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Highlights of Portugal & Spain
  • Sharon Miller

Highlights of Portugal & Spain

A 20-day adventure by Sharon Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 14, 2025
    Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Arrival in Portugal

    September 13 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Ola and Boa Tarde from Portugal! It was a long travel day beginning at 3am when our airport transfer from Samarkand failed to show up and it was the first day on the job for the young man on the desk in the lobby. Luckily, after 30 minutes we were able to hail a cab and get ourselves to the airport and checked in. A 5 hour flight to Istanbul and a 3 hour layover before a 4.5 hour flight on to Lisbon! Dinner was a bomb so we called it a day and retired at 9pm. Tomorrow is a fresh start!Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler
    1

    Sensational Sintra

    September 14 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We booked a full day tour with 4 highlights of the area to get the most out of our time in the area. Our first stop was Sintra where we took some time to explore the town and get ourselves a cloud pastry and cinnamon tart (travesseiro & quejada) two of the specialties of Sintra. Portugese royalty of the 15th and 16th century used to spend the summer months here at their own expense. We then toured the castle, inside and out, and walked through the grounds. What a magical place!Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Dante’s Well

    September 14 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Dante’s Well in Sintra is actually the Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira estate. It is a inverted 27 meter deep tower with a spiral staircase, serving as a symbolic descent into the earth. The spiral staircase descends nine levels, with 15 steps between them. The nine levels are thought to represent the nine circles of Hell, the stages of Purgatory, and the heavenly spheres from Dante’s Divine Comedy. The structure is believed to have been used for symbolic initiation ceremonies where participants undergo a spiritual journey of self-discovery, death, and rebirth. The base of the well connects to an extensive network of underground tunnels leading to grottoes and gardens, allowing for a symbolic rebirth upon emerging into the light. I hope I emerged cleansed!Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Pena Palace & Gardens

    September 14 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    The National Palace of Peña is whimsical, majestic, and truly unforgettable. It seems to be plucked straight from a storybook. Perched high on a hilltop in Sintra, its bold colours, sunset yellows, deep reds, and sky blues, make it one of the most visually striking palaces in Europe and the mix of architectural styles - Romantic, Moorish, Gothic and Manueline - reflects Portugal’s rich and diverse history. Inside the rooms are beautifully preserved, offering a glimpse into Royal life with ornate furnishings and stunning tile work. The panoramic views from the terraces are breathtaking, stretching across forests and toward the Atlantic Ocean.Read more

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    Cabo da Roca

    September 14 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Our last stop today was at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. This dramatic and scenic spot is famous for its wild beauty and historic lighthouse. The drive from there back to Lisbon was breathtaking as we passed Guincho beach where there are a lot of people windsurfing and kite boarding due to the high winds. We also passed through Cascais where you can find many expensive properties, golden beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler
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    Free Day in Lisboa

    September 15 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    We met our group and guide last evening and today we got a 24 hour transit card and took the subway to Rossio Square and did a wee walk about. We saw the historic Sao Domingos Church, the Arc of Truth, the port and train stations. Zuzanna gave us the afternoon to wander freely so we took a bus to Belem where we saw the majestic Jeronimos Monastery and more famously, the original Pasteis de Belem where we grabbed two Pasteis de Natas each, and ate them in the park. We returned to Lisboa and took the tram through each of the four main neighbourhoods, travelling up and down the hills. The city reminded us of San Francisco. We all met up at 7pm for dinner at Club de Fado in the Alfama district where we were beautifully serenaded by both male and female Fado style singers and some very talented guitarists. It was an intimate and very enjoyable experience.Read more

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    A Surprise Visit to Obidos

    September 16 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We left Lisbon in a private coach this morning destined for Coimbra. Zuzanna had mentioned that we would be making a surprise stop on the way. I do love surprises and this one did not disappoint. We had a delightful 2.5 hour stop in charming Obidos, an historical well preserved medieval walled city which you can walk on for stunning views of the town and surrounding landscape. The town is full of winding cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses adorned with flowers. Two other fun facts about this town are that it is recognized by UNESCO as a Literary City due to its vibrant cultural scene and literary events and it is where you can sample a shot of Ginjinhas, a liquor made from ginji, a type of cherry, which is served in a cup made of chocolate. Yum, yum! This is my kind of town💕Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Batalha

    September 16 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Batalha, or the Saint Mary of Victory Monastery, built in the 14th century, ensured King Joao would succeed his father, even though he was illegitimate. It was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Ajubarrota in 1385 and is considered to be one of masterpieces of the area. There is still a part of the monastery that is unfinished, but remains very beautiful. We had time to explore and have lunch at a small cafe before moving on to Coimbra, our final stop of the day.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Arrival to Coimbra

    September 16 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We reached Coimbra, the medieval capital of Portugal, around 4:30pm and checked in to Hotel Astoria which is old but quaint and ideally located. Coimbra is home to the oldest Portuguese University and the only university to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous author JK Rawlings was a former resident here and the Joanina University library and student gowns were inspirational in her Harry Potter series, and specifically her depiction of Hogwarts. We freshened up and then took an orientation walk on our way to dinner.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Free Day to Explore Coimbra

    September 17 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We started the day with a very interesting guided tour of the oldest section of the university, including the former royal palace, which is now part of the university administrative center. We also saw the Joanina Library, which holds more than 60,000 books, mostly from the 16th to 18th century and is considered one of the richest a European collections in terms of holdings. and the royal chapel, where the mass is sung on Sundays and is available for weddings and funerals if you have a connection to the university. We shopped, ate and wandered around town,soaking in the ambience for the remainder of the day. Of course we had to get gelato because we were shown where the best place to get some was and I needed to confirm if that was true! It was indeed exquisitely delicious. We closed out the day by dining at an Italian restaurant near the hotel and hit the hay early. Heading to Porto in the morning.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Arrival in Porto

    September 18 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We took the train to Porto this morning. It was a comfortable and enjoyable ride and then we embarked on an orientation walk. I am not a fan of the city. There was so much construction that we were rerouted constantly, and the streets were dirty, buildings full of graffiti and lots of people sleeping rough in the streets. We spent some time down at the waterfront in the afternoon which was lined with cafes and stalls selling souvenirs. Back near our hotel we found a great restaurant to enjoy a fresh salad and then treated ourselves to a pedicure, which in all honesty was the highlight of the day. Porto has a lot of baroque style buildings like some of the churches and the train station which were pretty and depicted scenes from everyday life.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Free Day in Porto

    September 19 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Determined to have a better day, we made our way to the Douro River and rented some bikes. We had a wonderful morning cycling the 22 km loop to the main beach and back. There were lots of picturesque spots to enjoy and the weather was cooler than in the downtown area. Even in mid September there were people surfing and swimming or just sun bathing at the beach and we paused to sit, watch, and listen to the waves crashing against the rocks. Once back in town we sought out a restaurant to try the local dish called Francesinhas. Gilles liked it and I tolerated it but wouldn’t be passing the recommendation on. We then crossed the bridge to visit Gaia on the opposite side of the Douro River. It was lively with lots of street musicians, local artisans selling their wares and many restaurants to enjoy right at the waters edge. We passed the afternoon strolling around and met the group at 4:30 for a one hour river cruise, followed by a port tasting experience and then a supper out. Half of the group is continuing on to Spain for the next two weeks and the other half will return home tomorrow. At the port tasting you had the choice of 3 glasses of port or 4 port filled chocolates. 3 guesses on what I chose and the first two don’t count! It was a lovely last day in Portugal and we are grateful to have been able to see and do all that we did.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off to Spain We Go

    September 20 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Gilles and I were treated to a business class ticket to Madrid today. It was only a 1 hour 15 minute flight but felt pretty special. We were even served a meal in that short time and our luggage came off the carousel first. Our hotel is conveniently located first on the main square (Puerta de Sol) which is a large place to people watch and immerse yourself in the vibe of the city. For supper we walked about 15 minutes away from the touristy area and enjoyed a meal in a basement cave restaurant. Walking back to the hotel we could really see how everyone gathers at little bars and restaurants to socialize and enjoy some late night food. The atmosphere was jovial and relaxed. Tomorrow we will explore the city in earnest.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Out and About in Madrid

    September 21 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We had an amazing day in Madrid starting with an orientation walk led by Zuzanna which included a visit to the Royal Palace and Cathedral, the Latin Quarter, the Latino Market, the Plaza Mayor, and Restaurant Botin which has been in operation for 300 consecutive years. The wood fire was kept burning even during COVID. On our own we navigated our way to Parque Del Retiro where we had lunch beside the lake, a visit to the Museo Del Prado, where we saw the smiling Mona Lisa (go figure) and found our way back to the hotel for a siesta before heading out to dinner for some seafood paella and then to the famous Chocolateria San Ginette where we got churros and chocolate to go. Gilles found a kindred spirit outside a trendy tapas restaurant and copied his pose. A delightful Sunday was had by all.Read more

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    Arrival in Granada

    September 22 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We were up with the birds this morning to catch our bus to Granada at 5:45 am and caught the sunrise en route. Andalusia, the Southern region of Spain, has the most olive groves, accounting for 80% of Spain’s total production and 93% of its land dedicated to olive cultivation. We travelled through the province of Jaen where we saw a continuance landscape of them. The Jean province holds the title of the World Capital of Olive Oil, boasting 66 million olive trees. We arrived in Granada at noon and after we checked on to our hotel Zuzanna took us to a local restaurant for a quick sandwich and a brief orientation walk around the area. Just one block from our hotel we passed the Isabel La Catolica Plaza where there is a monument depicting the exchange in 1942 when she gave Christopher Columbus the funds to outfit 3 boats to set sail to go East in hopes of discovering a sea passage to China. We then continued on to the Capilla Real Catedral and the Iglesia Del Sagrsrio and wandered through the nearby San Antonio food market and Zoco Nazari Artisan Market before returning to the hotel for a brief siesta. Granada has a relaxed vibe and is clean and easy to get around in. After a short rest we wandered through the historic quarter of Albaicin, enjoying it’s narrow lanes, white washed buildings and fantastic views of the back of the Alahambra. Oh, and we enjoyed an ice cream as it was another very hot day.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    A Flamenco Show in the Sacromonte Caves

    September 22 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    We enjoyed a quick dinner at an Arabic Restaurant before heading out for evening entertainment. Gilles and I enjoyed a chicken tagine dish which brought back wonderful memories of our time in Morocco. We caught a bus up the hill to Sacromonte where Flamenco dancing originated in the caves, and were seated for the 9:30 pm show. The passionate and expressive nature of Flamenco dance is a fusion of Gypsy (Romani), Arab, Jewish, and Christian traditions, emerging in the 18th century as an art form of marginalized communities. The 3 core pillars are Cante (Singing)- the voice carries deep emotion and tells stories, Toque (Guitar) -the guitar provides rhythm and a passionate musical accompaniment, and Baile (Dance) - the expressive dance brings the music to life through footwork, (zapateos), arm movements and body contours. We saw two performances and both troupes gave it their all. The included glass of Sangria set the mood and we all had an absolute blast. After the show we drove to a lookout to see Alhambra all lit up. A super ending to the day!Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Alhambra

    September 23 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    This morning we enjoyed a guided visit of the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex which is one of the greatest accomplishments of Islamic art and architecture. Our guide Ramon was interesting and entertaining as he regaled us with stories of Granada as one of the region’s most regal cities during the a Muslim rule of Spain, which is captured in time within the Alhambra. Originally a small fortress, it was transformed into an opulent palace complex by Granada’s Nasrid (Moorish) rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries. The complex includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba Fortress, the Generalife gardens and later additions like the Palace of Charles V. The historical and aesthetic qualities of Alhambra inspire both awe and a sense of tranquillity.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Generalife

    September 23 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Generalife is a summer palace and country estate of the rulers of Granada known as Emirs. It is found uphill from the Alhambra Palace complex. The rulers enjoyed a simpler way of life when they went to this private retreat which gave them beautiful gardens and significant views of the two rivers that brace the city.Read more

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    Hiking the Los Caharros Trail

    September 23 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains which contain striking trails for hiking. We didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to explore the Los Cahorros Trail, a fan favourite according to the guide books. Zuzanna helped us arrange a private taxi that would take us to the trail head and fetch us 3.5 hours later, and off we went. The trail was super fun as it had a series of rickety suspension bridges, a beautiful gorge, a trail that had us crawling on hands and knees on narrow ledges and hanging on to rocks using metal hand holds to maneuver around boulders, some waterfalls and a series of switch backs to reach the peak and take in the views. Along the trail we spotted several rock climbers and even a couple of folks para-gliding from the summit. We completed a 8.5 km loop and were filthy but grinning from ear to ear in the end. It’s fun for Gilles and I to break away from the group and fly solo once in a while.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Mezquita de Cordoba

    September 24 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Our final destination today was Seville but we made a very extraordinary stop in picturesque Cordoba for 4 hours en route to visit it’s most famous monument, the Mezquita de Cordoba (Mosque). We were absolutely mesmerized by the diverse and stunning architecture of the Mezquita. Built as a mosque in 785 by the Moors, on a site of a Visigothic church, and incorporating pre-existing Roman and Visigothic columns, the Mezquita was converted in the 16th century by the remarkable addition of a Christian cathedral inserted into the center of the building. This resulted in a unique fusion of cultures and architectural styles. We have never seen anything like it and found the visit extremely moving to see the peaceful coexistence between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Some of the architectural marvels here include the Hypostyle Hall which features over 850 red and white striped arches supported by 850 granite and marble pillars, creating a “forest of trees”, the Mihrab and Dome, a shell-shaped prayer niche in the mosque constructed in the 20th century and the Minaret Tower. The former minaret was preserved and now forms the base of the 16th century bell tower of the cathedral.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Picturesque Cordoba

    September 24 in Spain

    When we arrived in Cordoba we crossed a bridge constructed in Roman times to access the city. After our visit to the Mezquita we had some free time to wander through the picturesque and charming Jewish quarter of the city with it’s narrow streets, flowers, beautiful courtyards, shops and white washed houses. It was also a great place to grab some lunch and visit one of only 3 remaining medieval synagogues in all of Spain.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler

    Free Day in Seville

    September 25 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Today was a free day to spend enjoying Seville and its Moorish influence. I will attempt to describe the main attractions we were able to visit, besides enjoying the delicious food. The Metropol Parasol (Setas de Sevilla) is a huge wooden structure with a panoramic walkway. It looks like the tops of mushrooms and makes for a great landmark for us to find our hotel. A short distance away was the Cathedral & The Giralda which is one of the worlds largest Gothic cathedrals and inside it lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Giralda is it’s bell tower and former minaret, which is a remnant of the mosque that once occupied the site. We had prearranged a tour of Real Alcazar de Sevilla, a historic royal palace of Seville and one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. We were glad we did. It is popular for a reason. Lastly we wandered through Maria Luisa Park & Plaza de Espana, my favourite of the day, and strolled down to the river to see the Torre Del Oro, a historic tower with a small naval museum inside.Read more

  • Sharon MillerHighlights of Portugal & SpainTraveler
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    Alcazar

    September 25 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The Alcazar is the oldest royal palace in use in Europe. It was devised as a fortress to protect the Muslim authorities. The Palace is filled with intricate tile work, horseshoe arches and lush gardens. Among the movies/series filmed here are Game of Thrones, the Life of Christopher Columbus and The Kingdom of Heaven.Read more

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