This guide is for the independent traveler who adores good wine and food, but also wants to discover the country–not just the beaches. We lead you around edible Lisbon and Porto, and the stunning countryside of undiscovered inland Portugal, keeping a special eye out everywhere for the wine.

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It was from Portugal that Europe once set sail to conquer the unknown. In the 15th century, the land of seafarers vanquished aBigpart of the world and became the most powerful empire of its day — a period of greatness which wasn’t to last long. Today, Portugal is a small Stateon the edge of Europe, a country undergoing a period of change which in many areas seems untouched by the modern age.With each step you take you’re confronted with remnants of Portugal’s grand history — provided you venture further than from the hotel to the beach and back. Many tourists still go to the Algaryeto care aboutits eternal spring and nothing else, its sandy beaches, cliffs, bays and perfectly blue sea. They fail to discover the other side to Portugal, its people, villages, castles and monasteries, the urban centres of Lisbon, Oporto, Coimbra and Evora. This book is devoted not just to the better-known destinations but also to Portugal’s diverse stretches of scenery: the rolling h (more…)

Art.com is the world’s largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With ourMassiveselection of over 400,000 prints, you will easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store Todayat www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on ‘Artist Name’ and ‘Subject Categories’ such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your homeThis day with your favorite pictures that express and celebrate your distinct tastes.

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AllPosters.com is the world’s #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We’re dedicated to bringing our customers the ideal selection of high quality wall décor that’s perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you’re looking for your favorite motion picture or music poster, a framed Monet reproduction, or a print of the Eiffel Tower you will find it at AllPosters.com. Visit our Amazon storeThis day at www.amazon.com/allposters to find Special Offers and search by subject category or artist. AllPosters.com provides unmatched service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your homeThis day with your favorite pictures.

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From Publishers Weekly

Sharpe fans who may have worried that Cornwell’s popular series was drawing to a close can heave a sigh of relief-the 19th entry (after 2002’s Sharpe’s Prey) brings the up-from-the-ranks rifleman back to the Peninsular War where the series began, among such familiar comrades-in-arms as Sergeant Harper and the “old poacher” Dan Hagman. In the treacherous villain role without which no Sharpe adventure would be complete, the Shakespeare-quoting Colonel Christopher plays both sides of the fence in an effort to contrive a peace between the warring parties that’ll leave him a rich man. But Christopher hasn’t reckoned with the new British commander, Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, who arrives in time to catch Marshal Soult’s invading army by surprise. Meanwhile, Sharpe and his men, cut off in a Portuguese village, hold offbetter French forces with the aid of Lieutenant Vicente, a Portuguese lawyer, poet and philosopher turned so (more…)

A guide to Oporto, the city “that works” on the famous Douro river, and to Northern Portugal from the region of Estremadura to Minho. Oporto is laid out in a series of photographs, overlaid with a text which charts the history of the city, its fine buildings, cafes and markets. It tells how you can climb the 225 steps of the Torre dos Clerigos for an unrivalled view of the city, the river and the ocean. The guide takes you to the upper part of the city, to the cathedral, the Bairro da Se, then to the “Ribeira” with its bustling market stalls and narrow streets which move back down towards the river. The guide then moves to the suburbs of Oporto, then out into the other major towns and cities of Northern Portugal, like Coimbra, the third largest city of Portugal and its intellectual capital. Vila Real, Guimaraes, Braga and Barcelona are also covered.

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Review
“The hallowed blue books. You’ll be happy to have them for company.”

Northern Portugal is steadily developing its ecotourism, especially through a network of rural hotels and inns. The Peneda-Geres National Park has been creating and waymaking new footpaths. This guide includes sections on Porto, Porto wines and wine cruises on the river Douro and has a strong focus on the ancient agricultural way of life still followed here, illustrated with a wealth of photographs. It also includes: walking maps; pull-out touring maps; many short walks and picnicrecommendations – suitable for hot summer days and for those with young children; and aone-of-a-kindupdate service with specific route-change information, free on-line.

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Review
“The hallowed blue books. You’ll be happy to have them for company.”

Car touring and walking guide. Readership: visitors to the Northern Portugal ot the Porto area, especially walkers and those touring by car

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Art.com is the world’s largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With ourMassiveselection of over 400,000 prints, you will easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store Todayat www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on ‘Artist Name’ and ‘Subject Categories’ such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your homeThis day with your favorite pictures that express and celebrate your distinct tastes.

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The Minho Province was officially created in 1936 during Salazar’s Fascist reign, and dissolved in 1976. That said, many Portuguese Todaystill refer to this small geographic land mass in the northwest part of Portugal as Minho (sounds like ‘Me N You’), and those born or descended from this part of Portugal are generally referred to as Minhotos (People residing from Minho). Today, the former territory of Minho is part of the Norte Region of Portugal

Before the region of Minho was dissolved, it consisted of 23 municipalities, with Braga as its capital city. Minho, if it still existed today, would include the districts of Guimarães (Birth city of Portugal) Braga (Long standing city stronghold of Ancient Celtic Civilization originally inhabited by the Bracari hence the name Braga and Viana do Castelo (An Ancient Celtic coastal town).

Minho, along with its sister province Tras Os Montes (Literally translates to ‘Behind The Mountains’ )to the east, are also the most ancient of all the Portuguese provinces. Minhotos are very proud of their culture and history as it has played a major role in the creation of modern day Portugal. Minho is after all, the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. Minho along with Galicia (Galiza in Spanish) is also the territory where the Portuguese language was born. There is virtually no difference in ethnicity between Galicians and Minhotos, as they’re both a Celt – Iberian race, with Germanic (Swabian, Suebi or Suevi) and Roman bloodlines. During Roman occupation of modern day Portugal, Minho, along with Galicia were referred to as Gallaecia, and regarded as a threat to Roman dominance in Iberia. Along with the brave tribesmen, the Lusitanians, these people made the Roman’s occupation of Iberia a very difficult one, and for many years the Roman’s relegated mostly to the south of the country.

Minho, also know as Verde-Minho (Green Minho) is the most forested region of Portugal. The region itself is a nature lover’s paradise with itsBiggreen landscape, mountains and rivers. Minho summers are dry and pleasant, the winters are cold, dipping from zero to -10 degrees Celsius and the a snow fall is not uncommon. Fortunately the cold winter weather in Portugal often only lasts a couple of months from late December through February. Minho gets a lot of rainfall throughout fall and winter, and not recommendedas a travelers destination. If you are intent on visiting Portugal in late fall or winter, then the Algarve region in the south is the perfect destination with virtual year round sun and warmth. Traveling in the Minho province is best in the spring through early fall, only getting aTiny wet into mid to late October. The entire province is a travelers delight, with many historical monuments and wide open spaces and pristine nature reserves to keep you going. If you are traveling in Minho, make sure that you’ve marked out your route and stick to it, because it isn’t unusual to get sidetracked. Driving in the night on the smaller mountain roads can be aTiny difficult, althoughthe roads are modern, speeding drivers are still very common.

Due to its isolation, and lack of funding from the central government, the Minho province is also one of the least developed in the country. Outside of the main cities, many of the older generations, who’ve lived under fascism and the eye of the Catholic Church, still live a very pastoral, communal life. For those who live inMore massivecities, this may come as a bit of a shock, but it may be a hippies dream, without the VW and Psychedelia. That said, with Lisbon finally granting funds to build infrastructure, Minho is now developing at a very fast pace, and it is very common to see the old world and new world colliding.

The largest historical remains Celtic influence in the Minho area includes the mountain fort of Briteiros, an ancient ruins dating back to the Iron Age. There are many ancient Celtic festivals that are held every year, including stick dancing, Pauliteiros, which as legend has it is an ancient fighting system that was converted into dance in order to deceive the Roman rulers. The Pauliteiros use 2 small sticks in a rhythmic dance that to some looks similar to North American Indian tribal dances. These dances are usually accompanied by bagpipe and drums. The traditional folk dances in Mirandese Tras Os Montes, a remote Portuguese province just east of the Minho is a must see for anyone interested in ancient customs, dances and rituals.

Lastly, Minho is a region in transition. With children no longer willing to accept the agriculturally driven lives that their parents have, choosing to work inBigger cities or abroad. It is obvious that the life in the Minho region, a lifestyle that’s so commonThis day will vanish by the next generation, and will only be a footnote in the history books. I highlysuggest that if you’re looking for a Portugal vacation that’s immersed in history, Minho is the place for you.

There are many cities and villages that are a must see in the Minho province of Portugal, and I will be telling you more about them in later posts, here on Portugal Vacations.