My recent trip to Portugal was very much a holiday, squeezed exactly and coincidentally into the UK government's two-week 'air corridor' opening to the country. As such it was never intended to be a photographic expedition and consequently the only shots taken were using the handy mobile phone. However one thing became clear very soon after arrival....that Portugal is a fabulous country and Lisbon a uniquely beautiful city!
We spent time in both Lisbon and Porto as well as in Cascais, Aveiro and the resort town of Nazare. The two big cities both have the luxury of seaside suburbs, antique trams functioning as everyday public transport and Lisbon in particular boasts the amazing reflective mosaic pavements that help to give it the name of 'city of light'. The black and white 'art photo' postcards available widely in the city centre help to draw attention to it's beauty and probably encouraged me (with only my phone available) to focus on seeing it from a travel photography perspective.
Lisbon
Following the example of the 'ladies who clearly know what's what' we were excited to try Ginjinha, the local sweet cherry liqueur......all I can say is that it goes down very nicely!
Porto is more compact with a lively riverbank, a photography gallery/museum and great examples of Portuguese blue tile-work known as azulejos.
Porto
Porto
The nearby towns of Vila Nova de Gaia and Foz do Douro are the location for the three photos above.
Aveiro is known for its network of canals.
Nazaré also has a separate neighbourhood, this time on the hill above the town. Sítio is accessed by elevator (ascensor) and is a pilgrimage site due to the presence of the sanctuary of the Virgin of Nazareth.
Ordinarily in September a religious festival is held when the Senhora da Nazaré icon is paraded through the town, though this years event was very low key…….but I have to say that the fabulous beach more than made up for the lack of occasion!
