Populated galleries in red. More updates as soon as time and WiFi permit.
We spent two weeks in Portugal, arriving in the far south via bus from Seville, then drove ourselves north, hugging the coast, to Lisbon. Along the way, we found lots to like, including:
The Algarve: a real Sleeping Beauty of a region that attracts tourists and retirees alike with its Benagil caves, beaches, hiking, outdoor adventures, megaliths, and historic towns like Silves, Faro, and Lagos.
Alentejo: another rural coastal region of Portugal, famous for “Cork and Pork.” We stayed in lovely Grandola, took a side trip to the UNESCO gem of Evora, found some prehistoric megaliths (think Stonehenge, but the Spinal Tap version), did a fun farm to table food tour, and this being Portugal, frolicked on some amazing beaches.
Lisbon: one of my favorite European capitals, with just the right mix of culture, history, and the here-and-now. Highlights included the incredible street art, views from its famed seven hills, Jeronimo monastery, Marques de Frontera house and gardens, Carmo Convent, and a visit to the Museum of Azulejos (handpainted Portuguese tiles, way more interesting than it sounds.)
Sintra: an easy day trip from Lisbon, full of atmosphere, stately noble houses, and this being Portugal, coastal beauty galore.