Highlight of the Week - "Portugal beyond the Algarve", an article by the Guardian
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The Guardian's Joanne O'Connor writes an article on "15 great places to go in Portugal".
Viana do Castelo, Costa Verde
"The seaside town of Viana do Castelo, with its opulent Manueline and baroque buildings, tends to attract Portuguese rather than foreign tourists. But it's not just the architecture and clientele that are different from more visited parts of Portugal; the weather is somewhat less reliable too (it's not called the Green Coast for nothing). But if you're happy to take a chance on the climate, you'll be rewarded with beautiful empty beaches and some of Portugal's finest cuisine. Like its Spanish neighbour Galicia, the Costa Verde is known for seafood – eels, and Minho trout and salmon, are often on the menu."
Sintra, near Lisbon
"The poet Byron described the hilltop town of Sintra as a "glorious Eden". Today it's one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Lisbon but, despite the coach parties, it holds on to its eccentric charm and otherworldliness. It was once a summer retreat for Portuguese aristocracy, and the exuberant palaces they built, such as the Palácio Nacional de Pena with its fairytale turrets and candy-coloured walls, and the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, still stand. Allow time to wander the streets of the atmospheric old town with its colourful mansions and exuberant foliage. Sintra is about 40 minutes by train from Rossio station in Lisbon."
Evora, Alentejo
"A well-kept secret it isn't, but a visit to Evora will be one of the highlights of any trip to Portugal. A walk around this Unesco-protected walled city with its Roman temple, Moorish alleyways and medieval churches and palaces, is a walk through Portugal's turbulent history. But it's not all historic sights; the lively student population stops things from becoming too stuffy."
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Monsaraz, Alentejo
"Portugal has no shortage of enticing hilltop towns but perhaps one of the most magical is tiny walled Monsaraz. Rising up above the plains that run east to Spain, it was originally fortified by the Knights Templar. Visitors enjoy wandering between the medieval white-washed houses, several of which are now charming guesthouses, and climbing up to the battlements of the castle for views across sun-baked fields towards the Guadiana river – the border with Spain – and the Alqueva dam, which forms one of Europe's largest manmade lakes, perfect for swimming, sailing or canoeing."
Serra da Estrela, Centro
"Serra da Estrela means "mountains of the stars", an apt description as the highest peaks on mainland Portugal, almost 2,000m above sea level, are in this range in the east of the country. It's a place of rugged beauty, with limestone peaks, gorges, forests of black oak and chestnut trees, waterfalls and mountain streams. There are plenty of marked trails for hikers and some challenging ascents for experienced climbers. But there are also plenty of cosy mountain retreats, such as Casas da Lapa and Casa das Penhas Douradas for hearty food and fresh mountain air."
Feira de Barcelos, Minho
"Minho province, north of Porto, is a green and rolling land of valleys and small market towns where centuries-old traditions live on. For a taste of rural life at its most vibrant visit the riverside town of Barcelos on a Thursday for its weekly market. Farmers and smallholders come from miles around to sell their produce and stalls sell everything from farm equipment to handicrafts including basketware, wooden toys and the distinctive local pottery, louça de Barcelos. Summer also sees festas(country fairs) in Barcelos and surrounding towns and villages."
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Portugal - Promotional Videos
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The Beauty of Simplicity movie has received several awards and acknowledgements in such festivals as the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, the Tourfilm Riga 2012 and the World Best Film Awards |
More Videos about Portuguese Regions
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