Messages

[Interesting Area 1:]

I think there are several interesting areas in Lisbon.
It might be nice to go there for a day or so, just like we did in Berlin.

Interesting Area 1:

Santa Justa lift, Lisbon Cathedral and Castelo de Sao Jorge


Interesting Area 2:

Torre de Belem, Padrao dos descobrimentos and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos


Interesting area 3:

Parque das Nacoes


Interesting Area 4:
Alfama, an area with pubs and restaurants and a historic tram


All items in mentioned areas are on walking distance. Public transport/a big walk is required to travel from one area to the next.

Hey, last year I had two more points than Arjon!
I won't mind volunteering to host the quiz.

ASD is Bahamas...

http://m.prokerala.com/travel/airports/bahamas/andros-town-airport.html

I agree with Snarky for mentioned reasons. Also I wouldn't feel safe to carry that much money with me.

Does that mean we... will... be haunted...?

@Tamara: I think the idea was that it takes place from say Thursday till Tuesday or something, so the people that can only do weekends (that *might* include me, depending on the month) can still make it, and everybody else, who wants to stick around for a longer time can also do that! I'm pretty sure that's the plan right now! Would be awesome if you and Arjon could make it again!

I just see this reply. Would be a great idea to do it like that! If we can make it, we definitely will come.

Nice one! Can't wait to play it!

Added my preferences too.
Can't make it a definite yet, since I have to look whether I got any off days left after Summer.
That's why I preferred a weekend, but that seems to be no option?

Same for me. Quite a busy Summer so preferably a weekend.

Good idea! Rotterdam might be appropriate. Not that touristy (and therefor expensive) but very accessible and plenty things to do.

There seem to be a few supermarkets nearby:

- Baptista & Costa Lda - 1000 metres (Rua Arco do Teixeira 9, 2710 Sintra, Portugal)
- Loja do Manal- 650 metres (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/sintra/shopping/food-drink/loja-manel)
- Manuel Afonso Faial - 600 metres (Avenida Movimento das Forças Armadas 1, 2710 Sintra, Portugal)

Nearby might not be close enough to carry >10 peoples foods and drinks.
I don't know whether shopping carts are common in Portugal.
If I zoom in at Google Streetview it might not be.

Edit:
I just spoke to Arj0n and we decided to rent a small car for doing the shopping for the whole group.
I think that would be most convenient for all of us.

Good idea Cat! We have booked our flight too.

We (Arj0n and me) arrive at Lisbon Airport at July 19th 13:45 and depart at July 26th at 19:55

Well I didn't want to tell anyone yet, but I am also pregnant.  Chris Jones is the father.

What a surprise! Congratz! When are you due?
Not during Mittens I hope?

Or does Tamara know more then I do for now....?

Nope

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!

Congratz Dirk!

12th really would be awkward for me.
I thought we already opted for 19-26 as ideal period?

Same for me and Arj0n...

All of them look great! Let's pick one of those!

You're right about that Cat, didn't think of that.
If rental cars are an option, maybe this is too.
Didn't check it in detail yet, but 'castle' sounds interesting. Up to 24 persons.
http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p2089254

Personally I prefer not to be a driver of a rental car, but I think it's also a good option.
Arjon doesn't mind to drive though.

But what will be the definitive choice?
I think it's good to pinpoint at least a country as soon as possible.

With rental cars the options of Mods and Bici are also a possibility

For Portugal, I've found some interesting places:

http://www.waytostay.com/lisbon-apartments/avenida-terrace-6720/
Available 19 u/I 27th July, 3,468.00. About half an hour from Lisbon Airport

http://www.waytostay.com/lisbon-apartments/angola-ii-9291/?arrivalDate=2014-07-19&departureDate=2014-07-27&numberOfPeople=20&city=33
Available 19 u/I 27th July, 3,831.84. About half an hour from Lisbon Airport

They don't have a swimming pool, but it's in Lisbon, so there should be plenty to do and there seems to be a beach nearby.
I also looked at plenty other options (both via Faro airport as Lisbon Airport), but they all seem not to be reachable via public transport (checked via maps.google.com)
Public Transport in Lisbon seems to be quite good (similar to Germany)

Since Croatia seems not to be practical for so many people, this may be a realistic villa/location.
I'd like to change my vote to Portugal.

What do you think of it?

I chose Croatia by lack of other choice, Tenerife and Malta are very nice options!

Please also take into account that most Dutch villas are in a rural area, about 2h with public transport from the nearest airport with non frequent busses (once an hour). You will be far away from big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht or The Hague. Swimming pools are also not that common and the chance is quite big that it's too rainy/cold to swim.

It's also a lot more expensive than the other two options (supermarkets, trips, activities, etc.).

This is a Dutch site with options, but I like them less than the Croatia/Portugal ones:
http://www.grote-vakantiehuizen.com/search