Day 1: Arrived in Alcochete on the last day of the 'Festas', where we survived the 'wild bull run' through the streets, ate Black Pig, drank Super Bock, drank local red wine, had a few trips down the helter skelter & a couple of spins in the dodgems at the fun fair, danced to some random tracks in a club before watching the closing ceremony fireworks. Got to bed at 3am .... jeez! I thought holidays were for relaxing?
Day 2:
Today we went to Piriquita-Antiga Fabrica de Queijadas Lda and had their speciality cakes. Then spent most of the day exploring Quinta da Regaleira, the extensive grounds of this fairytale house led you through a trail of grottos, fountain and towers via tunnels, labyrinths, wells and passages ... Quite magical in a 'Harry Potter meets The Goonies' kind of way and it made our garden at home seem very flat and boring!!
Day 3:
Sunday afternoon winery visit to include a little wine "tasting"?... Well why wouldn't you?
Nine months on we again find ourselves in this wonderful wine/cheese/meat shop/cafe - sampled three exquisite wines (by buying a bottle - rather than a glass - of each!) accompanied by some wonderful cheese, bread and ham ... Choices, choices now as look to invest in a mixed case of wine?
Day 4:
Fabulous hot sunny day doing something I've not done for years - lazed on the beach .... at an intimate little place well off the beaten track named Comporta... Great friends, sand, sea, excellent food and few cold beers from the beach hut!
It's great friends that make perfect days!
Day 5:After a busy day touring around Lisbon, I guess an ice cold beer is called for as the sun goes down over the Park of Nations - we're all still laughing about the terrible service we had at lunch today!
Day 6:
Leaving Portugal after cramming so much into five eventful days - fabulous time with special friends - thanks for your hospitality guys! We'll be back!
Day 2:
Today we went to Piriquita-Antiga Fabrica de Queijadas Lda and had their speciality cakes. Then spent most of the day exploring Quinta da Regaleira, the extensive grounds of this fairytale house led you through a trail of grottos, fountain and towers via tunnels, labyrinths, wells and passages ... Quite magical in a 'Harry Potter meets The Goonies' kind of way and it made our garden at home seem very flat and boring!!
Day 3:
Sunday afternoon winery visit to include a little wine "tasting"?... Well why wouldn't you?
Nine months on we again find ourselves in this wonderful wine/cheese/meat shop/cafe - sampled three exquisite wines (by buying a bottle - rather than a glass - of each!) accompanied by some wonderful cheese, bread and ham ... Choices, choices now as look to invest in a mixed case of wine?
Day 4:
Fabulous hot sunny day doing something I've not done for years - lazed on the beach .... at an intimate little place well off the beaten track named Comporta... Great friends, sand, sea, excellent food and few cold beers from the beach hut!
It's great friends that make perfect days!
Day 5:After a busy day touring around Lisbon, I guess an ice cold beer is called for as the sun goes down over the Park of Nations - we're all still laughing about the terrible service we had at lunch today!
Day 6:
Leaving Portugal after cramming so much into five eventful days - fabulous time with special friends - thanks for your hospitality guys! We'll be back!