Travel to Portugal

Fatima

You are going to be facinated at the faith people  show in this place called Fatima. It is truly remarkable to be gathered around people who for various reasons come here as a pilgrimage to ask Fatima to bless them and to thank her for prayers that were mercifully and graciously granted, particularly the people you see walking on their knees around the mass enclosure. The tree where Fatima appeared is beautiful. The entire Cova da Iria is spectacular and well worth the trip to Lisbon, Portugal and the bus ride to Fatima.

Guimarães

Guimarães is a medieval city that has joined the modern world. It is closely connected to the formation of Portugal as a state in the 12th century.             

It contains a 10th century castle and many traditional buildings      from the 15th to 19th centuries, including the Palace of the Duke  of Braganca ('Paco Ducal'), a World Heritage site; the Church of      Nossa Senhora da Oliveira which has a sculpture-laden front and   a museum in the cloisters; the Santa Clara Convent; Gothic arches; and a monastery ('Monesteiro de São Domingos') that holds local archeological exhibitions.

Alfonso Henriques became the first King of Portugal after a battle during which his army defeated that of his mother in 1128. The Moors  who had invaded the south of Portugal (and Spain) were pushed back  into North Africa subsequent to this event. There is a statue (1874) of King Afonso in the Paco Ducal

A pleasant square in the heart of the old town is Largo da Oliveira Olive Tree Square).

Portugal's Rome

Often referred to as Portugal's 'Rome', Braga  dates back to Celtic times and was an important Roman settlement.The ecclesiastical feel is emphasized by the town's main sites:  The ornate Baroque church of Bom Jesus do Monte, 5km outside the  center is still an important pilgrimage site; the sprawling Sé in the historic center of town is the oldest cathedral in Portugal; the huge, elaborate, medieval Archbishop's Palace.
Braga has been modernizing in recent years as it grows as a commercial   and fashion center and there is concern over the balance between     conservation of Braga's unique heritage and the need for economic        development.
Of course you will be able to find good bars, restaurants and clubs and the Bracalandia  theme park on the road to Bom Jesus is good for the kids.

A market Day

About 30 minutes from the resort Praia da Oura you can visit the Market Day. What an experience. It is a huge rectangular stone building open-aired in its centre with stalls surrounding all walls both inside and out. There are rows inside of fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables, bread, and FISH, with friendly bantering and bartering between the locals and the tourists all around. You can buy strawberries by the case, fresh cashews by the pound, and fresh flowers by the bunch.

You can also buy delightful pieces of Portuguese pottery and start your own collection or your first handmade straw basket perfect for market day or the beach.

On the outside one could purchase baby chicks, ducks, geese, and even rabbits. What a wonderful display of a local custom! of course you can have the perfect end for your morning enjoying "white coffee" at an outdoor cafe in the town square watching the world of Loole go by.

Looking for adventure and excitement?

if you are then Portugal is the right place for you.

Whether you prefer the countryside or the sea, surfing or rafting, hang-gliding or paragliding, Portugal is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a challenge. There are all kinds of activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy, from kite-surfing to mountain-biking to trekking up hills and down valleys.

The more adventurous can try their hand at mountain-climbing or rock-scaling and observe birds of prey and other protected species. Or you can also just walk among wild horses in the Peneda-Gerês National Park and smell the scent of the woodland herbs and wild flowers.

There are many different ways to enjoy the rich variety of nature in Portugal, especially in the country’s protected areas. But there are two very special kinds of adventure that are unique to Portugal: the already famous walks along the levadas or irrigation channels in Madeira, providing a unique opportunity to discover the Laurisilva forest from the inside. Or there’s the extremely popular "whale-watching" tours in the Azores, the most environmentally-friendly way of meeting the fantastic creatures of the deep.

Estoril

The Atlantic resorts of Estoril and Cascais which along with nearby Sintra make up Portugal so-called 'Golden Triangle'  are an excellent   base for visitors to Portugal.             

Within easy reach of the capital Lisbon by metro from Cais do Sodre station both Estoril and Cascais, (less  than 30 minutes apart on foot) have long been the a preferred getaway  of rich Lisboetas and well-to-do European visitors.

Known as a haunt of international spies in World War II, Estoril is now a palm-fringed, pastel playground of the rich and well connected,  drawn by a winning combination of Europe's largest casino, a range  of first-class hotels and some superb golf courses. If you are looking for a sophisticated, cosmopolitan scene head for Estoril.

Evolution in Nazaré

Nazaré is in the process of change from one-time traditional and quaint fishing port to a booming Atlantic resort.

The sweeping (though treacherous) sandy beach is packed with holiday-makers  in brightly colored rented tents.

It's still possible to see the local women bearing immense loads   on their heads and the town's fishermen sporting the area's traditional woolen shirts and bobble hats, but Nazaré also has its fair  share of tacky souvenir shops and trinket stalls.  

The main promenade Avenida da República is lined with some  excellent seafood restaurants and bars.

You have the possibility to witness the evolution process and that trip can be priceless.

Faro/Loule

              Faro/Loulé

Main attractions :)

            

• Gateway to the Algarve.
• Relax on excellent local beaches.
• Lively ex-pat nightlife scene.
• Loulé - bustling market town with local handcrafts.
• Portugal's major tourist resorts.
• Guaranteed winter warmth.
• Golf, tennis, riding and water sports.

            

 

            

Faro, located on the southern tip of Portugal with               a low population of about 40,000, is the small provincial capital of               the Algarve. It also serves as the gateway to the many resorts that dot               the surrounding area.

While it is not a competition for those consolidate and famous resorts'               locations and facilities, it has it's own attractions.

            

Loulé is 18km inland from Faro and, not being a resort,               is one of the few places in the area that offers a whiff of the               region’s pre-tourist-boom atmosphere.

It is accessible by               approximately hourly bus from Faro and train. Both are great low profile destinations if you know what I mean ;)