This collection of historic villages located on the eastern side of Central Portugal provides a unique escape from hectic urban life. Each village has its own distinctive character and is worthy of a day trip, weekend get-away or extended holiday.
Casas do Côro is the project of area entrepreneurs Paulo and Carmen Romão. Imagine a medieval village transformed into a...
Ovos moles are sweets, originating in the convents, made of egg yolks and sugar, wrapped in a thin wheat crust (the same dough used for “Hosts” in Catholic Masses). The sweets are molded into shapes symbolic of the Aveiro region, such as clams, mussels, fish, crabs, barrels, sea buoy, walnuts and chestnuts.
One of the hottest new restaurants in Portugal is a small little neighborhood spot in Aveiro. It’s called O Bairro....
Our lovely, personable and knowledgeable guide for the trip, Silvia Aires from Turismo Centro de Portugal, set our agenda to start at the University of Coimbra. This also happens to be the highest point in the city. This hilltop positioning is no accident. Not only is height an excellent vantage point to see all of Coimbra and the River Mondego, but it is also a symbolic reference to the importance knowledge and education is placed in the heritage and pride of the Portuguese people.
“Schist” is a type of crystalline metamorphic stone. It is easily split, creating a flat surface. For centuries, this “horizontal” stone became the ideal building material to create weatherproof, secure houses. Today, many original homes made of schist still stand and are remain occupied by the residents of the village.
In recent years, the church was abandoned and fell into ruin. Yet, literary champions from popular bookstore Ler Devagar in Lisbon recognized potential in the structure. They corralled support from the European investors to the tune of €300,000...
Sitting on top of one of Portugal’s highest peaks is a resort hotel unlike any other in the country. It...