PORTUGAL – FROM LISBON TO OPORTO
Lisbon – a mysterious capital, art and culture symbol, which you have to discover street by street, district by district, because each corner has an original vision that allows to understand the manifold culture and the typical atmosphere that characterize the city. If you take the tramway number 28, still with a style from the twentieth century, or one of the many tramways that climb the most ancient streets of Estrela, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Chiado, you will have the sensation to go back to the past.
Right nearby the river there’s Praca do Comercio, the most beautiful and famous square of the capital, which was one the main entrance of the city for those who arrived by sea. Behind it, in the lower part of the town, there’s Baixa, the loud and animated commercial district of Lisbon, full of fashion shops and cool clubs. In the northest part of Baixa you can meet the three liveliest squares of the city: Praça do Rossio, Praça da Figueira and Praça dos Restauradores.
In the western part of Baixa there’s Chiado district, whose most important street is Rua Garrett, which ends with the square where is located, among shops and libraries, the notorious artists’ cafe “A Brasileira”, in front of the Fernando Pessoa monument.
Obidos – an enchanting medieval borough that seems like part of a fairytale book and that still maintains a picturesque charm. Once you enter, it’s like going back in time. Everything is still well preserved, that’s why it was declared World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Batalha – a small town that host a spectacular example of gothic architecture: the Batalha monastery, a perfect set of stone laces, flèches, arches and balustrades in a nice amber shade.
Tomar – a nice location that reminds Tuscany, immersed in hills covered by olive trees and vineyards. Behind its back, you can find the extraordinary Convent do Cristo, whose construction began in 1160, ordered by the Great Master of the Templars.
Coimbra – the main center of studies in Portugal with its University, funded in 1290, the only one in the country until the first period of the twentieth century. The historical center in Coimbra, which dominates Mondego river, is the highest part of the town, characterized by narrow streets and steep paved alleys, where you can find the main see-sights, churches, the museum and the University.
Porto – built on the side of the hill that dominates Douro river. Just like Coimbra and Lisbon, the city has a higher and a lower part , connected by narrow and steep streets and alleys, to walk on foot or by tramway to explore its popular life and its wonderful churches, Igreja de Sao Francisco most of all.