find the beauty...

Tarifa (Cádiz - Andalucía), Spain

Find the beauty wherever you go or in whatever you do...

southern beaches

Conil de la Frontera (Cádiz - Andalucía), Spain

The whitewashed town of Conil de la Frontera makes a perfect backdrop for a day at the beach!

 

safe and sound...

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Safe and sound, inside the walls...
 

standing on the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

shot taken from the wall above...

 

There's no place like home

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

                                                                  -John Howard Payne

protective walls

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Homes tucked away among protective walls...
 

rooftops amid the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This hilltop fortification was taken from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148.  Throughout the different reigns of the kings, towers, keeps and other parts of the castle have been added, creating a picture perfect spectacle.

 

side streets

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This picturesque town, but at the same time busy with its cultural calendar, celebrates many events throughout the year, including a variety of festivals such as Baroque and classical music, along with opera, harpsichord, piano and contemporary art.  Holy week processions, Christmas and medieval markets as well as chocolate festivals are all on the calendar of events celebrated in Óbidos.

medieval and literary

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This Moorish castle and walls around the city, originating from the 8th century, today form part of the pousadas of Portugal.  A pousada is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels that exist throughout the country.  Next to the castle is the Igreja de Santiago dating from the 12th century, but was completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake of Lisbon. It was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century and eventually was left to ruin until Ler Devagar (an independent bookshop which translates into "read slowly") decided to take over and convert it into a literary space, along with 7 other locations, turning this medieval wonder into a literary town, with plans to open more in the future.

view from the castle

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This time, as opposed to a previous post for Castelo de Vide, the view of this marvellous medieval town has been taken from the castle.

stunning

Azenhas do Mar (Lisbon Region), Portugal

This amazing little town on the Atlantic was a complete unexpected surprise.  I was driving along the jagged coastline, turned a corner and saw this.  It literally took my breath away.  There was no place to stop the car, so I kept going, stopped where I could, got out of the car and walked back to this point.  This moment will never be erased from my mind.

Portugal is full of an infinite number of unexpected moments like this one.

doorways rich in history

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Gothic doorways like this one can be seen in abundance throughout the Jewish Quarter of Castelo de Vide.

Jewish Quarter

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

During the Middle Ages, a large population of Jewish people resided in this whitewashed village housed among an intricate network of narrow cobbled streets with Gothic doorways.  Here is said to be the oldest synagogue in the country.

Alentejano

Serpa, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

...whitewashed towns, hard-working and hospitable people, olive groves, vineyards, cork oaks, marble, rolling plains, livestock, cured hams and sausages, cheese, natural parks, medieval villages, castles and beaches...  These are just a few things that describe Alentejo and anything "alentejano"...  simply wonderful!

olives and whitewashed villages

Portel, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Alentejo is full of whitewashed villages with olive trees dotting the countryside.  This picture has been taken from the castle wall which saw its first stone placed in the 13th century.

picture perfect skies

Redondo, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

I love the churches in the Alentejo Region!

 
Igreja de São Pedro - 16th century

inside the castle walls

Alandroal, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This late 13th century castle stands strong today with much of it still intact.  Take a walk around the castle walls and observe the landscape beyond.

towers and walls

Alandroal, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Alandroal is one of many fortified villages remaining along the border between Portugal and Spain, each one having its own unique qualities.  The castle here dates from the late 13th century.

picture perfect

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

A picture perfect house in a picture perfect setting...

a life full of experiences

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

As I was leaning my back up against a wall with my foot kicked back and supporting the rest of my weight on one leg, this man stopped, raised his head, looked at me and said with a cute grin "Are you holding up the wall because you're afraid it is going to fall down?".  I hope I have this man's sense of humor when I reach his age!  He put a smile on my face.