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Evora: Roman ruins, a chapel of bones and a collection of nativity scenes
Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, was impressive. To start, the Roman temple remains, which date back to the 2nd or early 3rd century AD are thought to be the best preserved in Portugal. According to the guide book, the temple managed to survive as it was walled up to form a small fortress in…
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Next stop – The Alentejo region
Heading north we entered Portugal’s largest region, the Alentejo. Despite the rain, we enjoyed the landscape of rolling hills, olive tree plantations, fields of grape vines, interrupted by whitewashed villages and medieval cities that dotted our route. One such city is Beja. Although not as touristy and well known as Evora, it was a delightful…
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Algarve beaches
They seem to go on for ever. We stopped at Armacao de Petra for a late lunch in a restaurant right on the beach. It was a very modern building with very cool hanging beaded lights that seem to capture the airiness and colour of the water. Beyond our table a father and son flew…
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Cliff top trails and white horses?????
As previously mentioned, we decided to follow the cliff top trail from the parking area to see the Benagil caves from above. The trail was a section of the inland Rota Vicentina trail. It was arid and rocky and definitely well travelled by those wishing to see the scenic coastal views and emerald-coloured water from…
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Hike Portugal
Rota Vicentina is a walking trail in Portugal that runs 350 km down the coast called the Fisherman’s Way, and a second route inland. Both are made up of sections and connect through villages. During our meandering into Salema, a small coastal town in the Algarve we came across a trailhead sign board. We had…
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Benagil Cave from Above
A beautiful spring day in the Algarve bought us to Benagil caves and beach. A stunningly beautiful beach with cliffs surrounding the beach from which many book tours on kayaks, paddle boards or small motor boats to visit the cave and other grottos along the shore. A few hardy soles ventured into the water, but…
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Fish and Vegetable Market
Just south of Estoi is Olhao, a large fishing port in the Algarve, with a bustling fish and vegetable market. The first building we entered was two rows of seafood venders. What a sight! The second building we entered was full of vegetables and fruits. It appears that strawberries and raspberries are in season! We…
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An unexpected discovery
Housed within what was once a water tower for the City of Tavira, is a camera obscura providing a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. Think back to school science projects, especially all you photography enthusiasts, for you may have made a similar device consisting of pinhole for light, a dark room, mirrors and…
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First Stop: Tavira
Flashlight in hand, we marched out the door of the Pousada at 10:30 pm determined to conquer the navigation system in the rental car. Thanks to Google and YouTube the exercise to change the Portuguese voice into an English one was quite simple and left us wondering why we couldn’t figure it out the evening…
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Impressive Mosaic Tiles
When we talk about our history in Canada, we are only really talking about less than 200 years. In Portugal, history is a completely different experience. We visited the Milreu ruins in Estoi; a Roman villa inhabited from the 1st Century AD. Columns around the courtyard, bathing pools, underground heating and temple were a few…
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Patio Girlz 