To end my trip, I decided to "take it easy" and settle in the Algarve, more precisely in Armação de Pêra. It's a small village that explodes with tourists in the summer and... it's the main reason I visit Portugal in the spring. The hordes of tourists have the same effect on me as the hordes of Mongols... they make me want to run away. After settling into a cute apartment, I set off in search of deserted beaches... and pirate caves. Portuguese pirates wreaked havoc on all sea

As a Quebecer, I know a little about the history of France and England, where my ancestors come from, but Portugal had passed under my radar. Well, I know that it has a common border with Spain and that the capital is Lisbon, but it's little, very little, and I like to understand a country before approaching it. When I decide this is my next trip, I remember a few facts and learn several others. Vasco da Gama, a great Portuguese navigator, was the first European to reach the

Bem vindo ao restaurante “A Sardinha” Before my departure, I read all kinds of reviews about Portuguese food. Everyone agrees that the ingredients are exceptional but some say that the cooks are less so. There's nothing like judging for yourself, so here are my findings. When I arrived in Peniche, I was tired. The Quebec-Péniche trip took nearly 40 hours and I feel a great need for beauty and goodness. Obviously, I did my little research before arriving and I have already cho

Today I'm going to take a walk through History. Monsaraz The hill of Monsaraz occupied an important place in prehistory and history. Its position on the highest hill in the region as well as its proximity to the deep Guadiana valley, made it a strategic place for all those who wanted to play Tug of War. It all started 9000 years ago. Some definition Prehistory : Period which goes from the appearance of Man, 2.8 million years ago, to the invention of writing. Since writing was

After two days in the mountains, I'm leaving again. In fact, the mountain was a "nice" accident. I thought I was booking accommodation in the Douro Valley but my fingers got tangled during my search on the internet. Fortunately, because otherwise, I would not have discovered the “stone house”. So, yesterday, I checked twice rather than once, before booking my next accommodation. Perafita, Alijo We are driving quietly through valleys and mountains when my companion decides to

Today I'm heading to the mountains in the north of Portugal. In fact, I'm trying to save myself from the cold and rainy weather, with rare breakthroughs of sunshine, which has accompanied me since my arrival. Tonight, I'm going to sleep in a stone house but first, I'm going to visit. Braga First stop in Braga at the Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte. Besides the huge sanctuary, there is a monumental staircase called the “Sacred Way of Bon Jesus,” a forest (the Bon-Jésus Park),

On the way to Porto Travel is always very rewarding, as long as we are open to the unexpected. This morning, while driving towards Porto, I see two huge backpacks on the side of the road. Two backpacks? No, it's more like two young Germans who are quietly traveling around the world. Emmie and Joschka, nothing, really nothing can stop them. They began their journey in 2020. Remember,... 2020. They had to navigate health regulations while traveling from one continent to anothe