I was back in Lisbon last year. Nothing has changed. The tiles continue in the same pattern and while we did not stay at the Four Seasons, the wall hangings are still there.
I checked the itinerary to make sure Cascais is still offered. If given enough time for lunch and if you enjoy seafood, try Mar do Inferno. Their octopus is amazing. Actually, octopus virtually anywhere in coastal Portugal is great.
Kathy M - The pictures bring back lovely memories. Thanks.
Heidi, thanx for the book suggestion. We've already done the Douro plus cruise and I had a hard time finding reading about Portugal. My library had this book and others by the author on the Overdrive app for download to my Kindle so I've put it on my wish list.
HeidiFeilding -- while we haven't been on this specific tour, we've been on MANY Tauck Land tours and I have NEVER taken a cocktail dress (even to the fanciest castle and palace dinners). Pack practically for travel. It's a vacation, not a fashion show. Be comfortable and enJOY. If you like a cocktail dress, by all means, take one - but Tauck has become MUCH more casual over the years since we started traveling with them in 2003. Nice pants and a blouse is plenty -- unless you just want to go fancier (but that is less the norm now). Resort Casual is mostly all you need. You will love this tour I'm sure. We are booking the Spain/Portugal River Cruise for 2027.
To me, a cocktail dress is something I would wear to a very formal event. That would certainly not be required on this tour. I can only tell you what I prefer to wear...dresses and tailored dress slacks with, perhaps, a short waisted jacket. Dressing appropriately for the venue is important and shows respect to the host country. Many will scoff at that, however. Some people will dress for the welcome and farewell parties; others will not.
I agree a fancy dress usually wouldn’t work on a Tauck trip (just on a Cunard cruise!) The hotels and restaurants on this trip are quite fancy and my “Resort Casual” wouldn’t make me feel comfortable. I’ve been on Tauck tours where others were wearing the cute “little black dress”, but I think I’ll go tailored.Thanks for the responses.
I seldom wear dresses but the best one I've found for travel came from Coldwater Creek and is made of mesh knit. They have several available on their website att. They are lightweight, comfortable and don't need any ironing. Just hang it up and it's ready to go. Lands End also has some comfortable cotton knit dresses.
HeidiFielding - One can never go wrong with an accessorized "little black dress." If you plan on fine dining on your own, you will experience how the Spaniards and, to a lesser extent, the Portuguese wear appropriate attire. You will be fine with tailored outfits, but you certainly do not need to dress like that every evening unless it is your preference, as it is mine. The important thing is to have a wonderful time! Again, I do hope you will share your experiences upon your return.
Comments
As far as the comments on the Tivoli, it’s only a few nights and I’ll be spending most of my time exploring.
I found The Portuguese: A Modern History by Barry Hatton to be a good read.
I was back in Lisbon last year. Nothing has changed. The tiles continue in the same pattern and while we did not stay at the Four Seasons, the wall hangings are still there.
I checked the itinerary to make sure Cascais is still offered. If given enough time for lunch and if you enjoy seafood, try Mar do Inferno. Their octopus is amazing. Actually, octopus virtually anywhere in coastal Portugal is great.
Kathy M - The pictures bring back lovely memories. Thanks.
Heidi, thanx for the book suggestion. We've already done the Douro plus cruise and I had a hard time finding reading about Portugal. My library had this book and others by the author on the Overdrive app for download to my Kindle so I've put it on my wish list.
For women who have been on this trip, were the dinners fancy, meaning a cocktail type dress?
HeidiFeilding -- while we haven't been on this specific tour, we've been on MANY Tauck Land tours and I have NEVER taken a cocktail dress (even to the fanciest castle and palace dinners). Pack practically for travel. It's a vacation, not a fashion show. Be comfortable and enJOY. If you like a cocktail dress, by all means, take one - but Tauck has become MUCH more casual over the years since we started traveling with them in 2003. Nice pants and a blouse is plenty -- unless you just want to go fancier (but that is less the norm now). Resort Casual is mostly all you need. You will love this tour I'm sure. We are booking the Spain/Portugal River Cruise for 2027.
To me, a cocktail dress is something I would wear to a very formal event. That would certainly not be required on this tour. I can only tell you what I prefer to wear...dresses and tailored dress slacks with, perhaps, a short waisted jacket. Dressing appropriately for the venue is important and shows respect to the host country. Many will scoff at that, however. Some people will dress for the welcome and farewell parties; others will not.
I agree a fancy dress usually wouldn’t work on a Tauck trip (just on a Cunard cruise!) The hotels and restaurants on this trip are quite fancy and my “Resort Casual” wouldn’t make me feel comfortable. I’ve been on Tauck tours where others were wearing the cute “little black dress”, but I think I’ll go tailored.Thanks for the responses.
I seldom wear dresses but the best one I've found for travel came from Coldwater Creek and is made of mesh knit. They have several available on their website att. They are lightweight, comfortable and don't need any ironing. Just hang it up and it's ready to go. Lands End also has some comfortable cotton knit dresses.
HeidiFielding - One can never go wrong with an accessorized "little black dress." If you plan on fine dining on your own, you will experience how the Spaniards and, to a lesser extent, the Portuguese wear appropriate attire. You will be fine with tailored outfits, but you certainly do not need to dress like that every evening unless it is your preference, as it is mine. The important thing is to have a wonderful time! Again, I do hope you will share your experiences upon your return.
Thanks again for the tips! Looking forward to it!