Lisbon Travel Answers

It would be better to ask locals there as they have perfect idea about the famous thing of there city.

I love California ... but after having some of the Portuguese wines, I don't think bringing wine would be the best choice. For one VT meet I went to the Ansel Adams site and brought some of the blank Ansel Adams blank notes. They're black and white, so they could be used by men or women and they have California versions. See's Candy ... hmmmm ... we're going back to Lisbon this month and are dreaming about the Pasteis de Belem. The candy would be better than wine though, and maybe you can go to that little Ghirardelli store in SF and get a nice *small* sampler, or something with a SF-themed package.

to be a little more clear - I think Portuguese wines are outstanding. If you have a chance, hop on a train to Porto and visit Pinhao - you'll see one of the wine regions and enjoy some awesome wines.

Don't bring wine. There is enough in Portugal and it is excellent. Moreover the Portuguese consider it the best available. If liquor, bring some nice Bourbon Whiskey. I know a lot of Portuguese, who drink Whiskey (besides wine). Enjoy the trip!

I'd refrain from bringing American wine into Portugal a land that produces great wines of which are better and in far more instances superior to California wines...besides it's a present/gift with its weight clumsy to carry My own suggestion would be to take small and lighter items especially with a native San Francisco touch to them e.g. tee-shirt with a clever SF logo emblazoned on it somewhere, key chain, a Golden Gate fridge magnet, a box or a bag of purely SF delicacy so long as they're dried processed products You mentioned chocolate? how about the purely American See's Chocolates? get the one with nuts on each one - this they won't find in Portugal. I brought this one to friends in Lisbon in one of my trips there and they went crazy over it

Friends of ours from SF always bring us Californian pistachios........oh yes, and absolutely fabulous dried apricots........

Well, S. Francisco is one of the few cities in the States that the people living in Lisboa usually feel some "connection", because of the hills, trams and our own version of the Golden Gate. In your conversations here it's very likely that people will ask for comparisons. Portuguese import only 1% of the total amount of wine consumed in the country, everybody will try to show you our wines the minute they discover that you appreciate wine. Try to bring something funny and different (See's Lollipops; Ghirardelli signature hot cocoas; Ghirardelli's 100% all natural products), humoristic magnets or a nice book about S. Francisco(photo album?).

I told a friend of mine about possibly bringing wine and he totally laughed at me, then I come on here and everyone says the same thing. I think See's and Ghiradelli may be the way to go. I like the idea of California Pistachios. Thank you all. Keep the ideas coming.

I indeed plan on going to Porto, to spend one night instead of a day trip. Any suggestion to stay. We are a group of 3.

If you go to Porto, plan to spend a night in Pinhao, you won't regret it. Try to take the early train to Porto and sit riverside - you'll hit the Duero about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way into Pinhao. See cp.pt - use the Horarios / Timetables tab on the right or you won't find Pinaho. There are two places to stay - one seems quite reasonable and clean - I included both places in my Pinhao page. Then go for a walk in the vineyards, and take a ravelo down the Duero. If interested - you can also take the 10:30 am ravelo from Pinhao to Tui - this is about 2 hours, have lunch in Tui, and take the train back to Pinhao, or back to Porto from there. There's a little restaurant right above the boat ramp that will fix you almost anything you want - or ask if you'd like to have what they're having for lunch - we did, and it was delicious!

NewMike- This is just my opinion but personally I would not take chocolates. First of all, you do not know if your suitcase will sit on the tarmac in the full sun or for how long. Secondly, Belgiam chocolates are every where in Europe. When I think about gifts, I remember when I visited some German friends 40 years ago. They surprised me when they gave me a medallion and chain which showed their city highlight, the Marienkirke. I still have that piece of jewelry today and most importantly, I still polish it up and wear it. Choose something about your city. It does not matter if the people you are visiting know the place or not. But, good heavens- you come from SF! Go to the jewelry store and find something which will last over time.

Hi and Shalom: As a lover of wine myself, I would recommend bringing in some of that beautiful California stuff. Yes there are good wines in Portugal, I know from personal experience, but a foreign wine, especially a gift from a friend lends it that extra special taste. As for carrying, I have had as many as 9 bottles in my luggage for gifts when traveling (Yes I know that it is over the legal limit) and you only have to pack carefully and it will be safe even if they drop your bag. The wine bottles are very strong and will only break if being struck sharply directly on the bottle itself. So if it is wrapped in your clothes, they protect it. Just make sure that it cannot move or shift postion. Yes, California Wines are excellent and I agree that Portugese Wines are also excellent having tried dozens of each. On our Cascais VT Meet, Antonio took us to a government office in Lisbon that serves us samples of Portugese wines from all over the country to introduce you to the differences, it was great. You should try that out on your visit, if you enjoy California wines you will find many that you like in Portugal. Martin