the actual tour operator? I assume its the same with Spain Day Tours, another popular tour company on these boards.

Has anyone done the Lisbon Highlights Tour with Shore Excursions? It is 7 hours long and I am wondering how often you get out of the van? It includes Lisbon Cathedral, the Belem Tower etc, but does not say if its a drive by or we can go in. I sent an email to them, but received the same info that is on its website. Thanks,

Has anyone done the Lisbon Highlights Tour with Shore Excursions? It is 7 hours long and I am wondering how often you get out of the van? It includes Lisbon Cathedral, the Belem Tower etc, but does not say if its a drive by or we can go in. I sent an email to them, but received the same info that is on its website. Thanks,

We are booked with SDT. It's a long ride, but seems to be the easiest way to visit the Alhambra. Can someone tell me how much walking this tour entails? I know they break us up into smaller groups once there. Is it constant walking, or short walks with lots of stops? He managed Neuschwanstein Castle without difficulty, lots of walking there, but it was a lot of stopping and starting. Not long stretches at a time. Trying to decide if my DH can manage it after a knee replacement and hip replacement.

Hmmmm maybe we should try and do both. I guess my question would be...those of you who have done both, which would you be more likely to visit again?

I did all that!! But both look interesting. Are they similar once inside? One is more expensive, but that does not necessarlity mean better.

Casa Batllo and La Pedrera (Casa Mila) We only have time to visit one of these on our last morning in Barcelona. In your opioion, which one should we choose? Or should we try and make time to do both, back to back?

So if they do offer traditional dining times......does anyone remember what the times are? And what time are the shows? Stil 7pm and 9pm?

Can anyone tell me what the times are for the assigined dining times? 6? and 8:30?

Does this tour include getting out of the vehicle at any time? Or just a drive by all the sights? Are you able to walk through any of the gothic area, visit any of the chruches (other than the Sagrada Familia)?