Surprising discoveries

Fascinating places. This is what we like to discover when travelling around such special places as Porto city. Sometimes you walk around interesting but famous sites and don't realise that behind some wall there is another world 
Indeed. The most interesting are the hidden gems not too many people get to see. But we do as we follow our specially planned routs! 

Old city of Porto has gone through so many historical changes, so much happened in between these stunning hills around river Douro curves
Old legends still live here 
And we like to listen to them! 

Come join our journeys. 
And be surprised!

Greatest places. To be visited and admired. Portugal.

COIMBRA UNIVERSITY is recognised as a WORLD HERITAGE by UNESCO

The University of Coimbra has now been recognized as World Heritage site at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, which is happening now in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The great University joins the historic centers of Angra do Heroismo (Azores) ofPortugal, city of Porto, Évora and Guimarães, the grand monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça, the Convent of Christ (Tomar), the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, the ancient engravings of Foz Coa, the region of Alto Douro Wine Region, the landscape of vineyard culture of the Pico Island (Azores), the fortifications of Elvas and Madeira laurel.

Portugal is a truly unique place!

Creative travelling

Creative travelling. Is when you go off beaten tracks and choose something unusual
Portugal - is a land of unusual. Just look:

Sunniest beaches and World Records waves - check
Unique wines, result of unusual grape casts and hot/cold winds from 2 continents - here they are
Grand river valleys. Endless fields and mountains with 800 year old Castles on top - yes it is here, called World heritage 

Most delicious seafood and rural interior cuisine variations? unheard of in the rest of the world, but here

Palaeolithic monuments? Yes here it is. In the middle of Portugal 

Travel. Discover. Be special and find special.
In Portugal 

Travellers delight. Beauty of history. Lisbon, Portugal

Absolutely unforgettable.. One of most imposing. That is why Lisbon is that famous and is considered as one of best 5 European destinations.

Because of its World Heritage status sites.

This cathedras is something special. Although it's almost impossible to distinguish something among this variety of unique sites here.. But still

Towering above the cityscape from a side of famous romantic Alfama area hill, this ancient and one of most important cathedrals has got thousands of stories to tell

It witnessed so much during centuries and centuries of great wars, great developments, great reins, catastrophs, parades and life stories.

Grand Sé de Lisboa

When you enter it you found yourself in another époque. Another reality. Very strong feeling.

And besides this - it is a fascinatingly beautiful monuments, still transmitting its lights to us, as almost 900 years ago

Discover! Explore one of the most romantic, mysterious, beautiful cities. Lisbon. Portugal.

Travel. Romance. Magnificent Costa Alentejana area of Portugal

The sun is our greatest asset. On the Costa Alentejana, summer can stretch from March until November. From Alcácer do Sal to Odemira, there are miles of beaches to discover. From the extensive beaches in the north to the little coves hidden among the cliffs in the south, a calm and secret ocean awaits you. No traffic, no crowds.

Located in Southwest Portugal, the Costa Alentejana is a region of unique characteristics, accessed in a few hours from any major European airport. Few destinations in the world combine, in such harmony, development and tradition with comfort and nature, an itinerary of sporting, cultural and leisure activities with the tranquillity of a natural and built landscape that invites tranquillity, romance and relaxation.

This whole scene of natural life can be covered in romantic walks on foot, horseback, boat, or along the graceful roads that cut through the landscape. Because time is on our side and a single moment, if well spent, can last a lifetime.

Beaches are just one of many features of the Costa Alentejana. Throughout the region you will find incredible, unspoiled landscape, natural lakes, reservoirs and places where you could be forgiven for thinking that the sun was setting just for you.

Celebrating unique moments

The Costa Alentejana is romantic. It is a destination of choice for those who love beauty, nature, life and love, above all, for those who want to share this with someone. For a vacation away from the daily routine that distracts us from what is truly important or just to celebrate a special event, here you will find numerous hotels, pousadas, restaurants and bars waiting to be discovered by two. Many experiences only make sense lived side by side.

Hotels overlooking the sea, pousadas built between silence and the landscape, rural tourism accommodation in the heart of nature. The Costa Alentejana is a map of charming places for every romance. Modern and elegant, natural and discreet, elegant and sincere.

Life should be celebrated at the table, with a cuisine refined over centuries and accompanied with exceptional wines. From cosy typical restaurants to areas of the latest design, you’re in good company, with the surf breaking on the sand and the sky sprinkled with stars.

After toasting to the present and the future, come and discover the past.

The castles, churches, museums and ruins that remind us, that long ago, the Roman Empire arrived here, at the gates to the Atlantic. And lose yourself in fairs, festivals and processions.

You can dance the whole year to the tune of local songs or wait for the big summer festivals, when the Costa Alentejana becomes the world capital of music.

Love needs time and space. And time and space are precisely what the Costa Alentejana specializes in. Time and space to leave the world behind for a while. Time and space to break the routine and be free. Time and space for romance. Time and space to rediscover each other and celebrate.

by CostaAlentejana

Algarve in Portugal - an idyllic year-round destination.

The Algarve, derived from the Arabic term ‘Al Gharb’ meaning ‘The West’, is situated in the extreme south of Portugal. The region is a delight to visit all year round with golden sandy beaches on the coast offering a haven for sun seekers whilst the sleepy hillside villages further inland offer peace and tranquillity for those looking to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Must See

Resorts including Albufeira, Armação de Pêra, Praia da Rocha, and Vilamoura, are among the Algarve's main holiday destinations. Offering an excellent selection of accommodation, beaches, entertainment and a variety of nightlife ranging from cabaret shows at casinos to lively discos and quaint, welcoming bars, it is no surprise that the Algarve has visitors coming back year after year.

The coastal city of Faro is the region’s capital. Faro stands out as an important commercial, artistic and ncultural centre. Often simply passed through by visitors as a gateway, the city in fact offers fascinating architecture as part of the region’s rich history.

Sagres, on the western coast was the place where Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator) founded a school of navigation during the 15th century thus instigating a culture of maritime exploration. Moving east, Henry the Navigator also had a great influence in Lagos. Set in one of the largest bays in the Algarve, Lagos was once an important naval centre and is now an attractive, bustling town. Evidence of its important naval history is still visible today with a large statue of Henry the Navigator gazing out to sea situated in one of the town’s main squares

Despite being most famous for its sandy beaches, the inland villages of the Algarve offer visitors peace and quiet in its lush green hills. The cork and oak forests are a haven for nature lovers and provide the natural habitat for the Iberian Lynx, now an endangered species. Just as interesting are the Algarve mountains of Serra de Monchique where you can relax at the natural thermal spa of Termas de Monchique once described as ‘sacred’ by the Romans.

Tavira, situated on the edge of the Ria Formosa Nature Park, is a must-see for visitors to this area of the Algarve. This pretty town is abundant with historic churches and fine mansions as well as a plethora of excellent restaurants where you can sample delicious local seafood.

Once a rich and powerful city, today Silves is a sleepy town lying in the foothills of the Serra de Monchique mountains. Believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians, its cathedral and red sandstone castle remind visitors of its rich and industrious Moorish past, which came to an end after a three-month siege led by King Sancho I in 1189.

Silves boasts the best preserved castle in the Algarve. Built on the site of the 11th-century Palace of the Verandahs, its turreted walls dominate the town and provide panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The town's 13th-century Gothic Cathedral, built on the site of a former mosque, contains a number of Crusader tombs and a jasper statue of Nossa Senhora da Conceição believed to date from the 14th century.

Vila Real de Santo António is 53 miles (85km) east of Faro and is neatly designed on a geometric grid system. Radiating out from the central square, the Praca Marquês de Pombal with its dramatic paved radial mosaic floor and central obelisk is edged with orange trees. The town is on the west bank of the River Guadiana. Back in the 17th century the original town was flooded by the sea, and was rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal who had rebuilt Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. The reconstruction was completed in just five months leaving a tidy town with streets lined by elegant 18th century townhouses, and a long esplanade along the riverbank where strollers can enjoy an impressive view. Visitors can take river tours inland along the Guadiana River from Vila Real de Santo António.

Wherever you opt on going, for sure you will discover really fascinating places and amazing gastronomy, and your experience in beautiful Algarve is just meant to be excellent.

by turismodoalgarve

Cultural Heritage of Old Europe - discover in Portugal! Barocco style masterpieces.

Portugal developed unprecedented versions of Baroque style in the world of art – in the fields of azulejo tiles and carved gilded wood. Azulejo tiles – an extremely rich iconographic culture that runs alongside the tradition of great canvas painting – focused primarily on religious themes: the history of the lives of the Saints and cy cles dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Life of Christ. The main profane themes focused on mythology and fables, in particular the fables of La Fontaine, explored in azulejo tiles such as those in the Church of S. Vicente de Fora, and also linked to programmes imposed by commissioners in the domestic space of their gardens and palaces.

Ornamentation and compositional formats, introduction of “gallant scenes”, “hunting scenes”, more or less stereotypical landscapes, sometimes exotic, originated autonomous motifs with countless variations such as the so-called “invitation figures” (figures de convite) - life-sized representations of people adopting gestures of etiquette, as they receive visitors, located at room entrances or staircase landings. This deceptive naturalism and apparent ingenuity, established azulejo work as one of the most characteristic Portuguese styles.

The reign of D. João V was marked by implementation of a utopia in the world of art, whose initial seeds had been sown in 17th century politics. This was the only explanation behind major ventures such as the Royal Convent of Mafra, one of the largest palatial and monastic buildings in Europe. The characteristic elements of Portuguese Baroque - carved gilded wood and ornamentation of churches with azulejo tiles – directly descended from this desire to create a “golden age”. It also derived from a very real access to gold, imported from Brazil.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, carved gilded wood transformed church interiors, which often had unique layouts, thus conferring them with luminosity and spatial energy. A classic example is the Library of the University of Coimbra, whose interior was transformed through the use of carved gilded wood. A wide array of altar-pieces were installed in all styles of Portuguese churches throughout the 17th century. Derived from mannerist altars and altar-pieces - stable, firm and of classic taste - the Portuguese style altar-piece ended up by replacing slower, heavier and expensive models, executed in stone by Italian Baroque sculptors.

However, the  Portuguese style should not be viewed as a poorer or imitative version of its predecessors. On the contrary, it included original motifs and was based on unique compositions. The splendour of the gilding, the greater or lesser depths of the hand carved ornamental motifs, constitute the backdrop for the key architectural elements: the arches and door-jambs – thick, repeated, staggered in depth; tribunes constituted by several steps, raising up to great height in a curious play of different scales and monumental display; the throne, upon which the statue of the patron saint was placed; Solomonic columns, decorated with vines and small angels.

In the same manner, the Enlightenment spirit fostered by the Marquis of Pombal during the reign of D. José (1750-1777), formed part of a broader Baroque strategy, especially if one considers his urban-planning proposals. 

The key impulse behind this avant-garde movement was the unprecedented catastrophe, whose impact was felt throughout the world – the brutal 1755 earthquake that devastated Lisbon. Some commentators viewed the Earthquake as a sign of the end of the world. For others, however, it was an opportunity to secularise a society that was atavistically entrenched in profound religiosity.

Discover this great world heritage and see it in real life in Portugal! 

by visitportugal 

Great World Heritage in Portugal. Rome in Alentejo region.

The Roman period in the Alentejo began in the 2nd century BC and lasted until the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. From these times, and from their influence on later periods, there remain many memories: mining and agricultural exploitation carried out on great estates crowned by luxurious and richly decorated houses (the Roman villas); ceramics industries, salt mines, fish-salting and shipbuilding; fortresses, temples, bridges, paved roads and pathways,

sanctuaries, theatres, dams, aqueducts; municipalities as the basis for the structure of local administration. And there remains with us, obviously, Latin as the mother tongue of the Portuguese.

The remains of this period can be visited in and from urban centres. Take a note and make these sites part of your itinerary.

On the Marvão – Alter do Chão – Monforte axis you should see the Civitas de Ammaia (S. Salvador de Aramenha, Marvão); the ponte (bridge) de Vila Formosa (road between Alter do Chão and Ponte de Sor); the villa at Torre de Palma (road between Monforte and Cabeço de Vide); and the Núcleo Museológico of the Igreja (church) da Madalena (Monforte).

In Évora, the Roman-Goth-Arab walls, the Roman temple, the Termas (baths) in the Paços do Concelho (Town Hall), the Arco (arch) de D. Isabel and the Casa de Burgos, all in the historical centre; outside the city, the Termas of the Roman Villa of Tourega (road from Évora to Alcaçovas). Between Alvito, Vidigueira, Cuba and Beja, the bridge at Vila Ruiva (road between Vila Ruiva and Albergaria dos Fusos) and the Roman villa of Cucufate and Casa do Arco (Vila de Frades).

In Beja, the Portas (gates) de Évora and de Avis the gigantic capitals next to the Regional Museum and the Núcleo Museológico Romano da Rua do Sembrano, where you will also find important vestiges of the Iron Age.

Between Beja, Castro Verde and Mértola, the Roman villa of Pisões (road from Beja to Aljustrel, next to Penedo Gordo); the Museu da Lucerna (museum of Roman lamps) (Castro Verde); and the Núcleo Museológico Romano (Mértola).

On the coast, the Estação Arqueológica de Miróbriga (Santiago do Cacém) and the Cripta (crypt) Arqueológica do Castelo (Alcácer do Sal), situated under the former Aracoeli convent.

from visitalentejo.com

One of the most beautiful examples of Baroque Architecture in Portugal.. and in the World!

The Freixo Palace Hotel, opened in October 2009 and is the first Portuguese Pousada in the Oporto city.

The adaptation of the Pousada do Porto, inserted in a palace which has been classified as a National Monument since 1910, was by architect David Sinclair and decorated by architect James Mitchell. The building is located on the banks of the Douro River, named after the famous Wine Region in Portugal, which dates back to Roman times.

Situated just a few kilometres from Guimarães, the European Culture Capital 2012, the 
Freixo Palace is a beautiful example of Portuguese civil baroque.

Characterised by its sumptuous eighteenth century construction, the work originally was authorised by the celebrated Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni. Nicolau Nasoni was one of the most significant architects of the Oporto city with an important contribution to the Historic Heritage where attention is also given to the Tower of the Clergy, ex-libris of the city. 
At the time of construction the Tower of the Clergy was considered to be the highest building in Portugal standing at 75 metres high

by visitportugal 

Algarve. Great cultural heritage.

Visiting the Algarve is not just an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent beaches and delicious cuisine; it is also a chance to discover a rich cultural heritage handed down over many centuries of history.

Occupied since pre-historic times, the municipality of Aljezur enjoyed a period of great prosperity during the five centuries of Islamic occupation. Indeed, the town of Aljezur was founded by the Arabs in the 10^th century, and they built the imposing castle that can still be visited today.

In 1249, D. Paio Peres Correia won the town back from the Moors. In 1280, King Dinis granted Aljezur its charter and in 1504 it was awarded a new charter by King Manuel I.

After a period of prosperity which coincided with the maritime Discoveries and the town sending its agricultural produce to Lagos, Aljezur faced hard times, later exacerbated by the 1755 earthquake. The earthquake destroyed most of the town and left the main church in complete ruins. The intervention of the then Bishop of the Algarve, D. Francisco Gomes do Avelar, was needed to build this church and set in motion the construction of a new urban centre.

Aljezur Castle

An Arab military building dating from the 10^th century, located on the top of a hill. It has a long stretch of wall with two towers, and on the inside a vaulted cistern of Arab origin, as well as the remains of houses and barracks. Aljezur Castle was taken by the Christians in the 13th century and fulfilled an important defensive role until the 18th century.

Visitors can enjoy a wonderful view from here.

Bordeira Main Church

An 18th century church, it has a longitudinal floor plan with a single nave and a chancel with a carved gilt triumphal arch in front.

The main features are the altarpiece in the chancel and the two side altarpieces in the Baroque style, where some high quality statues can be seen. Examples are the

statues of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Our Lady of the Incarnation) and Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of the Rosary)(18^th century), of Santo António (St Anthony) and São Francisco (St Francis)(17th century) and of São Sebastião (St Sebastian)(16th century).

There is more than a thousand impressive monuments and historical sites in the region. They will definitely be mentioned in the next series of articles. Explore and enjoy! And happy travelling.

Alentejo. Portugal. To stay and admire.

Absolutely loved it here. 

HOTEL CONVENTO DE SÃO PAULO

The former monastery, set among 1,500 acres of olive groves and woods, was constructed in 1376 by monks in search of tranquillity.

The property is in the Alentejo region, where gnarled olive trees and eerily beautiful cork forests cover the land.

You'll feel virtuous sleeping in any of the 17 rooms, most of them in pleasantly claustrophobic monastic cells. Modern amenities--phones, televisions, private bathrooms, air-conditioning--almost ruin the mood.

The dukes of Braganza, who ruled Portugal in the 19th century, were regular patrons. Other Portuguese nobles have also slept here.

Food in the hotel dining room is grandmotherly: duck and black olive stew; açorda, a bread soup with salt cod and olive oil.

 Recommended bottles include Porta da Ravessa and Monte da Ferra, both from the nearby Adega Cooperativa do Redondo.

Happy discovering! 

by foodandwine.com

Wonders of Portugal. Alenteho region.

Alentejo is a Heritage.

In the Alentejo, you travel naturally with and to History. The abundance and the quality of the

Heritage which it expresses become easy for you to discover but, if you are visiting the Region for the first time, you could be spoiled for choice. If this is the case, don’t hesitate: opt for our

suggestions and you will discover that the magic of the Alentejo is to be found, with endless pleasure, everywhere.

Encounters with History

So that you don’t miss out on any aspect of these thousands of yearsof history, it’s important that you have an idea of the different epochs which have clearly and abundantly made their mark on the rural and urban landscapes of the Alentejo. This is the thinking behind our

selecting the suggestions we make here.

From the times dating back to the Palaeolithic up to the 12th century AD, we suggest that you concentrate on three fundamental periods of time: the

Neolithic, which offers us interesting examples of the megalithic era, the the Roman occupation and the Arab occupation, which left us with an important inheritance, material and non-material, throughout the whole Region.

During the so-called Christian reconquest, Portugal was born as a nation, which means that from the 12th century until the present, we have almost 900 years of history in our hands. From this long period, we will suggest that you discover some of the

castles and historical centres that have a mediaeval flavour and that you visit the emblematic expressions of civil and religious architecture, built during the prosperous times of the Discoveries and the time of exploiting gold from Brazil (15th – 18th centuries).

When planning your travels, in order to experience the essence of the Alentejo to its full, you should leave yourself time to enjoy, freely and in tranquillity, everything that today opens up, conserves and brings life to the heritage present in the monuments.

To achieve this, you need to install yourself in the comfort of a palace, monastery or manor house, to lunch or dine in the former refectory of a convent, to enjoy a drink on a castle terrace, to listen to a concert of sacred music in the setting of a Baroque church, to attend a play in one of those beautiful spaces that formerly received kings, to take part in the spectacles which enliven village, town and city squares on warm summer evenings.

And, because nothing makes sense if you don’t understand what truly creates the soul of this people, you should make sure that, at an appropriate time, you are in some ancient or modern tavern where you can still find yourself listening to the sound of spontaneous Alentejan singing.

Happy travelling!

Alentejo. Portugal. Roman history

In the Alentejo, you travel naturally with and to History. The abundance and the quality of the Heritage which it expresses become easy for you to discover but, if you are visiting the Region for the first time, you could be spoiled for choice. If this is the case, don’t hesitate: opt for our suggestions and you will discover that the magic of the Alentejo is to be found, with endless pleasure, everywhere.

Miróbriga was inhabited from at least the Iron Age until the 4th century AD and experienced its major development during the Roman period. In the highest part, the forum was built, in the centre of which the two temples are visible, eventually dedicated to the Imperial cult and to the cult of Venus. In one of the best-conserved parts of the complex, the baths are of particular note. Away from the centre is found the hippodrome, the only one of its kind known in Portugal. There is an information centre and a shop. Guided visits are available, with prior booking, for groups (minimum 5). There is an entrance charge.

The Roman period in the Alentejo began in the 2nd century BC and lasted until the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. From these times, and from their influence on later periods, there remain many memories: mining and agricultural exploitation carried out on great estates crowned by luxurious and richly decorated houses (the Roman villas); ceramics industries, salt mines, fish-salting and ship-building; fortresses, temples, bridges, paved roads and pathways, sanctuaries, theatres, dams, aqueducts; municipalities as the basis for the structure of local administration. And there remains with us, obviously, Latin as the mother tongue of the Portuguese.

The remains of this period can be visited in and from urban centres. Take a note and make these sites part of your itinerary.

On the Marvão – Alter do Chão – Monforte axis you should see the Civitas de Ammaia (S. Salvador de Aramenha, Marvão); the ponte (bridge) de Vila Formosa (road between Alter do Chão and Ponte de Sor); the villa at Torre de Palma (road between Monforte and Cabeço de Vide); and the Núcleo Museológico of the Igreja (church) da Madalena (Monforte).

In Évora, the Roman-Goth-Arab walls, the Roman temple, the Termas (baths) in the Paços do Concelho (Town Hall), the Arco(arch) de D. Isabel and the Casa de Burgos, all in the historical centre; outside the city, the Termas of the Roman Villa of Tourega (road from Évora to Alcaçovas).

Between Alvito, Vidigueira, Cuba and Beja, the bridge at Vila Ruiva (road between Vila Ruiva nd Albergaria dos Fusos) and the Roman villa of Cucufate and Casa do Arco (Vila de Frades).

In Beja, the Portas (gates) de Évora e de Avis the gigantic capitals next to the Regional Museum and the Núcleo Museológico Romano da Rua do Sembrano, where you will also find important vestiges of the Iron Age.Between Beja, Castro Verde and Mértola, the Roman villa of Pisões (road from Beja to Aljustrel, next to Penedo Gordo); the Museu da Lucerna (museum of Roman lamps) (Castro Verde); and the Núcleo Museológico Romano (Mértola).

On the coast, the Estação Arqueológica de Miróbriga (Santiago do Cacém) and the Cripta (crypt) Arqueológica do Castelo (Alcácer do Sal), situated under the former Aracoeli convent, today the Pousada D. Afonso II, where you can see ruins of dwellings from the Iron Age, the Roman and the Arab periods as well as an important Roman sanctuary dating from the 2nd Century AD.

   by visitalentejo.pt