Good Cascais Map Showing Attractions, Hotels, Grocery Stores

Thanks to a Sangha member for suggesting this tip.
You can see where grocery stores - as well as attractions, hotels, etc. - are on MapQuest, which seems to work much better for this than Google Maps.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get a direct link to work, but if you go to MapQuest, enter "Cascais, Portugal" in the Search box at top left, then click the Get Map button, you'll get a map of the Festival town. Click the grocery shopping cart icon above the map, then click Grocery Stores. You can then zoom in.

There are 2 grocery stores near train station, with the big Jumbo just inland from train station. You can even look online to see what Jumbo stocks.
The big shopping center, Mercearia Central De Cascais, which has the Pingo Doce Supermarket, is also nearby.

Save Money: Easy ATM Card without Fees

Most of us are on budgets, so I wanted to recommend getting a Charles Schwab ATM card that doesn't charge fees, even abroad, which is rare. Even credit unions charge flat fees and/or percentages, as does the bank hosting the ATM where you're withdrawing money.
In my experience, the best way to get foreign currency is at ATMs in the country you're visiting, so you can save a lot of money if you're not paying extra fees.

The only place I know of that offers this is Charles Schwab. I just signed up for an account, and the process was easy. In fact, I was very impressed with their support. (I had a more complex situation, so I used their chat, and they had someone phone me a few minutes later, on Sat afternoon!) For most people, you can easily fill out an application online.
The minimum deposit is $1, and there don't seem to be other fees associated with the account.

They told me I would get my ATM card in 1-1/2 or 2 weeks, so there's still time to do this.

If you just want a checking account, you can read about it and sign up at http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/checking_account

If you want a linked brokerage account as well, which has $0 minimum balance, or might want it in the future, go to
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/accounts
(Schwab told me that it's impossible to add the brokerage account to an existing checking account later.)

If there's a Schwab office in your area and you prefer doing it in person, you can go to their office and someone will walk you through the application process; take your checkbook with you.

Note: I have no stake in whether you go to Schwab or not, and of course you should review the details carefully because finance is not my area and you need to see if it will work for your particular situation.

Cheap Internet Device + New Heart of Wisdom eBook & Video + Portuguese Travel Phrases App

More tips from Sangha:
For people who would like Internet access but don't have a really portable device, Barnes and Noble has lowered the price temporarily for the Nook HD and HD+ to $129-$179 for a wifi-only tablet.

On the Tharpa site there is a beautiful YouTube video when you look at the New Heart of Wisdom ebook page. Very inspiring!

There is also a Nook Fodor travel phrases app for $1.99. With this app you click on a phrase and can hear it spoken.

More on VISA card with Chip

From a Sangha member:
I am getting a chip and pin VISA card from Andrews Federal Credit Union
https://www.andrewsfcu.org/credit_cards_and_loans/credit_cards/globetrek_rewards.html

The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, no cash advance fee, and can be used in ATM's. I joined the American Consumer Council (online, for free) and were then eligible to join Andrews Federal Credit Union. I filled in an online application and mailed them a signature card. I completed the application for credit cards online and received documents to sign digitally via email. I should be receiving the cards shortly.

Self-cater Meals in a Hotel Room: What to Pack

Some suggestions from a Sangha friend for how you can prepare meals cheaply in a hotel if you bring a few small items:

• A flexible cutting board (lots of real estate for preparing meals and cutting bread and veggies but light and easy to fit in a suitcase). [I saw a thin MSR Alpine Cutting Board that rolls up at REI for $5 but haven't used one and didn't find any reviews from searching online.]
• One re-usable plate, bowl, and mug per person (also consider getting a mug at Jumbo market in Cascais and save weight and space in your suitcase). [For more about Jumbo and other shopping in Cascais, see Shopping in Cascais, Estoril & Carcavelos.]
• One set of knife, fork and spoon made of Lexan or other durable material. [Lexan is very strong, light and inexpensive.]
• A sharp knife, with a sheaf for safety, for cutting bread, veggies, cheese and so forth.
• A small can opener of some type in case you want to buy anything in a can.
• Resealable bags of several sizes.
• Clothes pins for closing bags. [Binder clips work well too.]
• Small scissors for getting into packaging.
• Extra shampoo or liquid soap for cleaning up after the meal. [Dr Bronner's all-in-one soap is another option; it comes in a 2oz plastic bottle with a flip top that's great for travel, and is Fair Trade and organic. You can use it as a shampoo, body soap, and dish soap. I just read that the company "caps all executive compensation at 5 to 1 to the lowest paid warehouse position, and dedicates all profits not needed for business development to worthwhile causes and charities worldwide."]
• Quick-drying scrubber for cleaning dishes.
• A bag for transporting the meal to an outdoor location for a picnic.

A hot pot can be used to heat water for tea, broth and veggies, canned soup and so on.

ATM and Credit Cards for Travel

Start by reading Rick Steves' advice, Cash and Currency Tips, then click to read his pages with more information about cash vs. plastic, ATMs and credit-card fees.

From the NY Times Travel section:
"As You Travel, Making Money Work for You" of March 6, 2013:

"Q. Where do you have your bank accounts?
A. In addition to the bank you use at home ... I suggest opening a checking account with Charles Schwab Bank to use abroad. It doesn't charge any A.T.M. fees and even reimburses you for fees other banks charge anywhere in the world.

Q. What about credit cards?
A. I recommend using one of Capital One’s No Hassle Rewards cards while you travel because none of them charge foreign-transaction fees. Neither does Chase Sapphire Preferred. You don’t want to pay 3 percent on every transaction; suddenly the cost of your trip has gone up 3 percent.
If you really want to get in on the mileage game, I recommend getting a general rewards card and one that’s branded to a specific airline or hotel to use at home. Make sure the rewards card allows you to transfer points to that particular airline or hotel; this way you can add to your miles or hotel rewards. ..."
But see also the blog post Credit Card with Chip