Travels with The Tour Guy and Globus Travel
Portugal is a beautiful small country on the far western edge of Europe, famous for its seafaring explorers, seafood, cork, Port wines, and intriguing history. For nine days, my wife and I joined two of her sisters and their husbands for a fun-filled time exploring Portugal. Starting in Lisbon, we visited Sintra, Cascais, Obidos, Nazare, Alcobaca, Fatima, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto, Guimarães, Viseu, Belmonte, and Evora. We began with a fun tour of Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais with The Tour Guy, continued our explorations of Portugal with a week long Portugal Escape bus tour on Globus.
Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais with The Tour Guy
On our first full day in Lisbon, we took a wonderful day trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais with The Tour Guy – Sintra and Cascais Semi-Private Day Trip from Lisbon with Pena Palace. Our guide for the day was Benny, an extremely knowledgeable and personable young man. Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its lush greenery and fairy-tale palaces. Notable attractions include Pena Palace, a colorful red and yellow castle on a hill, Quinta da Regaleira (a magical estate with secret tunnels), and the Moorish Castle.
It was a bit rainy with temps in the low 50s, but we were comfortable since we dressed in layers and had our raincoats and umbrellas. The van parked at the lot by the ticket office, a short fifteen-minute uphill walk up to the castle. There is also a shuttle available to take you to the castle for a small fee if you prefer not to walk. This 19th-century palace built by King Ferdinand was built on the second-highest hill in Sintra, and offers a grand view the medieval city of Sintra and the surrounding area.
After exploring the Pena Palace and enjoying a custard pastry at a local café, we headed west. We kept going west until we reached the westernmost part of continental Europe – Cabo da Roca. This landmark point features a lighthouse, marker, and spectacular views of the coastline and out to the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Cascais
A coastal town just outside Lisbon, Cascais is known for its beautiful beaches and charming atmosphere. Cascais is a popular place for surfing, with waves for beginner and intermediate surfers. We loved the picturesque Cascais Marina and a stroll along the picturesque streets with lots of fun shops and restaurants. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with The Tour Guy on our guided day tour to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais from Lisbon.
Globus Portuguese Escape
Lisbon
The capital city of Lisbon is a blend of tradition and modernity, with charming neighborhoods like Alfama, elegant squares like Praça do Comércio, and views from Miradouros. On our first morning with Globus, we took a walking tour of Lisbon, starting down by the water. Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage site, Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, Jerónimos Monastery, LX Factory, and the famous tram 28.
On the coast we visited the awesome 16th century Belem Tower, which served as a fortress and embarkation point for sailors. We also saw the amazing 170 foot tall Monument to the Discoveries, commemorating Henry the Navigator and other fearless explorers who sailed from the Portugal harbor. Over 30 figures, including Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, and other explorers adorn each side of the monument.
Across the Tagus River we could see the Ponte 25 Abril Bridge. This bridge has many similarities to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and was designed by the same company. Rising high above the International Gold colored bridge is the Sanctuary of Christ the King (Santuário de Cristo Rei), a tall statue of Christ overlooking the city and the Tagus River.
Óbidos
Obidos is a medieval walled town where you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Óbidos is a charming small town with an old church and winding cobblestone streets. The arched entrance to the old town is an amazing piece of artwork, with blue and white tile and intricate painting and stonework. In addition to the ancient church and walls, we enjoyed the specialty stores with chocolates, tins of sardines, octopus, squid and other delicacies. We strolled through the cobblestone streets and tried the famous cherry liquor, Ginja, found in many of the shops.
Nazaré
Known for its huge waves and surf culture, Nazaré is a picturesque coastal town. The Nazaré Lighthouse and the beach, famous for record-breaking surf waves of over 100 feet tall, is mesmerizing. We walked up the hill to the scenic square with the old church and a spectacular view over the beach and the red tiled roofs of the city.
Alcobaça
Alcobaça is famous for its impressive monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the tombs of King Pedro and Inês, and the lovely town center. The highly decorated tombs of King Pedro I and his lover Inês de Castro depict a tragic love story that has been the source of many books, movies, and operas. In 1340, the young Inês de Castro met Pedro when she arrived at court in his wife’s entourage. Inês and Pedro fell madly in love, and neither the disapproval of the king nor the machinations of Pedro’s wife could keep them apart. In an act of desperation, King Afonso IV, Pedro’s father, finally had Inês murdered before her children’s eyes.
Heartbroken and enraged, Pedro rose up in open rebellion against his father, but ultimately failed in his quest for revenge and justice. Two years after Inês’ death, Afonso died and Pedro became king. Legend holds that Pedro ordered Inês’ body to be disinterred, her corpse dressed in finery and propped up in the throne room. Later, the tombs of Pedro and Ines were placed in the monastery so they would be facing each other for eternity.
Fátima and the Legend of the Virgin Mary Apparitions
A major pilgrimage site, Fátima is known for its religious significance. Highlights include Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, the Chapel of the Apparitions, and the large basilica. The Capelinha das Aparições marks the spot where some say the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917 to three young shepherd children: Lucia dos Santos, age 10, and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, ages 9 and 7.
Tomar
Tomar is known for its historic ties to the Knights Templar and beautiful architecture. Sites of interest include the Convent of Christ (UNESCO), the medieval bridge, and the charming town center. The Convent of Christ is a former Catholic convent in Tomar that was originally a 12th-century Templar stronghold. It was later transitioned in the 14th century into the Knights of the Order of Christ.
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city with a historic university, one of the oldest in Europe, and a vibrant student atmosphere. The University of Coimbra, Joanina Library, the chapel, and the beautiful botanical gardens are all worth a visit. The open plaza with a statue of King João III and the UNESCO-recognized buildings with multi-colored tiles overlooking the Mondego River was quite picturesque. When we were at Coimbra University, dark foreboding clouds lingered in the background, a sure sign of the rains coming our way.
Porto
Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city, famous for its riverside charm, port wine, and stunning architecture. Attractions include the Ribeira district, the Livraria Lello (one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world), and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, designed by a student of Gustave Eifel.
We stayed in a hotel on a square across from the fabulous theater. On our first evening in Porto, we made the scenic walk past ornate churches, courthouses, the old Fish Market, and various tiled buildings on our way down to the Douro River. Once we arrived at the shoreline, we boarded a boat for a fun cruise on the Duoro under several bridges with a great view of the city and the expansive Atlantic Ocean before we turned around to return. A glass of port at sunset made the cruise especially memorable. Some of us walked back to the hotel, but many members of our party took the funicular back up to the hotel since it was quite a steep climb to the top.
The next day we popped across the Douro River to visit the remarkable Ferreira Winery in Vila Nova de Gaia! We were treated to a guided tour of the extensive cellars, ending with a tasting of two quality Portuguese port wines. The amazing history of Ferreira goes back over 270 years, and makes for a fascinating tour.
Guimarães
Often called the “birthplace of Portugal,” Guimarães has a rich medieval history. It’s a great place to visit to better understand the unique history of Portugal. The top attractions are Guimarães Castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, and the historic center (UNESCO). We loved the extensive landscaping with large plantings of bushes and flowers in the Garden of Largo Republic of Brazil, leading up to the historic Church of Our Lady of Consolation.
Viseu, Belmonte, and Castelo de Vide Castle
Viseu is a charming inland city known for its art, history, and vineyards. Viseu Cathedral, Grão Vasco Museum, and the surrounding Dão wine region are just a few of the don’t-miss sites in Viseu.A small, historical town in the Beira region, known for its Jewish heritage and medieval castle. Belmonte Castle, the Jewish Museum, and the nearby Serra da Estrela mountains. Castelo de Vide is a picturesque hilltop town in Alentejo with a medieval feel and a rich Jewish history. Visitors will be enthralled with the Castelo de Vide Castle, the Jewish Quarter, and the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Évora
Evora is a UNESCO World Heritage city with well-preserved Roman and medieval history. The Roman Temple of Évora, the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones), and Évora Cathedral are just a few of the intriguing sights of Evora. The fascinating Capela dos Ossos was completed by Franciscan friars in 1816, created with an estimated 5,000 corpses that were exhumed to decorate the walls of the chapel. This walled town is very walkable and has a relaxed vibe and beautiful architecture.
Wine, Cork, Tile, and Olive Oil
Portugal is known worldwide for its fabulous wines, cork, tile, and olive oil. In addition to enjoying fantastic wines with almost every meal, we visited the amazing Ferriera Winery in Gaia across the river from Porto and the Quinta da Aveleda Winery about a half hour east of Porto. At Corticarte em Artein near Evora we toured a cork factory. David, the owner’s son, did an excellent job of explaining various facets of growing and processing cork for a wide variety of products. We visited a family run tile maker in a small town as well as the fascinating Tile Museum in Lisbon to view an assortment of artistic tiles used throughout Portugal. In Belmonte we were treated to a tour of a Jewish Museum and a small olive oil factory with giant oil presses and free samples of oil and locally made honey.
A few tips for making the most out of your visit to Portugal
Transportation: Portugal has a great train network, mostly between major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. For more remote spots like Belmonte, renting a car is advisable.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-June) and Fall (September-October) are ideal for pleasant weather without the peak summer crowds. We went in mid-March during the shoulder season, and despite a few showers and temps in the 50s and 60s, we were comfortable. Just remember to dress in layers and have your raincoat and umbrella handy.
Food: Don’t miss out on the famous bacalhau (salt cod) and lots of fresh fish, pastéis de nata (custard tarts), and port and green wines.
Bacalhau à Brás, meaning “salt cod in the style of Brás,” is a Portuguese dish made from shreds of salted cod (bacalhau), onions and thinly chopped (matchstick-sized) fried potatoes, all bound with eggs.
Portugal!
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Portugal with The Tour Guy and Globus Travel. Many thanks to The Tour Guy for hosting our day trip to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais. Portugal has so much to offer, and we look forward to our next visit to this European jewel on the Atlantic.
