THE PALACES OF SINTRA To escape the heat, every year the nobility of Portugal would retreat from Lisbon and go to Sintra for the summer. They built palaces in amongst the hills and forests of Sintra, transforming this small town into a wonderland of castles and magnificent manors. […]
THE BEST OF “NEW” LISBON We spent yesterday exploring the Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon; today was all about the “new” parts of town (i.e. the parts built during the 18th and 19th centuries). We walked through the Baixa, Bairro Alto and Chiado, stopping to admire the […]
ALFAMA: THE HISTORICAL HEART OF LISBON Today is officially our 200th day on the road (for this trip), and what a day it was! We got to explore Lisbon’s historical heart today: the Alfama. A Medieval maze of cobblestone streets, tiny squares, and breathtaking views, the Alfama is […]
BEAUTIFUL BELEM! We’re in Lisbon! With a population of 2.7 million, this is Portugal’s largest city; it’s also Europe’s second-oldest capital (after Athens), and was once home to great explorers like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is built […]
THE GREEN HILLS OF BUSSACO FOREST Coimbra is nestled in amongst the hills of central Portugal, surrounded by rural hamlets, farms, and national parks. It’s a beautiful part of the country rich with hiking destinations and opportunities to get back to nature. The Portuguese royal family liked it […]
Wandering Soles 