PORTUGAL: Day Trips Out of Lisbon

To get a feel for a country you can't just visit the big cities and think that is representative of the whole country. Imagine saying that New York, or London, or, Toronto or Sydney, etc. represent their entire countries. 

Sintra is about a 35 minute drive NW of Lisbon. It is much cooler than the city, is nestled in hills and trees and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also where the wealthy built palatial homes. 

In Batalha we visited the monastery which is gothic style and took 2 centuries to build. The huge soaring vaulted ceiling is an engineering marvel that intrigued the engineer in John. 

Fatima is an international pilgrimage site. May 13th is one of their important days celebrating the apparition of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children. The day we were there they were starting their preparations for the onslaught of pilgrims. 

If you are into surfing you would know the name Nazare. It is a world class surfing location, not for the faint of heart. If you're into killer waves November is the month to go.

Medieval towns intrigue me, so I loved Obidos. Cute little cobbled streets, with white washed homes and bright trim make it fun to wander around and get lost.  A favourite for me.

There is so much more to say about each location, and so many more pictures to share, but, I will spare you. 

And NO, I will not be surfing in Nazare in November!