Evolution Cascais-Estoril Hotel

Welcome Party

Forte da Cruz

Wedding Day

Virginia Reception

Ohio Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

We will be updating any new info on this page leading up until the wedding, so keep checking back here! MOST IMPORTANT: Make sure your passports are up to date!!! To get into Portugal, your passport can't expire within three months of the travel date. If you're planning to travel to other countries, make sure your passport isn't expiring within six months.We don't think this is applicable anymore but we'll keep an eye on it. It's likely not going to apply until the second half of the year: (electronic travel authorization): <a href="https:" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-etias_en</a> General:- To-go coffee and meals are not really a thing in Portugal, but some places will do it for Americans :). Saying takeaway will make more sense to them than to go-Basic Portuguese phrases are good to know. Most people speak English, but they appreciate the effort.-Meal service is not what it is in the states. There's no such thing as a quick meal. We recommend relaxing, ordering a drink and enjoying the time. Day before the wedding:-The Welcome Party will be on the rooftop of the Evolution Hotel from 7:30-9:30 pm. There will be drinks and very light snacks. We recommend planning to eat dinner before or after the party.-Attire is Dressy Casual. Text Emily with questions 703-965-9004. Use this for inspo:<a href="https:" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.theknot.com/content/what-to-wear-dressy-casual</a> Day of the wedding:-Dinner will be served around 8:15 pm, there will be canapés passed around during cocktail hour but make sure to eat a proper lunch that day-It will be a peanut and tree nut free wedding :) We, and the catering company, take allergies and food sensitivities very seriously, so please let us know if there are any dietary restrictions on your RSVP!-Attire is cocktail. Text Emily with any questions 703-965-9004. Use this for inspo: <a href="https:" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.theknot.com/content/cocktail-wedding-attire</a> Two ways to get to the venue:

Important Info

FAQs

Getting To Lisbon:Fly into Humberto Delgado Airport which is located about a 30 minute car ride from downtown Lisbon! There are plenty of Ubers available. It is easiest to Uber from the airport to either downtown Lisbon or straight to Estoril, depending on your travel plans. The subway also is easy to use to get from the airport to downtown Lisbon. <a href="https://lisbon-airport-international.com/transportation/metro/." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lisbon-airport-international.com/transportation/metro/.</a>Take the Aeropuerto to Alameda on Linha Vermelha (red line).Transfer to Linha Verde (green line) from Alameda to Cais do Sodre if you’re trying to go straight to Estoril. You can train to Estoril from Cais do Sodré station by the Lisbon waterfront. Car rentals are cheap as well (we spent $360 for a week for an SUV, including full/no questions asked insurance), so long as you can drive a manual on narrow hilly streets (would not recommend for the anxious or not expert manual drivers). Lisbon to Estoril:It's about a 30 minute car ride/Uber from the heart of Lisbon to the venue (traffic depending). The Cais do Sodré train station, right by Lisbon's waterfront, takes you directly to Estoril, dropping you off between the beach, venue, and Hotel Palacio and Evolution Hotel! It takes 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of day, with a train leaving every 10 to 20 minutes for €2.25 each way. Money:We recommend:-Take a look at your credit cards and find out which one has no international transaction fees. We mostly used cards for everyday purchases.-Order euros through your US bank a few weeks before traveling. Your bank will give you the best exchange rate since currency exchange is not their main line of business and you are already their customer.-If you use an ATM in Europe, use a random bank ATM and not the EuroNet ATM's for best rates/fees.-There are a few cafes that only accept cash, so we would recommend having some euros with you.

Travel

We'll be staying here from Monday 6/16 to Saturday 6/21, along with immediate family (we have already booked). Feel free to join, there's a pool among many other amenities and is centrally located. Use discount code "EMILYJAMES25" for 10% off. You get an additional 10% off by becoming a hotel "Cosy Member" (free sign-up). It's a 10 minute walk to the venue and beach. Book as soon as you can, because there is a very generous cancellation policy! Fun Facts:-Ian Fleming started writing his first James Bond novel in the hotel bar. Scenes from 'On His Majesty's Secret Service' were filmed here and around Estoril-It has a rich history of hosting European royalty-When else can you stay in a 5 star hotel for under $300/night??-It was a hot bed for spies during WWII-As a Cosy Member, you get 15% off spa services at the Banyan Tree Spa next door

Palácio Estoril Hotel, Golf & Wellness

This is another great option. Definitely a more modern vibe than the Palacio, this hotel is brand new. A 5 minute walk to the venue and the beach. Use the code EMILYJAMES for 5% off when booking!

EVOLUTION Cascais-Estoril Hotel

Also a great option. It is a 1/2 mile from the venue and is right on the beach. There is no discount code for here but it's a beautiful hotel.

InterContinental Cascais-Estoril, an IHG Hotel

We recommend spending a few days exploring Lisbon. It's easy to get around by walking, metro or Uber. During prior trips we have stayed on the north side of Bairro Alto and just north of the main Praca do Comercio in the heart of downtown. Some of our favorite activities:- Praca do Comericio is the main square, with the Tagus River on the south side which is beautiful and definitely worth a stroll along the waterfront. Plenty of spots to stop and have a drink or bite to eat.- Sunset wine boat cruise along the Tagus River- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is the hilltop above Bairro Alto neighborhood, and has great views of the city with cafes and food trucks- Bairro Alto neighborhood is the lively going out area at night- Chiado neighborhood for shopping and restaurants (If you like Delirium beer like we do, the Delirium Tremens Cafe is a great place to stop for an afternoon drink)- Time Out Market for food/drinks (think Union Market but bigger)- Leonetta for pasta-Pica Pau for great Portuguese food- Belem Tower: touristy but very cool if you're into history- Jardim do Alto de Santa Catarina for a great sunset view of the water/bridge. Bring a bottle of wine and snacks.- Eat a pastel de nata every day

Lisbon

Our venue town! A small beach town, with lots of restaurants, hotels, and a large casino. Things to do:-For our runner friends: there's a boardwalk path along the beach that's about 2 miles total. You can also walk this and there are places to stop and eat/drink along the way- Garret Estoril (Pastelaria Garrett) is located right across the street from the Palacio Estoril Hotel - local favorite for pastries, espressos.- Praia do Tamariz is a very popular beach and happens to be right in front of our venue. Can get crowded but lots to do with a boardwalk packed with restaurants and bars.- Casino Estoril: you need to bring your passport with you the first time you come here to register for an entry card!- Take an Uber or walk to Casa de Guia for lunch, shopping and great views, especially at Palphita Cafe-Piazza di Estoril: for yummy Italian right by the Casino

Estoril

This is where the famous and colorful hilltop castles/mansions are located that you see on postcards.<a href="https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/</a> The roads are very narrow here with heavy traffic, so we recommend taking an Uber or tour bus if you decide to add this to your trip to avoid driving here at all costs.There is also hiking in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park for our hikers:<a href="https://visitsintra.travel/en/discover/active-sintra/land-sports/hiking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://visitsintra.travel/en/discover/active-sintra/land-sports/hiking</a> There is also a golf course at Penha Longa Resort and excellent restaurants here.<a href="https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/lisrz-penha-longa-resort/golf/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/lisrz-penha-longa-resort/golf/</a>

Sintra

We LOVE Porto! An easy 2-3ish hour train ride from Lisbon.-Port wine tasting at one of the distilleries along the water-Climb the Torre dos Clerigos for a great view of the city. Large, tall steps - a lot of them - but getting to the top is worth it.-Walk around and shop! You can truly spend a day just wandering around, stopping for food and drinks around town-Serralves Foundation and Museum: nice art museum and beautiful grounds to walk around

Porto

If you came all the way to Porto, spend one more day on a tour bus east into the Douro River Valley. It may be the most beautiful place we have ever seen. Take a wine tour or two or three.This is the tour that James, Emily and Emily's parents did in April and would 10/10 recommend: <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/porto-l151/from-porto-douro-valley-w-boat-tour-wine-tasting-lunch-t73660/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.getyourguide.com/porto-l151/from-porto-douro-valley-w-boat-tour-wine-tasting-lunch-t73660/</a>James and Emily have used Get Your Guide tours numerous times in Europe and all experiences have been excellent!

Douro Valley

We haven't made it to the south of Portugal yet, but have heard the beaches and weather are lovely in the Algarve. Inter-European flights are very cheap, so take a quick trip to Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Rome, etc. Morocco is also super close! One of Emily's favorite Spanish cities is Vigo, on the west coast.

and beyond

Things to Do

Registry

We are so excited to celebrate with everyone who is able to make it to our wedding day! However, we completely understand that Portugal is a far way to travel. For those who cannot attend the events in Portugal, there will be a reception in Virginia and a reception in Ohio in July/August 2025. More details to follow. We look forward to celebrating with loved ones in either location!

Emily & James

Emily & James

Photos