Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for portugal
Portugal’s Prized Heritage Complex
By Linda Tancs
The Jerónimos Monastery (also known as the Hieronymites Monastery) is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex is renowned for its Manueline architecture as well as for being the final resting place of luminaries like explorer Vasco da Gama. The 16th-century masterpiece was the site of the ceremony for the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007, which initiated significant reforms within the European Union.
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Capital of the Azores
By Linda Tancs
Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island, is the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal. Its status as a gateway to the Azores is represented by the City Gates, a set of three arches constructed in the 18th century. Nearby is a bell tower adjacent to City Hall that provides extraordinary views. The local museum also provides a good orientation regarding the history and geography of the archipelago. While you’re there, don’t miss out on dolphin and whale watching tours departing from the harbor.
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The Hot Spot of the Azores
By Linda Tancs
Furnas is a small town with a big draw in São Miguel Island, Azores. That’s because it’s a thermal hotspot boasting close to 30 bubbling, steaming calderas and fumaroles of different temperatures in the center of town. In addition to taking a dip in natural thermal pools and hiking around the crater lake, don’t miss the opportunity to eat a nature-baked meal. A longstanding tradition is a Portuguese stew (cozido) comprising a carefully layered pot of pork, beef, chicken, sausages, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and kale that is cooked slowly in the ground for around six hours. Virtually every restaurant offers a version of this meal; reservations are a must.
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Boulder Chic in Portugal
By Linda Tancs
From Manueline style to baroque to azulejos, Portuguese architectural styles are recognizable by visitors worldwide. And then there’s boulder chic, as one might call it, in the village of Monsanto, Portugal. Giant boulders carpet the entire hamlet, which is replete with red-roofed granite houses. Homes there are sandwiched between, on and underneath goliath boulders, a situation attributable to the town’s location atop a rock mass outcrop. Therefore, the walks are steep but the unusual sights are worth a trip. Take a bus from Lisbon or Porto.
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The Center of Portugal
By Linda Tancs
Portugal’s first natural park, Serra da Estrela Natural Park is literally at the center of it all. Over 200,000 acres, it’s the largest protected area in the country. The landscape is characterized by rocky outcrops, boulders and crags, a terrain prized by hikers who are spoiled for choice with over 40 trails. The locale is also where you’ll find Queijo Serra da Estrela, a cheese made in this mountainous region for centuries from sheep that graze in the meadows blanketed by buttercups this time of year.
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The Castle in the River
By Linda Tancs
The Knights Templar was a medieval military order of the Catholic faith. In Portugal, they were granted lands and authority to defend the River Tagus from incursions by the Moors. One of their fortifications was the Castle of Almourol located in the river. Its commanding position offers great views from the ramparts. You can take an inexpensive ferry to get there.
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A Perfect Circle in Portugal
By Linda Tancs
Situated opposite the Portuguese town of Vila Franca do Campo in São Miguel, the biggest island in the Azores, the islet of Vila Franca results from the crater of an ancient submerged volcano. Classified as a nature reserve, it boasts a nearly perfect circular lake inside the crater walls. It’s an important flyover zone for seabirds like Cory’s shearwater and common tern. It’s also a popular destination for swimming and cliff diving. Couple your visit with a dolphin and whale watching tour.
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The Lighthouse of Felgueiras
By Linda Tancs
Among the many charms of Porto, Portugal, the lighthouse of Felgueiras sits at the mouth of the Douro River where it meets the Atlantic. Thanks to its location, the swells at this 19th-century hexagonal lighthouse can be immense. Although it was deactivated in 2009, it’s still a popular landmark, offering visitors a bit of ocean spray along with enviable views.
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Chestnuts in Portugal
By Linda Tancs
Gothic arches, Manueline windows, wrought-iron balconies and other embellishments are typical fare for the Portuguese medieval town of Marvão. It’s located in the Alentejo region, commonly known as the “bread basket of Portugal.” Just a kiss from Spain, the views from the castle keep offer some of the most mesmerizing views in the country. This time of year, though, it’s the annual chestnut festival that delights visitors the most, an occasion where nearly three tons of chestnuts are expected to be consumed.
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Portugal’s Oldest Town
By Linda Tancs
Situated on the Lima River in northern Portugal, Ponte de Lima is frequently referred to as the nation’s oldest town because it was given a charter by Queen Teresa in 1125. The small town may be most famous for its bridge over the river, particularly the Roman portion constructed in the first century. But it’s also the center of Vinho Verde (green, or young, wine) production, the history of which is recounted at the local interpretative center. Another gem is the toy museum (Museu do Brinquedo) on the right bank of the river, where you can travel in time through Portuguese toy manufacture from the 19th century to the 1980s. Almost 200 Portuguese manufacturers are represented. Driving there is recommended; public transport options are poor, even from Porto.
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