Not far from Porto, in Portugal, there's the famous Douro Valley, known for its wine production. We took a day trip from Porto to this beautiful area where much of Portugal’s wine is produced.

We rented a car from Porto and headed to Pinhao, the main town on Douro Valley. The ride offers scenic views over Douro River and Valley. The valley is surrounded by rolling hilly landscapes full of vines. 

Quinta Do Bomfim is one of the largest and most popular wineries in the region. We sat at the terrace there and admired a beautiful view of the Douro Valley from there.

We then moved to Croft Port, not far from Quinta do Bomfim. It's one of the oldest wineries in Pinhão. From here, there'a another beautiful view over vines hills.

We stopped to eat at Veladouro, in Pinhão. We had some delicious juicy pork steak to eat there.

We then went to Quinta Do Seixo, up the hill, offering amazing views of the valley. Quinta do Seixo is home of Sandeman’s, one of the popular wine brands of Port.

Then stopped at Quinta De Popa, which offers one of the very best views from the whole valley. We stayed on their terrace, tasting wine and admiring the peaceful landscapes.

Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto

Algarve region in South Portugal in one of the most picturesque coastal areas in Europe with incredible beaches, awesome cliffside views and beautiful small towns. In the short holiday we spent there, we had enough time to visit the area and to relax at the beach.

We arrived in Faro. We checked in and went out to visit the charming town. We wandered the cobbled streets of the town and the beautiful waterfront. Before the day ended we rented a car. It's always better to have a car when exploring an area, especially if you want to visit some remote places.

We spent the first night in Faro. The next day, after the breakfast, we decided to start our holiday with a chill time at a beautiful remote beach.

We took a boat to Praia da Barreta (Mar). It's a remote and pretty wild beach by the Atlantic Ocean. It is very long and beautiful an it is only accesible by boat from Faro. We spent a few good hours on the beach, swimming, sunbathing and relaxing.

We returned to Faro, we enjoyed some fresh seafood and then jumped in the car to do some exploration.

We went to Tavira, visited the serene churches, the beautiful old water tower, wandered the streets of Tavira and visited the castle there which is a Moorish fortress dating back to the Middle Ages that offers stunning views of the area and the nearby national park.

We headed to probably Portimão Harbour, the place where most of the boats depart from to visit one of the most spectacular caves by the ocean.

We took a boat ride to probably the most spectacular place on the Agarve region, Benagil Caves. It is only accesible by boat. It's a large cave by the water with a distinctve hole in the roof. The cave shelters a gorgeous beach. It feels like you're in a beautiful story.

We returned to the car and moved further.

It's a beautiful beach with incredible rock formations and a viewpoint at the top of the beach. You can go down to the beach using the stairs. We walked along the long beach to admire it all.

The next day, we explored the city a bit and then explored the coastal views in the area. We moved from one beautiful panoramic point to another.

It's like the end of the world. It's a beauitiful panoramic point up on the coast. You cand do a bit of hiking here as well. Just be careful that the wind is pretty strong.

We moved to Tonel Beach, a beach based at the bottom of rocky cliffs. It's a beautiful spot with surfers in the water and on the beach as the wind is poweerful and that is just fine for surfing.

We also checked Praia do Beliche, another gorgeous beach with cliffs an steps descending down to the beach and also small beautiful caverns.

In the end we reached Praia do Amado, a fantastic beach. We stayed here till the sunset and watched the beautiful landscape in the golden colours with surfers playing in the waves.

We drove to Lagos and spent the night there.

We visited Lagos and its beautiful walled old town, the cliffs on the shore and its wonderful beaches. 

Praia do Camilo has some 200 wooden steps down towards the beach, beautiful coves and tunnels

Ponta da Piedade is the famous coastal rock formations with caves and grottos. We took all the beauty in before returnig to Faro and back home from there.

Stunning Algarve

Took a flight to Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island in Azores. Rented a car and headed away from the city, to be closer to beautiful nature on the island.

Got accommodation in Ginetes, in the west.

Drove to Sete Cidades, a town situated in the center of a volcanic crater, between two lakes - will lead you to the most famous point of the island, over the lakes and the volcanic crater. There are different viewpoints of observation and hiking trails around. The most beautiful points are Do Rei viewpoint and Miradouro Da Boca Do Inferno.

We ate at Restaurante Lagoa Azul, very good and cheap.

Visited the pineapple plantation A Arruda in Ponta Delgada. It's free to visit the plantation. There's a cafe outside where you can drink fresh pineapple juice.

Visited the lava grotto named Gruta Do Carvao, very interesting.

On the way back to the accommodation, drove on rocky west coast, then visited Ponta dos Mosteiros, where gigantic Atlantic waves run against the dramatic cliffs.

Visted Ponta Da Ferraria. There's a hot spring there, we had a swim in it.

Then drove to Caldeira Velha, a hot spring in the middle of the forest, so beautiful and relaxing.

We stopped to eat at Restaurante Bar Caldeiras.

old spa village Furnas. Took a walk along Lake Furnas and ended up in the city’s botanical garden Terra Nostra.

Visited Caldeiras Vulcanicas - geysers and sulfur smell.

In the last day, we hiked to Salto Do Prego Waterfall. The hiking starts at Faial da Terra village.

Beautiful Azores

Flight in Ponta Delgada, on the Island of São Miguel, the biggest island in Azores. 

On the first full day, we explored the city of Ponta Delgada.

Portas de Cidade - 18th century gates in a nice public square in the city.

Igreja do Santo Cristo, Igreja do Sao Pedro, Nucleo de Santa Barbara, Forte de S. Bras, Palacio de Presidencia.

Also, enjoyed some local wine and food at A Tasca restaurant.

Took a bus to Furnas. We stopped at Parque Terra Nostra. Took a walk in this beautiful garden with many nice plants.

Went on a dolphin and whale watching tour for 5 hours.

Rented a car and headed to the most famous spot on the island, Sete Cidades. There are several easy hiking trails in the area with a few panoramic point. We admired the beautiful volcanic scenery.

Then drove to Mosteiros small village on the NV of the island, admired the beautiful landscape over the ocean, enjoyed wine and dinner.

Planned a whole day hiking the trails of Lagoa do Fogo.

We explored the northern coast, spectacular views over the cliffs. Started with Ponta do Cintrao.

all the way to Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões. Beautiful.

In the afternoon, we stopped in the village with white horses, Nordeste.

Stopped at this beautiful panoramic point with vies over the ocean, on the cliff.

Last day was beach day. We chose Praia dos Moinhos, one of the most beautiful beaches around, recommended by the locals. Perfect.

Azores Itinerary

Flight to Faro, South Portugal. A good starting point for a trip in wonderful Algarve area. Stayed in Faro for the first night. Had time to explore the charming old town surrounded by old city walls.

Headed to Albufeira, nice city with cute narrow streets and old town.

From the pedestrian streets, you can enter a tunnel through a rock that leads down to the beach. There's a nice view of the city from the beach as well.

Cute little village and natural beauty attractions.

a picturesque alley by the coast that leads to a natural pool.

one of the most beautiful beach and scenery

Benagil Caves, remarkable seaside cave, reachable by boat trip, known for a distinctive hole in its roof

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