The scorching heat affecting Portugal posed significant challenges for the Douro Valley, witnessed during a July 2025 visit. Seaplane pilots tirelessly fought fires by scooping river water. Pinhão, a charming village with scenic views and a slow pace of life, features lovely cafés, restaurants, and a notable train station adorned with azulejos.
Tag Archives: village
Italian lakes
We’ve headed on from the familiar sights of Venice and onto a completely new adventure now – a tour of three of the Italian lakes. Starting with Lake Garda, perhaps the most well know, and definitely one of the most visited. The first town we stop of in, and our first proper look at LakeContinue reading “Italian lakes”
Delightful Deia
Onto Deia now – another stunning mountain village with heaps of history. Sat in a ravine at the foot of the Teix mountain, with views out to the Mediterranean below, this is one of the most attractive villages on Majorca. Deià has long been alluring for famous artists, writers and other creative people – includingContinue reading “Delightful Deia”
Valldemossa
We’re exploring some mountain towns today starting with the gorgeous flower festooned village of Valldemossa. There are a multitude of ornate hand painted tiles that grace almost every house. celebrating the only home grown saint on the Island – Catherine of Palma – who was a Spanish nun, born in Valldemossa and canonised in 1930.Continue reading “Valldemossa”
Marvellous Masca
Today is the highlight of our Tenerife trip as far as I am concerned! A world away from the packed beaches and neon night life. The journey alone is worth the effort as we climb ever higher into steep, hair raising roads that snake and almost switch back on themselves. Definitely not one for nervousContinue reading “Marvellous Masca”
Glossa
Glossa is the second largest village on Skopolos after Skopolos town itself – but don’t expect a bustling metropolis! Glossa has great views out over Skopolos and is known as the Balcony of the Aegean. Built about 300 metres above Loutraki Port, this is a sleepy little hamlet set around a small village square. There’sContinue reading “Glossa”
Trulli at twilight
After settling into our own personal little trulli, which forms our base for the next few days, we’re off out into Alberello again to spy some of these delightful little architectural gems in the dark!
Bonifacio
Hopping in the hire car again it’s onwards in our exploration of Corsica. This time we’re heading to the pretty town of Bonifacio. Located at Corsica’s southernmost tip, Bonifacio is a bustling harbour town with an impressive citadel. The town itself stretches along a narrow, top-heavy promontory where houses perch precariously along the cliff tops. The portContinue reading “Bonifacio”
Multitude of murals
As we continue our exploration of Orgosolo’s outdoor art gallery we come across everything from political and historical paintings to cubist style works. Below is a painted reproduction of a movie poster for the famous Bandits of Orgosolo, a 1960 Italian film drama directed by Vittorio De Seta that featured local shepherds as some ofContinue reading “Multitude of murals”
Ogling Orgosolo
Moving away from beaches for a while we’re heading to the isolated town of Orgosolo. Hidden in the midst of 1,000-metre-high mountains, surrounded by wild pine forests and a byword for lawlessness and kidnappers, Orgosolo is also an open air art gallery thanks to hundreds of murals that cover every wall, house and shop. PaintingsContinue reading “Ogling Orgosolo”