Cernache do Bom Jardim, Portugal

Cernache do Bom Jardim, a wonderfull place located in the interior of Portugal close to Castelo Branco that can match the paradisiac islands of the pacific or the quiet lakes of America.

In there, you can do everything, from boatrips in the lake, kayaking, sunbathing, nightlife, relax and eat great food for great prices.

I've went with two friends and we only spent three days there but trust me, it is definitly worth to stay longer. 

Cernache do Bom Jardim is located close to Zêzere river and between two dams, so the waters are very calm, warm and full of things to do.

It is great for kids, familys, romantic trips, relaxing ones or even for adventurous people. You'll never get bored there. 

The climate is good in the summer, it is the best time to visit as the winters are a little bit harsh on this side, very cold and you cannot enjoy anything from the river. But during the summer, temperatures can go up to 30 something and it is very cool to wake up in the morning and feel the sun on your face toghether with the smell of the river and it's surroundings.

The locals are the most wonderful people, they will recieve you with open arms and show you everything, give you the best tips about the region, where to go, what to see, where to eat etc.

The region is marvelous as well, lots of small villages around the river with a special word for Dornes, a typical village where people go and don't wanna leave anymore. It was also where a portuguese movie was filmed, based on the village and portuguese typicall things.

This is a region that was once dominated by the Templar Knights, very close to Tomar, one of the main Templar "bases", and so full of Templar trace elements such as the 6 side templar tower in Dornes village. If you like history, specially Templar history, this is a place to visit!

We got luky because when we went to visit Cernache do Bom Jardim, there was a food festival, more specifically a snail festival. There were all types of snails, a huge amount of recipes, delicious wines and dishes. And there are throught the year severall of this festivals, such as the beer mug festival, where you can buy a local beer mug and enjoy yourself through the day/night.

To get there it is not easy, the best thing to do is to fly either to Lisbon or Porto and rent a car. The trip there is wonderful through the mountains and the pinewoods. If you canot rent a car you can allways take a train or bus to Entroncamento, Sertã or Castelo Branco and from there try to get a connection to Cernache do Bom Jardim, but i think it will cost you a little bit more.

But this is a wonderfull place, definitly worth a visit, everyone will love it!! Either with friends, familly or in a romantic trip, you will not regret it!!

I'll leave you with some more of my photos, hope it will give you the feelings to go and visit.

See you next time bye!

Até á próxima, adeus!

Sintra's old village

Sintra's old village, a magic and wonderfull place just in the outskirts of Lisbon, just a 20/30 mins drive from Lisbon's city center. 

To be honest, it is one of my favorite places, from the ones i've visited, both in Portugal and through Europe, this place never ceases to amaze me.

It has plenty of things to do and beautifull places to see.

Go back to the medieval ages and visit the "Palácio da Pena", one of the portuguese most beautiful monuments!

It is a palace where kings lived, King Carlos I of Portugal and his wife Queen D. Amelia often used it and in fact this became her favourite residence. It is located on top of an hill with tremendous views over the surrounding forest, the not so far away sea and the portuguese capital.

Inside you can visit all the rooms which are decorated with the same objects and furniture used by the royal families.

It really does take you back in time and gives you another perspective about how royalty lived in that period.

 

 Adventure yourself in the forest surrounding the palace, it is great for family picnics, excellent for photography lovers and amazingly attractive for the most adventurous and curious ones, specially  during the night when story tells that some mysteries happen!

You can also visit the "Quinta da Regaleira" with its gardens and caves that you can explore at your own risk!

Trust me, it is definitly worth it, but do remember yourself to take some light or lantern as there is no artificial nor natural light inside.

And if you like Dante's most famous book, the Divine Comedy, you can look for the 9 circles of hell, purgatory and paradise which are represented in the "initiation well". This well was never used as water source, it was instead used for cerimonial purposes and initiation rites by the Masons. This well contains a 27 metres spiral staircase that you can use to get to the conecting caves.

 Sintra is also famous for its gastronomy, do try the "Queijadas de Sintra", a mix of sweet dessert and pastry, you'll definitly love and cry for more. Try the local restaurants, ask for a fish plate or a traditional meat one and you'll not regret it!

You can visit the village which have plenty of good spots to eat, local shops to see and buy some souvenirs, and lovely places to take some photos.

 There is a very good and regular transport system conecting Sintra and Lisbon, buses, trains, private companies or tours, so there is no excuses not to visit, it is a wonderful place to loose yourself into, check the medieval markets that are often made there, try the local shopping and be marveled by the history and the athmosphere of this place. IT IS DEFINITLY WORTH IT!!!
I'll leave you with some more photos of my visit, see you next time.
Até á próxima obrigado!!

 

Phoenix Park, Dublin

Phoenix Park in Dublin City Center, a place not to be missed!!

It is one of the biggest parks in Europe and home of some wild Deer herds. It is thought to find them but worth the effort!!

They are very friendly and also very hungry, so take some carrots or some leaves so you can earn their trust and pet them while feeding them. They are very used to people and they are not afraid so it is quite easy to get close to them, even with children.

This is the main "attraction" of the Phoenix Park, though you can find a wide variety of species there as well. Swans, ducks, birds, squirrels are some of the fauna you can find there together with beautiful wide fields covered in green.

Phoenix Park is also the location of the Dublin Zoo, where you can spend the day close to more than 700 animals.

In this park you can also find the Wellington Monument, a 62 meters obelisk that commemorates the victories of the Duke of Wellington. It is the largest obelisk in Europe and it has four bronze plaques cast from canons captured in the battle of Waterloo.

It is definitely one of the coolest places to visit in Dublin, have fun with the Deers, visit the Zoo, take some awesome photos, do a picnic and enjoy nature. I'll leave you with some more photos and hope you'll enjoy visiting this place in the future.

See you next time, bye!

Slán agus go dtí an chéad cheann eile

Vlog Port Aventura, Salou