If You Can't Get into the Pergola

A great Cascais alternative

We headed back to Cascais over the first weekend of July. This time by car, as we were traveling with another couple. Cascais is definitely more crowded this summer than last. This was just one of the things we learned…

A crowded beach in Cascais

The Pergola was Full

We purchased tickets last summer for a John Legend concert. Each summer Cascais hosts a series of concerts over the month of July and he was the headliner. But given Covid, all concerts were canceled. When I requested a refund, I found that the tickets would be honored in 2022…all was not lost. In May, I went online to book another visit to The Pergola but it was full. However, I recalled our friends Mike and Mary had stayed at a place just a few blocks from the concert site and it was pet friendly. If we couldn’t find a dog sitter, Onix could make the trip with us.

A beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood is now a small hotel.

The Casa Vela Charm Guest House is in a lovely neighborhood just a few blocks from our old apartment. Frankly, if we had €1.4 million to invest in a house we would have looked to buy in this neighborhood. (Though during our stay I spoke with the hotel owner and he suggested that that would no longer be enough to purchase a home. And we spoke with a friend that has just reserved a two-bedroom/two-bath apartment, in central Cascais without a garage for €1.4m. Perhaps I should have worked a few more years…nah!)

One of two suits of armor guarding the front door.

We arrived 90 minutes prior to the stated check-in time, but fortunately, both of our rooms were ready. We were greeted by the gentleman above and the child below as we entered the home’s main foyer.

A cherub supporting the arch leading up the stairs.

Each room has its own theme. Ours was the coffee room and offered a very spacious bathroom, generous wardrobes, and a comfortable queen-size bed. In keeping with the theme, we had our very own coffee maker…a perk we always enjoy.

Coffee, a Portuguese stable.

The guest house has an honor bar with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Your first beverage is free … a nice touch. They also offer a continental breakfast each morning. Though not as over the top as the ones we enjoyed at The Pergola, at €8.50 it was more than adequate. Tables were arranged in a very large living/dining area as well as on outdoor patios.

A lovely area to relax at any time of the day.

The 3500-square foot property is a garden oasis just blocks from the crowded restaurants and bars and offers two pools.

A garden oasis in Cascais.

The Concert

On Saturday evening we debated what time to leave for the concert that was just a 10-minute walk from our hotel. We decided on 19:00, the time which the tickets suggested the gates opened. When we arrived at the venue we saw several long lines snaking along streets, through parks, and parking lots. We were very confused! But by checking the type of tickets held by others in line we identified the correct line. After 15 minutes, we had not moved and our friend came up with a brilliant idea. Let’s go get a drink…perhaps something to eat and come back closer to the time John Legend is set to get on stage (22:00).

We walked toward the beach and passed several bars and restaurants that had surpassed the legal occupancy limit. We landed at the front porch of The Hotel Baia. Okay, now I am going to share something that is somewhat embarrassing. You see, I had purchased tickets in the Golden Circle not realizing that this is an area that requires one to stand throughout the concert. I hadn’t slept well the night before (a common thing with me) and was dead on my feet. So at 21:00 when Denise and our friends went to the concert, I went back to the hotel. They were able to walk right into the venue and were even able to relax on a blanket on the ground during one of the opening acts. However, when Legend took the stage the hippodrome became a sea of standing-room-only fans. I’m told the concert was very good. I did hear parts of it, all be it from afar while dozing off in bed.

Next Week: a little bit of heaven in Algarve and fire season has begun.