Blog ≫ 2026 ≫ Portugal holiday part two
Some more transcribed Portugal holiday, sounds like we have jumped ahead a bit from last time, and we have, but it jumps back if you stick with it.
The transcribed bit
Up just after 6 on Thursday to go to Sinatra. Taxi to station, train to Sinatra, then some other transfer at other end. Another bus? We have tickets to be at certain parts at certain times.
Spanner in the works is sick child. T1 got sick around tea time yesterday, and then was sick several times overnight. So since first writing that we changed plans. Wife and T2 gone off in a taxi to the station, and I'm staying at the hotel with T1. He feels weak and tired from all the vomiting. Last thing he had was a cocktail in the hotel bar, alcohol free, it at least it was meant to be. T2 had the same one when he came down to join us a little later and he's ok. He did feel a bit dizzy on returning to hotel but I don't think it is related.
So, I'm gradually working backwards here, might go back and add more notes while I have time on my hands. Let's start again at the beginning.
Flight here fine, a snoring family behind us were very noisy, but flight was easy. Snoring was so bad the couple day in our row moved seats to the back of the plane 1.
Arrival at airport ok, on the first bus off the plane, so quick to immigration. I already noted that was an awful experience. Do they not want visitors? We booked a taxi, an Uber or a Bolt from the airport to hotel, they are cheap here. Pick up a bit chaotic, there's obviously a designated pick up point at the airport but it's not as streamlined (nor as expensive) as at UK airports. We found our driver eventually. It was meant to be the "comfort" option, I was hoping for a limo or something, but there wasn't even room for all four small wheely cases in the boot. So I had one in my knee, not very comfortable. But not a long journey.
Hotel absolutely lovely, we're away from the main hustle and bustle of the city. It was only Tuesday when we arrived, and Thursday as I write these notes, and I'm forgetting the order already. We were early for check in so we must have gone for a walk, to find somewhere for dinner later. Think we stopped first for a snack at Seventh, a brunch sort of place, but it looked like it would become a lively bar later. I saw a small stage set up for live music and toilets had "click this button if you dare" in them like we saw in Lake Garda. Then more walking, then back to the rooms.
Glass of sparkling wine on our second arrival, our actual check in, and it was nice. We had two great big inter connecting rooms. Bathroom is fun, ok for couples, basically open to the room. Boys slightly less keen on this arrangement in their room. Quick change, and to the pool. Here's where I send my first picture to my friends, the first clue that I am not actually at home. A fun game we're always play.
Pool small, loungers mostly taken. It's a city hotel, not a resort, the outdoor pool is a bonus really. Was nice to sit, and the temperature good. Air temp 28° so the pool water fine.
Change again and walk back out. We checked out a nice view point with a little market, then in to Delirium bar for beer and pool! They didn't have as much beer as first seemed, all bottles and cans I think, but there was a free old American style pool table. Also some small tables in balconies overhanging the street and some great furniture. I particularly liked this old ammo box thing, can we get one?
Then to dinner, as we are in Portugal if course it is Italian. Yep Belgian beer and Italian food. There are vegan options scattered about, we have other other kinds of restaurants booked for later in the week, but we liked the look and location and menu of this one. We had bruschetta and pizza. There was live guitar music, not the traditional Fado but covers. Not convinced we will experience any Fado.
Think we walked back to hotel. Boys tired and went to room, we went for one drink in hotel bar. Prices relatively good for a hotel bar €7 for a wine.
Wednesday was good, up to the point the boy got sick anyway. Late start, we don't have breakfast included at the hotel, so no rush. Out for brunch, our first Honest Greens. All good, breakfast burrito, coffee. It's a chain but it feels healthy. Meandered to the meeting point for our pre-booked two hour Segway tour, via a soft drink break in a bar on Praça do Comércio 2, just to use the loo really.
Segway great, but a bit slow on crowded streets. A proper tour taking in history, and a break at time or market. So at least wife and T2 have had a traditional pastel de nata custard tart, that's one thing ticked off the list. We had a chance for a bit of a Segway race at the end, but be careful says the guide, mind the step at the end of this bit, I've had lots of tourists go flying here... T1 went flying off the step. I nearly did, but braked in time. Great fun.
After, a slow taxi back to the hotel, I think we could have walked it quicker, really heavy traffic. But cheap again. So cheap we're getting loads of them and it's getting expensive. My first time in a Tesla, that radar system they have is mad.
Back to hotel, another quick dip and sit by the pool, then change for dinner, and meet in the hotel bar. Planned and tried for dinner at the hotel, as there was a buffet. It looked nice but there wasn't enough choice for us. So last minute change of plan. This is where T1 was first sick, so he went back to hotel and we went back to Honest Greens. It worked for dinner, I could eat there again. It feels American. We had the big salad bowls, two with chicken, mine not. Then sharing plates of hummus and bread and loaded sweet potato fries. Back to the room, quite early to bed ready for our long day in Sinatra. Supposedly. This is where we came in...
Boy woke up again about half nine, a bit confused, actually hard to understand what he's saying, but eventually he came round. "I've got infinite time now haven't I, to go through these clothes", something he was dreaming about. He's not been sick again, cleaned his teeth, and having a drink. We'll wait in the room until they come to clean then head off to the pool. I've heard from wife at Pena Palace, where we were all meant to be right now. 1) it's cold there. 2) even if he wasn't ill T1 would definitely have been sick in the bus up to the palace. Like the bus we went on in Italy apparently.
- Think I repeated this, sorry.
- I didn't remember the name of the square at the time had to look it up. If you've seen any programmes about Lisbon you've seen this. "Also historically known as Terreiro do Paço. Right next to the Tagus River in downtown Lisbon. A large, open U-shaped space surrounded by grand yellow buildings and connected to the famous Rua Augusta Arch. Built on the former site of the royal palace, which was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.