Celebrating the land of Pessoa, Port & the Age of Discovery

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Portugal; the small but mighty culinary giant of the Iberian Peninsula! This is the land of Vasco de Gama & Pessoa; once the stomping ground of Romans, Moors and Crusaders. Lisbon, a historic hillside city rich with culture, cobble stones, cafés, cable cars and traditional foods cooked in old Portuguese style. But local & new Chefs influenced by the wave of emigrants since the 18th and 19th century aim to challenge diners' palates with surprising twists on traditional ingredients and grandmotherly dishes. 

Not more than an hour away from Lisbon is the land of fairytales; the beloved of Lord Byron - Sintra. Here magic weaves its own seductive web and lush greenery, breathtaking pinnacles and stones as old as time, left us in awed hush. We left this magical world and head north to Porto; the land of port, rising from the banks of the Douro & passing through it.

Porto is a hilly, historic mix of bridges and undoubtedly a cultural heart of Portugal. Baroque churches and narrow mediaeval alleys. It is a city made for walking and exploring its canvas of great contemporary architecture nestled between old historical buildings. As we ventured away from Porto through the north-western patch of Portugal, we arrive in the heart of picturesque terraced vineyards of Douro; golden in every way with sepia-tinged hills and amber-hued valleys.

Our journey though Portugal took us from famous landmarks to small fishing villages that tourists seldom venture to, from bustling cities to the seclusion of a 5-star eco resort,  so exclusive that a mere 12 rooms dot a footprint of over 3,000 square meters. 

An example of modern architecture at it's best - the breathtaking play of space and light while just beyond the waves flirt with the sand dunes.

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Portugal is calling....