We highly recommend you extend your Lisbon stay by one or two days so that you can make day trips to sights a little further away, but very much worthy of a visit. The picturesque medieval town of Óbidos, only eighty kilometers from Lisbon, is a fortified city that hides a small treasure behind its walls. It is such a jewel that many queens demanded… Read more »
Archives: Great spots
Only thirty minutes away by car, these two small cities are a must-see. They are charming, traditional, very typical of this part of northern Portugal and historically significant. Guimarães is considered the cradle of the nation, since it is Afonso Henriques’ birth place, the first king of the country. Visit the medieval castle and get lost amidst the many cobbled streets and squares. Braga, one… Read more »
The headquarters of the Commercial Association of Porto houses what used to be called Stock Exchange Palace. In this site you will find one of the most beautiful rooms in the whole country, the Arabian Room. The neoclassical building itself is worth a visit, as are the interiors, with wooden paneled rooms, sculpted ceilings, interesting historical facts, relics and coats of arms. Visits last forty… Read more »
The Douro Valley is one of the most beautiful regions we have ever visited, particularly if you appreciate wine. We recommend staying at least two nights, although some travelers prefer to spend the day only. If you opt for a day trip, take a car and leave early in the morning to make the most of your journey. Take the fast route until Amarante and… Read more »
Portuguese azulejo tiles are part of the country’s history and travelers usually enjoy coming across the quintessential blue and white, and occasionally gold, façades and walls. The tiles are a heritage of the Moors occupation of the peninsula, the word azulejo meaning “small polished stones” in Arabic, and it is in Portugal that it flourished the most. They are usually in geometric shapes or in… Read more »
Brussels might surprise you with the quality of its Fine Arts Museum, a large building composed of different museums. The highlights are the comprehensive collection of Flemish Art from the 15th to the 18th Centuries at the Oldmasters Museum and the Rubens Room, with many paintings by the renowned painter. Nearby, do not miss the small Magritte Museum, focused on the Belgian artist recognizable by… Read more »
We headed to the lovely neighborhood of Sablon at the suggestion of a friend who lives locally. Set on a hill, this charming area has indeed plenty to see and do. Our first visit was to the Petit Sablon square, an adorable small square with a beautiful fountain at its center and a wrought iron fence with small sculptures on its pillars, surrounded by statues… Read more »
Murano is a nearby small island where the famous and colorful glasses of the same name are produced. It is in Venice’s lagoon, not far at all and easily accessible by taking any of the many boats around the canal near the Doge Palace. Once there, head to Rio dei Vetrai, where you will find many houses making and selling the pretty glasses, then visit… Read more »
The Accademia, an old time school of arts and one of the first in the world to develop art restoration, has turned into a museum of pre-19th Century Venetian art. A visit to this museum is a perfect way to better understand the history of Venice, with its many paintings and other forms of art. It holds some important masterpieces by Carpaccio and Tintoretto, both… Read more »
This wonderful historical building, one of the most famous in Venice, has become a new hotspot for high-end shopping, quite a different experience from the many stalls and souvenir shops in neighboring Rialto Bridge. The interiors are spectacular and a signature of famous Koolhaas, who perfectly mixed the renaissance essence of the building with a magnificent contemporary style. Labels like Burberry, Fendi and Gucci can… Read more »
We are not merely suggesting that you should visit St Mark’s Square, obviously. Even if you have been to Venice before, the Piazza is so fabulous that visiting every time you are in town is essential. However, during the day Venice can feel invaded by day-trippers, who arrive by train or cruise ships to spend a few hours in the Piazza, go for a gondola… Read more »
Colorful Burano Island is home to the famous hand made Venetian laces. Its enchanting little streets, with canals and brightly colored buildings, have not been in travelers’ lists for long, but little by little people have started to avoid packed San Marco during peak hours to enjoy other Venetian sites, like Burano, during the day. Burano is a wonderful half-day tour and the island is… Read more »
The whole Archiginnasio is unmissable, and given that it is located just 5 minutes walking off Piazza Maggiore we often wonder how someone would not take the time to visit this jewel. As you enter the building you will be amazed by the ceilings and inner courtyard, with an outstanding amount of coats of arms and other references to some of the University’s students, which… Read more »
St. Stephen’s Basilica is a complex of religious buildings also known as the “Seven Churches”, an interesting reunion of small churches that form a homogeneous monument in the city. It has a replica of Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher, so perfect that when the original one was destroyed the Christian Church went to Bologna to model its reconstruction. A very interesting paper-mâché Pietá made of confiscated playing… Read more »
Even if you are in town for just a few days and your focus is the enchanting Old Town, do yourself a favor and spend some time lazing and bathing at this beach. Banje is very close to the famous Ploce Gate, so if staying in the region there is no excuse not to try it, weather allowing. From the beach you have nice views… Read more »
Modena is usually associated with carmakers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati or as opera icon Luciano Pavarotti’s birthplace. But the city is much more than that and a 26-minute train ride will take you to this very beautiful small and elegant Italian city. The Piazza Grande has some of the prettiest buildings in town, such as the magnificent Duomo (do not miss the chapels… Read more »
Visitors gather around Netuno Fountain to admire the newly renovated statues, a worthy sight and one of Bologna’s most marvellous landmarks. Most visitors continue on to the famous and stunning San Petronio Basilica, one of the largest medieval basilicas in the world, and miss a visit to this gorgeous palace that used to house the Town Hall and other administrative and trade congregations in the… Read more »
It is to be expected that a city with such longstanding cultural tradition like Bologna would have a grand concert hall. Located in the historical center, near a bohemian area of town, the classical building has rich interiors in its performance rooms and usually holds excellent operas and concerts. Do check in advance what is on before heading to town and plan your cultural program.… Read more »
One of Bologna’s most remarkable characteristics are its extensive and prominent porticoes. We were surprised to learn that there are actually 40 kilometers of them. Another curious fact is that in the past it was mandatory to have them built at least 2,66m high, so that a man on a horse could pass under the arches. The largest extension of porticoes is the one that… Read more »
We often wonder how it is possible that someone would go to Dubrovnik and miss a boat day to the Elaphiti Islands. It was one of our best experiences in Croatia, so rent a boat and get ready for a wonderful day. Leave early and stop at some small coves for some fun swimming in Croatia’s amazing seas, with pristine waters in breathtaking shades of… Read more »
