On the Road to the Algarve

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We checked out of our Lisbon Hotel at 9 and loaded up the bus to head south to the Algarve. We've got a new driver, also named the Portuguese version of John. He also had a different plan to propose for the trip. His plan made sense so we traveled south along the coast for part of the way, made some stops, and eventually took the highway to Lagos, rather than a longer, slower coastal ride to Sagres. Our first stop was in Azeitaio, a small town with 2 wineries. I bought wine at the Jose Maria da Fonseca and wandered a bit. Next stop was a tile studio Azulejos at Azeitaio. We had a demonstration of how the tiles are made and painted...quite amazing. Next stops...a beautiful point overlooking Troia Beach, and a fish and produce market in Stobel. After a lunch stop in Alcacer for yet another cheese sandwich, we settled in for a 2 + hour ride to Lagos. Along the way the land was green with cork, Olive and eucalyptus trees along the road. If only our driver wasnt looking at his phone every other minute and rubbing his eyes like he was talking asleep at the wheel. But we made it safely to the last stop of the day...the Avenida Hotel. The location was perfect...on a marina walking distance to town, but the room arrangements were 'unique' to say the least. Fortunately the clear glass showers and little privacy brought lots of laughs. Adding wine to the mix made for a fun night. Once the restaurant in the hotel got over that we were 9 people looking for dinner without a reservation, we had a delicious dinner. More wine from an interesting Austrian we met at the bar, and day 3 was in the books!

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Comments

[Meir]

Marilyn, Admire your writing. Enjoy Portugal
Marilyn, Admire your writing so much about all the places you visited. Portugal is indeed beautiful with good food and very friendly people. Enjoy