Rare Eli_6 Posted August 19, 2020 #1 Share Posted August 19, 2020 I am on a CCL cruise next June going to Porto. I would prefer to book with the cruise line. I have looked at their options and I am undecided between Guimaraes and Braga. Which would you recommend? I like historical sites--old churches, castles, etc. The pics of Braga look absolutely stunning but I saw on where Guimaraes probably has more historical significance so I am torn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted August 24, 2020 #2 Share Posted August 24, 2020 This is why I prefer not to take ship's excursions. Third-party tours from Porto easily do both in one day. Ship's tours can't because they pack so many people on each bus, so potty breaks take forever – and of course there is always the mandatory shopping stop at the place that gives the ship a kickback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Eli_6 Posted September 4, 2020 Author #3 Share Posted September 4, 2020 On 8/23/2020 at 8:24 PM, Host Jazzbeau said: This is why I prefer not to take ship's excursions. Third-party tours from Porto easily do both in one day. Ship's tours can't because they pack so many people on each bus, so potty breaks take forever – and of course there is always the mandatory shopping stop at the place that gives the ship a kickback. Yeah, but I am concerned that they will require us to use the ship company since that is the current requirement in Europe now with the lines that have opened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downsmead Posted September 15, 2020 #4 Share Posted September 15, 2020 We did both in one trip, whilst staying in Porto. I had a look back at both cities to see which was ‘best’. If Braga includes Bom Jesus Sanctuary, then this is a good trip - I am not sure that either place on their own would fill one whole day trip to make it worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted September 16, 2020 #5 Share Posted September 16, 2020 7 hours ago, downsmead said: We did both in one trip, whilst staying in Porto. I had a look back at both cities to see which was ‘best’. If Braga includes Bom Jesus Sanctuary, then this is a good trip - I am not sure that either place on their own would fill one whole day trip to make it worthwhile. It's amazing how cruise ship shore excursions manage to pack so little into a day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkto Posted September 24, 2020 #6 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Can do both in one trip. There is a bus between Guimaraes and Braga, takes about 40 min. Train between Porto and either Guimaraes or Braga are at least hourly and some times 2 per hour. Bom Jesus is may be 15 min cab ride from center of Braga. Also there is local bus #2 that goes there and HOHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted October 10, 2020 #7 Share Posted October 10, 2020 On 9/15/2020 at 9:28 PM, Host Jazzbeau said: It's amazing how cruise ship shore excursions manage to pack so little into a day! You are signing my song :). But lets understand they do allocate lots of waiting time or folks to go to the rest rooms, waiting for the couple that is always late back to the bus, need to allocate valuable time to shopping in places either owned by the tour company or who get a big kick-back from purchases. There is a simple rule when it comes to any tour group. It can only move along at the pace of the slowest member of the party. On the other hand those excursions fill an important niche for those who do not want to do their own planning, homework, etc. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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