Sunday, December 01, 2024

Chris Trost's 2025 Portugal Aventura

 Azore Islands - Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais 

January 28 - February 6, 2025


Assorted Photos from My Trip

Flag of Portugal

Table of Contents

Post-Trip Summary

Instead of returning to the US from our 13- Day Morocco tour, we extended our stay in the region with 7 days in Portual, starting with 4 days in the Azore Islands and 3 days in Lisbon.  We returned to Casablanca, Morocco for 2 days before heading back to the US.  This was my second time in Portugal, having circumnavigated the entire country and the island of Madeira solo in November 2002.  

How Long Was Your Trip? When Did You Go?  Where Did You Go?  The tour lasted 13 days from January 16-28, 2028.  I spent:
  • 1/2-day flying back and forth from Morocco to Portugal
  • 3-1/2 days in the city of Ponta Delgado on the Azore Island of Sao Miguel
  • 3 days in Lisbon and Environs 
  • 2 days in Casblanca, Morocco
  • 1 day flying back to the USA via Boston 
Did You Do This on Your Own or with a Tour Company?  We did this tour on my own.  By consulting a travel guides and websites, it was easy to plan.  I traveled with my longtime Houston friend.

[Insert Pic of Tour Group]

How Did You Get There and Back?  I flew from Casablanca, Morocco to Sao Miguel Island in the Azores, then flew to Lisbon, and then to Casablanca to catch a flight home to the US.  Once on the ground in the Azores and Lisbon, we traveled about 160 miles on jeep tours (Azores) and 50 miles via public transportation (Lisbon and environs).  

Air Travel Map - 6,014 Miles

Azores Ground Travel Map - 160 Miles

Lisbon Ground Travel Map - 50 Miles

Was It Easy Navigating Your Way Around? Yes, because we were largely situated either in the heart of each town within walking distance to most everything within easy reach by public transportation. 

[Insert Pic of Public Transportation]

Where Did You Stay?  We stayed in a number of 3-star and 4-star hotels. Most were in or close to the center of town.  All hotels were modern, clean, and comfortable, with excellent restaurants and great Internet.  All had fitness centers.

Azores, Lisbon, Casablanca Hotels 

In Portugal, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C and type E are used. The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Yes, you need a power plug adapter to fit the type C and F sockets.

European Type C/E and F Plugs & Sockets

Meals?  Since we were not on a tour, we enjoyed finding our own places to eat and took advantage of the tasty local fare wherever we were.

How was the Weather?  I traveled in January.  The weather was chilly at night (mid 40's F) and moderate during the day (mid 60s F)   It rained very little.

Portugal Weather in January - February

What Clothing Did You Pack?  I brought more clothes than usual for the  trip since I was traveling during winter.  We stayed in Boston for a few days prior to the trip and it was winter there.  Hence, long pants and shirts that I could layer in Morocco, along with my rain jacket/windbreaker, gloves and a hat.  I brought two pairs of comfortable shoes.  As usual, the socks and underlayers were all "Dri-Fit" material that could be washed every few days in the hotel sink.  

What was the Time Difference?  The Azores were 5 hours ahead of my home town time zone in Milwaukee (US, Central Time, GMT/UTC −06:00) and Lisbon was 6 hours ahead.  Morocco is 7 hours ahead.  There was no jet lag since I had already adapted to the time difference on the first leg of this trip in Morocco. 

What Was the Currency? What Were Prices Like?  Portugal uses the Euro.  I used my credit card as much as I could and got cash from bank ATMs as needed.  The conversion rates and fees were fair and nominal.  

Euro - 1 Euro = $1.06 as of 1/15/2025

I had some leftover Morocco Dirhams from our tour a week earlier, so used those up before leaving Morocco.

What Did This Whole Trip Cost You?  This trip extention was relatively inexpensive.  I spent $3,800 in total, or about $300 per day.  It was money well spent and an excellent travel value.  I paid  90% of the trip cost ($3,450) before leaving the US.  Once on the ground, I spent another $350 on items not included in the tour cost, such as tips, lunches and dinners on my own, and international mobile phone/internet charges.

[Insert Trip Cost Chart - Caption: Extenstion Trip Cost - $3,800 ($300/Day)]

Special Trip Considerations.   
  • Safety.  Portugal boasts good security services, and the government prioritizes tourist safety. Petty theft is the most common issue you might encounter, but terrorism and kidnapping, though less frequent, are also concerns. In addition, certain travelers, namely women, may need to take certain precautions during their travels.  You can get the lastes US Dept of State Travel Advisories here.
  • Air Quality.  Air quality was generally quite good everywhere.
  • COVID.  There are no mask or vaccine requirements but if you are concern, take action to protect yourself.
  • Physical Condition.  We traversed a lot of steps, uneven surfaces, and steep grades absent high temperatures and humidity.  If you have mobility or heat issues, this is probably not the tour for you.  
Any Parting Comments?  Travel is an adventure. It’s an opportunity to experience, learn and appreciate how people around the world live. While I’m always happy to come home at the end, I never come back the same person.

Following is a day-by-day account of my trip. Each day starts with an overview of what we did, followed by my daily journal. I stopped giving history lessons in my posts but added links you can click on to read more about the places I visited.   You can just read on from here or go back up to the Table of Contents above and jump to a specific day or topic of interest.

Enjoy!

Day 1 - Tuesday, January, 28, 2025 - Depart for Azores

Azore Islands, Portugal


Itinerary:  Fly Casablana, Morocco to Azore Islands, Portugal (via Lisbon)

About Azore Islands from Lonely Planet


Daily Journal

Weather: 62F and sunny

[Text Here]

Day 2 - Wednesday, January, 29, 2025 - Tour Azores

Sao Miguel Island (Azores) Touring Map

Itinerary:  Jeep Tour to Nordeste (Link), Sao Miguel Island  

About Azore Islands from Lonely Planet


Daily Journal

Weather: 58F and overcast

[Text Here] 

Day 3 - Thursday, January, 30, 2025 - Tour Azores

Sao Miguel Island (Azores) Touring Map

Itinerary:  Jeep Tour to Furnas (Link), Sao Miguel Island

About Azore Islands from Lonely Planet


Daily Journal

Weather:  67F and cloudy

[Text Here]

Day 4 - Friday, January, 31, 2025 - Tour Azores

Sao Miguel Island (Azores) Touring Map

Itinerary:  Jeep Tour to Sete Cidades (Link), Sao Miguel Island

About Azore Islands from Lonely Planet


Daily Journal

Weather:  73F and partly sunny

[Text Here]


Day 5 - Saturday, February, 01, 2025 - Tour Lisbon

Lisbon & Environs

Itinerary:  Fly from Ponta Delgada, Azore Islands to Lisbon.  Tour Lisbon.

About Lisbon from Lonely Planet



Daily Journal

Weather:  88F and overcast.  Light rain in evening.

[Text Here]

Day 6 - Sunday, February, 02, 2025 - Tour Lisbon

Lisbon & Environs

Itinerary: Self-guided tour of Lisbon.

About Lisbon from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  88Fand overcast

[Text Here]
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Day 7 - Monday, February, 03, 2025 - Lisbon Day Tour

Lisbon & Environs

Itinerary: Daytrip to nearby Cascais and Sintra


About Sintra from Lonely Planet
About Cascais from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  88F and partly sunny

[Text Here]

Day 8 - Tuesday, February, 04, 2025 - Travel to Casablanca

Itinerary: Fly Lisbon, Portugal to Casablanca, Morocco.  Explore Casablanca on own.

About Casablanca from Lonely Planet

. 
Daily Journal

Weather:  86F and partly sunny. Tropical storm Karl was moving through the area.

[Text Here]

Day 9 - Wednesday, February, 05, 2025 - Tour Casablanca

Itinerary:  Explore Casablanca on own.

About Casablanca from Lonely Planet



Daily Journal

Weather:  92F and sunny

[Text Here]

Day 10 - Thursday, February, 06, 2025 - Return to US

Itinerary: Early morning flight from Casablanca to Boston with continuation to Milwaukee via Chicago.


Daily Journal

Weather:  92F and sunny

[Text Here]

Posted by Chris at 12:43 PM 0 comments
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Thursday, November 21, 2024

Chris Trost's 2025 Morocco Kaleidoscope

Rabat - Volubilis - Fez - Ziz Valley - Erfoud - Rissani - Sahara - Todgha Canyons - Dades  Valley - Quarzazate - Marrakesh - Essaouira -  Casablanca

January 16 - 28, 2025


Assorted Photos from My Trip


Morocco Flag


Table of Contents

Post-Trip Summary

This was my second time in Morocco.  In December 1992, I visited the northern city of Tangiers while traveling through Spain.  This time around, I took an indepth tour of the rest of the couunty.  I got a decent dose of history, nature, and culture while experiencing interesting sights, amazing scenery, decent weather, friendly people, great food, and comfortable accommodations.  Once again, I traveled with Gate1Travel on its "13-Day Kaleidoscope of Morocco" tour.  

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Considering how much the cost of foreign travel has gone up over the past 4 years, this tour was quite affordable by any standard.  The tour included a nice mix of the big cities, historic sites, and natural beauty.  As always, our tour director and motorcoach driver were the consummate professionals, the hotels were outstanding, and the food was great.

How Long Was Your Trip? When Did You Go?  Where Did You Go?  The tour lasted 13 days from January 16-28, 2028.  I spent:
  • 1 day flying back and forth from the US
  • 12 days visiting the major cities of Rabat, Fez, Marrakesh, Casablanca, and many interesting sites in between. 
Did You Do This on Your Own or with a Tour Company?  As I said above, I took an escorted Gate1Travel tour.  It was nicely paced and hit all the major highlights of the country. Our tour manager, __________ , was exceptionally knowledgeable, helpful, and entertaining, as were our motorcoach driver, Tiberio, and local guides.  

My tour group had 18 people. Most came from the US, primarily Texas, Florida and California.  There were also four Canadians.  We were a very seasoned group of travelers and got along well. The group started out with 20 people, but two people had to leave on the third day because one of them had a pacemaker issue with Mexico City's 7,300' altitude.  The altitude even got to me on occasion with shortness of breath, but it was nothing like Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.

[Insert Pic of Guide, Director and Driver]

[Insert Pic of Tour Group]

How Did You Get There and Back?  I flew from my home in Milwaukee to Houston, where I stayed with a travel friend for a day before traveling to Mexico.  I had a short, direct flight to Mexico City at the start of the trip.  On the way back, I flew from Cancun to Mexico City, then on to Houston.  Total air mileage was about 4,360 miles.  Once on the ground in Mexico, we traveled about 1,200 miles by motorcoach to each of our destinations.  In retrospect, I should have planned an extra day on my own in Mexico City or Cancun because I would have liked another day in either of those places.

Air Travel Map - 11,089 Miles Roundtrip


Ground Travel Map - 1,141 Miles

Was It Easy Navigating Your Way Around? Yes, because we were largely situated either in the heart of each town within walking distance to most everything, or shuttled by motorcoach to each of our destinations. 

[Insert Pic of Tour Bus]

The bus also had a bathroom nobody used, as well as USB and plug outlets for charging phones and laptops.  The bus didn't have WiFi, but fortunately, my AT&T cell phone plan from the US covered me in Mexico at no additional cost.  

By the way, Gate1 has a seat rotation policy so that the same people don't always have the coveted front seats.  As usual, I sat in the back behind the rotation zone with a few others so we could talk without interrupting the others. 

Where Did You Stay?  We stayed in a number of 4-star and 5-star hotels. Most were in or close to the center of town.  All hotels were modern, clean, and comfortable, with excellent restaurants and great Internet.  All had fitness centers.  

Gate1 Hotels - First Class, Centrally Located

In Morocco, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C and type E are used. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Yes, you need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type C and E in Morocco.

Note:  Type E is same as European F

Meals?  Most meals were included in the price of the tour.  Breakfast was included every morning at our hotels while lunches and dinners were sometimes on our own.  All meals included multiple healthy options to suit all tastes and dietary needs.

How was the Weather?  I traveled in January.  The weather was chilly at night (mid 40's F) and moderate during the day (mid 60s F)   It rained very little.
Late January Weather in Morocco

What Clothing Did You Pack?  I brought more clothes than usual for the 13-day trip since I was traveling during winter.  We stayed in Boston for a few days prior to the trip and it was winter there.  Hence, long pants and shirts that I could layer in Morocco, along with my rain jacket/windbreaker, gloves and a hat.  I brought two pairs of comfortable shoes.  As usual, the socks and underlayers were all "Dri-Fit" material that could be washed every few days in the hotel sink.  

What was the Time Difference?  Morocco was 7 hours ahead of my home town time zone in Milwaukee (US, Central Time, GMT/UTC −06:00).  There was a little jet lag in the beginning of the tour. 

What Was the Currency? What Were Prices Like?  Morocco's currency is Moroccan dirham. It is hard to find outside the country.  I used my credit card as much as I could and got dirhams from bank ATMs as needed.  The conversion rates and fees were fair and nominal.  

Morocco Dirham -  10 Dirhams = $1 as of 1/15/2025

I read about there being a problem getting coins for change but didn't really encounter this.  

What Did This Whole Trip Cost You?  It was relatively inexpensive.  I spent $3,800 in total, or about $300 per day.  It was money well spent and an excellent travel value.  I paid  90% of the trip cost ($3,450) before leaving the US.  Once on the ground, I spent another $350 on items not included in the tour cost, such as tips, lunches and dinners on my own, and international mobile phone/internet charges.

[Insert Trip Cost Chart - Caption: Morocco Trip Cost - $3,800 ($300/Day)]

Special Trip Considerations.   
  • Safety.  Morocco boasts good security services, and the government prioritizes tourist safety. Petty theft is the most common issue you might encounter, but terrorism and kidnapping, though less frequent, are also concerns. In addition, certain travelers, namely women, may need to take certain precautions during their travels.  You can get the lastes US Dept of State Travel Advisories here.
  • Air Quality.  Air quality was generally quite good everywhere.
  • COVID.  There are no mask or vaccine requirements but if you are concern, take action to protect yourself.
  • Physical Condition.  We traversed a lot of steps, uneven surfaces, and steep grades absent high temperatures and humidity.  If you have mobility or heat issues, this is probably not the tour for you.  
Any Parting Comments?  Travel is an adventure. It’s an opportunity to experience, learn and appreciate how people around the world live. While I’m always happy to come home at the end, I never come back the same person.

Following is a day-by-day account of my trip. Each day starts with an overview of what we did, followed by my daily journal. I stopped giving history lessons in my posts but added links you can click on to read more about the places I visited.   You can just read on from here or go back up to the Table of Contents above and jump to a specific day or topic of interest.

Enjoy!

Day 1 - Thursday, January 16, 2025 - Depart for Morocco

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary:  Depart USA for Casablana, Morocco 

About Morocco from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 62F and sunny

[Text Here]

Day 2 - Friday, January 17, 2025 - Arrive in Rabat

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to your hotel in Rabat where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Evening orientation meeting with Tour Manager.  


About Rabat from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 58F and overcast

[Text Here] 

Day 3 - Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Tour Rabat


Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary:  This morning, take a city tour of Rabat, Morocco's capital. Rabat, which means "Fortified Place" displays all of the fine architecture one might expect to see. View the Royal Palace, then visit the Oudaya Kasbah, the Oudaya National Museum of Ornaments, showcasing an exquisite collection of decorative pieces from intricate jewelry and finely crafted metalwork to delicate ceramics and textiles. Conclude the tour with the Hassan Tower. Spend the afternoon at leisure.


Daily Journal

Weather:  67F and cloudy

[Text Here]

Day 4 - Sunday, January 19, 2025 - Travel to Volubilis & Fez

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary:  Today, depart for Fez. En route, stop and visit the ancient ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis where you will get a chance to see the well-preserved original mosaics, Roman Road, and city layout. As you travel through the Moroccan countryside, pass by the holy city of Moulay Idriss for a photo opportunity. Upon arrival in Fez, admire panoramic views of the ancient city of Fez from a hill overlooking the medina. Take a short bus tour of the imperial city, conducted by your Tour Manager, on the way to the hotel.


About Volubilis from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  73F and partly sunny

[Text Here]


Day 5 - Monday, January 20, 2025 - Tour Fez

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary:  Fez tour where you will visit the many hidden treasures of the medina that only a Moroccan guide will know. Fez is particularly famous for its tanneries and the Fes el Bali Medina. A short visit to the surrounding leather shops gives you the best view of the tanneries. See the Attarine Medersa, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and visit the Nejjarine Fountains and Museum. Finally, view the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famed Jewish quarter of the medina.


About Fez from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  88F and overcast.  Light rain in evening.

[Text Here]

Day 6 - Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Sightseeing en Route to Erfoud

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Depart for Erfoud via the montane cedar woods of the middle Atlas Mountains, passing by Ifrane, a charming ski resort. Continue to Erfoud via Errachidia and the lush Ziz Valley. Arrive to your Erfoud hotel in early evening.

About Erfoud from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  88Fand overcast

[Text Here]
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Day 7 - Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Rissani City & Sahara Tours


Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Depart to explore the small city of Rissani, on the edge of the Sahara. En route, stop at a fossil factory to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Upon arrival in Rissani, tour the lively souk and visit an 18th century ksar. Next, pass by the ancient ruins of Sijilmasa on the River Ziz, once a Berber city and medieval trade depot. Return to Erfoud for an afternoon at leisure or join the optional tour of the Sahara, including a camel ride into the desert. After sunset, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.


About Rissani from Lonely Planet
About Sahara (Desert) from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  88F and partly sunny

[Text Here]

Day 8 - Thursday, January 23, 2025 - Todgha Canyon & Dades Valley

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Explore Todgha Canyon and Dades Valley.  This morning, continue your journey to Tinghir via the Tinjdad Road. Stop to visit the Todgha canyons, which rise to a towering 800 feet. After lunch on your own, continue on the road of the thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley, famous for its roses and the yearly Rose Festival, stop for a panoramic view at the entrance of the Dades Canyons. Arrive at your hotel in Boumalne Dades later this evening in time for dinner.

. 
About Todgha Canyon from Lonely Planet
About Dades Valley from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  86F and partly sunny. Tropical storm Karl was moving through the area.

[Text Here]

Day 9 - Friday, January 24, 2025 - Travel to Quarzazate & Marrakesh

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Travel to Ouarzazate, a desert city at the gates of the Sahara. Next, take a tour of the Atlas Film Studios. Discover the sets of legendary films and TV shows, such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Finally, visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon travel to Marrakesh via the highest road point in Morocco, the Tichka Pass, offering an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountain range. This evening, savor a special dinner hosted by a local family and learn about Moroccan culture and traditions.


About Quarzazate from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  92F and sunny

[Text Here]

Day 10 - Saturday, January 25, 2025 - Tour Marrakesh

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Marrakesh City Tour.  Take a morning tour of the city. Visit the Saadian Tombs, dating back to the 16th century, where Saadian royalty found their final resting place. Your tour also includes the Koutoubia Minaret, as well as the beautiful Bahia Palace. End the tour by walking through the medina before arriving at the Djemaa el Fna Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure and lively streets of Marrakesh.

About Marrakesh from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  92F and sunny

[Text Here]

Day 11 - Sunday, January 26, 2025 - Tour Essaouira


Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Depart Marrakesh for a tour of Essaouira, whose medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of a fortified North African town. Walk along the city's ramparts just north of Moulay Hassan Square where local artists sell their paintings. Continue on to the Skala de la Ville, which is a fortification built along the cliffs that defended the city from sea attacks. Explore the many souks in the medina, including the spice and jewelry souks. Visit a jewelry shop, renowned for its quality and design. Browse the extensive collection of uniquely handcrafted silver jewelry and watch artisans create beautiful silver pieces.


About Essaouira from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  92F and sunny

[Text Here] 

Go to Table of Contents

Day 12 - Monday, January 27, 2025 - Travel to Casablanca & City Tour

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Depart Marrakesh, Travel to Casablanca.  This morning, travel to Casablanca, the commercial heart of Morocco. Upon arrival, join a half day sightseeing tour of Casablanca, which includes the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche seaside. Continue on a short drive through the residential areas of Casablanca to the city center to visit the Mohamed V Square, the Habous quarter and the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral. Tonight, have dinner at a local restaurant. 


About Casablanca from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather:  92F and sunny.

[Text Here]

Day 13 - Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Depart Morocco

Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour

Itinerary: Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Daily Journal

Weather:  85F and sunny in Cancun.  44F and partly cloudy in Milwaukee.

Instead of returning to the US, we extended our stay in the region with 7 days in Portugal, starting with 4 days in the Azore Islands and 3 days in Lisbon.  We returned to Casablanca for 2 days in early February before heading back to the US.  



 

Posted by Chris at 11:18 AM 0 comments
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