Discover Portugal Travel

13/01/2025

In the Maritime Museum in Lisbon, Portuga can be seen the majestic royal Bergantin, built in 1780 by Queen D. Maria I, is on display. This was the Portuguese Royal Barge that was used almost continuously from when it was built to bring visitors, usually from other Royal families, from the boats in the harbor of Lisbon to the seaside where they would be received by Portuguese official delegations. .

The last time this barge was used was a 1957 on the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

This ship stands out for its opulent works of art in gold that adorn its entire helmet, with a refinement especially evident in the stern.

After being transferred to the Naval Museum in 1963, the galleon was meticulously restored, thus maintaining its original splendor.

The Lisbon Maritime Museum is one of the most prominent in Europe and reflects the rich naval tradition of Portugal, which for centuries was a nation closely linked to the sea.

11/01/2025

Let's welcome our new followers António Magalhães Carlos Arantes Lillian Costa Miguel Silva Jen Rowens Oystein Sund

11/01/2025

Excited to announce our 2025 Portugal Private Day Trip to Evora and Cartuxa Winery Private Tour.

You'll see two llaces in Portugal located several hours from Lisbon, learn about the importance of Evora in the growth of the Portuguese nation and the wines produced the Eugénio de Almeida family in an estate that was, before 1776, a Jesuit retreat. In the 19th century, it was acquired by the Eugénio de Almeida family, undergoing renovations and extensions over time, which always respected the richness of its architecture and still produces it's famous wines of which some profits are earmarked for regional educational programs for the lesser fortunate in society.

The tours are private reserved for your party with driver and guides.

https://discoverportugaltravel.com/evora-quinta-valbom-winery-private-tour/

25/12/2024

Exactly 500 years ago, Vasco da Gama died in Conchin, India.

The Portuguese navigator and explorer became the first European to reach India. He crossed the Atlantic and Indian Oceans with around 180 men, including sailors, soldiers and religious men, distributed across four vessels. He arrived in Calicut on May 20, 1498, thus opening the way to the Indies.

23/12/2024

Boas festas | Happy Christmas | 2024

06/12/2024

Brasileira café in Lisbon.

Was founded on the 19th of November in 1905 and is one of the three oldest cafes in Lisbon that up until the the year 2024 is still open.

We cannot talk about the cafe without talking about one of Portugal's most famous 20th century writers, Fernando Pessoa Who frequented the cafe.

The founder was a Portuguese that went to Brazil and when he returned he decided to make a group of coffee shops that imported Brazilian coffee.

This is one of the most emblematic cafes you can visit and it continues to draw both residents in Lisbon and Portuguese people as well as tourists everyday..

29/10/2024

96 yr old hotel in Macao restored to it's glory days. Love reading about the cultural achievements the Portuguese people left throughout the word. This hotel is located in Macao, a former Spain and Portugal Vacations Portuguese colony now part of China.

It has all the characteristics of Portuguese architecture with many things instantly recognizable' the tiles floors, austere facade, color schemes, although this green is not that commonly found.

Simon Sio grew up in an old building in the heart of Macao, directly across from what was then one of the city’s finest accommodations, Hotel Central. Decades later, he’s now the owner of this recently reopened grande dame.

19/10/2024

Olá, Hola and Hello,

This group is run by me, Gregory Edward, founder and owner of Spain and Portugal Vacations and Discover Portugal Travel. www.spainandportugalvacations.com

We're all about helping to explore Spain and Portugal through a personal way of touring; traveling with your friends, family, and maybe part of a small group limited to 15 people sharing similar interests.

We follow the philosophy of leaving as little of a footprint behind as we tour throughout both countries by never organizing large public tours.

With this of travel you're able to get to know the culture, traditions, and way of life that have been followed for generations, sometimes for centuries, and gain an understanding for the people who live here , their way of life and gain an appreciation for a culture other than your own.

We welcome and encourage anybody that's a member of our group to post what they think is interesting from their own experiences as they have traveled through both Portugal and Spain. (The only thing we ask is that you do not advertise any businesses).

Please be kind and helpful to others and let's make this a wonderful place for people to explore and share what you think reflect the best of Spain and Portugal.

Feel free to follow our other pages and groups which are linked below 👇

Spain and Portugal Guided Tours

Portugal Unveiled: Lisbon and Beyond

Portugal and Spain Food, Wine & Cultural Tours

Welcome to Spain & Portugal Vacations where we design bespoke experiences crafted to match your unique tastes style of travel. We work with discerning travelers who are curious explorers, lifelong learners and connoisseurs of the finer things in life. Whether envisioning a romantic getaway, a family...

06/07/2024

Dreaming of the beautiful blue ocean, the waves crashing on to the beach and the sounds of the seagulls flying over our heads.

04/07/2024

Do you know the story of Portuguese blue and white tiles; azuleijos?

Would anyone like a post about the ajuleijos?

21/06/2024

ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕃𝕚𝕤𝕓𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤, 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕚𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕔 𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝 𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜.

Palace of the Dukes os Lafoes ou Grilos, Beato, Lisbon

The 1st Duke of Lafões directed the construction of Grilo Palace after Lisbon's massive earthquake on 1 November 1755.

The palace was the first official headquarters of the Portuguese Academia of Sciences when the 2nd Duke lived here.
- the photo with a pink rectangular framing was taken in that same room which still exists today almost exactly when it was built.

The interiors are characterized by decorative richness of murals and the famous blie and white tiles called Azulejos. The ones you see today are from the period when the palace was constructed. Found inside are mural painting sets by Cirilo Wolkmar Machado, and the tiles from the 18th and 19th centuries, which decorate the palace's themed rooms (Academy Room, Venus Room, Chinese Room) .

In 2011 the palace was classified as a Monument of Public Interest.

In 2018 the palace was purchased from the family of the Dukes of Lafoes. In 2022, the Palais was restructured by architect Julien Labrousse and in 2023 the project was laureate of the Versailles Prize - the UNESCO World Prize for Architecture and Design.

16/06/2024

𝕃𝕚𝕤𝕓𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝 𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤⨟ 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕠𝕦𝕣 ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕃𝕚𝕤𝕓𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤, 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕚𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕔 𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝 𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕪, 𝕚𝕟 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜.

The photograph with the sailboats is the location of Park Edward VII sometime around the year 1935. The sailboats are on a lake formed inside of which was once a rock quarry. Today that same area has been filled and made into a grass covered park with incredible views of Lisbon. Where you see people at the forefront of the photo is approximately where you will find today the beautiful Pavilhao Carlos Lopes, worth visiting for the stunning blue and white azulejos (tiles) which are covering the facade of the main entrance.

The image of a train station is the still standing Estacao de Santa Apolonia ( train station) built in the 1880’s and the first train station into Lisbon. In this image, you see that the Tejo river abuts the train station. You will not see this today as the land has been filled in and now the Tejo river is several hundred meters from the station. If arriving by cruise ship the new dock area was once part of the Tejo River when this image was made, is shown next to the station.

CCB - Centro Cultural de Belem. The Belém Cultural Centre was prepared in a very short period (1989–1992). Completed in 1992, it occupies a total of 100,000 m2 and is the work of architects Vittorio Gregotti and Manuel Salgado; the interior design was planned by Daciano Costa. The Performing Arts Centre, the core of the site's cultural and artistic activities, it includes two auditoriums (the larger holding 1,429 seats and the smaller with 348 seats), rehearsal hall with 72 seats, in order to support film, opera, ballet, theatre and music events, and since June 2007, it has been the venue for the Foundation of Modern and Contemporary Art (the Berardo Museum Collection). https://www.ccb.pt/en/

Monument of the Discoveries. One of my favourite images of this iconic Lisbon landmarks as it becomes visible whilst arising out of the early morning rising steam from the dew covered park. This monument was built for the Portuguese World Exposition in 1940 that marked the 800 year anniversary of the founding of Portugal and 300 years since Independence from Spain. It was located in the Praca Imperio where today are found the CCB (above), Tower of Belem and Monastery of Jerónimos. The monument has colossal figures of people from Portuguese history with Prince Henry the Navigator standing at the bow of the monument shaped to resemble a sailing ship. The monument itself was dismantled in 1958 and rebuilt in 1960 to commemorate the 500 year anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigators death.

When travelling to Lisbon, our guides are able to accommodate a private tour for you and those in your party. We’ll provide all the transportation you need as well as any entry tickets required.

Feel free to contact: spainandportugalvacations.com

www.spainandportugalvacations.com

07/06/2024

𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐬......... 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐬

Portuguese gastronomy is one of the greatest treasures Portugal has. In a world where restaurants are becoming fancier and fancier, it is still possible to find traditional snacks in traditional restaurants.


Usually, locals, when meeting friends, for example, may seek out the greatest “Tasca” with the best “petiscos”. The “petiscos”, or snacks, may be different from region to region, but the flavours and the atmosphere around the table with some bifanas and a beer are inexplicable.

Bifanas

Not only found in a Tasca but also in popular parties. Bifanas are probably the most famous Portuguese snacks, being common to see people eating one or two for breakfast, with a beer, or two, of course.

Some believe that this pork sandwich is typically from Alentejo, however, some recipes made in North Portugal are as great as the bifanas made in Alentejo, for example.

Bifana is a sandwich with pork meat, sliced very thinly, cooked in oil, and seasoned with spices and white wine. In Porto, the recipe also includes tomato sauce, adding acid flavour to the dish. It is impossible to eat only one bifana, usually, people ask for, at least, two, so it can be properly enjoyed!

Pipis

Hearing that people eat chicken gizzards, livers, hearts, and necks may seem weird, but if put together by the right cook, people will definitely taste Portuguese culture in a dish.

Properly cooked, the “pipis” are definitely a great snack to have at the table, with friends or family.

Cooked in a sauce with white wine and tomato sauce. Because of this sauce, it is imperative to have loads of bread, pão alentejano would be the greatest.

Combining the bread and the sauce will take people’s palate to heaven, especially with a bit of “piri-piri”, to spice things up.

Peixinhos da horta

Portuguese cuisine is not only about meat. There are also vegetarian snacks, like peixinhos da horta. Literally translated to “farm’s little fishes”, this dish has nothing to do with fish, besides probably its shape.

This recipe is fried green beans that were involved in batter, similar to tempura, which, by the way, has a Portuguese origin. Besides not being the most common snack, it may be found in some specific restaurants.

Chouriço Assado

Chouriço assado is probably the easiest recipe out of all the dishes mentioned before. All it requires is a clay grill and alcohol, to make sure the chouriço is grilled with proper fire.

Some people may cut all the chouriço, without completely slicing it, making the grilling process much easier and quicker.

Similarly to other Portuguese “petiscos”, chouriço assado goes well with bread and cheese.

Read the full article by clicking on this link.

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-06-01/spain-may-have-tapas-but-portugal-has-petiscos/89399

25/04/2024

I have so many memories of being a Lisbon and other places in Portugal on April 25th.

My sincerest hope is that everyone in Portugal keeps in mind this seminal event in its history provided the Portuguese people with the freedoms and liberties they enjoy in the 2024 on the 50th anniversary.

Milhares de pessoas assistiram ao Desfile Militar no Terreiro do Paço que, pela manhã, assinalou os 50 Anos do 25 de Abril.🌹
Mais de 1000 militares envolvidos, 13 aeronaves, 18 viaturas e 6 navios.
O desfile incluiu uma recriação histórica da “Operação fim de Regime”, com uma coluna de Veículos Militares Antigos.

📷 CML | Ana Sofia Serra e Armindo Ribeiro

25/04/2024

Today marks the 25th of April which most Portuguese people remember and honor as the day in 1974 when the tyrannical regime of the Estado Novo was overthrown by the Movement of the Portuguese Armed Forces and the rising up of the majority of the population of Portugal, in all parts of the country but most notably in the capital city of Lisbon and most of the rural areas of Central and SouthernPortygak

Portugal Unveiled: Lisbon and Beyond

The Carnation Revolution that happened on April 25, 1974, ended the Second Republic or Estado Novo regime, which was the longest dictatorship in europe, which lasted for 48 years. Seems almost impossible to imagine that such a peaceful and successfully Democratic country had been for so many years controlled by a small group of men, and very few women in positions of power. It's also sadly a day that is somewhat distant in the memories of people who are now in their 20s and 30s and younger who live in Freedom and are able to express themselves in their lives without fear of being imprisoned or retribution against them, often in the form of being unable to have a well-paying job as a professional unless they were part of the repression apparatus of the regime.

Portugal and Spain Food, Wine & Cultural Tours

Carnations became a symbol of the revolution.

During the final stages of the revolution, carnations were put into rifle muzzles and on uniforms as the soldiers joined the coup. Since then, carnations have become a symbol of the peaceful rebellion and therefore the name "Carnation Revolution."

Grândola, Vila Morena" became an iconic song in Portugal after being used as a radio-broadcast signal by the Portuguese Armed Forces Movement during their military coup operation on the morning of 25 April 1974, which led to the Carnation Revolution and the transition to democracy in Portugal.

24/04/2024

On April 25th Portugal will mark the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution which occurred on the 25th of April 1974. That day, early in the morning, the movement of the Portuguese Armed Forces that had formed due to discontent with the longest Colonial War in European history, starting the the early 1960s, played a song over the radio called Grandôla, which was the signal for the uprising to begin.

The Carnation Revolution ended the Second Republic or Estado Novo regime, which was the longest dictatorship in Western Europe, lasting for 48 years. Put in perspective, the regime that controlled Portugal with one man at the helm for all but 4 to 5 years, lasted longer Mussolini in Italy, Franco in Spain, all Soviet bloc countries with the exception of the Soviet Union.

Another fact can be said that Antonio Salazar, who was the dictator of Portugal during these years, modeled himself and his Corporate State after the fascist movements in Italy and Germany.

In hindsight, it seems almost impossible to imagine that Portugal, a peaceful democratic country today, had been for so many years a repressive dictatorship controlled by a small group of men who based their legitimacy on bringing Portugal out of a period that proceeded their rule, following the dissolution of the monarchy and many failed attempts to restore order during the following 20 odd years. They had indeed managed to restore order, but the cost of their success in that arena set the stage for their repressive regime; something that 50 years later every person in Portugal and throughout the world should recognize still happens in countries in all parts of the world by men (which is always the case) who believe "they alone can fix the problems" when in truth their goals are enrichment for themselves and their most devoted followers.

In Portugal, 50 years later, people live in Freedom and are able to express themselves through free elections and peaceful demonstrations without fear of being imprisoned or retribution against them, often in the form of being unable to have a well-paying job as a professional or partaking in the governing of their country unless they are part of the repression apparatus of the regime, to the detriment of the majority of the population.

Carnations became a symbol of the revolution.

During the final stages of the revolution, carnations were put into rifle muzzles and on uniforms as the soldiers joined the coup. Since then, carnations have become a symbol of the peaceful rebellion and therefore the name "Carnation Revolution." If you're in Lisbon on the 25th of April for the day proceeding it, you will see everywhere red carnations for sale. That is the significance of those carnations and Avail yourself to one as you become a small part of the commemoration of the Carnation Revolution.

If you like this post and are interested in learning more about Portugal and neighboring Spain through our travel company which prepares private, curated vacations, we welcome you to get in touch at your convenience to plan your next trip.

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The Best Photos of Portugal and Spain

Portugal Unveiled: Lisbon and Beyond

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22/04/2024

Carlos Seixas - Sonata No. 69 in a minor 1. [Allegro]Manuel Fernandes, piano© 2008-2015 Manuel Fernandes The main purpose of reco...

22/04/2024

Follow the link of this post to see and listen to his Youtube page with many more compositions of Carlos Seixas. Discover Portugal Travel Portugal and Spain Food, Wine & Cultural Tours Portugal Unveiled: Lisbon and Beyond Be sure to follow our other pages dedicated to and

Carlos Seixas - Sonata No. 69 in a minor 1. [Allegro]Manuel Fernandes, piano© 2008-2015 Manuel Fernandes The main purpose of reco...