Mittens 2014 Portugal - 19-26 July

[Snarky]

Yeah, basically in agreement, Disco. So far Sintra MH looks like the best option for the week of the 19th. Aside from that, I'd rather have an outdoor pool, but if not possible it's not a dealbreaker.

One concern from looking at a few of the photos: Is there a trick of perspective, or are the Portuguese tiny little toy people? Some of those beds look well under 2m long.

[Disco]

Yeah, I agree. The bus idea was meant for some of the further out places. I had assumed we could rent cars locally.

After further reading between my top two choices, I have decided to put my vote 100% behind the Sintra house. It is less than 1km from the historic centre of Sintra, and there is a tram that can take us to nearby Praia das Maçãs. Additionally, it is one contiguous chalet and from what I can tell from the description, the owner does not live on premises.

EDIT:

That single 387 km journey is priced at 795 EUR, or about 45 euros each. It was worth checking!

[cat]

I'm all for Sintra. It is the most accessible house with a train station (about 1 hour public transport! from the airport) and infrastructure close by, there is lots of stuff to do around, and it's also not very expensive. If we can sort out that bed issue...

The Lisbon area also seems to be the best climate wise - not as hot as the south and not as cold and rainy as the north.

Should we make a new poll?

[Disco]

Doodle Poll Part II

[tampie85]

Can't open the photo's on my mobile phone, but out of tge description I like Sintra most too.
Although every 19th-26th option would be good for me.

Let's book asap before they're gone too!

[arj0n]

I really dig the Sintra Manor House

[Snarky]

Thanks for the effort, Disco!

[Esseb]

Quinta da Foz has a rocking horse, but I went with Sintra Manor House also.

Congrats Dirk and Christina!

Edit: All the photos of the swimming pool and garden are taken from inside. Is it really the neighbour's? Suspicious!

[Disco]

We have been given provisional booking of the Sintra Property for 3 days while we come up with the initial payment of 680 EUR. They are asking me to do a bank transfer, which I am unable to do from my US account. I asked if they can accept Paypal, since that is how we will all do our own payments, but have not heard back at this moment.

I may need someone else to step in and handle the payment if it turns out they cannot accept Paypal.

EDIT:

Paylpal is possible, but only one payment, as this payment has a surcharge of 3.5% of the total amount.

My advise is, if you want to pay via paypal, it is better to transfer all the money to one of your groups accounts, and then one person makes the payment.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

Is anyone willing to step in to handle the payments? We only have three days, and even if I do manage a bank transfer (they claim plenty of US bank transfers), those days will have elapsed by the time Paypal payments hit my account. I can forward the information to any takers.

[cat]

It might be easier if someone with a EUR account does the transfer, because then it's supposed to be free. I could pay the initial 680 EUR tomorrow evening if you give me the details and everything else is set.

Also, maybe you could ask about the bedsize and the pool?

[Disco]

Thank you Cat! I sent along the details in a PM. Welcome to co-organising

I just asked the manager about the number of adult versus child beds. I did not want to overwhelm her with questions about the pool at the moment as it seems fine from the photo and is mentioned in the listing. I agree they could have featured it a little better in the photos. It looks like it is a fair way down from the porch, but that may just be perspective.

I'm 99% certain that this is the house, based on the trees and the pool shape:

https://www.google.com/maps?q=38.801384,-9.385575&num=1=h&z=19

[AGA]

One concern from looking at a few of the photos: Is there a trick of perspective, or are the Portuguese tiny little toy people? Some of those beds look well under 2m long.

Average height for Portugal is pretty short, but not dwarfishly so...

[Snarky]

I could also help out with bank transfers/deposits etc. if needed. (My money isn't in EUR, though.)

One concern from looking at a few of the photos: Is there a trick of perspective, or are the Portuguese tiny little toy people? Some of those beds look well under 2m long.

Average height for Portugal is pretty short, but not dwarfishly so...

Yes, I was sort of joking about that. (Though I see from that list that this wouldn't be an issue if we had gone with Croatia/The Dinaric Alps. ... Nor with the Netherlands, to be fair.) I've actually been to Portugal several times. Nice place. Lots of short people offering to get you high.

[bicilotti]

Congrats Dirk and Christina, AGS is going to conquer the world one babby at time!

[LimpingFish]

Yes, congrats indeed!

Anyhoo, even though I'm a lower-probability attendee,  I've cast my votes.

Personally, I think Sintra looks a little "rustic", so I'd lean towards the Indoor Pool house. Quita da Foz also looks pretty keen.

[AGA]

I'm happy to help with paying the full deposit if it comes to that, but obviously a EUR native would be preferable as stated.

[cat]

Updated first post with attendees. Please check if you are in the right list or if you want to be added.

Anyhoo, even though I'm a lower-probability attendee

[miguel]

I've actually been to Portugal several times. Nice place. Lots of short people offering to get you high.

Those are gipsies 90% of the time. Don't trust them.
Looks like you're going to Sintra. Great choice! Do visit the Palacio da Pena. It's a fantastic place. It's been several years since I went there but it's as beautiful as any monument/palace you'll see across Europe.

[cat]

Aren't you coming to this Mittens, Miguel? It won't get any closer to your home.

[miguel]

Yeah I know, would love to, but I'll be working at that time.
If there's a chance I'll try to visit you guys on my day off.