Portugal | FindPenguins

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Trip start
May 25, 2025
Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Lisbon, part one
May 25, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
The new controls at Lisbon airport predicted a delay
But all went smoothly and soon we were on our way,
To a centrally located apartment that was new & neat
Close to a choice of transport, yet quiet in the street.

For our few days stay collected a Lisboa card
To use on trams, trains or bus, it was not hard.
Yet people queued for over an hours wait
To board the infamous Tram Number 28.

So walked along pavements of black and white tile
Passing azulejo adorned buildings making you smile.
Strolled around the jacaranda edged Central Plaza
Partook in a coffee and of course a Pastel de Nata.

The Rua Augusta arch is imposingly tall
Up interior stairs ourselves we did haul.
To see sculptures and views across the sprawling city
Red roofed buildings, rather unkempt more’s the pity.

Onto Lisbon’s cathedral for which you have to climb
Up busy narrow streets arriving as the bells did chime.
Continued by bus to reach the Castello de Sao Jorge
Grabbed some fresh Bacalhau on which we did gorge.

The castle grounds were large, peacocks putting on a display
Numerous blooms in the garden providing a fragrant bouquet.
Along the high castle walls we walked around
Needed a lemon gelato before heading down.

As June is the time for multiple San Antonio celebrations
Descended alleyways festooned with colourful decorations.
Passed shops lined floor to ceiling with hundreds of tins
Incomprehensible they are all filled with local sardines!Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Lisbon, part two
May 27, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
At 6 a.m. we easily boarded that number twenty eight tram
Perfect to enjoy the circular route before the tourists cram.
A quick brekky, then by train to Belem and the monastery
Met with a very long queue so diverted to the L.X. Factory.

Here graffiti and street art certainly takes centre stage
For us though, beer and Peri peri chicken did assuage.
Perused the shops and a bookstore with a flying bike
Wearily I returned by train whilst Chris chose to hike.

Visiting the tile museum we got another early start
Seeing designs old, new plus intricate religious art.
After which we chose to cross the Tagus by ferry
To see the Christ statue in its special sanctuary.

Admired the expansive bridge similar to the Golden Gate
For our trip up in the Santa Justa lift we had quite a wait.
Refreshing rooftop drinks and to Lisboa made a toast
For tomorrow we will drive south to the Algarve Coast.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Algarve: Lagos to Silves
May 29, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Nearing Albufeira noticed a plethora of stork nests
Sheer numbers on powerlines undoubtedly a pest.
Settled into our resort, only a few groceries to get
Relaxed with a Vinho Verde watching the sunset.

Started the next day at gorgeous Ponta da Piedade
Viewing rock formations from a wooden promenade.
Where cliff tops enticed many walkers to rove
Steep stairs descended to a small beach cove.

Continued into Lagos with it’s palm lined boulevard
Popular with expats making parking extremely hard.
For lunch ordered grilled meats with potatoes fried
Along with a rose wine sangria, the first we’ve tried.

We then drove past the sheltered marina in Portimao
Strolled bougainvillea covered streets of Ferragudo.
Ventured onto Silves tucked away in the hinterland
It’s Castle and Cathedral looked impressively grand.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Algarve: Albufeira to Tavira
May 31, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
A pre sunrise start required for the Seven Valleys trail
That hugs the coastline undulating across seven vales.
Incredible topography carved out by Atlantic waves
The highlight of which is the infamous Benagil Cave.

Suddenly fog rolled in and our destination did hide
Returning to our car luckily managed to hitch a ride.
Later Albufeira’s colourful buildings we did view
As a must try seafood rice was our dinner menu.

Alte is a village that is locally more authentic
Spring fed water sources make it very aesthetic.
Tiled fountain and restful areas do appease
Along with unique decorative clay chimneys.

Exploring Tavira’s ancient castle was next on our list
It’s gardens and convent should also not be missed.
Entered town via Rio Gilao bridge edged with oleander
Quaint ceramic shops & squares perfumed by jacaranda.

A small detour to a derelict church in Olhao
Covered in graffiti, great street art on show.
Our final pool dip before we needed to repack
Heading inland tomorrow our itinerary on track.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Estromez & Evora
June 2, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Drove north on the N2 at Castro Verde made a stop
To see the Casa Dona Maria with it’s latticed rooftop.
At a Beja restaurant indulged in a surf and turf lunch
Discovered Portuguese barnacles are a tasty munch.

Area also famous for dishes using black pork
Plantations abound for items made from cork.
Noticed a few windmills in use to stone grind
Plus quarries where Alentejo marble is mined.

Our Estromez apartment was rustic and unique
Took an evening stroll around town to take a peak.
Squares, stairs and a rooftop bar above an old jail
Sipped local red wine watching daylight slowly pale.

The chapel of bones in Evora was a little gory
It’s cathedrals interior shone with ornate glory.
From the roof the whole city you can admire
Then take photos backdropped with it’s spire.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Elves & Monsanto
June 4, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Elves impresses with an aqueduct 4 arches high
Stretching 18kms carrying essential water supply.
This lesser known town felt eerily Covid like empty
Yet wandering the cemetery there’s graves aplenty.

Nossa Senhora da Graca is an amazing pentagonal fort
Ingeniously engineered and every invasion did thwart.
It’s extensive footprint gave us so much to explore
From the Governor’s house down to the armoury store.

Monsanto developed on a hill of granite stone
Uniquely building under boulders for it’s homes.
This ‘most Portuguese village’ awarded a silver rooster
Completing the uphill slog was an endorphin booster.

It’s medieval fortress important being so close to Spain
Interest rekindled due to ’House of Dragon’ film fame.
Trekked down, knees a wobble needed a seat
Gladly purchased a cool drink and a bite to eat.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Douro Valley
June 6, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
A few hours later arrived in Douro known for it’s wine
Distinct valley contours striped predominantly in vines.
Interspersed with fig, cherry and numerous orange trees
Crossed the river by bridges grouped together in threes.

Our winery apartment’s balcony afforded great sights
Twilight descended with an array of twinkling lights.
Toured major viewpoints for Chris’s drone to fly
At Regua’s Aneto Bar chose local produce to try.

In Amarante crossed Sao Goncalo bridge, not very wide
Perused a multitude of restaurants hugging the riverside.
Portugal is famous for its egg yolk pastries and sweets
Traditional here along with phallic shaped biscuit treats.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Geres & Braga
June 8, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Onto Peneda- Geres Park with it’s Spanish border
Noticed wooden corn drying huts lined up in order.
Navigated a rocky path being an original Roman way
Then settled into a renovated farm for our 2 night stay.

In Soutelo discovered an ancient boulder church so quaint
Unassuming but special for the locals ‘Lady of Lapa’ saint.
It’s charm and ethereal calm disrupted as we left
By a convoy of motorcycles arriving two abreast.

Bom Jesus church outside Braga is a pilgrimage sight
Impressive with it’s double stairs forming a zig zag flight.
Seems constantly in motion with tourists & joggers alike
Yet a stillness occurred at midday with the clock strike.

Braga centre is welcoming with a spacious town square
Tiled buildings provide shade from the sun’s strong glare.
The atmosphere and cathedral left us happily surprised
After an indulgent lunch with wine felt extremely civilised.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Porto
June 10, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Arriving in Porto was good to park the car for a few days
Exploring the area by foot, discovered much to be amazed.
Time on a rooftop with a local port and Super Bock beer
Anticipating our agenda amongst the relaxed atmosphere.

More tiled churches, markets & streets marked off our list
With a Francesinha sandwich rumoured not to be missed.
Sipped coffee whilst on a pastel de nata Chris chewed
Met a beautiful young couple being influencers of food.

Inevitably, numerous stairs climbed and bridges crossed
Via many interesting back streets we occasionally got lost.
In an eclectic bar sampled ports with a perfect view
Exhausted returned on the funicular despite the queue.

‘Portugal Day’ greeted us with layers of grey clouds
Trained it to Matosinhos hoping to avoid local crowds.
A busy fishing port synonymous for fresh seafood
Our loaded shellfish platter was exceedingly good.

Walking pavements amongst diners was quite a thrill
The air pungent & smokey from charred fish on the gril
In Ribera do Porto explored the crowded riverside
Holiday celebrations giving it an upbeat lively vibe.

Livraria Lello also known as the Harry Potter bookshop
Tickets needed for photos with the staircase backdrop.
Enjoyed our quick visit despite it being endmost
Car reloaded again then drove to the west coast.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Vatera & Aveiro
June 13, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
I’d map marked a couple of places worth a detour
Both charming but decidedly individual in their allure.
Pedra Chapel is situated on the wateredge of a beach
Ocean around it’s rock perch can make it hard to reach.

Igreja Santa Maria is unassuming at first sight
The church’s other facade is a special delight.
So colourful compared to traditional Portuguese tile
Fantastic to observe and also explore inside awhile.

It’s cemetery also entices one to walk around
Enjoying the peace of this less visited town.
Once seen nothing to keep us in Vatera
Next our accommodation at Casa Olivera.

Inclusive of a full buffet style breakfast
Complete with local produce amassed.
Salt flats and waterways are part of the locale
Aveiro centre having it’s own network of canals.

With bridges adorned with colourful ribbons a flutter
Under which multiple Molicerios navigate and putter.
Originally used to collect seaweed being farmed
Not quite Venice, but has it’s own unique charm.

Walking trails pass wetlands and around Aveiro Lagoon
The Atlantic Ocean’s power resides just over the dunes.
Where beaches stretch for miles soft and sandy
And homes are decorated in stripes like candy.

Called into the university town of Coimbra to peruse
Soaked up the atmosphere outside the Santa Cruz.
Listening to Fado, people in costumes not a joke
Part of Coimbra’s appeal, all students wear a cloak.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Obidos & Tomar
June 15, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Just outside of Obidos we settled into our new base
This medieval town soon became our favourite place.
Spent hours wandering it’s numerous alleyways
With intersecting staircases making it a maze.

Streets uneven with worn down cobblestones
Crammed by day with instagrammer’s phones.
Stores sell Ginja, cherry liquor in a chocolate cup
To reach the imposing castle you must climb up.

Far reaching views from the old castle walls
With the walkways rail less be mindful of falls.
Quieter evenings many restaurants do entice
To enjoy a local dish of delicious octopus rice.

Recommend a day trip to the unusual town of Tomar
With a Convent of Christ linked to the Knights Templar.
With Gothic/ Renaissance architecture & carvings
Endless tiled cloisters walked by many old Kings.

Spiral staircases from rooftop to cisterns underground
Park like gardens spread acres out into the surrounds.
Tomar’s riverside centre hides many appealing streets
Bifane sandwiches indulged in for our lunchtime treat.Read more
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Portugal BoomerangTravellers
Buddha Gardens & Sintra
June 17, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Felt a little sad when having to leave picturesque Obidos
So went to Buddha Eden Gardens at Quinta dos Loridos.
Whose sprawling estate is known for it’s quality of wine
Has 35 acres devoted to plants, art plus an Asian shrine.

A proud golden Buddha is flanked by warriors blue
Reached via a winding maze edged with tall bamboo.
A Japanese bridge spans across a carp filled lake
Following gravel paths that around statues snake.

Giant ornately carved stone deity heads
Arise from flowering hydrangea beds.
The various domains are distinctly Asian
Welcoming visitors to a spiritual haven.

Ventured onwards to our final place to stay
The newly renovated Collares Petit Palais.
Discovering Sintra by car left us bemused
Circular one way routes left us so confused.

Following day by foot we were still unsure
Waved down a tuk tuk and booked a tour.
Moorish Castle and the endless love fountain
Then Pena Palace atop of the steepest mountain.

A fairytale vision of bright yellow and red
Once entered so many more steps to tread!
It’s views and magnificence we did appreciate
Extremely crowded didn’t make us feel so great.

Descending, passed Quinta de Regaleria with it’s spiral well
Our tour ended outside Sintra Palace where royalty still dwell.
Successfully ticked off all the major highlights
Drove to Cascais ready to curb our appetite.

Lunched on periperi chicken & a cold beer
Then a dip in the ocean whilst we were here.
Our last day was spent locally, more relaxed
Then a final clear up before our bags repacked.

Three weeks in Portugal certainly opened our eyes
So many adventures and making memorable times.
West, south, east, north and lots more in between
Our route was thorough, so pleased we have been.Read more
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Trip end
June 19, 2025