Villa Tradewinds - Ocean View

Places to see:
Lisbon
Lisbon is hustling bustling city with loads to see! From the 12th-century cathedrals to the modern bridges spanning the Tagus River, from the 18th-century Aguas Livres aqueduct to the futuristic Oriental Station, Lisbon traverses the ages.

The city's many neighbourhoods include Moorish Alfama, home of the city's tallest hill, and 17th-century Bairro Alto, with its hopping nightlife. Museums, castles, open-air markets, funiculars, Fado music - Lisbon's pleasures include these and much more.

Link: http://www.golisbon.com

Peniche
Peniche is a busy fishing town with a large harbor and some excellent seafood restaurants.

There is a fantastic sandy beach nearby, Baleal, with good surfing conditions and to the west is Cabo Carvoeiro, a rugged cape with bizarrely shaped pinnacles and sea caves offering panoramic ocean views all the way to the islands of Berlengas.

Accessible by ferry and with wonderful cliff and sea views, the biggest island is a magical place declared a nature reserve. It is home to thousands of seabirds, and the azure waters are ideal for deep-sea fishing and diving. The surrounding weird rock formations and spectacular grottoes can be explored on small boats that pass through a breathtaking sea tunnel called Furado Grande. Only a handful of fishermen are permitted to live here, but the 17th century São João Baptista Fort, built to defend the area from pirates, is now a basic hostel.

Links: http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/peniche.html

Óbidos Lagoon
The Óbidos Lagoon forms a large coastal inlet from the Atlantic offering the best of both worlds – wild Atlantic vistas of crashing waves, impressive cliffs coupled with long stretched sandy beaches as well as sheltered swimming for families. There is also great surfing and wind-surfing to be enjoyed along this stretch of coast and plenty to explore. The lagoon is surrounded by a cool, green forest nature reserve, and is blessed with truly spectacular views.

Óbidos Castle
The beautiful walled town of Óbidos was traditionally a wedding gift from the king of Portugal to his new queen and it certainly is a very romantic spot. A short drive takes you to this charming medieval town, where the narrow cobbled streets are packed with bars and restaurants, shops selling local crafts and wines, and pretty white houses with terracotta roofs and overflowing with vivid flowers.

Links: http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/obidos.html

Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha is a bustling little town famous for its thermal springs and is the ceramic/pottery capital of Portugal. Caldas owes its name to the thermal spring much loved by Queen D. Leonor, wife of King D. Joo II.

The thermal waters continue to be much sought after, though today Caldas da Rainha boasts many other attractions such as the Parque Termal (Thermal Park) and Jos Malhoa Museum displaying naturalist and realist paintings by Jos Malhoa and other Portuguese painters from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The abundance of clay in the region led to the proliferation of ceramics factories, an industry that continues today and is internationally renowned for its figurative and satirical works. There are many high street shops, banks, supermarkets, shopping centres and hundreds of restaurants.

São Martinho Bay
Salir do Porto and São Martinho do Porto are traditional Portuguese fishing villages with a resident population. The Portuguese, French and Spanish have been holidaying in the area for hundreds of years. Visitors enjoy the traditional Portuguese easy lifestyle, which includes lots of food and wine. The local cuisine includes fresh fish daily and traditional pork dishes. The waterfront is lined with traditional cafes, bars and seafood restaurants with average three course meals including wine costing approximately 15,00 per person. All the facilities needed for living and holidaying on the bay have been
there for many years, including shops, banks pharmacies and general stores.

Alcobaça
Alcobaça is known for its principal attraction, the Abbey of Santa Maria. Founded in 1153 to commemorate a victory against the Moors, it was finally completed in 1223. It is now Portugal's largest church, and one of its outstanding architectural monuments.

It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO and its excellent state of preservation makes it the finest example of Cistercian architecture in Europe. (it is also the continent's largest building of the Cistercian order)

Links: http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/alcobaca.html

Batalha
Batalha's abbey is one of Europe's greatest Gothic masterpieces and is protected as a World Heritage monument. It was built in 1388 after King João I made a vow to the Virgin that he would build a magnificent monastery if she granted him a victory over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota.

Links: http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/batalha.html

Fatima
Fatima has been one of the biggest Catholic shrines in the world since 1937, when it is believed the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children as they were tending their family's sheep.

There are visits to Fatima throughout the year, but it is on May 13th and October 13th that it receives the most pilgrims from all over the world, many of them making their way to the basilica on their knees. The vast neoclassical basilica was built in 1953 in recognition of the importance of the site to pilgrims, with a 65m (213 ft) tower and contains the tombs of the three children. It is located in a square twice the size of St. Peter's Square in Rome, capable of holding a million. people.

Links: http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/fatima.html