FATIMA, NAZARE, OBIDOS AND MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA

THE BEST DAY TRIP FROM LISBON PORTUGAL VIA VIATOR

The side stop at Mosteiro da Batalha was a great bonus.

As the only solo adventurer in the group, I sat up front next to the tour guide.

Her English was great.

When not speaking to the group, sharing wonderful insights about the next stop, our guide indulged my storytelling.

She also answered my myriad questions about cost of living, culture, taxes, healthcare, etc. in Portugal -- as I am considering buying a place there.

Bravo Viator.

You have won over the do-it-yourselfer skeptic.

 

FATIMA, NAZARE, OBIDOS AND MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA

THE BEST DAY TRIP FROM LISBON PORTUGAL VIA VIATOR

Spending about two hours in Nazare was ideal.

We saw the upper and lower towns.

The lunch break on our own led to a meal with new friends.

We shared a huge stew of monkfish in tomato rice, washed down with local red wine.

The Fatima pilgrimage city stop was a great way to start the day and focused on history, not just the religious aspect.

FATIMA, NAZARE, OBIDOS AND MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA

THE BEST DAY TRIP FROM LISBON PORTUGAL VIA VIATOR

The Viator Portugal tour took us to four sites.

We parked as close as you could to the attraction and had plenty of free time, so you didn't feel like you were glued to your fellow travelers.

If you wanted to stand in one corner and take photos of the most interesting part of the building or grounds -- you could do so.

I love walled cities and thought I wanted a half or full day in Obidos.

To be honest, it is so small, the 90 or so minutes we spent there was ideal.

FATIMA, NAZARE, OBIDOS AND MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA

THE BEST DAY TRIP FROM LISBON PORTUGAL VIA VIATOR 

The Viator Portugal tour group was fewer than a dozen.

The guide was excellent. 

She was University trained, so there was no memorized narration.

She was interactive, warm, insightful and much more.

The people on the tour were generally my age (pushing 60 and up) and all were well read and well-traveled.

So chatting on the sidelines or while in the van was engaging as well.

FATIMA, NAZARE, OBIDOS AND MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA

THE BEST DAY TRIP FROM LISBON PORTUGAL VIA VIATOR

I am not one to go on group tours.

I travel all the time and have probably booked a guide and van transport with others maybe five times in my life.

So I was not certain about going on a Viator tour.

I worried what was billed as a small tour would end up on a huge bus.

I was pleasantly surprised.