Our time in Evora was limited so we started off with lunch just off the main square. After being greeted by a heavy rainstorm, we joined our tour group to see a few of the city's other historical sites - including the cathedral and quirky Chapel of Bones!#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #lisboa #DayTrip #evora #EvoraPortugal #unesco #medieval #PracaDoGiraldo #TempleOfDiana #RomanTemple #cathedral #ChurchOfStFrancis #ChurchOfSaintFrancis #ChapelOfBones #IgrejaDeSantoAntao #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
After strolling around the perimeter of the megaliths, we found a perfect little hill where we could get a better view of the entire site.#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #lisboa #DayTrip #evora #AlentejoProvince #AlmendresCromlech #megaliths #EvoraMegaliths #monoliths #stonehenge #StoneCircle #countryside #neolithic #NeolithicPeriod #prehistoric #history #historic #travel #LoveToTravel
We've been fortunate enough to visit Stonehenge and a few replicas, but this site in Portugal was completely different!#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #lisboa #DayTrip #evora #AlentejoProvince #AlmendresCromlech #megaliths #monoliths #stonehenge #StoneCircle #countryside #neolithic #NeolithicPeriod #prehistoric #history #historic #travel #LoveToTravel
We had a fascinating drive through a Cork Oak Forest in Almendra, Portugal (and learned a lot, too)!Fun facts: Cork trees can produce cork for upwards of 300 years. It is estimated that 40% - 50% of cork used around the world is grown in Portugal.#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #DayTrip #AlentejoRegion #evora #almendra #CorkOakForest #CorkOakTree #CorkTree #cork #WineCork #travel #LoveToTravel #twwt #trlt
Last stop on our first day trip from Lisbon was on the Portuguese Riviera - the historic town of Caicais! Have fun getting your daily step count by completing half of your steps on the sandy beaches and the other half on the pedestrian friendly streets!#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #lisboa #DayTrip #sintra #caicais #PortugueseRiviera #beach #SandyBeach #SandyShore #shore #coast #marina #PedestrianFriendly #historic #HistoricTownCenter #resort #travel #LoveToTravel
Just a short ride from Sintra took us to Cabo da Roca for some views out over the Atlantic Ocean. Although the weather was nice in the morning, it unfortunately got cloudy and rainy for our afternoon away.#WordyExplorers #AtlanticOcean #atlantic #portugal #lisbon #lisboa #DayTrip #sintra #caicais #ParqueNaturalDeSintraCascais #CaboDaRoca #lighthouse #scenery #panorama #shoreline #coast #travel #DoYouTravel #LoveToTravel #GoWest
Our "Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca & Cascais" tour gave us a great introduction to the area west of Lisbon. It also gave us an urge to return to Sintra to explore more! (After our visit to Pena Palace, we only had enough time to have lunch and take a quick walk around the city center.)#WordyExplorers #portugal #VisitPortugal #lisbon #lisboa #DayTrip #sintra #SintraPortugal #VisitSintra #lunch #architecture #caicais #europe #travel #LoveToTravel
The exterior architecture of Pena Palace is what made us think of a fairy tale, but the interior design gave us a view of a property still in use by Portuguese officials today!#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #DayTrip #sintra #PenaPalace #PalacioDePena #architecture #FairyTale #decor #monarchy #PortugueseMonarchy #travel #tourism #ornate #elaborate #DoYouTravel #LoveToTravel
The terraces at Pena Palace are some of the best spots to soak in the beauty surrounding the palace. (But, they can get crowded as it seems every visitor has the same idea!)#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #DayTrip #sintra #SintraPortugal #palace #PenaPalace #NationalPalaceOfPena #PalacioDePena #FairyTale #unesco #NationalMonument #terrace #landscape #viewpoint #view #views #panorama
Since we had previously explored Lisbon, we decided to join a tour that started out with time at the famous Pena Palace in Sintra. Our first glimpse of the actual palace reminded us of the setting for a fairy tale castle!#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #LisbonPortugal #DayTrip #sintra #SintraPortugal #SintraHills #PenaPalace #PalacioDePena #NationalPalaceOfPena #FairyTale #unesco #NationalMonument #WorldHeritage #KingArtist #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
Sure wish we had more time to spend admiring the beauty of Pena Park. The lush greenery and water features surrounding the uphill path make the entrance to Pena Palace even more dramatic!#WordyExplorers #portugal #lisbon #DayTrip #sintra #PenaPark #PenaPalace #ParqueDePena #PalacioDePena #unesco #gardens #forest #waterfall #lake #stream #ferns #travel #LoveToTravel
Finding the homes of the three shepherd children who saw the apparitions was easy once we reached the village of Aljustrel - we just looked for the crowds! #WordyExplorers #portugal #fatima #SanctuaryOfFatima #aljustrel #VillageOfAljustrel #ShepherdChildren #VirginMary #apparition #museum #Lucia #Francisco #Jacinta #cousins #travel #LoveToTravel
We saved enough time during our stop in Fatima to complete the round-trip walk along the Via Sacra (SacredWay) from the Sanctuary to the houses where the shepherd children lived.#WordyExplorers #portugal #fatima #valinhos #aljustrel #ViaSacra #TheSacredWay #SacredWay #PilgrimageRoute #pilgrimage #StationsOfTheCross #ShepherdChildren #catholic #SanctuaryOfFatima #travel #LoveToTravel #twwt #trlt
We traveled by Flix bus to get from Porto to Lisbon with an afternoon stop in Fatima. The shop, Harancas de Fatima, was the perfect place to leave our luggage so that we could more freely explore the buildings and monuments that make up the "Sanctuary".#WordyExplorers #portugal #fatima #FlixBus #HarancasDeFatima #SanctuaryOfFatima #OurLadyOfFatima #BasilicaOfHolyTrinity #BasilicaOfOurLadyOfRosary #ChapelOfApparitions #catholic #catholicism #travel #LoveToTravel #VirginMary #twwt #DayTrip
Enjoyed some great meals during our days in Porto and surrounding areas. The most interesting had to be the Francesinha (sandwich) recommended by some fellow travelers. Of course, we couldn't pass up our favorite Pasteis de Nata for dessert!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #braga #guimaraes #dining #dinner #dessert #EatingAroundTheWorld #PortoDining #DiningInPorto #sandwich #francesinha #PasteisDeNata #PastelsDeNata #pastry #custard #TortasDeGuimaraes #pastries
Before our drive back to Porto from the Douro Valley, we drank some more wine while relaxing on a one-hour Douro River cruise - the perfect end to a fabulous day!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DouroValley #DouroRiver #VilaDoPinhao #cruise #DouroRiverCruise #wine #SweetWine #SweetWines #vineyard #vineyards #PortWine #PortWines #WineTour #ADayInDouro #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
We had the chance to see a unique Portuguese tradition - opening a vintage bottle of port wine by fire! Our tour with A Day in Douro was full of new experiences for us!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DouroValley #DouroRiver #cambres #wine #winery #SweetWine #SweetWines #vineyard #vineyards #PortWine #PortWines #PortTongs #vintage #fire #VintageWineBottle #QuintaDaBela #QuintaDaBelaWinery #WineTour #ADayInDouro #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
Our first surprise of the afternoon was an optional one - a taste of moonshine. (And, to those who chose to imbibe, the shot was served in a porron.) So happy that Scott was brave enough to participate!Would you "shotgun moonshine" when in Portugal's Douro Valley?#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DayTrip #DouroValley #DouroRiver #cambres #wine #winery #moonshine #vineyard #QuintaDaBela #QuintaDaBelaWinery #WineTour #ADayInDouro #shotgun #shotgunning #MoonshineShot #porron #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
Enjoyed a great meal with our wine tastings ... along with spectacular views of the Douro Valley from our lunch table at Quinta da Bela!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DouroValley #DouroRiver #cambres #wine #winery #SweetWine #vineyard #PortWine #PortWines #QuintaDaBela #QuintaDaBelaWinery #FarmToTable #Farm2Table #ChefsLunch #FarmToTableLunch #WineTour #PanoramicView #ADayInDouro #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
Second stop on our one-day tour of Portugal's Douro Valley with "A Day in Douro" was filled with even more great memories for two sweet wine lovers! In addition to sweet wine tastings, we enjoyed lunch and a few other afternoon surprises - look for more photos and videos in the upcoming days.#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DouroValley #DouroRiver #cambres #wine #winery #SweetWine #SweetWines #vineyard #vineyards #PortWine #PortWines #QuintaDaBela #QuintaDaBelaWinery #WineTour #ADayInDouro #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
Do you like sweet wines?We are in the minority among our friends, but we both enjoy sweet wines ... so our winery tour in Portugal's Douro Valley was perfect for us. We started in the Vinhos Verde region where we had a light breakfast along with multiple wine samples - whites, reds and espadals (rose). Sure wish we had room in our luggage to bring some home!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DouroValley #DouroRiver #VinhosVerde #amarante #wine #winery #SweetWine #vineyard #PortWine #PortWines #QuintaDoBaija #QuintaDoBaijaWinery #WineTour #ADayInDouro #travel #LoveToTravel #DoYouTravel
After exploring Guimaraes Castle, we had time to stroll through the country's oldest city. With its interesting architecture, plenty of outdoor cafes and a part of the route followed by pilgrims along Rua de Santa Maria, learning a bit of the city's history was quite interesting.#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DayTrip #minho #braga #guimaraes #HistoricCity #HistoricCenter #HistoricCityCenter #architecture #RuaDeSantaMaria #unesco #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite #cafes #PedestrianFriendly #travel #LoveToTravel #pilgrimmage
On our return from Braga to Porto in northern Portugal, we made a stop in the city of Guimaraes. First up was time to explore the defensive monument of Castelo de Guimarães.#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DayTrip #braga #guimaraes #GuimaraesCastle #CasteloDeGuimaraes #defense #defensive #medieval #towers #turrets #prison #NationalMonument #travel #LoveToTravel #GoTravel #GoExplore
No visit to Braga is complete without seeing Portugal's first cathedral which dates back to 1089.Fun fact: It is said that of all cities in Portugal, Braga has the highest concentration of religious buildings!#WordyExplorers #porto #DayTrip #braga #SeCathedral #CathedralSe #SeDeBraga #CathedralOfBraga #SantaMariaDeBragaCathedral #SantaMariaDeBraga #cathedral #TwinPipeOrgans #organ #organs #courtyard #MisericordiaChurch #travel #LoveToTravel #ChurchesAroundTheWorld #CathedralsAroundTheWorld
After walking through the city of Braga, Portugal with our tour group, we had some time to explore the city on our own. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon treat while people watching in a cafe with outdoor seating!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #braga #DayTrip #moinho #JardimDeSantaBarbara #GardenOfSantaBarbara #garden #FormalGarden #blooms #flowers #pedestrian #squares #plazas #cafes #shopping #PeopleWatching #travel #GoExplore
First stop on our Braga and Guimaraes full-day tour was at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. We didn't have time for the hike up from the bottom of Mount Espinho, but we did walk down to one of the lowest viewpoints on the grounds (and back up too). Amazing architecture, decor and landscaping!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #DayTrip #PortoDayTrip #braga #BomJesus #SanctuaryOfBomJesusDoMonte #MountEspinho #MtEspinho #architecture #landscape #pilgrimage #ScenicView #StationsOfTheCross #PassionOfChrist #unesco #travel #LoveToTravel #sanctuary #gardens
Spent our afternoon in rainy Porto exploring before touring some of the areas surrounding the historic city. I definitely want to return to Porto (and neighboring cities) - hopefully the weather will be better next time!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #historic #HistoricCity #architecture #ClerigosTower #ClerigosChurch #TorreDosClerigos #CityHall #PortoCityHall #church #LivrariaLello #CarmoAndCarmelitas #carmo #carmelitas #AvenidaDosAliados #travel #LoveToTravel #ExplorePorto
We saw the funicular tracks in the morning and after a recommendation from our tuk-tuk guide, we took a ride. Great way to avoid an uphill hike from the river!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #funicular #railway #FunicularDosGuindais #GuindaisFunicular #batalha #ribiera #quayside #DouroRiver #RiverDouro #tunnel #scenic #travel #LoveToTravel #PublicTransit #PublicTransportation #PublicTransport
The "sidewalk art" in many of the pedestrian areas in Porto and surrounding areas is beautiful!Fun fact: Many people associate this intricate stonework with the sidewalks near the beaches in Rio de Janeiro. The truth is, the style actually originated in Portugal!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #TownSquares #pedestrian #walkway #sidewalk #sidewalks #CalcadaPortuguesa #calcada #PortuguesePavement #pavement #mosaic #calceteiros #travel #LoveToTravel #ExploreTheWorld
Surprisingly, one of the most recommended places to visit in Portugal is the main train station - and not for transportation! Luckily it was not too far from the loft where we were staying. Once inside, it was obvious why people love it - the tile work is beautiful!#WordyExplorers #portugal #porto #HistoricalCity #train #TrainStation #railway #RailwayStation #SaoBento #SaoBentoTrainStation #SaoBentoRailwayStation #architecture #unesco #AzueloTile #travel #LoveToTravel #MustSeeSight #ExploringPorto #ExplorePorto