Nothing quite says "bucket list" like a cruise to Africa.
25.07.2024 - 00:35 / cntraveler.com
One of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon is an enchanting place—but let's face it, once you've seen the ceramic tiles, ridden the trams, and tasted the Pastéis de Belém, you might be ready to broaden your horizons. Portugal's treasures are well worth venturing beyond the capital city, and all you need is a rental car for the southern half of the country to open up to you. If it’s charming villages, stunning beaches, verdant mountains, and ancient castles you’re after, you'll find them all within a three hours' drive from Lisbon.
Whether you’re traveling with kids, a design-conscious companion, a gourmand, or simply venturing forth on your own, here are three famed road trips that will lead you into a variety of Portuguese scenery and stories.
Start your Lisbon retreat at Palacio Principe Real, a 19th-century palace hotel in the trendy Principe Real neighborhood, where the lovely antique-furnished suites offer yoga mats, handcrafted candles, and Smeg fridges filled with local treats, smoothies, and juices. Guests can relax in the wellness zone, the lush garden with its infinity pool, the living room or the library, and enjoy modern cuisine at EVOO restaurant.
The culinary adventure continues in Alentejo, the largest and most rural region of Portugal and a land of contrasts where you can find whitewashed towns, cork forests, and dreamy vineyards. Just over an hour on the way from Lisbon to Évora is the small town of Montemor-o-Novo, which doesn’t draw a horde of tourists but offers curious visitors the chance to wander around the remains of a medieval castle perched on a hill, and the Convent of São Francisco with its interesting frescoes and sculptures. Not far is L’And Vineyards, a hidden gem of a hotel (a Relais & Chateaux property) that will delight foodies and wine lovers—and a perfect base to explore this corner of Alentejo.
L’And combines modern architecture with nature, offering 22 suites with private terraces, some of which have bedrooms with retractable roofs that allow you to sleep under the stars. The hotel also has an outdoor saline pool, a tennis court, a library, and a wine club where you can taste and blend your own wine during a guided experience with the winemaker. Other highlights include the spa and the restaurant, both of which are inspired by Alentejo products. The spa offers treatments based on grape extracts, olive oil, honey, and herbs, as well as vinotherapy sessions that promise to rejuvenate your skin and body. Meanwhile, Mapa Restaurant leads diners on a culinary journey, with each dish taking cues from a destination, such as the Mozambique-inspired Algarve coast shrimp served with matapa, peanuts, and coconut.
About an hour from the hotel is Évora, a UNESCO World
Nothing quite says "bucket list" like a cruise to Africa.
With stunning views, historic landmarks and a vibrant culture, the Tagus River is the lifeblood of Lisbon and offers a variety of experiences that cater to every traveller. Here, the team at Visit Lisbon (https://www.visitlisboa.com/) recommends their must-include activities and attractions for an unforgettable short break exploring Lisbon’s riverfront
Summer in Lisbon is said to be sunny, sweltering, and colorful—packed to the brim with exciting activities like public concerts, festivals, and immersive experiences. When planning my first trip to Portugal, I was excited to visit the city that many of my friends and family have called “their favorite in the world” during this season. And while there was certainly no shortage of amazing hotels in the city to choose from, my sister and I decided to stay in an Airbnb so as to get a bit more of a local experience during the five nights we were there. When searching for a place to stay, we looked mostly in Alfama, a neighborhood with easy access to dozens of restaurants, shops, and city viewpoints.
Heading off on a long car journey this weekend? Take extra care, as some of Europe’s top holiday hotspots are among the deadliest places in Europe for driving, a new study reveals.
Pantone is just like us, in the sense that they, too, are setting their intentions for the year — one filled with strength and energy. The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering. “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration… [It] revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.” A year surrounded by joy and self-expression sounds like a year well spent to us.
UN Tourism and TUI Care Foundation have solidified their ongoing partnership by signing an agreement at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid. The agreement focuses on empowering artists and artisans, particularly women and youth, in rural tourism destinations in Africa. With this new agreement, TUI Care Foundation becomes the first partner to support the pilot phase of the Tourism for Rural Development Small Grants Programme by UN Tourism.
Holland America Line is offering a unique way to see the solar eclipse that will cross over Europe in 2026 by sailing a trio of cruises into the path of totality.
The war between the Greens and the Blacks has gotten off to a brutal start throughout House of the Dragon season two, resulting in tragic deaths, gruesome injuries, and an awful lot of scheming. The series, which sees the reign of Westeros heir Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) threatened by her half-brother King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), has brought its battles to the shores of Cornwall, the forest of Bourne Wood, and the streets of Cáceres, Spain. Like its predecessor Game of Thrones, the fantastical HBO series has built its vast world using a combination of sets and real-world locations—with the help of CGI, of course.
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