The breathtakingly beautiful Douro wine region has become one of Portugal’s must see destinations. Commonly referred to as the Douro Valley, the World Heritage landscape actually extends way beyond the Douro River and is dotted with towns, villages and wine estates. While it’s possible to get a quick glimpse ofRead More →
There’s more to Évora than the chilling Chapel of Bones.Read More →
For years I had it in my head that Setúbal was a dreary industrial city of little interest. Happily, I was wrong. At less than 40 minutes drive or a 55-minute train ride from Lisbon to Setubal, it’s an easy day trip but one I’d never bothered taking. I was,Read More →
Picture a collection of whitewashed cottages perched on a cliff overlooking a sandy beach and rocky coastline and you’ve got the village of Azenhas do Mar. In fact, you may already have seen images of this charming village within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park – it’s very photogenic. Mike and I wentRead More →
Did you realise that there are no less than four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central Portugal, all less than an hour’s drive from each other? These remarkable buildings contain tales of Portuguese history dating back to the the earliest days of Portugal as a country. With the Knights Templar,Read More →
I’m always looking for an excuse to visit Guimarães. This northern city is known as the cradle or birthplace of Portugal so its wealth of cultural heritage is hardly surprising, nor is its UNESCO World Heritage classification. There are plenty of things to do in Guimaraes and it’s road and rail connections make it aRead More →
Carved into the rugged rocks of the Côa Valley near the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa you’ll find the very origins of animated art. The two-headed animals scratched into these ancient stones weren’t monsters roaming the Portuguese countryside. The extra heads represent movement, pretty clever for rock artRead More →
Ponte de Lima charmed me when I stopped there for lunch a few years ago. When I revisited a couple of years later, the pretty old town nestled itself deep inside my heart and is never coming out. It’s got all the right ingredients for me: plenty of gardens, fancy mansionsRead More →
Knowing how hilly the Douro wine region is, I was a little apprehensive about doing a week-long walking holiday in the Douro Valley. Nevertheless, the promise of spectacular views and the experience of hiking from village to village were enticing enough to push myself beyond my normal comfort zone. (Don’t letRead More →