Trains to Sintra and the Algarve, and the sardine calendar

Sintra is a 40-minute train from Lisbon's Rossio station; go on a weekday and get there before 9, because the palaces' slots sell out and the road to Pena is one bus-wide. To the Algarve, the intercity train from Lisbon takes about three hours and costs little if booked ahead. If you want sardines, come in summer: they're at their best from June (the Santo António festival in Lisbon) through August, and most restaurants won't serve them out of season.