Travel to Portugal

Monastery of the Hieronymites

The Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belem are actually two separate sites, within walking distance of each other. The Monastery is huge, split into the elaboratedly decorated church where Vasco de Gama's tomb is located, as well as the Cloisters with its peaceful atmosphere. The Torre de Belem is on the waterfront and a famous landmark. Both places are worthy of your time and admiration.

Casa do Fado

This museum documents the history and development of the traditional music known as fado. It includes audiovisual displays, costumes and a wonderful collection of Portuguese guitars. There's also a shop with books and recordings that will make a great present for the ones you love.

Porto

Much is made of the contrast and rivalry between Porto and Lisbon - 'Lisbon shows off, while Porto works' - and the two port cities are the centre of the urban and commercial life of the country. Giving its name to the nation, Porto dates from Roman times, prospering during the age of Portugal's overseas expansion as explorers and adventurers sailed to South America, Africa and Asia and its city merchants developed the lucrative wine trade with England in the seventeenth century. With a typical 'work hard, play hard' port atmosphere, Porto makes an excellent base to explore the beautiful Duoro valley. In the city itself attractions include the Praça da Liberdade, the fortress-like Sé cathedral and port tasting at the wine lodges south of the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Porto enjoys some lively eating and drinking - the local delicacy is tripe - and you can sample 100s of varieties of port wine at the upmarket Solar do Vinho do Porto. There's a thriving club scene too, though many are situated outside the centre. Take a night bus. Within easy reach of the city is the pleasant coastal resort of Viana do Castelo and the beautiful Minho valley.

Marvão

This tranquil town is completely surrounded by walls dating from the 13th to the 17th century. From the narrow streets filled with neat white houses a spectacular view can be obtained, as Marvão stands at more than 862 metres high. Near Marvão, one can play golf at Vale da Aramenha,. What to see: 15th century mother church and the Municipal Museum, open in the former church of Santa Maria and displaying local ethnological and cultural traditions and archaeological findings. Rua do Espírito Santo, with the former governor´s house exhibiting beautiful iron-wrought balconies from the 17th century, leads to the castle, mostly built by King Dinis in 1299 and dominating the village

Mértola

The town’s main attraction is its castle, built by the Moors, with a guard tower from the 13th-century. The main church, with its sculpted façade, contains elements from the Manueline period, occupies the site of what once was an ancient mosque. Mértola has three important museum sites as a consequence of the intense archeological activity there. The Roman museum occupies the Town Hall building. The Islamic collection includes the country’s most important archive of ceramic objects (9th to 13th-centuries). Here too is one of the rarest early Christian basilicas in the entire Iberian peninsula (dating from the 5th-century).

Evora

Museum town of Roman origins, with historic center classified in UNESCO's International Heritage list. It was taken from the Moors in 1166 by an outlaw knight, Gerald the Fearless, who scaled the walls at night on a ladder of lances. Évora later became a popular residence of Portuguese kings. What to see: Roman temple; Cathedral, housing Sacred Art Museum (Roman-Gothic); S. Brás Chapel (Gothic Moorish); S.Francisco Church (with Capela dos Ossos) and St.John the Baptist Church (Gothic-Manueline); churches of Nossa Senhora da Graca (with convent), St.Antão and S.Vicente (Renaissance). Palaces: Archiepiscopal, Dom Manuel and Dukes of Cadaval. Special reference also to: Praça de Giraldo, with medieval arches; Aqueduct; Convents of St.Clara, St.Helena do Calvário and Lóios (this one currently a Pousada); University; ancient Jewish quarter; Évora Museum. Guided Tours (departing from Lisbon)

Estremoz

Besides the large cities , very few Portuguese towns have been the setting for as many dramatic moments of our national history as Estremoz. What to see: Town is crowned by a 13th century castle, with a citadel and St.lsabel Chapel .Special reference to the Gothic Dom Dinis Palace, S.Francisco Church and Convent , Pacos do Concelho ,Maltesas Convent and the Municipal Museum. The church of the Misericórdia located on Estremoz's large market square was once a convent of the Knights of Malta.

Elvas

Famous for its sugar plums, Elvas is also a citadel, whose Spain-facing fortifications match those of Badajoz across the border. Three imposing gates lead into the city which, during its long and chequered history, has been besieged by Moors, Spaniards, Frenchmen and Englishmen. What to see: Romano-Moorish in origin, Elvas Castle was rebuilt for King Sanco III in 1226. The 16th-century octagonal church of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos is one of the prettiest sights in Portugal. Its main appeal lies in the fine marble columns and spectacular yellow and blue azulejo glazed tiles added in the 17th century.

Castelo de Vide

Located among olive groves and chestnut trees in the cool mountain region of São Mamede, Castelo de Vide is often referred to as the Sintra of the Alentejo. Scattered with monuments, this pretty spa town is a place of roses, fountains, orchards and old houses. Steep alleyways lead up to the castle through a 16th-century village, which is enriched with some of the most impressive Gothic entrances in Portugal. What to see: King Denis began building the castle but it was his son, Afonso IV, who completed it in 1327. It was successfully defended by an Anglo-Portuguese force against the Spanish in June 1704. The town's oldest chapel, the 13th-century Salvador do Mundo, boasts a much-admired painting called Flight into Egypt by an unknown artist. The Jewish Quarter located in the east side of the Medieval town has cobble streets

Marcado dos Lavradores (Workers' Market)

Funchal This open market is a hive of activity, noise, color and high-energy, where you can buy any of Madeira's specialties from fresh fish and vegetables to exotic flowers and local crafts. Purchase tropical fruits, vegetables and spices on the upper floor; fish and meat are for sale on the lower floor. Something different to do on your vacations =)