Some of our Portugal explorations are from Discover Madeira,,,,, Portugal Centerand Tap Air Portugal. In our experience, all opinions are strictly our own opinions.
Portugal is a small country with the size of Indiana, USA. However, it has a rich and interesting history, beautiful architecture, unparalleled cuisine, and some of the warmest, most enthusiastic, and most enthusiastic people in the world. Then there are amazing beaches, top golf courses and gorgeous islands that are integral to Portugal’s charm. It's easy to be attracted by the gems of this country. This is the story of how Portugal steals our hearts.
How we go to Portugal and what we like
Sue was the first to visit Portugal, providing fill for a journalist who could not travel. She spent time in the centre of Portugal, known for its historic towns such as the charming Óbidos, the enormous waves of Nazare and the sacred Fátima. When she returns with stories about Portugal’s landscapes, seafood and natural beauty, we know there is another wider visit.
That visit was when both of us first went to Madeira and then on a top-down whirlwind driving trip with this European jewelry. The initial hot date quickly turned into a deep romance. We fell in love with the people we met, the cultural and architectural richness we explored, and the various landscapes we encountered along the way.
Madeira is more than just a great wine
Most people know about the delicious fortified wines in Madeira. We can guarantee that the fact that Madeira wine is special. But the entire island is also very special. We had the opportunity to see some spectacular attractions that made us feel awe and miraculous in this amazing place. An unforgettable experience was when we woke up when it was dark, jumped into a jeep and rode the Pico do do arieiro, a 6,000-foot peak. We tied up on a warm blanket, holding breakfast and hot drinks in our hands, watching silently as the sun rises on the distant horizon. It feels like witnessing the true miracle of nature. We rode a cable car to dine in the seaside cafe and enjoyed a stunning view before dining in a chic restaurant, hiding in a famous designer showroom and museum center. There are so many incredible things to see and do on Madeira, and we are eager to spend more time there. You can learn more about our trip Madeira.
The magic of the continent
Fly back from Madeira Island Lisbon It only takes about two hours. Exploring the mainland is next on our agenda and we have an ambitious timeline. Although it only takes about three hours to drive from Lisbon North to Porto, we have a lot of parking. We want to understand the cultural, climate and other differences between the northern, central and southern regions of the country.
Huge south
What we found is that every part of Portugal is great in its aspect. It just depends on what you like. Southern Portugal, such as the Algarve and Lisbon regions, tend to warm. Lisbon is a world-class city full of art, architecture, culture and commerce. Here we first discover the irresistible Pasteis de Nata, Portuguese egg usst egg art, and we crave whenever we read the word again. In a west of Lisbon, we explored Cascasits luxurious and international seaside community.
The magical center
Heading to the center of Portugal, we found it nearby Orbidos It is a medieval walled city filled with bright flowers and stucco houses. It also hosts a famous international festival for two of our favorite things (literature and chocolate). It is of great significance to religious miracles. Fatima Also in central Portugal. Along the western coastline, Silver Coast includes favorite beach towns Penic and Nazar As we all know, there are some of the largest, largest waves in the world. Many outstanding restaurants will provide fresh catch for seafood, with fresh catches from the sea.
Cool North
Northern Portugal by Portoa fun, hilly town full of creativity and excitement. Many interesting shops, restaurants and squares make exploring easy, but it's hard to hurry. Douro region, which includes World Heritage Site Status is the dream of wine lovers. Of course, Porto is also known for its unparalleled fortified wines. A must see for us is Livraria Lelloone of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. The store, also considered a source of inspiration for the Hogwarts School, has detailed carvings, impressive wooden staircases and stained glass features, worth a try and wait.
Challenges for us
We face two main challenges when exploring Portugal. First, although it is a physically small country, its density is very dense in terms of what you can see and do. We literally woke up before sunrise and went to bed in the early hours of the morning, but still barely scratched the surface of this amazing place. We quickly passed important towns, e.g. Bragafull of historical treasures, coimbrais home to one of the oldest major universities in the world. We skipped Fado Music and other performances. Our beach trips on the Silver Sea and Lisbon coast were carried out at lightning speed.
The second challenge is geography. Portugal is a hilly country. Many of the roads in the most fascinating places are made of cobblestones or decorative tiles. The weather in the north is cooler than in the south. This means that even if you want to dress up, you have to pack comfortable, sturdy shoes. You will need to consider the country where you intend to pack the appropriate clothing. Even so, you still need a range of items because even in the south the temperature can drop a lot at night.
If you want to visit Portugal
If Portugal is not yet on the list of must-see places, we highly recommend adding it. When making a plan, do some homework to decide where you want to explore and give yourself plenty of time there. Also, be sure to try local cuisine. Each area offers its own unique dishes and drinks. The cherry liqueurs in Orbidos are as memorable as the Madeira wine or Porto Harbour. And if you can visit some of the smaller attractions, your efforts will pay off. One of our most memorable meals was in a city called Fealhada with less than 5,000 residents, which should be known for its roast pork.
How Portugal Changes Our Travelers
Although we usually like to cover many territories as travelers, Portugal makes us want to slow down and taste every moment. We don't have to look for beauty – there is beauty everywhere in Portugal. We find ourselves enjoying the actions of larger cities, like peaceful reflections on forests, mountains and beaches. Every discovery feels fresh and new, and we can’t wait to share it with others.
Our romance with Portugal has just begun
Our experience in Portugal is like the best date ever. We are excited, romantic and eager to learn about this magnificent country. Just like reading the romance of page turning, we can’t wait to start the next chapter.
