FAQs

Question

Transportation for Events

Answer

Transportation will be provided to the venue before and after each event (Sunday & Monday). Additionally, we will have one transport running continuously during the reception to and from the venue. If you are looking to leave and prefer to not wait for a returning transport or the end of the night, the venue should be able to arrange a taxi to pick you up as well. Pick-up times are scheduled as follows: Aethos Ericeira -Sunday 09/03 : BBQ - 19:20 (7:20 PM) -Monday 09/04 : Wedding – 15:50 (3:50 PM) Ericeira(pickup at Central Village – Hotel Vila Galé) -Sunday 09/03 : BBQ - 19:20 (7:20 PM) -Monday 09/04 : Wedding – 15:50 (3:50 PM) Dolce CampoReal Lisboa -Sunday 09/03 : BBQ - 19:30 (7:30 PM) -Monday 09/04 : Wedding – 16:00 (4:00 PM) Final departure for all locations will be 2:00. **No transport will be provided to the Drinks in Lison on Saturday 9/2**

Question

Getting Around Portugal?

Answer

Within Lisbon there is Uber, Bolt (a local version of Uber), taxis or hired service, buses and trams. Getting from Lisbon to accommodations in Ericeira : You are able to take an Uber to Ericeira, you can hire a car or taxi service, there are some public transport options, or you can rent a car. Getting from Lisbon to accommodations at Quinta de Sant’ana : You are able to take an Uber, taxi, car service to the accommodations on site in Quinta de Sant’ana.

Question

Getting To/From the Venue on the Day of the Wedding?

Answer

We are looking into arranging a shuttle service from a central location in Ericeira to and from the venue. A number of the hotels also are able to arrange transportation directly to the venue. Otherwise, uber and taxis are available but should be reserved ahead of time on the way back from Quinta de Sant’ana.

Question

Should I rent a car?

Answer

If you choose to stay in Ericeira everything should be accessible by bus or Uber/taxi. If you are staying on-site at Quinta de Sant’ana (Sam and Katie will have notified you of this) then all the events on Sunday and Monday will take place directly at the venue and will be within walking distance. We do not recommend renting a car during your stay directly in Lisbon. The streets are very difficult to navigate and it is difficult to locate parking. Note that we have rented a car during our prior stays in Portugal and can offer more flexibility. However, the country roads particularly closer to the vineyard/venue can be very intimidating. You are able to rent a car at the Lisbon Airport. If you aren’t comfortable driving manual, make sure you specify in your search and reservation that you want automatic as most of the options will be manual. Traffic Laws : The Portuguese are friendly people but if you stall out and block traffic on a hill they will express their displeasure. By no means are we experts in Portuguese traffic law but make sure you are comfortable with roundabouts, don’t pass on the right, and don’t hang out in the left lane of the highway unless you are passing. We’d also encourage you to look up common traffic signs and talk to the rental company about paying for tolls.

Question

Do they speak English in Portugal?

Answer

Short answer is : yes! We have rarely had issues with speaking English in Portugal. In Lisbon it isn’t uncommon to hear English spoken as you walk down the street or while sitting at a restaurant. The hospitality industry there is prepared to speak English, and menus frequently include English descriptions. The only areas we’ve had issues are in more rural areas away from major cities and even then they have been friendly enough and we got through it. That being said here are a few phrases and words in Portuguese that are useful and we feel show respect to our hosts: Olá - Hello Obrigado/Obrigada – thank you! Fala inglês - A polite way to say “I can’t speak Portuguese” is to ask if the individual speaks English. Desculpa/desculpe – “sorry” in Portuguese

Question

Lodging for Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday night?

Answer

Drinks in Lisbon (Saturday 09/02) – if you plan to join us for drinks in Lisbon on Saturday we recommend staying in Lisbon on Saturday night. Welcome BBQ (Sunday 09/03) and Wedding (Monday 09/04 ) – unless you have been notified specifically by Sam & I that we have accommodations for you on site, on Sunday night and Monday night we recommend staying at a hotel or Airbnb closer to the venue. We specifically recommend Ericeira which is a coastal town that is a 25 minute drive from the venue. Please see the Travel Page for specific hotel recommendations!!

Question

What should I wear to the wedding?

Answer

We very much embrace the look good/feel good mentality, so please wear whatever you feel most comfortable! Our dress code for the wedding ceremony and reception will be garden party cocktail. Pick whatever you feel most comfortable in but we encourage bright colors and fun prints.

Question

Food Recommendations in Portugal?

Answer

We gotchu. Seafood! is the primary specialty in Portugal. Cod is the main fish, and bacalhau is salted cod and a traditional Portuguese dish. You’ll also find plenty of other fish options as well as octopus and prawns. Pastel de nata – pastry in Lisbon. It is sweet but not usually served as a dessert. Bifana – sandwich from Lisbon. This is a pork sandwich served with a hot sauce and mustard that you have the option of adding. The closest thing we’d describe it to is a Cuban sandwich, but it really has its own taste. You can also find a similar sandwich called a prego that uses tenderloin instead of pork. Francesinha – Porto dish. It is incredibly filling but we really like it. The best way we can describe it is taking a meat and cheese sandwich, top it with a fried egg, and douse in a tomato or hot sauce. It is worth a google to get a better idea.

Question

OK, but what about libations/drinks?

Answer

Water – tap water in Portugal is considered safe to drink, but you’ll rarely find it served in restaurants. While at restaurants you will likely need to request and pay for water and decide between still or sparkling. Espresso – most common breakfast drinks are espresso-based drinks. Ginja – is a liqeuer created by a Galician friar who was working in Portugal in Saint Anthony’s Church. It is made from aguardente (brandy or foritified wine) that’s been infused with sour cherries, sugar and cinnamon. Medronho – Portugual’s local firewater. It can be incredibly strong (56% proof) so be careful but we shared a shot with our waitress in Lisbon this past October and she said it’s a Portuguese local favorite. Caipirinha – this is a Brazilian drink but given the Portuguese influence in Brazil is also popular in Portugal. It is a cocktail made with a mix of muddled limes, sugar, crushed ice and cachaca. It is a refreshing drink that tastes like a sweet lime juice with a grassy aftertaste. Wine : You’ll find both red and white wine served throughout Portugal and in our opinion very reasonably priced. Touriga Nacional is the most important grape in Portugal and blended as well as on its own. Some of the main regions you’ll see on wine lists are the Douro, Dão, Lisboa, Tejo, Alentejo, and Algarve from north to south. While not a definitive rule, the wines tend to go from fuller to lighter body as you go south. Port Wine - While more associated with Porto in the north, you’ll find it is still served and sold all over Portugal. If having it on its own isn’t something you enjoy you can try a Port Tonic. Vinho Verde – Portugal’s “green wine”. Portuguese wine that comes from a small region in Northern Portugal. Wines are known for high acidity, subtle carbonation and lower alcohol. Beers – Super Bock and Sagres ; lighter style beers.

Question

What about the outlet situation?

Answer

We recommend bringing your own European outlet converter that allows you to plug a US adapter into the outlet.