This Roman town brings you very close to the Spanish border.   Founded in 78AD,  it was built around thermal springs and its strategic importance led to the construction of strong walls,  towers and a fortress.   It still has a beautiful historic centre and Roman bridge. On Praca de Camoes,  you’ll find many public buildings and […]

Sometimes its good to get away for a while from the beautiful churches,  bridges, streets and vineyards.   This park isn’t too far off the beaten track and will definitely clear the head.   There are plenty of hiking trails but its rugged terrain is also lovely just for a drive.   There are a few small villages […]

If prehistory is your thing then you will want to visit the Coa Valley.   In the early 1990’s,  engravings were discovered when the area was being surveyed for a dam.   Thanks to national and international pressure,  plans for the dam were shelved and archaeologists moved in.   To date,  thousands of engravings have been found at […]

Here’s another gorgeous town that is perfect for a short visit. Most people come for stairway but there’s also a nice old centre and impressive cathedral. Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios The church is lovely but the approaching staircase is the real star of the show. With 686 steps, its a bit of a […]