Fernweh

Located on the Iberian Peninsula in the far southwest corner of Europe, Portugal has been inhabited since prehistoric times; it has been ruled by Romans, Germanic, and Moorish invaders. The country was later incorporated into the Spanish monarchy, where it remained for hundreds of years, including while Spain was occupied by Napoleon. Today’s Portugal is a modern country, with a democratic government that has been in place since the 1970s.

We were lucky to be able to combine a couple days of sightseeing with a work trip – we hope to go back for a longer trip!

Lisbon

Lisbon is the beautiful and active capitol city of Portugal, full of hills, historic architecture, modern and traditional restaurants, and night life.

The Tower of Saint Vincent (popularly known as the Torre de Belém) in the Belém region of Lisbon is a 16th-century fort on the Tagus river. Built of limestone during the Portuguese Renaissance, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sintra

Sintra is a city in the greater Lisbon region of Portugal, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1990s.

The Pena National Palace was a summer residence of Portuguese monarchs in the 19th century. Today it is open for tours – the crowd builds early!

Óbidos

Óbidos is a small (~3,100 inhabitants) ancient walled town near the central coast of Portugal. There was a Roman settlement on the hilltop, and later the Moors built fortifications there. In the 12th century, the first king of Portugal took the area back from the Moors. Today, it is a tourist destination, with well-preserved squares, streets, and walls painted white with blue and yellow-orange accents.