Next Stop…Sintra, Portugal

Located just 30 minutes from Lisbon, the town of Sintra has long been a favorite destination for monarchs, poets, and visitors looking for a special place to get away. Whether you visit as a day trip from Lisbon, or stay for a few days, you are sure to be captivated by the town that UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site.  This enchanting town boasts fairytale palaces, incredible vistas, and a castle that was once the summer residence of the monarchs.

The centerpiece of Sintra is the Palácio Nacional de Pena, which was built in 1838. The palace is perched high on a hilltop overlooking the city, and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Other places of interest include Pena Park, the Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) that was built between the 8th and 9th centuries, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, and the Quinta de Regaleria (19th C. manor house). For more information on Sintra click here. 

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Next Stop…Estremoz, Portugal

Located in the Alentejo region about 170 km east of Lisbon is the town of Estremoz. The region is known for its vast rolling hills, cork production, and marble quarries, and Estremoz is the largest of the marble towns that dot this region.

Today the town is known for the charming clay figurines that are still handcrafted locally. You can shop for the figurines and other local earthenware pottery and cheeses at the Saturday market that is held in the Rossio Marquês de Pombal square.  It is one of the largest markets in Portugal. There is also a Rural Museum that displays archaeological finds and a unique collection of painted clay figures from the 17th and 18th Centuries.

The centerpiece of town is the 14th C. castle that was built by King Diniz for his beloved Queen, Saint Isabel. This royal palace has been converted into the Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the town. For more information on the Pousada click here.

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Next Stop…Figueres, Spain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you are looking for a day trip outside of Barcelona, or planning to explore the Catalán region, Figueres is the perfect place to include in your itinerary. Located about an hour and a half north of Barcelona (86 miles), Figueres is easily reached by car via the A-7 highway north towards France. There are also a number of trains from Barcelona that currently make the journey in about 2 hours; this time should be reduced in 2012 when service is added from Barcelona to Figueres on the AVE, which is Spain’s high-speed train.

Figueres is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, the surrealist artist who was born in 1904. The main attraction in town is the Teatre-Museu Dalí, which incorporates the town’s theater from when Dali was a child, and the Torre Galatea, which is where the artist spent the latter part of his life until his death in 1989. You can visit Dalí’s crypt in the basement of the museum.

Visitors to the museum will see the largest and most diverse collection of Dalí’s works, including paintings, sculptures, 3-dimentsional collages, and furniture, gathered primarily from the artist’s own collection. There is also a gallery that exhibits an impressive and unique collection of jewelry that was designed by Dalí. For more information on the museum click here

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Cataluña’s Priorat Wine Region (Spain): Region revitalization and quality recognition (Part 2)

The revitalization of wine production in the Priorat region began in 1979 when René Barbier, whose family hailed from Avignon in France, and Alvaro Palacios, whose family hailed from Spain’s famed Rioja wine region, began buying land and planting new vineyards in the region, which were called clos. Others soon followed, and from 1989-1991 the first 3 vintages were produced by a group of five wineries that pooled their grapes at a shared winery in Gratallops. The wines were sold under five labels: Cos Mogador (Barbier), Clos Dofi – which was later renamed Finca Dofi (Palacios), Clos Erasmus, Clos Martinet, and Clos de l’Obac. From 1992 onwards the winemakers began producing their wines separately, and focused their attention on producing high-quality wines, with good results.

In 2000 the Catalan government raised the region’s designation to Qualified Designation of Origen - DOQ (in Catalán) or DOCa (in Spanish) - which is an elevated status that recognizes the high quality and uniqueness of the wines being produced in the region. The Rioja wine region is the only other region of Spain that is recognized with DOQ/DOCa status.

Today, wines sold under the labels of the pioneers who revitalized Priorat and put this small wine producing region on the world map are winning high scores and praise from critics and consumers alike, and are also commanding high prices. Alvaro Palacios’ L’Ermita 2002 sells for $250 and receives scores of 93, while Celler Mas Doix and Clos Erasmus have also garnered high scores and much acclaim.

Our next post in the series will talk about what makes the Priorat wines so unique, and what types of wines are produced.

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Next Stop…Arraiolos, Portugal

Arraiolos is a charming town nestled in the hills of Portugal’s Alentejo region, located only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Lisbon. Driving through the open, rolling plains to Arraiolos makes for a great day trip for visitors who want to get out of the city and experience a traditional town in the country’s heartland.

The history of Arraiolos can be traced back to the 2nd C. BC, and the remains of the 14th C. castle and 16th C. church can still be visited today. But most visitors to Arraiolos come to visit the stores and workshops that sell the famous hand woven wool rugs that the town is best known for. The history of rug making in Arraiolos dates back to the 13th C., when it is believed that Moors introduced the craft of rug making to the local residents. The rugs continue to be completely hand made today by local women using a needlepoint stitch that is applied on a sturdy canvas. The original designs were inspired by traditional Persian rug designs, and over the years the styles have evolved to include figures and animals, as well as more contemporary designs. Don’t worry if you fall in love with one of the rugs, as local merchants can either fold the rug down to a manageable size, or ship it home to you to avoid the hassle of having to carry it back. For more information on the town, click here.

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Next Stop…Málaga, Spain

The city of Málaga is located on the southern coast of Spain, on the Costa del Sol. This gateway city is bordered by the Mediterranean to the south, and by mountains to the north, and offers something for every visitor.

A must see for visitors is the Cathedral of Málaga. It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and combines a Baroque style façade and a Renaissance style interior. Other must see sites include the Castle of Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba fortress. They are located nearby on a hill within the city.
After taking in these sites, you can relax and take an evening stroll with the locals who crowd the popular pedestrian street, Marqúes de Larios. Do as many do and sit at an outdoor café, or do some shopping in the stores that line the busy streets of the historic city center.

Art lovers and fans of famed artist Pablo Picasso will find plenty to do in the city. Picasso was born in Málaga in 1861, and his birthplace is open to the public. In 2003, the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the Picasso Museum, which is housed in the 16th C. Palacio de Buenavista. The impressive museum displays nearly 300 of the artist’s works which came from his heirs’ private collection. For more information on the museum:

• Palacio de Buenavista
• San Agustín, 8
• Málaga, Spain
• Phone: (952) 12 76 00
• Website: Museo Picasso Málaga

The latest addition to Málaga’s thriving art scene is the Carmen Thyssen Málaga Museum, which was inaugurated in 2011. The museum houses 230 pieces from the baronesses’ personal collection of primarily 19th C. Spanish paintings. For more information:

• Plaza Carmen Thyssen (C/Compañía, 10)
• Málaga, Spain
• Phone: (902) 30 31 31
• Website: Carmen Thyssen Malaga

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Next Stop…Segovia, Spain

Located just an hour north of Madrid, the enchanting city of Segovia is a perfect day trip from Madrid. In the span of just one day you can see a Roman aqueduct, a Gothic cathedral, a castle that looks like it came straight out of a fairy-tale, and end the day by enjoying a meal of roast suckling pig.

The most impressive sight in Segovia is the Roman Aqueduct that was built in the 1st C. It is a true marvel of Roman engineering, as its 163 arches and 120 columns is built on two levels, and was constructed using large stone blocks that fit together without the use of any kind of mortar or plaster. It is one of the largest and best preserved aqueducts in the world. The Cathedral of Segovia was built in the 16th C. and was the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. The Alcázar castle sits high on a hilltop, and some say it was the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom castle used by Walt Disney.

Besides its impressive monuments, Segovia is also known for its food. Favorite local dishes include judiones de La Granja, a stew made with the large white beans from La Granja, Castilian soup, made with garlic and bread, and the most famous dish of all – cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Visitors flock to local institutions, including Mesón de Cándido (the most famous) and Casa Duque (the oldest), to sample this traditional dish.

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Next Stop…Braga, Portugal

Visitors to northern Portugal should be sure to stop in Braga, the oldest city in Portugal. Located in the northwestern corner of the country, Braga was established in 27 BC by the Romans, and is one of the oldest Christian cities in the world.

Braga is also the capital of the Minho region, a region best known for its colorful festivals, baroque churches, well-preserved cities and lush vegetation. The city's young population, attractive historic center, and lively streets make Braga an excellent base from which to explore this beautiful area. For more information on the city, click here.

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Next Stop…Aranjuez, Spain

Located about 40 minutes south of Madrid, Aranjuez is a great day trip for visitors who want to get away from the city. It is easily reached by car via the A-4 highway, or by train or bus from central Madrid. 

The main site of interest is the Royal Palace, which was commissioned by Philip II in the mid-18th C. The main palace building is impressive and is entered through a cobblestone courtyard.  Set in one of the gardens is the Casa del Labrador, which was built in 1803 and was modeled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles.  There are a number of gardens surrounding the palace, including the impressive Jardín del Principe (the Prince’s Garden) and the Jardín de la Isla (the Garden of the Island). For more information on the Royal Palace in Aranjuez click here

Locals flock to Aranjuez from May to July to enjoy the delicious locally grown strawberries that are served with fresh whipped cream (fresas con nata). A fun way to make the trip from Madrid is to take the Tren de la Fresa (Strawberry Train), which was built in 1851 and was the country’s second train line. The one hour ride is a unique experience, as passengers ride in beautifully restored trains from the early 1900s that are attended by staff who are dressed in period costumes. The train leaves from the Museo del Ferrocarril (Railroad Museum) in Madrid on Saturdays and Sundays in May, June, September and October. For more information on the Strawberry Train click here

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Next Stop…Córdoba, Spain

Córdoba is a former Roman city that is perhaps best known for its Mezquita (mosque), which was built between the 8th and 10th centuries, at a time when Córdoba was the largest and most prosperous city in Europe. For several centuries it served as a striking symbol of the Moors' conquest of the peninsula and Córdoba's importance as the center of Muslim power in Spain.

Many people will make a stop in Córdoba on their way to or from Sevilla in order to see the magnificent Mezquita. But Córdoba has so much more to offer than just the Mezquita, and visitors who linger here for more than a few hours will get a chance to enjoy the charm that can be found by wandering through its picturesque streets. Besides the historic treasures found in this city, there is also a lively social scene that can best be enjoyed in the bars and restaurants that abound. For more information from the Córdoba Tourist Office click here

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Next Stop…Toledo, Spain

Perched on a hilltop and surrounded on three sides by the Rio Tajo (Tagus River), Toledo is located in the center of Spain and is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha. In the 6th C. it served as the capital of Spain, but later lost its political prominence in the 16th C. when the capital was moved to Madrid. Over the centuries, the influence of the Arabs, Christians and Jews have been prominent, and as a result, Toledo has been known as the "city of the three cultures."

Toledo is perhaps most famous for inspiring some of the famous works of El Greco, who made Toledo his home in his latter life. A number of the painter's works can be seen at the El Greco House-Museum located in the old Jewish Quarter. Although the house was not the painter's original home, it is a reproduction of a 16th C. house with a courtyard, and the museum contains numerous works by the painter, as well as other 17th C. Spanish artists.  

Other sites to see in Toledo include: the magnificent Cathedral which was completed in the 15th C. and is considered one of the greatest Gothic structures in the world, the Alcázar (fortress) which dominates the city's skyline, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé, a small chapel in the Jewish Quarter that houses El Greco's masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, the Museo-Hospital de Santa Cruz, a museum that displays El Greco's The Assumption of the Virgin, along with other works by Goya, Ribera, as well as gold items, Flemish tapestries and antique furnishings, and the synagogues of Santa María La Blanca (12th C.) and El Tránsito. For more information from the tourist office of Toledo click here

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Next Stop...Guimarães (Portugal)

The picturesque medieval town of Guimarães is located about 30 miles northeast of Porto, in the heart of the Minho region. It is the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and was the country's first capital. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and will be the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

On a hilltop just outside of town is a 12th C. Augustinian monastery that was built by Teresa, the mother of Afonso Henriques. There is also a Manueline church that still offers Mass on Sunday, along with extensive grounds and beautifully maintained gardens.

Today the monastery welcomes guests as the Pousada de Guimarães, Santa Marinha. It is one of the most impressive hotels in the Pousadas group, and was awarded the coveted Europa Nostra prize for its renovation and restoration. The Pousada has 49 rooms and 2 suites that are outfitted in traditional Portuguese style and have been equipped with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy the views of the city below from the beautiful outdoor swimming pool and gardens that surround the hotel.

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Next Stop...Setúbal (Portugal)

 

 

 

Located about 25 minutes southeast of Lisbon is the city of Setúbal, one of Portugal’s oldest cities. It lies on the bank of the Sado River, and is perhaps best known for being the center of Portugal’s sardine industry, and for the fine muscatel wine that bears its name.

Day trippers visit Setúbal to enjoy the long expanses of white sandy beaches found on the Peninsula of Tróia, which can be reached by ferry. Nature lovers enjoy the wide variety of indigenous vegetation that can be found in the Arrábida Natural Park, and can also watch dolphins in the wild at the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve. For more information from the Câmara Municipal de Setúbal click here

Also located in Setúbal is the 17th C. fortress-castle that is located high on a hilltop and overlooks the Sado River and the Tróia Peninsula. Today the fortress operates as a hotel - the Pousada de São Felipe. For more information on the Pousada click here

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Next Stop...Palacio Real de la Granja, Segovia (Spain)

 

 

If you are planning a day trip to Segovia, be sure to include in your itinerary a stop in the town of La Granja de San Idelfonso to see the Royal Palace of La Granja. It is located about 15 minutes southeast of Segovia, or about an hour drive north of Madrid.

La Granja was the summer palace of the Bourbon kings. It was built from 1719-1739 by Philip V, the grandson of Louis XIV, who attempted to replicate the grandeur of his birthplace, Versailles. The word granja means farm, and there was once a farm on the site of the palace. Visitors to La Granja can tour the palace and gardens, and see a collection of antiques, paintings, and an impressive collection of Flemish tapestries.

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Next Stop...Queluz (Portugal)

 

 

Only 20 minutes northwest of Lisbon is the town of Queluz. It makes a perfect day trip out of Lisbon and is easily accessed by car, train or bus. When you arrive, head straight for the Queluz Palace.

In the early 1800s the town's proximity to Lisbon and pristine country setting made it the perfect location for the royal family's estate and hunting lodge. In the latter part of the century the country estate was converted into a grander Summer Palace by the Infante Dom Pedro, and was the home of Queen Maria I during her reign. Today the Summer Palace and its gardens remain one of the finest examples of late 18th C. Portuguese architecture; it is often referred to as the "Portuguese Versailles." For more information on the Palace click here

If you would like to experience what it was like to stay in one of these fine buildings firsthand, you now can, as one of the buildings on the palace grounds once used by the Royal Guard of the Court is now a hotel.

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Next Stop...El Escorial (Spain)

 

 

 

El Escorial is a great place to visit if you are looking for a day trip outside of Madrid. Located about an hour’s drive northwest of Madrid, the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a royal site that functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum and school.

The monastery was commissioned by Felipe II in 1563 and was completed in just 21 years. It contains the Panteón de los Reyes (Royal Pantheon), which is the burial site for most of the Spanish kings of the last five centuries. You can also visit the Royal Library that houses a priceless collection of 60,000 volumes, the Philip II Apartments, and the Basilica of San Lorenzo el Real. For more information from the tourist office of San Lorenzo click here.

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Next Stop...Palmela (Portugal)

 

 

 

 

Located just 20 minutes southeast of Lisbon, Palmela is perhaps best known for the 12th C. fortress perched on a hilltop at an altitude of 1,200 meters, at the edge of the Arrábida mountain range. From its hilltop location you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding farmlands and vineyards, the Sado estuary, and even Lisbon to the north.

Palmela is also an important wine growing region, producing table wines and a fortified wine called Muscatel of Setúbal. If you visit at the beginning of September, don’t miss the grape harvest festival that takes place, offering processions, performances, and the release of bulls.

The 12th C. fortress has been converted into the Pousada de Palmela, so you can see what it’s like to stay in a castle. For more information on the Pousada click here.

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Next Stop...Chinchón (Spain)

If you’re looking to get away from Madrid and want to find a place that you can experience a true Castilian town, then head to Chinchón. Located just 35 minutes southeast of Madrid, this charming town has managed to maintain its charm despite its proximity to the country’s capital.

Once you arrive, head straight to the Plaza Mayor, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world due to its structural harmony and proportions. This picturesque square is surrounded by three- and four-story houses built in the 15th-17th that have wooden balconies. Sit at one of the outdoor cafes and take in the beauty of this square, and leave some time in your itinerary to enjoy a traditional Castilian meal at one of the many fine restaurants in town. Be sure to try the Anís de Chinchón, which is an aniseed liqueur the dates back to the 17th C and is consumed as a drink, or is used as an ingredient in sweets and cakes. For more information on Chinchón click here

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Next Stop...Estoril (Portugal)

Located on the Portuguese Riviera, the town of Estoril is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Located just 20 minutes west of Lisbon, it is easily accessed by car, or you can also take the train if you want to avoid the traffic.

Estoril is a fashionable seaside town that is home to Europe's largest casino and some of its finest golf courses.  In the 1930’s it was a popular destination for European royalty and aristocrats, and a chosen place of exile for a number of deposed European monarchs (including King Juan Carlos of Spain). Today visitors come to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, play tennis or golf, enjoy Estoril Park, and to try their luck at the Casino Estoril, which was the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond and Casino Royale.


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Next Stop...Avila (Spain)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The city of Avila is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a good day trip during your stay in Madrid. Located a little over an hour from Madrid, Avila is easily accessible by car, train or bus.

When you arrive, you will first be taken by the perfectly preserved 11th C. walls that encircle the city. As you pass through the archways of the ancient city, you will be transported back in time. A part of the wall has a promenade that you can walk on, and from the top of the wall you can take in the stunning views of this enchanting city.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral, which is built into part of Avila’s walls. It was begun in 1099, but most of what is seen today was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Avila is also known for being the birthplace of St. Teresa. You can visit the Convento de Santa Teresa, which was founded in the 17th C. and was built on the site of her birthplace.

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