Arco da Vila – Gateway to Faro’s Old City: Most tourists visiting the Old City of Faro will no doubt have walked through Arco da Vila at the south end of the Jardim Manuel Bivar. This arched gateway is a national monument which leads into the Old City of Faro. Arco da Vila was built […]
Almancil’s masterpiece of azulejo panels
Ingreja de São Lourenço is Almancil’s treasure: East of Vilamoura and just outside the town of Almancil stands Ingreja de São Lourenço, a small, Baroque-style white chapel which is the main sightseeing reasons why most tourists come to Almancil. Inside the chapel is one of the Algarve’s most amazing sights – an outstanding masterpiece of […]
Belem Tower – an iconic monument on Lisbon’s waterfront
A symbol of Portugal’s great era of expansion: Torre de Belem or Belem Tower sits at the mouth of the Tagus and guards the entrance to the city. It’s another of Lisbon’s iconic attractions on the Lisbon waterfront. Belem Tower was built as a fortress in the middle of the Tagus in 1515-21 and it […]
Lisbon Sightseeing | Monument to the Discoveries
Portugal’s early discoverers stand prominently at the waterfront: We were taught about Vasco da Gama and his early discoveries at school, but during those days I found the history lessons pretty dry and hard going. Between the heat of the afternoon tropical sun, our non-airconditioned classrooms, and history lessons that were so distant to our […]
Sanctuary of Fatima and the Secret
Sanctuary of Fatima – a Pilgrimage Destination The Sanctuary of Fátima is an intensely religious place and matches Lourdes in France as a pilgrim’s destination. This small town north of Lisbon has become one of the most visited holy sites in the Christian faith. Hundred of thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit annually and many […]
Lisbon | Events and Festivals
Lisbon’s month of celebrations: June is Festas de Lisboa and during this month of festivities there will be street entertainment, cinema, music and theatre, parades and folk festivities happening throughout the historic districts and all around town. If you like Fado music, there’s a Fado festival with the best names in town performing. If you […]
Lisbon travel | Lisboa cards
Travel cards to save you time and money: The Lisbon Tourist Office have a few travel cards that can help you save some money and time during your stay in Lisbon. Lisboa Card The Lisboa Card allows free and unlimited travel on Carris buses, trams and funiculars, the underground, as well as on the CP […]
Portugal: Madeira’s Flower Festival
Madeira’s Flower Festival Spring is in the air in Europe and along with spring comes the glorious flower festivals. Whereas Chelsea’s annual May Flower Show is world renowned, Madeira has a Flower Festival that dazzles. Every April, the main streets of Funchal are filled with celebrations to mark this spring festival. Unlike the Chelsea Flower […]
Travel to Portugal
Travel to Portugal for one of Europe’s hidden tour gems! It may be a small country, but travel to Portugal has a lot going for it given the nation’s long and colourful history, varied landscape of fine beaches, sweeping golden plains and green, often mountainous, river valleys and fascinating mix of lifestyles and traditions. It’s […]