Petrabax West World Tour Operators

Gayle and I just returned from our wonderful Portugal Honeymoon. We were originally supposed go in April, but the Iceland Volcano had other plans. Wes from Petrabax was «spot on» with his advice (and a real asset), & I would recommend the services of Petrabax without hesitation. In fact, Gayle and I are already thinking about Spain for 2011 or 12.
Unfortunately, Unilocal is not yet set up for Portugal reviews. After I sort through the hundreds of pictures I took, I’ll post a few here. In the meantime, here are a few my «Awards» for this trip of a lifetime:
BEST ROAD MUSIC — Crazy Heart Soundtrack CD.
COUNTRYSIDE — Gorgeous & Often Hazy. Lots of Fall colours and leaf burning.
BEST WINE COUNTRY EXPERIENCE — Pousada de Mesao Frio — Solar da Rede. A full view of the Douro Valley and an onsite stroll among the vines are yours.
BEST POUSADA/​VILLAGE COMBINATION — Pousada Belmonte Convento. The Pousada is historical modern, the views were stunning, and the Village was an unexpected treat. We particularly enjoyed the Jewish quarter (including museum & synagogue), the old castle, Olive Oil Museum, and the powerful «New World» Museum, in honour of Pedro Alvares Cabral who discovered Brazil.
BEST LUNCH — Taberna Típica Quarta Feira in Évora. The gruff owner with a warm heart told you what you were going to eat, and Gayle and I are still raving about the experience. The Black Pork was amazing.
BEST QUOTE: «I’m Going In!» — By Gayle during Mass at Santiago Compostela after she decided to take Communion.
MOST CONFLICTED MOMENT — Watching the Archbishop of Santiago Compostela bless and kiss various babies/​small children after Mass had concluded.
BEST JET LAG MEMORY — Waking up at 1 AM and reading the watch upside down thinking it was 7:30 AM. We then got showered and all ready to go!
BEST SPLURGE ACCOMMODATION — Parador Los Reyes Catolicos in Santiago Compostela Spain. I’ll do the Pilgrimage if I can stay here!
WORDS FOR THE WISE — A lot of businesses don’t take credit cards, but ATMs are plentiful. Have plenty of Euros ready. Also bring an extra reading light, as common areas are dark. The Portugese are also optimistic and unspecific regarding driving directions. We got lost many times, including a 2 hour detour in Porto.
MOST INTERESTING COLLEGE TOWN — Coimbra.
DON’T BOTHER — Trying to get a VAT refund at the Airport. The system seems designed for failure.
BEST SERVICE — Paula at Pousada Belmonte Convento.
THE SOUVENIR THAT GOT AWAY — Stone and Metal Tree Sculpture available for 120 Euros at Pousada Belmonte Convento.
BEST WINE COUNTRY LUNCH — Barao de Fladgate Restaurant in Porto. This is Taylor’s restaurant with a killer view of Porto. Great lunch and marvelous service.
BEST HOTEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION — Hotel Pestana Porto. It’s right on the Douro river and within walking distance to the Port Lodges and City sites.
NEXT BEST HOTEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION — Hotel Lisboa Plaza. Plus the hotel is clean, welcoming, and with a great bar to kick your feet up (with a glass of Port) at the end of a long day.
BEST HOTEL SPA AND CHAPEL — Pousada do Porto, Palácio do Freixo. The Palace itself was pretty cool too, although it’s kind of isolated.
BEST HOTEL CASTLE EXPERIENCE — Pousada de Óbidos.
BEST HAUNTED HOUSE EXPERIENCE — Bussaco Palace Hotel. It’s a beautiful property in the middle of a huge forest that is a little frayed at the edges. The old Convent really creeped Gayle out.
BEST SOUVENIR — A handsome rug from the Village of Arraiolos.
CREEPIEST TOURIST SITE — Chapel of the Bones in Évora.
BEST LUXURY HOTEL IN ALENTEJO — Pousada Dos Loios de Évora. This is a better choice than the more stunning Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel (Estremoz) because there’s more to do and see starting in Évora.
PRETTIEST BOOK STORE — Livraria Lello in Porto. Right out of Harry Potter.
BEST DINNER WITH A NY TIMES MENTION: Presuntisco In Porto. Intimate stone cellar dining room or outdoor tables overlooking the river. Very nice owner.
NEATEST ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS — Temple of Diana in Évora & The Roman Ruins of Conimbriga.
BEST TOURIST SITE — Sintra. You get gorgeous scenery/​green space, Royal treatment at the Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, a very cool Sintra National Palace, and a fun walk down the hill.
MOST INTERESTING LISBON-​AREA EXCURSION — Belém, particularly the Tower & Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Good custard tarts too!
CREEPIEST ART GALLERY — The building in Évora where Inquisition trials were held.
MOST OVERPRICED BUT WORTHWHILE TOURIST EXPERIENCE — Fado Music Dinner Show in Lisbon.
SORRY WE MISSED IT — Nazaré. It was pouring rain that day.
BEST DINNER AT THE END OF A LONG DAY — Restaurante B & B, Cascais.
MOST TOUCHING RELIGIOUS SHRINE — Fatima.
MOST INTERESTING MUSEUMS — Tile Museum in Lisbon & the Museu de Évora.
BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY — Gayle and I walking to the house in Belém where she lived briefly when she was a child.
BEST FAREWELL TO PORTUGAL DINNER — Palácio Nacional de Queluz.