Savoring the Scenes of Sintra

A trip to any city isn't complete without venturing off the beaten path. In Lisbon, Portugal this means taking the train to Sintra, a glorious city with striking views. Once in Lisbon it can prove to be a struggle to pull yourself away from the richness of the capital but finding the time or even adding an extra day to your getaway will make your vacation so much more memorable. Guaranteed!

Upon arrival in Sintra, a true natural beauty, pay the 5 Euro to hop on and off the bus as your explore the attractions. If you're having trouble deciding what to do, make your way to the Sintra Bureau of Tourism, located off the main square; they provide invaluable information and tips to ensure your stay is everything you imagined. With plenty to see and do, do not leave this magnificent town without capturing the breathtaking views from the Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors). Photography lovers will be equipped with wondrous views from atop this medieval castle or venture inside the walls for a modest fee. Take your time to embark on a palace tour, the most noteworthy: Parque e Palácio da Pena (Pena Park and Palace) amidst the exotic trees. To save on some cash, purchase a combined ticket allowing you to pursue all of Sintra's glory at a discounted rate. With fortress like residences, fairytale gardens, and stunning views, you'll be in awe for hours.

Sintra, although off the beaten path, can be filled with tourists allured by the charm and elegance. If you love the beach and appreciate an authentic experience, one shouldn't pass up a tram ride to Praia das Maçãs. For soft sand between your toes head about 1 km from the town center to the depot and jump on this not-to-miss adventure. This journey will only set you back a few euro and takes just 45 minutes to arrive at the small seaside resort town. In operation Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, this century old trolley is a little piece of history. Rest your feet as you enjoy the ride and absorb the scenery. Arrive early, with less than 30 seats, the electric tramcar fills quickly.

Praia das Maçãs is just right for a day at the beach. Visit the local pubs, wonder the streets or absorb the sun. For a bite to eat you do not want to pass up Pao Com Chourico from Ha Pao Quente. A tip from a local made this Portuguese bread one of the biggest highlights of the day. The owners will be quite impressed with your ability to hunt down their brick oven bread. With a shop big enough only for a few people, you'll get a bird's eye view of the flaming oven. Bright blue walls and local décor decorate this brick and simplistic bungalow. The scents will surely have your stomach doing back flips. Crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside, this loaf of hearty heaven is a perfect combination. The bright red smoky chorizo only adds to the anticipation. One bite and you'll be back at the counter ordering another. Take your sausage bread to the beach or commensurate your day on the picnic tables adjacent to the establishment.

Whatever your pleasure, take a peak past the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Savor the scenes and celebrate the authenticity of Sintra and beyond.

Because life is too short to be one dimensional!

Chelsey Washington

http://Paytonjade.com

Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

Article Source: Chelsey_Washington

Troia Portugal

If you are a travel lover, probably you already know that Portugal has a lot of interesting places to visit.

Nearby Lisbon (the capital) can be found the peninsula of Troia. Considered a paradise by many people this location is a few minutes away from Lisbon and has an amazing and natural beauty. This astonishing peninsula is 10 miles full of amazing beaches bathed by a clear and warm sea. During the summer time, the weather is really warm, allowing you to relax under the sun.

Troia in Portugal is surrounded by the green Serra of Arrábida, the estuary of Sado and sandy beaches that merges with the horizon. Here you can enjoy several activities, such as surf, sail, golf and kitesuft, among other several activities. The well known Marina of Troia is also a great place where you can rent a boat and enjoy a sunny day. At night, you can try your luck at the casino and enjoy the several shows organized by this exquisite place.

This modern and bold casino can be found inside the Troia Design Hotel. The game room has 226 slot machines and 16 game tables that will allow you to have lots of fun. You can also enjoy the different offer of music, theatre, performances, street shows and DJs.

If you want to explore the peninsula, the Roman ruins of Troia or the Porto palafítico are a great place to visit.

The Roman ruins were created on the 1st century and it is supposed that were occupied until the 6th century. This was a place that took advantage of the abundance of fish and salt in this area. Nowadays it is possible to observe the ruins of the thermal baths with the rooms for hot and cold baths, the houses with 2 floors and necropolis of several kinds of graves.

The Porto palafítico is a unique harbor that was built in the 20th century. Resting on wood pillars driven into the mud, this harbor seems to move from the margin and moving inside the river.

Another amazing activity to enjoy in Troia is the boat ride to see the dolphins. Get onboard and sail away while you watch these amazing animals, that provide ad additional natural beauty to this area. In the summer you can even dive and swim with the dolphins.

During your stay in Troia, you can't miss the beautiful beaches and the great weather conditions. These beaches have extraordinary accessibilities such as parking lots, bars lounges and luxury restaurants.

There are several activities you can enjoy in Troia. If you want to know more, visit us on Troia Portugal.

Article Source: Rui_Correia

Moving to Portugal: Cultural Attractions in the Algarve

The Algarve is a small yet diverse region featuring magnificent mountains, ancient cities, and beautiful beaches. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, its climate attracts thousands of tourists. Many expats have actually moved here because of the superb weather. The abundance of picturesque sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes, and cultural attractions make the Algarve one of the most popular expat destinations in Europe.

If you have just moved to the Algarve, then you probably want to learn more about its history and culture. The Clock Tower in Albufeira, the Sculpture of Dom Sebastiao in Lagos, and Rua Dr. Francisco Gomes in Faro are famous among locals and tourists alike. The Algarve has a rich cultural heritage, featuring lots of museums, churches, monuments, and historic sites.

Silves Castle (Silves)

Silves Castle is a landmark of the region. This red sandstone fortress dates back to Moorish times. The castle has been classified as a national monument in 1910. Its central area has been redeveloped into gardens. Despite its age, this historic building remains substantially intact. Visitors can walk all around the rampart and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

Convent de Sao Jose (Lagoa)

Convent de Sao Jose (the Convent of Saint Joseph) hosts exhibitions of sculpture, painting, pottery, and photography. It is the cultural center of the city of Lagoa. Built in the 18th century, the convent features an old chapel with woodcarving altars, a menhir dating from 5000 to 4000 BC, and an interesting attraction called the "wheel of the exposed" where the orphans were left in the Middle Ages.

Museu Cerro da Vila (Vilamoura)

This museum is a fine example of an ancient villa complex featuring superb black-and-white patterned mosaics, salt tanks, and sunken baths. Museu Cerro da Vila exhibits artifacts from the Roman civilization in Vilamoura, including ceramics from the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries. Its walls are decorated with colorful frescoes and geometric patterns with statues of gods.

Sé Cathedral (Faro)

Built on the site of a 13th century church, the Sé Cathedral boasts a unique mix of Renaissance and Baroque influences. This religious building has suffered damaged both in the form of attacks and natural disasters. Two of its chapels and the first floor tower are all that remain of the original church. Its interior is impressive and its statues represent some of the most valuable 7th and 18th century art collections in Portugal. The cathedral features a chapel covered in gold leafing, a large 18th century organ adorned with Chinese motifs, and the bishop's tombstone.

Moving to Portugal is a life changing decision. Whether you want to retire, start a new life, or spend some quiet time, you will find everything you need in this country. Art and culture lovers will certainly appreciate the numerous cultural sights in the Algarve. Make sure you visit this expat blog to learn more about Portugal and its rich cultural heritage!

Article Source: Larissa_Vinci

 

Altura on Portugal's Algarve Destination Guide

Altura is a purpose-built beach resort on the east coast of Portugal's Algarve near to the Roman town of Tavira and the busy resort of Monte Gordo. The eastern side of the Algarve is less developed and unspoilt than the other parts, making it an ideal destination for families looking for a relaxing holiday in Portugal. The coastline of Altura falls within the 37 mile coastline of the Parque natural da Ria Formosa which is protected from over-development. This lagoon area is a haven for numerous species of birds that make it home, a place to shelter in the winter or as a migration stopover. Most of the accommodation in Altura, including hotels, villas, apartments and seafront properties, is within walking distance of the beautiful sandy beach.

The eastern coastline of the Algarve has some beautiful sandy beaches lapped by clear warm waters, with no less than five Blue Flag beaches between Tavira and Monte Gordo. Altura has a long, wide beach with clean sands, a beach bar and restaurant, various water sports on offer and ample parking facilities. The nearby Praia Verde and Manta Rota beaches stretch out for miles and are very popular for their beautiful clean sands and tranquillity.

Altura has some beautiful inland countryside which is great for the family to explore by foot, bicycle or car on their holiday packages to the resort. Make a trip to the countryside a day excursion and visit the traditional market town of Tavira with its Roman bridge, city walls, fine churches, elegant townhouses and mansions, excellent fish restaurants, fishing harbour and interesting indoor market. Tavira on either side of the River Gilao and is linked by two bridges. Take a trip to Faro with its cobbled streets and squares in the Old Town which are lined with restaurants and cafes and the 13th century Se Cathedral which offers great views over the town. Altura is ideally placed for the family to enjoy a daytrip to Seville as it is just an hour and a half drive from the Spanish border.

The resort is popular with golfing enthusiasts as it has some excellent golf courses all within a 15 minute drive. There are top quality courses, with pro shops, hire facilities and restaurants, designed by Sevy Ballesteros, Sir Henry Cotton, Jack Nicklaus and Rocky Roquemore all offer a variety of challenges. The courses offer some amazing views, with Castro Marim overlooking the River Guadiana and views across to Spain and Quinta da Ria set in a beautiful nature reserve.

The relaxed atmosphere in Altura means that evenings are spent enjoying a quiet meal at one of the resorts top quality restaurants or at the bars which provide some entertainment. However if you are looking for more lively evening entertainment on your late deals to Portugal you will need to take the 10 minute trip to Monte Gordo on the eastern coast of the Algarve. Monte Gordo offers more lively entertainment than Altura including a casino if you want to gamble the night away.

Altura enjoys a Mediterranean climate with gentle sea breezes that makes the temperature feel cooler than it is and helps to moderate the humidity. Temperatures average around 28C in the summer with 12 hours of sunshine a day. The sea here is the warmest in the Algarve reaching around 24C during the summer season.

Emma Healey is the co-founder and owner of holidayholiday.co.uk, specialists in holiday packages and last minute holidays to worldwide destination. Thanks for taking the time to read my article and be sure to watch out for more of my articles as I'm writing many travel blogs and have some great topics coming soon.

Article Source: Emma_Healey