Discounts on pousadas in Portugal

I spent two weeks in Portugal, May 12-27, ’04, staying only at pousadas. These are government-owned hotels, usually converted castles, palaces or monasteries. While there, I found a brochure titled “Special Programs.” It stated that if you are over 60 years old you can get a discount of 35%, or if your stay is for three nights you can get it for the price of two nights, or if you are under 30 you can get 20% off, etc.

Adding up all the discounts I would have been eligible for, I think I could have saved about $800, if I had known. We stayed three and four nights at each pousada and we are both over 60.

My suggestion to anyone interested in going to Portugal and staying at pousadas is to visit the website www.pousadas.pt to see where the pousadas are and what they look like, then make reservations by e-mailing guest@pousadas.pt. When making the reservation, ask about the “Special Programs.”

Portugal is a wonderful country to visit, and if you can save a significant amount of money that makes it all the better.

LEE HANLE YOUNGE
Big Flats, NY