First trip: Lisbon wasn’t our favorite destination. It felt more complicated than necessary, with transportation consistently frustrating (the city streets were under a lot of construction). Ditch the car as soon as you arrive, this is not a good driving
For centuries, Madeira was an obligatory stopover for European ships bound for and returning from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and its cuisine has been influenced by ingredients, people, and techniques from across the world. First discovered by accident in
This was an ambitious driving vacation that we loved - starting in Madrid and then skirting the coastline down to Lisbon. Very diverse, packed with history, great food! Days 1 and 2: Madrid We hit the ground running - thankfully the city
Sintra was a highlight of our time in Portugal - not only because of the wonderful B&B we stayed at, the ***Villa Mira Longa. Wonderful hosts! We could have used more time, but loved the modern castle scene. **Castelo dos Mouros: In
This town is the most perfectly preserved 13th-century village in central Portugal. For 600 years, Óbidos was the personal property of Portuguese queens, a symbolic love offering from their adoring husbands. We’re not convinced our stop for the night (Óbidos) was
By virtue of its magnificent dimensions, the clarity of the architectural style, the beauty of the material used and the care with which it was built, the Cistercian Monastery of Santa Maria d'Alcobaça is a masterpiece of Gothic Cistercian art.
We loved Porto, and its zombie apocalypse vibe. It was nearly empty, with buildings crumbling and a nearly dark skyline. The tile is amazing, food was okay (not much open), and it’s a great manageable city to walk around. We stayed
The historic town of Guimarães is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12th century. An exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town, its rich building typology