Lauren & Michael

The most flights from the US are going to be out of NYC (JFK) airport and for those closer to DC (there are a few of you), there are also direct flights from there. 

Flight prices this year are fluctuating greatly as airlines try to make up lost money and start adding flight routes back. Expect anything from $400-$900 RT most likely PP from NYC based on recent searches. A variety of airlines fly there and TAP is Portugal's national airline- you may not be familiar with it but it's a great option- friendly, affordable, and good upgrade options. Other airlines that fly there include United, American Airlines, Lufthansa, etc. and there are some direct flight options. 

The UK lot have a lot of options as well, especially flying the lower cost airlines like Ryanair or Easyjet. TAP and BA and others also fly there regularly. Prices are pretty low right now if you want to snag them sooner at less than 100 pounds RT PP to 250-300 for more luxe options. 

Lisbon Airport is very easy to navigate and is located right outside the center of town. It's about a 10-15 minute drive from the airport to most hotels in the center of town. You can get a taxi easily and most drivers speak a bit of English if you haven't mastered your Portuguese yet. You can also get an Uber and the usual cost is around 15-25 euro. If you are going straight to our beautiful venue and not pit stopping in Lisbon, the cost of a taxi is usually about 40 euro from the airport to the Quinta.

Sixt is a great option when renting a car, which we have done every time we have visited Portugal - it is such a fantastic way to get around the country, and the roads and signposting are great. Sixt is a fairly slick operation and much more reliable than others like Avis (in our experience). They also have multiple locations to choose from in Lisbon, including the airport.

We have found that prices have gone up for Sixt compared to other companies so while we have had great experiences with them, feel free to look at other options that might be cheaper! You can rent from Lisbon city center or the airport. 

We will be transporting everyone from Machados down the road to the events on Friday and Saturday evenings. Stay tuned for exact timing but there will be enough room in multiple vans for everyone. 

Note: we will not have transport from Lisbon to the venue area but it's not a long drive (30-35 min) for a taxi ride (usually 40 euro) or for you to drive if you rent your own car. We've got you covered in the area from hotel to hotel (for Friday and Sat), though so you don't have to drive if you don't want to- especially if you've had too many glasses of the Quinta's wine! 

If you have any questions or concerns about getting from Lisbon to the venue area, please message us! 

There is an endless list of things to do/see/eat in and around Lisbon. Listing a few here that we recommend from past visits and friend's recommendations to get you started! 

Best neighborhoods to explore:  https://theculturetrip.com/europe/portugal/articles/the-10-coolest-neighborhoods-in-lisbon/ 

We have stayed in Alfama a few times and it's really magical- winding cobbled streets and little wine bars dotted along every street. Fado singing wafts throughout the area at night and is haunting and beautiful. The only callout is not to attempt to rent a car and drive in this area. Even the most skilled cabbies have issues getting you into and around all the streets. If you are staying there at all, note that you might have to carry your bags up steps outdoors and in old apartment buildings (but it's usually very worth it). 

If you are wandering Alfama, this is a lovely spot to stop, people watch and look out at the views: https://goo.gl/maps/hqjkvVwUTzj2Jp538 . It's right near the castle if you choose to visit and tour it- it's a really interesting place indoor/outdoor to explore with amazing views: https://goo.gl/maps/WVfynhsQDgx9q59b7 

It can sometimes be a bit touristy but if you want to go see Fado there are a lot of spots in this area to do it- it's usually a fixed price with a meal like a dinner/music show.  https://theculturetrip.com/europe/portugal/articles/fado-portugal-s-melancholy-musical-tradition/  for history on what Fado is. We went here to see music and it was very lowkey: https://goo.gl/maps/aMmTJ7QcAkedzad86

Other sites to explore: 

Belem- this area has lots of fun history, museums, a large tower on the sea and yummy restaurants. Contemporary art museum in Belem:  https://g.page/museuberardo?share 

A few other must-dos are the castle (https://goo.gl/maps/akFY1hRZz7tWneio8), the Tram 28 (it's a normal tram to get around the city) but this route specifically gives you incredible views of the historic area. 

A couple other things to see are the LX Factory that has cool food and shopping options (https://lxfactory.com/en/homepage-en/) and the cathedral goo.gl/maps/NS64KZxqyQWvrmUv5 which is very beautiful. 

There are incredible options in and around the venue and further afield. We have not been to Porto but have heard amazing things. If you need any recos for Obidos, Faro, or Lagos we have been there and can help you out. 

Portugal is overall a really easy place to navigate by car and has an incredible array of different landscapes and sites to see in a relatively small area. While I know some of you might be tempted to hop over to Spain after the wedding because it's so close, we urge you to explore Portugal first as it has just as much if not more to offer (and is cheaper!). 

Around the venue is a lot of green spaces and vineyards and just west of us is the coastline about 30 minutes away- you'll find seaside cliffs, surf schools, incredible hotel options and seafood restaurants there. This hotel is a special option in that area that we have stayed at previously: goo.gl/maps/UkkLyqrCPV4Wam6b6 

US TRAVELERS- PLEASE SEE UPDATES BELOW!

US and UK citizens are free to go to Portugal for non-essential travel. 

US TRAVELERS ONLY:

We have just found out that Portugal is not accepting the US CDC Vax card as an approved document to enter the country (sorry for the confusion!). That means you must still produce a negative test to enter the country or a document proving recent Covid recovery. You should still bring your CDC card to show vax status in case it is asked for when traveling. 

Types of testing accepted: PCR / NAAT test 72 hours before boarding or a Rapid Antigen / TRAg test 24 hours before boarding- this needs to be a LAB test, not an at home test from what we understand. Some insurances are reimbursing for Covid testing but if not, we recommend saying you were exposed to the virus in order to get a free test through a local pharmacy (CVS for example). 

You also still have to produce a negative and MONITORED rapid test taken within 24 hours of your flight back to the US to get back into the country. This is a fairly easy process thankfully but it is an extra step that doesn't look to be going away this month despite speculation. The best test providers for this are Qured, or Binax Home testing options. You take a test on zoom with a doctor and they approve your negative results and OK you to fly. We recommend buying the tests before you go, bringing them with you and having them ready for your departure. We have heard that you can get a rapid test in Portugal as well at a local pharmacy but we don't have details on that to provide. 

Abbot Binax Test

Qured

Azova/Ellume

UK/EU TRAVELERS: 

You have to produce an EU Vaccination Certification (UK guests are eligible!) showing you received all doses of an approved vaccine provided you have received the last dose of the vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival, or provided you have received a booster dose since then. Accepted vaccines are Pfizer, Novavax, Moderna, AstraZeneca, J&J and a few others but I think this list will cover most folks.

ALL TRAVELERS: 

A Passenger Locator Card must be completed and submitted. (Some airlines require completion of this form before take-off. We advise completing and printing prior to scheduled travel: 

https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card 

Children under 12 do not need to present certificate or test.

In Portugal- Face masks are still mandatory on public transport or enclosed public spaces. It is no longer required to present proof of vaccination or negative test to enter Portuguese bars and clubs, eat indoors at Portuguese restaurants, visit tourist establishments, stay at local accommodation or attend events. 

There are countless places to enjoy Portuguese fare in Lisbon- from cozy tabernas, to fancy Michelin starred restaurants there are loads of options. We love to use Eater as a guide : www.eater.com/maps/best-lisbon-portugal-restaurants

To book restaurants, you can find most of them on The Fork which is a lot like Open Table in the US. (https://www.thefork.com/) . Be aware that restaurants don't even usually open until 7PM so for any early birds out there you will have to have snacks earlier and wait for dinner hours (this is a lot like Spain for anyone that's been there). 

The Time Out market has a little bit of everything to try in an easy to navigate space: g.page/timeoutmarketlisboashare

Portuguese tarts (OH MYYY) pr Pastéis de Nata- these are very addicting and good spot to try them: goo.gl/maps/gFWLVnxrczNEn7VB9 

Cantinho do Avillez - we went here a few years back and it was fantastic: goo.gl/maps/xKG2Wqx8CgsaXD856

Chapito a mesa- sit on the second floor for the more formal experience and better views: goo.gl/maps/6km8h6dJRGr27QwQ6

Michelin starred option if you want to go all out: www.restaurantefeitoria.com/

A great cozy taberna option: goo.gl/maps/47314sAiRY8zMKzEA

Red Frog Craft Cocktails- this is a big scene now in Lisbon so lots of cocktail late night options: g.page/redfrogspeakeasy?share