Óbidos and Peniche are our destinations of choice for June 2020. Even though travelling entails extra care, these two towns remain a safe bet and combined they make up a delightful mix of what Portugal has to offer: traditional architecture, water sports, fresh fish and natural scenery.
They're located only half an hour driving from each other and there's plenty to do around the area, so spending your holidays targeting Óbidos and Peniche is a fantastic idea. We'll tell you why below.
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Portugal has a very long history which explains the diversity of buildings that can be found across the country, some of which date back to 2.000 years b.C.. There are signs of the presence of many different peoples, from Celts to Romans and Moors and this "melting pot" is part of our heritage. Along all these different periods architecture suffered many changes, ranging from solemn and simple constructions to intricate and ornamented ones.
In this article we write in more detail about the ones that are more iconic and also the most renown Portuguese contemporary architects. We chose Viana do Alentejo as our April 2020 destination, mostly because of the horseback parade of pilgrims that takes place during this month. Apart from this curious yearly tradition there are many other reasons to venture to the heart of the Alentejo during Spring.
They're Portuguese and they're part of our style. It's impossible to wander in any Portuguese town and not be gobsmacked with the amount of beautiful tiles. They're everywhere, from floor to ceiling, and they're part of our historical and cultural heritage for over 500 years.
Portugal is an incredible holiday destination for lovebirds and there are options for all sorts of couples. Whereas it is a break to celebrate a special date, a honeymoon or just an escape from the frantic daily routine without the kids, our country has some perfect romantic hideaways.
When the weather is grey and cold, there's nothing better than sitting in a warm cosy place, armed with a hot cup of coffee and a good book. We’ve dedicated this month’s second journal post to coffee shops (cafés, in Portuguese) and bookstores.
Vhils, Bordalo II, Vanessa Teodoro, Mário Belém, Aka Corleone, Mr. Dheo, Eime, ±MaisMenos±, Tamara Alves, Hazul, Add Fuel... the names flow as their skills, creativity and imagination.
What used to be perceived as a degrading art of the marginalised is now considered "proper art" and used as an innovative vehicle of information and change in various fields. Read about the impact of Portuguese street and urban art in this journal post. Peniche is a famous holiday destination mainly due to surfing. Apart from the surfers, who visit all year round, during summer time Peniche is also a chilled holiday destination that manages to keep its fishing town vibe. A visit to the nearby archipelago of Berlengas makes a great day-trip to explore its historical and natural heritage.
Below find the main reasons to visit this special peninsula and its neighbouring islands. Portugal is a very old country, actually the oldest nation in Europe, with a very rich heritage. Old traditions have been preserved and passed from generation to generation, and this is part of what makes us so unique. However, the fact that our roots date back to centuries ago doesn’t mean the country is not looking forward to the future. Actually, as you travel throughout Portugal you can witness a curious balance between the old buildings and traditional customs with modern buildings and contemporary initiatives.
It’s clear that the Portuguese are exploring new areas, being active in many cultural fields and permanently innovating. Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal, cornered against the immense Atlantic Ocean. This Portuguese region has been home to many civilizations throughout the years. Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors all left a little bit of their heritage behind, which is still present in different fields such as architecture and art. In fact the word azulejo (tile) comes from zulaich, which means “small rock” in arabic.
When speaking about Algarve the first thing people mention is naturally the beautiful beaches. They are definitely a great reason to visit, specially if you’re in need of a vitamin D boost, but despite its stunning coastline Algarve is still an amazing destination. The peaceful vibe, the natural landscapes, the food and the historical heritage are also good enough reasons to visit. So instead of soaking up the sun at the beach, we challenge you to discover the other Algarve. |
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