Gijon to Santander
Our time in Spain had come to an end and we had to drive from Gijon to Santander to take the Ferry back to the UK. It was sad to leave but at... READ MORE
The Parador in Gijon
The Parador in Gijon is on the edge of the town, at the far end of the San Lorenzo Beach from the old town. I’ve talked a lot about it so a separate... READ MORE
Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon
The Parador of Gijon overlooks the Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon, in fact you might say it is situated in the park. It was a joy to stroll here at some point... READ MORE
Wandering in Gijon
On this day we decided wandering in Gijon would be a good idea, so we took a taxi to the town centre again. We were also on a hunt for wine! The harbour... READ MORE
Cimadevilla of Gijon
The old town is the Cimadevilla of Gijon, situated on and around the Santa Catalina Hill in Gijon. We took a taxi into the town – I was still on somewhat ‘go-slow’ –... READ MORE
The Museum in Gijon
The Museum of the Asturian People in Gijon is situated close to the Parador. We visited twice because there was just too much to take in at one time. Spain is very proud... READ MORE
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Amieira Castle in the Alentejo
Our days in the Alentejo always included a castle and so after walking we visited Amieira do Tejo, a Mediaeval village high above the Tagus River in beautiful countryside. Amieira and its castle were built as part of defences along the Tagus River … Continued
Crato – Historic Town in Portugal’s Alentejo
We visited Crato, down the road from the magical Pousada of Flor da Rosa, to see the castle of Crato and try and trace some of the town walls.
The Alentejo around Flor da Rosa
The Alentejo around Flor da Rosa is beautiful – rolling hills, abundant water, Roman bridges, prehistoric tombs, and endless flowers. I often went out for an hour in the evenings, with the camera.
Flor da Rosa
Flor da Rosa is a small village in the Alentejo dominated by a 14C Templar Monastery which is now a Pousada and the Church. I walked round the village late one afternoon, just getting back to the Pousada and under cover as the … Continued
Pousada Flor da Rosa
We enjoyed wonderful walks in the Alentejo with the help of our new book from the Tourist Office – Chão da Velha, Carreiras, Montalvão, and Galegos – and our base during these days was the Pousada Flor da Rosa.
The Coffee Smugglers Path at Galegos – PR4 GRV
At Galegos there are several routes for walking. We set off on a figure-of-8 walk that included a smugglers route, a Mediaeval road, and wanderings amongst the oak and chestnut trees in the hills close to the Spanish border. PR4-MVR, 5.9kms, c.2.5 … Continued
Montalvao – fortified hilltop town on the Portuguese border
Near the border with Spain the Alentejo is wide, open, and empty. Lush, green grass covers soft hills, and cork oaks and olive trees are everywhere. Surprisingly there are few sheep and cattle – farming here seems very ‘quiet’ and unobtrusive – … Continued
Walking from Montalvao, PR7-NIS
Montalvão is a small, remote, hilltop village (and castle) close to the border with Spain. We were there to try out another of the walks, the PR7-NIS, in the new book published by the Portuguese Tourist Office. The walk is across the hills … Continued
A circular walk from Carreiras, PR7 PTG-CVD
We parked in Carreiras and set off on our second walk with the new book. The walk follows the Mediaeval Road which connected Portalegre and Castelo de Vide in the valley below the Serra de São Paulo, and returns just under the crest of the … Continued
Walking from Chao da Velha, PR2 NIS
This was our first walk using the new book of walks which we were given in the very helpful Tourist Office in Nisa. The book is not on the internet, and can’t be bought in a bookshop. Various town councils list … Continued