We’ve left the stunning city of Porto and are heading to the Duoro Valley now. But we make a quick pit stop at one of the river beaches that can be found along this meandering stretch of river. There are are numerous praias fluviais (river beaches) in Portugal especially in the North. They offer aContinue reading “Portugal’s river beaches”
Tag Archives: Portugal
Floating in Funchal
We’re catching the Funchal cable car up to the botanical gardens. The cable car takes you 3200 meters upwards to the parish of Nossa Senhora do Monte, created in 1565 and now just known as Monte. Funchal shrinks into the distance as we head upwards. Resembling a tiny toy town way beneath us. Maderia isContinue reading “Floating in Funchal”
Madeira markets
Heading back to our hotel we spot a succulent display of local fruits – most of which we have no idea what they are! Grapes, avocados and dragon fruit are probably the only ones I can identify with any certainty! Any ideas? Grapes are put to good use in a local restaurant later as weContinue reading “Madeira markets”
Madeira
We visited the Portuguese garden island of Madeira back in July. Whether you’re in a city, cruising the mountains or in a rural backwater it’s a floral paradise everywhere you look! We’re based in Funchal the capital of the island. A mix of bustling city, rocky shoreline, old traditions and a chair lift that swaysContinue reading “Madeira”
Boca do Inferno
The Boca do Inferno is an interesting cliff formation close to Cascais, which translates as Hell’s Mouth. The Atlantic Ocean relentlessly smashing on the cliffs has chiseled out a small cave, which subsequently collapsed forming a small bay and natural arch. Hell’s Mouth gets its name from the booming of the ocean waves which crash againstContinue reading “Boca do Inferno”
Climbing the ramparts
The next place that we explore in Sintra is the impressive Castelo dos Mouros – Castle of the Moors. (NB the picture below is actually part of the Pena Palace estate, it was a left over from a previous post that I didn’t want to leave out!!) The imposing ruin of the Castle of the MoorsContinue reading “Climbing the ramparts”
Fairytale in vivid colour
Here’s lots more colourful pictures taken at the magical Pena Palace in Sintra. From exotic bird of paradise plants to Moorish turrets and a child’s paintbox palette, the palace is a tourists dream. All set against a perfect blue sky we couldn’t have picked a better day to immerse ourselves in the crazy world ofContinue reading “Fairytale in vivid colour”
Altes
On route to our next photogenic village we stop off briefly to take a closer look at one of the many traditional water wheels that are still dotted around the region. They are protected monuments so if you buy land with one on it, it has to stay there forever!! They still function as wellContinue reading “Altes”
Eastern Algarve tour
Another day, another tour of the delights of Portugal. This time it was a day exploring the eastern Algarve. First up was a brief return to the capital of Faro before heading onto the port of Olhao. Sadly we had mere minutes to take a look at the market hall before speeding onwards. Next up weContinue reading “Eastern Algarve tour”
Tavira
Tavira is a beautiful town with a river cutting through it. It’s in the eastern Algarve and feels a world away from the tourist hordes of the usual beach resorts. Between the 8th and 13th centuries Tavira was under Arab rule until its conquest by the Knights of the Order of Santiago in 1242. TheContinue reading “Tavira”