Lojo do Vinho, Sintra

Advantages: I'm a bit in love with it, so I can't be objective...
Disadvantages: The same; well, maybe the transports outside of Lisbon

...to a restaurant with two friends and ordering 3 meias doses of Bacalhau à Moçambicana: well, we didn’t manage to finish it! At least one night, you have to visit the Bairro Alto, the nocturnal heart of the city. There are whole streets full of bars and cafés that leave the doors open so that the people can “(b)ooze” out onto the street and the atmosphere is fantastic. If you love modern architecture (and, indeed, also if you don’t), you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Parque das Nações, where the Expo ’98 took place; the work done here is really wonderful, considering the fact that it was abandoned deposit and unused warehouses before! Now it is full of life, for the bars and restaurants, the shopping centre (could there be none?) and the nice walk on the Tagus banks. In the surroundings there are several attractions, the most famous being Sintra... Read review

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Advantages: Location, old design!
Disadvantages: Foggy during most winter.

...Seteais is part of the amazing set of the Serra de Sintra (Sintra Mountain, in English), not more than 30 km from Lisbon. For those who don't now this area, Sintra is a very special place. Is the highest mountain (300 m only) near Lisbon and at the same time it's close to Cascais and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean coast. This proximity to the ocean gives to Sintra its only microclimate, foggy and wet, with a mystic touch, no matter what. That's why Sintra is such an exuberant place, where everything is green and fresh throughout the year. That was also the main reason why Sintra became the place where most nobles and even the Portuguese royal family build their summer houses. Seteais is on the low part of the mountain, but has an amazing view to the Palácio da Pena on the top, and to all surroundings. Before talking of the hotel... Read review

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Advantages: Relaxing, friendly, not over developed
Disadvantages: Cooler weather than the Algarve

...style houses and there is a large square on the front which is surrounded by restaurants and bars which have a very friendly feel and are family friendly. In Cascais there are more resort style hotels and apartments but they are all very tastefully built and the area does not have the beach resort feel of other areas in Portugal and Spain. There are four miles of beach which are well kept but can get busy in the high season. CLIMATE The area is not as hot as the Algarve and has winds coming in from the Atlantic ocean. The summers are warm and can often be scorching though the wind can often be deceiving so do watch for getting burnt. By September time is usually remains warm but I've rarely found it to be sunbathing weather - more pleasant sitting out weather. On saying that this year they have suffered a wet summer and had... Read review

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