Lisbon Chronicles | Graça

On top of the tallest of the seven hill of Lisbon, lies the Graça neighborhood, one of the most beautiful historical quarters of the city and mainly known for its viewpoints, from which one can enjoy some breathtaking views of the city.

 Close to the castle is populated since the foundation of the nation, but it was after the great earthquake of 1755 that its population grew in a more visible way. Walking around on the steep streets and bright squares, allows you to feel the life of a characteristic Lisbon neighborhood, with people going about with their lives. Not to miss are the 2 main viewpoints: Miradouro Sophia de Mello Andersen (usually dubbed Miradouro da Graça) and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. The first in front of the Graça Church and the second by a Chapel with the same name. Also to be visited is Igreja da Graça, the church on Largo da Graça.

The church and convent of Graça were founded in the 13th century, rebuilt in the 16th century and, then, restored after the earthquake. Is from that time the baroque style that you can find, although the previous Manueline style is still present on the baptistery and in the chapel.

The light inside the church is admirable, creating a luminous atmosphere not often usual in the Portuguese temples, often more somber.

The viewpoint in front of the church is quite charming, with the large pine trees casting its shadow over the terrace where you can have a drink or a light meal. The 180º view is unmissable and one of the best spots to photograph the city and the river, and, of course, the castle.

Walk some more on your way to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, enjoying the details of this part of the city. Statues, buildings, tiles and street art wait for you in every step of the way. Keep your camera in hand and you'll have much to do.

The viewpoint by Senhora do Monte chapel is one of my favorites! The small chapel, the luxurious pine trees, the outstanding view of the city, the light and the sense of being in a secluded place, make it really special.

And you ask, "how do we get there?". If you're feeling fit you can obviously walk (up, really steep streets), or you can take Tram 28, and then walk back down (its a good idea!). There are also lots of Tuk Tuk's more than willing to take you there, some with drivers that can tell much about the history of this gorgeous neighborhood.

Chronicles from Lisbon | Cabo da Roca

"Eis aqui, quase cume da cabeça

De Europa toda, o Reino Lusitano,

Onde a terra se acaba e o mar começa,

E onde Febo repousa no Oceano."

"Behold, near the top of the head

Of all Europe, the Lusitanian Kingdom,

Where the earth ends and the sea begins,

And where Phoebe rests in the ocean."

Luís Vaz de Camões, in Lusíadas 

"Where the earth ends and the sea begins" is how the Portuguese poet (and traveler) Luís de Camões describes the Cabo da Roca in its epic poem Os Lusíadas. And this cape, the most western part of Europe, can be seen as that. Also known as Moon Promontory (Promontório da Lua), is part of the Natural Park of Sintra and Cascais (Parque Natural de Sintra Cascais).

A stone column mark the geographical extreme of the continent to all who visit this place, and the view one can grasp on both directions is absolutely breathtaking. But be careful! The strong winds can be dangerous and you should not cross the wood fences that protect people from falling down.

Starting at Cabo da Roca, it is possible to follow several eco-trails, enjoying the vegetation and the spectacular views of the coast. Eventually you can arrive to the vicinities of Praia da Ursa. If you're prepared to a (very!) steep way down (and then back up!), please go, is nothing less than magical.

You can reach Cabo da Roca by car (about 30 minutes from Lisbon) or by bus, and at the location you can find a tourism information office, a small store, a café and all the necessary infrastructures. Reserve a few hours to walk around or a full day if you intend to go to Praia da Ursa. If you can, wait until sunset and enjoy it from this special place over the Atlantic.

The Wanderer's Gallery | Spring

Chronicles from Florence | San Lorenzo Market

Whenever and wherever I travel to,  love to visit markets and shops, not just the fancy places or the posh griff stores, but the most popular places. Love the colorful and noisy markets, walking among the local people on their daily activities, buy what is most characteristic, talk with the vendors.

In Florence, I went several times to San Lorenzo Market, which was very close to the hotel. Product diversity was huge. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Good fish, meat and groceries. Helpful and friendly vendors. It was the man who sold the zuppa Toscana mix that gave me the soup recipe and I found  him because the owner of the pasta store walk with  me across the market  to show me the best place to buy what I wanted.

The market goes outside the building with people selling all kind of leather goods, t-shirts and souvenirs. Much of it is directed to tourists and most of the articles are of questionable quality and not interesting at all. But still, if you look around you can find some interesting pieces.

As most of what you do while traveling, is not just the destiny but also what you find on your way there that is interesting. So keep your camera at hand and your eyes open as the vicinities of San Lorenzo Market have many points of interest. The Basilica di San Lorenzo, the Cappella dei Principe, and the Sagrestia Vecchio - a masterpiece of the fifteenth century, that was the first part of San Lorenzo to be completed by Brunelleschi, commissioned by the Medici to be their own mausoleum - are some of the places to visit in San Lorenzo neighborhood.

The Wanderer's Gallery | Olhão Market

Wine Chronicles | Setúbal's Península Wine Region

Close to Lisbon and ideal for a day trip from the Portuguese capital, the wine region of Setúbal's Península (Portugal) presents great wines from well-established producers, with a variety of wine tourism activities to offer to its visitors. Famous for its sweet Moscatel wine, Setúbal's Península region is also notable for its table wine with both white and red wines acknowledged internationally.

On the heart of the beautiful village of Palmela, you will discover the Wine Route House. Set in a former winery, converted to an Eno-Tourism information office and reservation centre for the guided visits to the wine cellars and wine activities developed in the region, the Wine Route House is also a wine shop and bar, where you can purchase and taste the best certificted wine at incredible prices.

You can also experience some tasting menus and enjoy the spectacular view from the outer lounge terrace. Frequently there are wine tourism activities (many of them free), like commented wine tastings, held by the wineries enologists, and musical events paired with some amazing wine.

The Wine Route House is the perfect place to know more about the wine region, to book some visits or one of the activities they organize all year around. Everyone there is remarcably knowledge about the wines and attractions of this gorgeous part of Portugal and will be more than happy to assist you with sound suggestions on the subject. I had the privilege to visit some of the wineries and participate on a number of activities and could not recomment it enough. Bellow you can find some of my suggestions and the links to the posts where you can get more information. Enjoy!




QUINTA DA BACALHÔA

The Quinta da Bacalhôa estate and its iconic palace are situated in Azeitão (Setúbal's Peninsula Wine Region), less than an hour South from Lisbon. This wine tourism site can be visited and if you are a history and art lover, combining all of this with a wine tasting can make the perfect day trip from the Portuguese capital. (Read More)



FILIPE PALHOÇA WINES

Filipe Palhoça Vinhos is a family-owned company dedicated to viticulture and wine production for more than 50 years. The estate, Quinta da Invejosa, is located in the sand plain of Palmela, and it has 90 hectares of carefully cultivated vineyard, where red grape varieties dominate. (Read More)



FERNÃO PÓ WINERY

Fernão Pó is a family winery, resulting from the joining of two families related to winemaking for generations. Since its founding in the '50s, the winery has grown to keep its roots in the local winemaking tradition. Today, Fernão Pó Winery seeks to combine the best of tradition with modern technology, while strongly committed to social and environmental principles. (Read More)



CHEESE, BREAD & WINE MARKET

This market, taht usualy takes place in March, presents regional products and wine, wine tastings and lots of activities and shows that can give you some feel of the rural activities of the region.



WINERIES VISIT AT FERNANDO PÓ

During the months of April and May (every Thursdays and Saturdays, until May 27) you can make a visit to 3 major wineries in the region of Fernando Pó, hear and talk to their winemakers, and taste some wine and regional products. The visit starts at Oriente railway station in Lisbon, and after less than 30 minutes you arrive at Fernando Pó. (Read More)



WINE SUNSET PARTY AND CRUISE AT SADO RIVER

Sunset parties became a hit these last few years. Add to that some great wine and food, music, good company while cruising along the beautiful shores of Arrábida, in Portugal, and you will have some very well spend hours. (Read More)

HARVEST TIME AT HORÁCIO SIMÕES WINERY

The harvest is one of the most special times of the year for the wineries and, this year, I had the opportunity to participate, and just love it! Well, it wasn't the real deal, all day under the sun, picking grapes and taking the heavy buckets to the wagon. It was a (very) light version of it, in the right amount to make it totally enjoyable and fun. (Read More)

MUSIC & WINE AT QUINTA DE ALCUBE

We all agree that a good wine can be the perfect match for the good music. With that in mind, the Setúbal's Peninsula Wine Region organizes, for several years now, an Autumn event where the wines of several wineries in the region can be tasted while enjoying a live concert. (Read More)


Casa Mãe da Rota de Vinhos
Largo de s. João Batista
2950-248 Palmela
Phne +351 212 334 398
info@rotavinhospsetubal.com