Moura in the Alentejo, Portugal

posted in: Europe, Home, Portugal | 4

We were in Beja, which was new to us, staying in the wonderful Pousada Sao Francisco there, and set off to explore the surrounding areas as well. It was an easy and attractive drive to Moura, another of those sites … Continued

A walk through Beja in Portugal

posted in: Europe, Portugal | 3

Visiting an area or town for the first time usually means seeing the ‘obvious’ sights first, returning if there is time and I particularly enjoyed something, then I move on to the ‘secondary’ sights, and after that I am free … Continued

Border Castles in Portugal

posted in: Europe, Home, Portugal | 4

I love the wideness and openness of the beautiful Alentejo countryside – rolling hills, olive and cork oak trees, and myriads of flowers in the springtime. In the east there are also numerous castles on top of the hills, protecting the border … Continued

Borba

posted in: Europe, Portugal | 1

Before I take you to Beja in 2018 we are going to hop back to 2017 when we were based at Vila Viçosa and spent four wonderful days exploring the area. On this day rain was forecast so we planned … Continued

Walking at Ouguela on PR1 CMR

posted in: Home, Portugal | 2

I love exploring Portugal off the beaten track and I had often wondered what lay in the countryside beyond Campo Maior and close to the Spanish border. So, on a clear morning in May 2017 we set off from Vila Viçosa to … Continued

Sao Mamede Park, Alentejo, Portugal

posted in: Europe, Home, Portugal | 4

Last year we enjoyed a visit to Portalegre and afterwards drove back to the Pousada at Flor de Rosa via the scenic route – through the countryside behind Portalegre – the Sao Mamede Park. It was May and the yellow and … Continued

A relaxing start to travels in Portugal

posted in: Europe, Home, Portugal | 2

There are many different ways in which one could begin a trip to the interior of Portugal and one which I particularly enjoy is a flight from the UK into Lisbon airport, arriving at the end of the day, and … Continued

Two days in Fougeres

posted in: Brittany, Home | 0

Fougères is a good place to unwind before embarking on a holiday, or as a stop on the road north, or south. The Castle is extraordinary – hugely powerful and showing the changes in warfare and defense over 200-300 years. And … Continued

The Castle of Fougeres

posted in: Brittany, Home | 2

The Castle of Fougères is an extraordinary sight, standing on a mound in a bend of the Nançon River and jutting out from the side of the walled, Mediaeval town. You can look down on the castle from the public gardens … Continued

Amieira Castle in the Alentejo

posted in: Home, Portugal | 2

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