Travel to Portugal

Castelo de Vide

Placed 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.

Borba

Borba is the center of an administrative area which is small but fiercely proud of its identity. This identity dates back to the very foundation of Portugal as a nation-state, as proved by the castle and city walls ordered built by King Afonso II. The whole place was built with local marble, including the paving stones in the streets. You can enjoy the late 16th-century Church of São Bartolomeu is full of marble treasures, including the altars, tables, porticos, fonts, balustrades, basins and stairs. Rising above is a splendid vaulted Renaissance-style ceiling with medallions and religious paintings. In the centre of the town is a huge white marble tank and fountain built by Queen Maria I in 1781.

Alcacer do Sal

The Moorish castle of Alcácer do Sal follows the lines of buildings from the Iron Age and the Roman times. In the year 966, so the chronicles say, a Viking army attacked Alcácer do Sal unsuccessfully, the reason being the very strong defence provided by the castle. The castle towers over a former Roman and Moslem town

Barão de São João

Barão de São João is a village located on the edge of the forest that boasts a variety of tree species. Lots of shade and a peaceful atmosphere. Great place to chill out!

Ponte da Piedade

An enormus rock formation hollowed out by the sea. The bold colours of the strangely shaped rock yellow, ochre, red - contrast with the crystal blue of the sea. There is access by boat to innumerable beautiful sea caves and hollows. The lighthouse stands near to the site of an old coastal defence fortification. A great place to visit while you are on vacations

Luz

A fishing port nestling between cliffs, which in spite of being an important tourist centre; it maintains its traditional and typical character. The main church is medieval in origin. Its main chapel has a gothic triumphal arch and vaults. The retable of the main altar is decorated with gilded carving in the baroque style Also to be found are the ruins of an important Roman '"villa" . with mosaics and pools. There is a small aqueduct to channel water from Quinta da Luz. Next to the beach are tanks for salting fish, probably built by the Carthaginians and then used by the Romans. Rising above the beach is the old fort of Nossa Senhora da Luz , which has now been turned into a restaurant. Nearby, at Cerro de Lorvão, there is a Roman burial ground.

Bensafrim

A classic small town, surrounded by hills, looking down on the sea. It has a church with some valuable works of art. The Forte Velha necropolis is situated nearby. Dating back to the Iron Age, it was later used in the Roman era and also includes a press. At Corte de Bispo there are some remains of Roman ruins. The picture shows an antique coin from Bensafrim.

Odiáxere

A picturesque village of white walled houses. Nearby there are panoramic views over Lagos bay. Main Church - Rebuilt in the 18th century, it has a fine doorway of red Silo es sandstone. Exuberantly decorated in the Manueline style ,Plain interior. The altars have 18th century icons including a Christ in Indo Portuguese ivory notably for its dramatic expression. There is a border of 17th century tiles. A place to relax and enjoy nature. Excellent view point.

Waterslide Parks

A good day out, especially for the young and active, is a visit to a Waterslide Park, of which there are three west of Faro in the Algarve. This is the nearest.

Aljezur

The town of Aljezur it's placed on the Lagos to Lisbon road. From here a road may be taken cross-country to Marmelete and the Serra de Monchique. The most striking feature is the castle set on top of the hill overlooking the town. This is, in fact, not a castle with keep and bailey and quarters for soldiers, but the original fortified town. Recent archaeological excavations have found that the Moors first constructed it in the late 8th Century. When the Christians conquered the Algarve, Aljezur nearly held out until the fall of Silves.