Obidos, Portugal
With an abundance of sunshine, fabulous beaches, great wine, and affordable accommodation, Portugal is an appealing destination for winter-weary Canadians.
The preserved medieval town of Óbidos lying 100 km north of Lisbon is without doubt one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements. Walking the ramparts, visitors can enjoy views of windmills, vineyards and surrounding farmlands. In the residential area, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses sporting terracotta roofs. Within easy reach of Óbidos is Alcobaça, a town dominated by its 12th-century abbey. The restored monument houses the ornate tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro, the star-crossed lovers whom legend treats as the Romeo and Juliet of Portugal. Inside, visitors will find the exquisite Cloister of Silence. Of equal importance is Batalha, located 73 miles north of Lisbon and a short drive from Óbidos and Alcobaça. Its highlight is the stunning monastery built in the 15th and 16th centuries, a true masterpiece considered to be among the finest structures in Southern Europe. The tombs of King João I, his English wife Philippa of Lancaster, and their sons (including Henry the Navigator) are located here.
Airport: Fly into Lisbon International Airport.
Weather: Winters in Portugal are generally mild and usually accompanied by bright blue skies, and temperatures range from 10 -18 degrees Celsius.
Things to Do in Obidos
So much to do including golf, beach time, private wine tastings and tours can be arranged in the home of the renowned Port wine and so much more.
Explore the ruins of St George's Castle, Lisbon: Used to defeat the Moorish invaders, St George's offers the classic panoramic overlook of Lisbon, with a great view of Santuario do Cristo Rei, the 34-metre replica of Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, and the remains of a cathedral destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.
Test some port: With its low lighting, squidgy sofas and soft music, the Institute of Port Wine in Lisbon (a short tram-ride uphill from Praca dos Restauradores), is a great place to while away the hours with friends. A glass of the national snifter costs anywhere between €1 and €25 and goes best with Serra – a viscous cheese scooped up with crackers
Eat a meal to the sound of Fado: Fado is the traditional music of Portugal and in a Fado-themed restaurant; classic Portuguese food is served while guitar players and singers perform their lament.
Pick up a bargain at the Alfama market, Lisbon: Originally named Fiera da Ladra, or "Thief's Market", Alfama market has been selling tschoskes to bargain hunters for over hundreds of years. Hand-painted pottery and lace are among the most popular items, but you can find loads of deals on rugs, glassware, jewellery, books, old sailing gear and art. Sat and Tues 5am-1pm.
Jan 2012: In January the Algarve region hosts the Festa das Chouricas (Smoked Pork Sausages Festival) which is to honour St. Luis, the patron saint of animals. The Portuguese do love their pork! In Portugal events celebration there is a procession and a roasted "chourica" tasting.
Feb 2012: Art & Antiques Fair: Around eighty art collectors and antique dealers gather at the Lisbon Congress Centre to sell their valuable goods. The fair attracts approximately 10,000 people who are looking to buy unique pieces, from religious artifacts to ornate silver plates. Lisbon Congress Centre.
In the spring Portugal events run rampant. In Lisbon the annual International Half Marathon kicks off and is considered to be one of the most important athletic events in Lisbon. Other Portuguese events in spring include the World Fencing Cup, International Guitar Festival, May Fair and Wine Festival.
Parque Nacional da Peneda Gerês: The crown jewel of Portugal's national parks, with pine forests, boulder-strewn peaks and idyllic rivers.
Porto: An enchanting and verve-filled historic city with Roman ramparts, Parisian-style squares and chic clubs.
Castelo de Vide & Marvão: Tiny hilltop towns of flower-lined lanes, inspiring vistas and brooding old castles.
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela: Stunning alpine scenery complete with rounded peaks, crisp lakes and marvellous views, ideal for trekking.
Sintra: Fairy-tale setting of castles and misty forests, with a jewel-box sized village at its heart.
Lagos: Surfer-packed bars, diverse restaurants and endless beach - one of the Algarve's most happening destinations.
Tavira: set along a peaceful river, remains elegant and laid-back, with a history dating back to the Romans.
Evora: This walled town has seemingly been dropped into a field of vineyards, olive trees and flowers. The cathedral and Roman temple provide popular focal points, but the Ossuary chapel, made from thousands of human skulls and bones, is too bizarre to miss.
The Rossio, Lisbon: The actual name of this plaza is Praca D. Pedro IV, but if you want to sound like a local, go with "Rossio". With a new face-lift, the plaza looks better than ever, and it still acts as the heart of Lisbon
Marinha Grande: The Glass Museum is housed in a former factory founded in the XVIII century, the real Glass Factory, and contains glasses and crystals of various ages and manufacturing centers as well as machinery and tools related to the art glass industry through the ages.
Fátima: Visit sanctuaries, churches and chapels wrapped up in prayers that lead you to the Altar of the world: Fátima. There, under the protective look of Virgin, millions of pilgrims come every year, moved by a fiery faith, finally arriving to the city of peace, seeking tranquillity and meditation. This pilgrimage centre evokes the apparitions made by Our Lady to the three shepherds, Lúcia. Francisco and Jacinta, those took place in 1917 and were recognized in 1930. The Sanctuary complex includes the Basilica, a Prayer Area, the Chapel of Apparitions, the Our Lady of Suffering Retreat, the Our Lady of Rest Retreat, the Our Lady of Carmel Retreat and the Paul VI Pastoral Centre.
Alcobaça: Located in the valley of the Alcoa and Baça rivers, this town is known mainly for its Monastery and Royal Abbey of "Santa Maria de Alcobaça" (St. Mary of Alcobaça), founded in 1178, by the Cistercian monks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site construction fulfills a vow made by the 1st Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques, before the conquest of Santarém from the Moors. The monastery was built in the 12th century and is one of the first examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. In the 17th and 18th centuries the facade was reconstructed in a baroque style while the Gothic portal survived.
Batalha: Three years had passed from the date of the Aljubarrota battle (August 14th 1385), when a vow was made by King John I to Virgin Mary. The king had promised to build a monastery if he was successful in that historical battle. This was a decisive battle for the consolidation of the Portuguese independence against the Castilian and also for the establishment of the 2nd Portuguese dynasty. The flamboyant art used in this UNESCO World Heritage Site monument marks the climax of the Gothic style in Portugal and is a symbol of the late 15th century art. Not far from the entrance of the Monastery stands the Equestrian Monument of Nuno Álvares Pereira - Army Commander of the Kingdom. Dating from 1968, the statue honours the heroic commander that defeated an invading army three times its size, in the Aljubarrota Battle.
Caldas da Rainha: The town of Caldas da Rainha was founded by Dona Leonor, Queen of Portugal in 1485 and has passed through history with little involvement in the many struggles for power between the various warring armies. It is more a centre of thermal cures, a bountiful fruit farming area and a productive ceramic industry. Dona Leonor chose this location to be the seat for her personal creation, the charitable Foundation da Misericórdia that is still very active in Portugal today. The original purpose of the Foundation was to build and manage hospitals and homes for the old and needy. Today, the Foundation has spread its wings to obtain funds. They also manage all forms of Lotteries in Portugal!
Nazaré: Possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré is unique in many ways. It doesn't contain the architectural treasures or grandiose monuments prevalent in other Portuguese towns, but it has an atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and traditions which continue to thrive, which make it a special place to visit.
The wooden fishing boats still used today are colorful and narrow with curved prows and decoration evocative of the first fishermen of the area; the Phoenicians, who settled here in pre-Christian times. On some prows you'll even still see a watchful eye painted – in theory to detect the two most important things to a fisherman; shoals and storms – and many dangle lamps for fishing after sunset.
Wine Region: The "Oeste" territory is one of the most important wine-growing areas in Portugal and in the World. For several centuries, the vine-growing and wine production marks its presence in almost every municipal district of the region.
Tomar and the Convent of Christ: The Templar city of Tomar was the seat of the Order of the Temple until 1314, and of the Order of Christ from 1357. Part of the castle (1160) is the late 12th century octagonal Rotonda, a Romanesque sanctuary of eastern influence. UNESCO classified the Convent of Christ as a World Heritage Site in 1983. It covers an area of 54 000 m2, forty thousand of which is built on, which is roughly the area of an average medieval town. It is the largest area covered by any monument in Portugal and one of the largest in the world.