#outsidelisbon

[foodbysung]

This is the most perfect modern Portuguese restaurant in #cascais, happens to have one of the best views of the beach, perfect for vegetable fix, and excellent cocktails. I might be there for the 3rd day in a roll... @restaurantehifen #portugal #beachtown #outsidelisbon #delicious #vegetarian #cocktails #portugesefood #sogood #modernportuguesefood #portugesfood #portuguese #foodporn #cocktailporn (at HÍFEN) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvp2_V-hQYQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18o6gempsmp5m

[overplanningportugal-blog]

In every tourism book and blog about Portugal, people write about Sintra as if you'd be a complete dolt to miss it. It's not too far outside of Lisbon with excellent train service to and from the city. 

Sintra was the playground of the Portuguese royalty, it's beauty and history is famed (it's a UNESCO World Heritage site). But I will say that for every 5 people claiming that it's the most amazing.place.evar there's one who is quietly saying "yeah, there's castles and all, but it's so crowded and kind of a tourist trap."

I've had the pleasure of corresponding with an employee of a Lisbon tour company who did admit to me that many elements of Sintra are tourist traps, but there are some sites that are just too amazing to miss.

Specifically he mentioned:

The Grounds of the Quinta da Regaleira Estate: (Here's a link to a really chic blog post about it)

The Hiking Trails around the Sintra Estates

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More Info:

Here's a Wikipedia article about Sintra

This is the tour company whose employees have been very nice about answering all of my questions: Lisbon Explorer 

Photos: Pedro Szekely & hom26 on Flickr

[foodbysung]

Beautiful #cascais. #portual #beachtown #outsidelisbon #travelbysung #lastlegofthetrip #almosthome #beach #onthewater (at Cascais) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvm_hhfBPSs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19rjl2fdjnrss

[overplanningportugal-blog]

Ah Odemira! 

Actually I don't have much to say about Odemira because it's not really a tourist destination. I stumbled across the town due to a promising Air BnB rental, and it's kind of stuck in my brain.

Unfortunately there's only a scant Wikipedia page and some forum posts from expats looking for reasonably-priced contractors. 

But it looks super nice, right? I guess we're going to have to check it out for ourselves. 

[overplanningportugal-blog]

This is another lovely-looking beach town within reach of Lisbon that I came across in my research for our trip. 

Ericeira is about 22 miles northwest of Lisbon, and it's a World Surf Reserve which appears to be a European designation that affords some sort of protected status to the beach/surf.

Needless to say, most of the press on this place focuses on surfing- but the village itself seems to be pretty charming too and not crazy with tourists (it's probably pretty slow in the off season, but is there such a thing as an "off season" for surfers?)

Also, since it's been an in-the-know destination for surfers for a little while now there are an abundance of reasonably-priced accommodations available. I'd check out AirBnB if you're interested, I already have a few places saved to my wish list. 

Calgary Herald Article on Ericeira

Photos: Francisco Antunes on Flickr

[overplanningportugal-blog]

Sesimbra is a small fishing village turned modest resort town frequented by visitors from Lisbon. It's approximately 25 miles south of Lisbon and famed for restaurants with uber fresh seafood ("fresh" as in caught that morning by the family of the restaurant proprietor). 

I'm thinking of renting an apartment here after our stay in Lisbon. Surf n turf. 

More about Sesimbra: http://sesimbraportugal.net

Pictures: Pedro Ribeiro Simões on Flickr