I was drawn to the whitewashed Alentejan town of Redondo for its biennial street decoration festival, Ruas Floridas. As a bonus, I discovered a 500-year-old pottery tradition and had the privilege of meeting some very special people involved in its practice and preservation. Note: Places to stay near Redondo are atRead More →
Ever since I encountered Portugal’s exquisite filigree jewellery, I’ve been fascinated by one of the most popular designs, the Viana heart. Many Portuguese souvenirs and contemporary designs now sport this distinctively curved heart with its crown-like growth at the top so you’re bound to see it at some point. But what’s the story behindRead More →
Sortelha is the kind of ancient Portuguese village that inspires legends. This particular story even has a a house named after it, a Casa do Vento que Soa (the House of the Wind that Makes Sounds), although I’m not sure which came first – the tale or the building. EitherRead More →
You might have heard of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator who proved once and for all that the Earth is round. In Portugal, he’s known by his real name, Fernão Magalhães, and although no one can say with absolute certainty, it’s likely that he’s from the quaint town of Ponte da Barca.Read More →
The view from a glass-fronted riverside café one afternoon in Arcos de Valdevez was enough to convince me that this northern Portuguese village warranted further exploration. That’s partly why I accepted an invitation to follow the Lima Valley Giants Route. Being keen to learn more about the history, countryside and culture of this partRead More →
Portugal’s Lima valley is so beautiful you hardly need an excuse to visit. The verdant landscape, abundant history and architecture, not to mention the local vinho verde (young wine) are reasons enough for spending as much time as possible in this part of northern Portugal. The main aim of my most recent trip, however,Read More →
Not a lot of tourists make it to Bragança. Which is a pity as this medieval city, tucked away in the north east of Portugal, possesses some unique treasures and is easier to get to than you might think. Having ventured up north to see the costumed capers of the Caretos of Podence, MikeRead More →
Jangling cowbells give her a little warning but not enough time for the pretty young girl to escape the mischievous embrace of one of the masked Caretos de Podence. With one colourful woolly arm around her shoulders, he bats her hair with the tip of his long hood and bumps his bell-cladRead More →
Sortelha is one of Portugal’s most romantic and atmospheric historical villages. From the castle, you can look down on the butterscotch coloured granite cottages within the village walls or out over the boulder-strewn countryside. Two of those boulders rest on the slope below the castle walls, just touching. It’s notRead More →
