Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

What sort of weather can I expect?

Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided
with each itinerary.

The west coast of Portugal has cold and rainy winters with warm weather between May and September. In April average temperatures may range from 17°C to 22°C. During the late spring/ early autumn temperatures are pleasant, seldom rising above 80°F / 27°C. In the height of summer temperatures may rise to 90°F / 32°C, but are moderated by cool sea breezes.

The temperature can vary considerably between coast and inland areas; therefore it is advisable to wear layers which
can be added or removed en route as required. The coast is very windy! It can be chilly in the evenings at any time of the year and a fleece may be welcome.

What sort of walking can I expect?

This is an 8-day trip, with walks offered on 5 days plus two optional walks, one in Sintra and one in Cascais. The length of each day varies from 3 to 6 hours of walking, with shorter and longer walking options available on 2 days. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and do not include stops for lunch, sightseeing – swimming!

The fitness level for this trip is Grade 2-3 . The route follows well-established paths along the Atlantic coast through low hills, vineyards and forests.There are a few rocky and steep sections of path, so good firm walking boots with ankle support are recommended and walking poles are recommended.

What if I don't want to walk?

You don’t have to! You can get a lift with the Route Manager to the next hotel when your bags are moved on, or we can arrange taxis and advise you of local transport options to facilitate shortening the walks.

How do I get to the start of the route?

Taxi bookings

Please place your booking with the ATG office at least two weeks before departure. The cost of the taxi will be confirmed to you once the booking is secured. Payment of the taxi fare should be made locally, not to ATG. The driver will have your flight details and will be waiting in Arrivals with a sign showing your name or ATG.

• If you change your flight please notify us  so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule the taxi for you.

• If, on the day of departure, your flight is cancelled or you miss or change it, please immediately contact the ATG emergency number (number is provided in trip documentation) so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule or cancel the taxi for you.

• If your flight is delayed and you have arranged for the taxi to meet you at the destination airport, your taxi driver will wait for you.

• If you are delayed and you have arranged for a taxi to meet you at a non airport location (e.g. train station) it is essential that you contact your Route Manager or call the ATG emergency
line to notify us at the earliest possible moment, so we can contact the taxi company to re-schedule or cancel the taxi for you.

• Please note that failure to advise ATG that you cannot meet the taxi booked for you, may result in the taxi costs being passed back to you.

Important: Taxi prices quoted apply to the local firm used regularly by ATG – and are guaranteed only if you book through the office in advance. If you get a taxi off a taxi rank please ask the driver to confirm the price for the journey before departing.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Some trips include quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’ in the evening, however on Independent trips you have more flexibility in determining how casual you wish to be. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here: what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

Portuguese cuisine is characterised by rich, filling and full flavoured dishes and is closely related to Mediterranean cuisine. The influence of Portugal’s former colonial possessions is also notable, especially in the wide variety of spices used, such as piri
piri, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla and saffron. Olive oil is a key ingredient in Portuguese cuisine, both for cooking and flavouring meals. Garlic is also widely used, as are herbs such as coriander and parsley. A common soup is the caldo verde with potato, shredded cabbage, and chunks of chouriço sausage. Portugal is a seafaring nation with a well-developed fishing industry and this is reflected in the amount of fish and seafood eaten. The Sintra coastline is renowned for its fish stocks, in particular sea bass, cockles, mussels, clams, oysters
and lobsters. Among fish recipes, bacalhau (cod) dishes are pervasive. It is said there are more than 365 ways to cook bacalhau – one for each day of the year.

Traditional desserts are mostly rich, egg-based and flavoured with cinnamon or vanilla. The most typical desserts are arroz doce (rice-pudding) and leite-creme (a set egg custard).Cakes and pastries are also very common and most towns have a local speciality, such as the travesseiros (puff pastry stuffed with a sweet, gooey filling) in Sintra.

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a wide range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘Continental’ affair – i.e. bread, croissant, juice, coffee.

Lunch

The ATG Route Booklets and our ‘Sustainable Shopping Guides’ are filled with information about markets and shops in which to buy your lunch. From seasonal fruits, local cheeses, cured hams and freshly baked breads, you are limited only by what you can carry in your pack!

Dinner

On some routes, usually where there is no other restaurant within walking distance, half-board accommodation is included (see ‘what is included’ for this trip). In other areas where there is a selection of restaurants, ATG includes a list of recommendations in your ATG Route Booklet. Some restaurants are recommended because they have provided meals that have been regularly enjoyed by ATG clients; other restaurants are renowned internationally (e.g., within the Guide Michelin).

Restaurant bookings

Your Route Manager will be delighted to book restaurants for you if required, ensuring the places you eat at are...

•Your first choice

•The highest standard

• The best value

...and you are not disappointed by finding the restaurant full.

Wines

Wine (red, white and "green") is the traditional Portuguese drink. Colares wine is the most famous of the area and is renowned throughout Portugal. Its principle grape variety is ‘Ramisco’ and
the wine is unique in that it is grown in sand dunes, some 3-10 metres underground. Colares wine is very rich in tannins and so is left for a number of years to mature and develop in taste. Another famous Portuguese wine is, of course, port!

Several of the independent routes, including this one, pass through well-known wine producing regions, with opportunities for wine tasting along the route. If you are particularly interested in wine, you may also like to consider...

• Classic Alsace

• Provence: Vaucluse & the Lubéron

• Siena to Florence

• Southern Tuscany

• Ancient Volcanic Landscapes

• Tuscany & Siena

• Tuscan Hills

• Roman Roads to Orvieto

• Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

• Umbria & Assisi

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our routes due to the wide variety of shops and restaurants available. Your Route Manager will provide you with advice and recommendations at your briefing.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

There are some very smart hotels on this route and though jacket or dress/skirt would not look out of place, evening meals are not generally formal and we would recommend smart/casual clothes. Some of the restaurant options along the route are decidedly more casual.

How much should I budget for items not included?

You can get an idea of transport costs in the ‘getting there’ section of
the trip page. For lunches, costs will depend on whether you choose to buy picnic items or eat in bars/restaurants. Dinners: some are included (see ‘what’s included’). For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. Entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs will vary considerably depending on how much you want to see and how old you are (!). Over 60s enjoy significantly reduced prices at many attractions, so it is worth carrying (safely) some form of identification showing your age. Other costs are items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to limit your walking with public transport or taxis.

What if I want to extend my trip?

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here