 | Slow down and see places like Marvão | | | Small in size but mighty in charming vineyards, beaches and quaint towns, I think the best way to experience Portugal is by planning a journey that takes you out of its big cities and into the heart of the country. Once out on the open road, its beautiful landscapes, coastlines and picturesque villages will bewitch you, body and soul. I’ll never forget the feeling of walking into Ponte de Lima during my journey on the Camino de Santiago. As I walked by the vineyards, a choir started to sing. The path led me to the tree-canopy-covered promenade along the riverside of the country’s oldest villa. I spent the afternoon in a cafe, resting my weary feet and enjoying the sunshine of that summer day. Whether you take a train through its Celtic landscapes, drive from beaches to vineyards or meander along the cobblestones of the Camino de Santiago on foot, there’s a journey for every type of traveler. This week, I spoke with Lonely Planet Portugal guidebook author Joana Taborda about her favorite journeys. By the way, as you’re making your way through the country, make sure to check out the local ateliers. Joana told me every town seems to specialize in a different craft, whether that's weaving, embroidery, basketry or ceramics. So, if you slow down, you’ll likely discover a really special souvenir. | | | | | Plan a dreamy train ride through Portugal | The Linha Celta/Tren Celta, a train line that links Porto, Portugal to Vigo, Spain showcases misty views of the region’s Celtic landscapes. | | | You can see a lot of Portugal in just a two week trip. Here are some of our tips for making the most of your journey. | | | | | Grab a car and hit the open road. | These 7 itineraries will direct you to wild cliff-backed beaches, remote mountain villages and more. Read more | | | | | Include a stop at Portugal’s stunning beaches. | The hardest decision is which beach to choose. Here are our 11 picks. Read more | | | | | Here are 10 things to see and do along the way. | From fado to wine tasting, slow down and experience Portugal with these unmissable things to do. Read more | | | | | These tips will help you stay on budget. | For instance: travel from October to April to save on lodging and order the very affordable house wine when dining out. Read more | | | | | Check out Lonely Planet's books on Portugal
| From city guides to Lisbon and Porto to itineraries for road trips across Spain and Portugal, check out all of Lonely Planet’s titles to find the best book to guide you on your next trip. | | | Do you have a favorite journey through Portugal? | I love planning road trips. One of my favorites was the one I did around Arouca. The initial plan was to hike the Paiva Walkways (an 8km trail zigzagging along the Paiva River), but I ended up adding more sites en route: the mosaic-filled Roman ruins in Conímbriga, the Neo-Manueline Bussaco Palace and the breathtaking waterfalls of Serra da Freita. | If you had to pick a favorite method to travel through Portugal, which would you pick? Train or car? | So, I'm a big fan of train journeys. You can cover most of the coast by train and discover places that you wouldn't otherwise notice if you were driving on the highway. That's how I first came across sites like Portas do Ródão – these massive quartz hills framing the Tejo River (yes, the same one that runs through Lisbon). | Any advice for renting a car in Portugal? | If you're sticking to the big cities like Lisbon and Porto, you don't really need a car. Save it to explore the interior or those out-of-the-way beaches and wineries. If you're looking for a slow-paced journey, try the old national roads, like the N2 which crosses Portugal from north to south. | | | | | “Don't rush it. Portugal is deceivingly small. While you can cover the main sites in a few weeks, there is so much to see in between.”
— Joana Taborda | | | What's your best tip for traveling through Portugal? | Don't rush it. Portugal is deceivingly small. While you can cover the main sites in a few weeks, there is so much to see in between. Instead of going straight to the Algarve, explore the Alentejo for a day or two. If you're heading to Porto from Lisbon, make a detour to the schist villages around Serra da Lousã. | What's the best thing to eat in Portugal? Do you have a favorite restaurant to recommend? | Seafood for sure. I'm not talking about codfish (although that's a traditional dish, most of it comes from Norway). I'm talking about the freshly caught ingredients from our coast – the barnacles from the Berlengas, the clams and shrimp from the Algarve, or the cuttlefish from Setúbal. Restaurante da Adraga overlooking Adraga Beach is the perfect spot for a seafood feast. | What shouldn't people miss in Portugal? | The local festas. Many of these had religious roots, but these days it's all about the party. No matter what time you visit, you're bound to find a big shindig somewhere. From joyful carnival parades to never-ending street barbecues or even medieval fairs. There's no better way to absorb the local culture. | | |  | Love travel inspiration in your inbox? | | | Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking here. | | | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
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