Explore Portugal

Explore Portugalhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugalExplore Portugalhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/5-ways-to-discover-portugal-by-bikeJoin nomad Katie as she e-bikes up the Sintra hills, rides a riverfront path in Porto, tours the backroads of the Douro Valley, mountain bikes in Viana do Castelo, and cruises the central coast.2021-10-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/5-ways-to-discover-portugal-by-bikehttps://www.worldnomads.comIf you ask me, the best way to explore the country that explored the world is by bike. Portugal’s mild climate means you can ride year-round, and its drivers respect cyclists to the point of reverence. Most importantly, traveling on two wheels allows you to experience every place – from the wine country to the coast – up close, at the perfect pace. <ul> <li><a href="#sintra">Castle-hopping by e-bike in the Lisbon region </a></li> <li><a href="#porto">Riding a river-meets-ocean path in Porto</a></li> <li><a href="#duoro">Downshifting for days in the Douro Valley</a></li> <li><a href="#viana">Climbing to the crown jewel of Viana do Castelo</a></li> <li><a href="#atlantic">Pedaling with pilgrims along the Atlantic </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="sintra">Castle-hopping by e-bike in the Lisbon region</h2> Older than Rome, Lisbon is the OG City on Seven Hills. In nearby Sintra, where Lisbon’s royalty had their summer residences, the higher the hill, the richer the family. Today, their palaces are open to the public – but visitors must navigate steep, narrow roads in the <a href="/stories/discovery/just-keep-running">Sintra Mountains</a> to reach them. For that reason, I like to castle-hop by e-bike. I take a 45-minute train from Lisbon and pick up an <a href="https://www.parkebike.com/">E-bike rental at Sintra statio</a>n. At first, my pride has me trying to rent a regular bike. An avid cyclist, I think my thighs can conquer any hill. My guide laughs – it’s an e-bike or bust. Within minutes I realize he’s right – the gravity-defying roads connecting the castles require real horsepower. We pass tour buses going painfully slow on the switchbacks, and leave rental cars, driven by white-knuckled visitors in search of scarce parking, in the dust. I like to think they envy the ease of our e-bikes. Meanwhile, I envy the people who lived in the palaces. They vary in style, from Medieval Moorish to Willy Wonka whimsical. Most boast bird’s eye views of rural Lisbon. On clear days, you can see the Atlantic. In between castles, we cruise by the Convent of the Capuchos. Here, in a compound of cave dwellings, 16th-century monks practiced vows of poverty, celibacy, and silence. <h2 id="porto">Riding a river-meets-ocean path in Porto</h2> Porto is built on the banks of the Douro River, 3mi (5km) from where it meets the mighty Atlantic. Discovering its riverfront bike paths is like happening upon New York’s Central Park – you’re in the city, but instead of blaring horns, you’re surrounded by people at leisure. Some jog, others push strollers, and many, like me, cycle. Fishermen are the only obstacles, often positioning their poles dangerously close to the path. It doesn’t bother me, though. It gives me a chance to brush up on my Portuguese and ask what’s biting. My bike is a two-speed beach cruiser I rent for € 2 (US $2.32) an hour from <a href="https://tricla.pt/">Biclas & Triclas</a>. The lovely older couple who own the business outfit me with a helmet, lock, and map, explaining how to catch the boat taxi across the Douro. There are miles of beachfront bike paths on the other side. After a 10-minute crossing, I’m flying with a tailwind, sneaking peeks at locals laying on the golden sand after swimming in the icy surf. <h2 id="duoro">Downshifting for days in the Douro Valley</h2> The world’s oldest demarcated wine region, the <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/5-things-to-know-before-visiting#wine">Douro Valley</a> should be a mandatory day(s) trip from Porto. I rent a road bike and shift into the lowest gear: my saving grace for tackling the steep, terraced hills where 2,000-year-old grapes still grow. The Douro Valley is three times the size of California’s Napa Valley. To really do it justice, I eventually join a mountain-biking tour led by <a href="https://www.portugalgreenwalks.com/douro-valley/">Portugal Green Walks</a>. Starting at the valley’s highest elevation, we work our way down toward the Douro River, riding dusty backroads that connect centuries-old, family-owned vineyards. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/biking/duoro-valley.jpg" alt="Terraced vineyards in the Duoro Valley, Portugal." /> <figcaption> Vineyards in the Duoro Valley. Image credit: Katie Jackson</figcaption></figure> It’s so quiet you can hear a grape drop. I ask our guide where the farmers are, and he tells me they’re inside, avoiding the summer heat and resting before the fall harvest when the grapes are picked by hand. To make the backbreaking work more enjoyable, the workers sing traditional songs as they pick. <h2 id="viana">Climbing to the crown jewel of Viana do Castelo</h2> Viana do Castelo is a medieval city just 20mi (32km) south of Portugal’s northern border with Spain. It’s the crown jewel of the Costa Verde: a rugged coastline of pine forests and windswept beaches worshipped by surfers. I stay at a sports hotel owned by an ex-professional kite surfer. Fortunately, his retirement hobbies include <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/mountain-biking">mountain biking</a>. I rent a mountain bike from the hotel and follow the bike mechanic’s directions to the town’s crown jewel: the mountaintop Basilica of Santa Luzia. I pedal down a forested lane, cross the Lima River via the .6mi (1km) bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel, and remember how grateful I am for shocks when my tires hit the cobblestone streets in town. I pause to marvel at the line wrapping around the block outside Manuel Natario bakery. It’s an unofficial national treasure, selling out of its Berlin balls (Portuguese donuts), which it makes by the thousand, twice a day. Fueled by a deep inhale of the intoxicating aromas, I begin the ascent to the Basilica – I’ve heard the panoramic views at the top are unreal. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/biking/viano-do-castelo-feelviana.jpg" alt="Two cyclists ride mountain bikes on the top of a hill in Viano do Castelo, Portual." /> <figcaption>Mountain Biking in Viano do Castelo. Image credit: FeelViana Sport Hotel</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="atlantic">Pedaling with pilgrims along the Atlantic</h2> There are direct flights from Lisbon to Porto. But skipping Central Portugal – the underrated countryside and coastline between the two cities – should be a cardinal sin. I borrow a bike from my Fatima hotel and pedal to the sanctuary. Millions of Catholics make the pilgrimage to Fatima each year, believing the Virgin Mary performed a miracle here in 1917. I witness a faith so unwavering it brings grown men and women to their knees as they make their final approach to the shrine. I also explore parts of the Atlantic Coast Route – a 5,087mi (8,187km) cycling path from Northern Norway to Southern Portugal. Because there are unpaved sections, my <a href="https://www.momentosnocentro.com/">Momentos no Centro</a> guide, Hugo, recommends hybrid bikes. My favorite stretch is through Nazare: a fishing village turned surf mecca after the world’s largest wave was surfed there in 2011. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/biking/cycling-to-nazare.jpg" alt="A cyclist rides the Atlantic Coastal Route near Nazare, Portugal." /> <figcaption>Cycling the Atlantic Coastal Route near Nazare, Portugal. Image credit: Katie Jackson</figcaption></figure> The cyclists we pass smile and nod, knowingly. We enjoy an unspoken camaraderie until a unicyclist invites us to try his ride. We have fun but fail miserably. Life may be like riding a bicycle, as Einstein once said. But, if you ask me, riding a unicycle is another thing entirely.Katie Jackson 0 A woman rides an e-bike up steep hill in Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/5-things-to-know-before-visitingPortugal is known for beaches, fado, and of course, Port. But that's just the beginning. Nomad Donna shares her favorite Portuguese wines, non-touristy Lisbon neighborhoods, and inland cities.2025-05-20T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/5-things-to-know-before-visitinghttps://www.worldnomads.comOn my first visit of many visits to Portugal, I was bowled over by its coast and carefree surf culture. But it didn’t take long to realize there’s a lot more to this booming European nation than summer fun. Pack your swimsuit, by all means, but also get ready to discover a mix of the historic, the fresh and innovative, the rustic, and the richly diverse. Here's what you should know about Portugal and why it's worth a visit or several. <ul> <li><a href="#diversity">Cultural diversity: Maritime power to post-colonial melting pot </a></li> <li><a href="#beaches">Beaches beyond the Algarve</a></li> <li><a href="#wine">Portuguese wine: it’s not just Port </a></li> <li><a href="#lisbon">Experience real Lisboeta life</a></li> <li><a href="#heartland">Don't miss Portugal's heartland cities </a></li> <li><a href="#around">Getting around</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="diversity">Cultural diversity: Maritime power to post-colonial melting pot</h2> As many of us were taught at school, Vasco de Gama sailed the ocean blue. His extraordinary voyage to India was the apex of what’s known as Portugal’s “<a href="/stories/discovery/just-keep-running">Age of Discovery</a>”, an era that saw the rise of the Atlantic economies, the slave trade that underpinned them, and Europe’s all-consuming colonial ambitions. This is a history that is both epic, in the true sense of the word, and disquieting. For visitors, it’s one that’s evident not just in the country’s museums and monuments, but also in its contemporary society. A significant percentage of Lisbon’s population is made up of immigrants from its former African, Asian, and South American colonies. Their descendants and the tastes and sounds of these distinct Lusophone cultures really bring this history to life. The music genre of fado might be Portugal’s most widely known musical offering, but in Lisbon’s vibrant bars and clubs I also discovered a constantly evolving contemporary music scene that includes kizomba (from Angola), funana (from Cape Verde) and hybrid Afro-electronic forms. <a href="/explore/south-america/brazil">Brazil</a>’s many and varied musical styles are on high rotation too, with the best live rondo-style performances to be experienced outside of Rio de Janeiro. Culinary reminders are also evident: Brazilian chicken pastéis and mojitos on every corner, the peanut-strewn coconut crab or rich lamb stews at Moçambiquan cafes, piles of Macanese chili tofu and eggplant at “clandestino” Chinese restaurants, and fragrant fish curries at either hole-in-the-wall or upmarket Goan places. <h2 id="beaches">Beaches beyond the Algarve</h2> There is much more to Portugal’s long coast than the English-speaking crowds of the Algarve. North, on the Spanish border, Foz do Minho – Portugal's most northerly beach – and its nearby counterpart Moledo are pine-fringed and pretty, with views to Spain’s not-so-distant hills. Wild and windswept, this is kite-surfing heaven. The spectacular Praia de Adraga has a looming headland and sweep of beach just an hour west of Lisbon. I always stay just along the coast at the beautiful village of Azenhas do Mar for the area’s most lauded seafood restaurants and sea baths beautiful enough to wow this Australian. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/parque-natural-do-sudoeste-alentejano-costa-vincentina.jpg" alt="Wildflowers on the Costa Vincentia in southern Portugal." /> <figcaption> Wildflowers in Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano on the Costa Vincentia. Image credit: Getty Images / Anders Blomqvist</figcaption></figure> Down on the Costa Vincentia, a wild, biodiverse national park hugs dramatic cliffs, stretching all the way to the Algarve border. The whitewashed village of Praia de Vila Nova Milfontes has both a wave-lashed sea beach and gentle riverfront dunes, although it’s the grilled seafood or arroz de peixe (claypot rice and fish) at waterfront fisherman’s shacks that I come for. Bring your <a href="/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-pick-travel-shoes-for-your-next-adventure">walking shoes</a> – there are spectacular clifftop paths all the way to Porto Barcas, with many secret coves, then more excellent seafood places in O Sacas. Further south, Praia di Odeceixe Mar’s river-circled beach is an extraordinary sight. <h2 id="wine">Portuguese wine: it’s not just Port</h2> I’d come across a few Portuguese vinho verdes in the well-stocked wine bars of Melbourne but was not prepared for how interesting the local wine scene is. A wonderful new world awaits, with a long and often obscure list of varietals and unusual blends that are rarely exported. Wine lovers might start with the simplest of questions: vinho tinto o vinho branco? (red wine or white wine?). Not a bad place to linger, but if you want to delve deeper, seek out wines with a DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) or DOP (Denominação de Origem Protegida) classification, or vinho regionals (IGP). The ubiquitous Vinho Verde – a white blend of local grapes, such as Loureiro and Arinto – hails from the northwest and is most often fresh and spritzy, although you can find some with age and complexity. These northern regions are also known for their peachy, lemony Alvarinhos. Also in the north, the steep, terraced <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/5-ways-to-discover-portugal-by-bike">Douro Valley</a> is all about robust reds, often made from the same grapes as Port, such as Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo in Spanish), though they also produce some elegant, mineral whites too. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/duoro-valley.jpg" alt="Terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley, Portugal." /> <figcaption>Terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley. Image credit: Getty Images / Terry Eggers</figcaption></figure> Small producers have revitalized the once-maligned Dão red (the region’s name as well as the wine), while Lisbon and Tejo’s maritime climates lend themselves to fragrant whites and soft reds. Here the tiny region of Colores makes a herbaceous, salt-tinged white from Ramisco grapes, grown on some of the oldest pre-phylloxera vines in Europe. Lastly, look out for wines from Pico Island in the <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/sao-miguel-portugals-untamed-emerald-island">Azores</a>, made with grapes grown in volcanic soil on old vines, but in very modern rosé and pet-nat styles. <h2 id="lisbon">Experience real Lisboeta life</h2> The sheer number of visitors that come to take in Lisbon’s loveliness can make its famed Alfama and Bario Alto neighborhoods feel like a well-worn circuit and, when the bachelor and bachelorette parties hit town come the weekend, a circus. Instead, wind your way up the hill through Alfama’s picture-postcard maze to gently gentrified Graça, where there are regular grocers and bakers, a vibrant street art scene and some excellent <a href="/travel-safety/europe/portugal/portugal-tips-and-dangers">nightlife</a>. It’s leafy plaça are home to low-key bars with stunning views, too. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/terrace-in-graca.jpg" alt="People sit enjoying the view on a terrace in Graca, Lisbon." /> <figcaption>A terrace with a view in Graça. Image credit: Getty Images / Tinyevilhog</figcaption></figure> Likewise, if you’re not in town to swill Sagres beer from plastic cups at 3am in Barrio Alto or Cais do Sodre’s pink street (if you are, don’t worry, it is great fun), the elegant streets up in Príncipe Real may be more your style. Rua da Escola Politécnica and the smaller lanes that intersect it are full of stylish little bars and restaurants. During the day, locals browse Modern Brazilian design shops and grab a bica (espresso) or a beer in one of the quiosques in leafy Parc de Príncipe before a lie-down in its lush botanic gardens, full of fragrant exotic trees. <h2 id="heartland">Don't miss Portugal's heartland cities</h2> Lisbon and Porto are sufficiently interesting and distinctive to easily occupy an entire trip. But if you can make time, the interior is home to some fascinating small cities. I was lured by the well-preserved medieval plaça and tangled laneways of Guimarães, Portugal’s first capital, but as a university town with an interesting art museum, I found it as vibrant and unstuffy as it is historic. For those exploring the north on public transport, it’s included in Porto’s urban train system. Similarly, riverfront Coimbra, in the center of the country, has photogenically steep streets, some of them dating back to the Moorish empire, and as the site of the country’s oldest university, combines a distinct historical flavor with a youthful energy. My favorite inland destination, though, is Évora. Deep in the heart of the wine country of the Alentejo, it offers a glimpse of Portugal at its most serenely rural: a patchwork of pastures, cork forests, olive groves and, naturally, vineyards. The cobbled old town center still possesses its original medieval walls, and within lay a ridiculous number of historic treasures: a looming Gothic cathedral, an uncanny Baroque bone chapel and a Corinthian-columned Roman temple, to name a few. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/evora-square.jpg " alt="The charming old town center of Evora, Portugal. " /> <figcaption>The old center of Évora. Image credit: Getty Images / joe daniel price</figcaption></figure> But it’s the town’s rustic slow food that the Portuguese come for, with a staggering number of restaurants to choose from, most serving up Alentejo staples such as pig trotters, slow-braised lamb, and bread and garlic soup, alongside the bold, sun-kissed wines of the region. Base yourself here and strike out each day for tastings and lunch at one of the many nearby wineries, or head off to Cromeleque dos Almendres, a group of spectacular ancient granite megaliths, 9.5mi (15km) west. <h2 id="around">Getting around Portugal</h2> The national train network, CP (Comboios de Portugal) is efficient, comfortable, and good value. A number of bus companies take over where the trains don’t go (or provide a cheaper alternative if they do) and include Expressos and Rápidas and the longer distance Alta Qualidade services. Car hire is also reasonably priced, and all the usual rental companies can be found in bigger towns, though renting from the airport is often easier. The country’s national carrier TAP has domestic routes but unless you’re flying between Lisbon and Faro in the far south, it’s far easier and more scenic to take the train or <a href="/travel-safety/europe/portugal/transport-and-getting-around-portugal">drive</a>.Getty Images / Marco Bottigelli 1656711740 Getty Images Whitewashed buildings on a cliff above the sea in Azenhas do Mar, near Lisbon, Portugal.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/7-reasons-to-visit-madeiraFrom spectacular hikes with epic views to deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and sampling the local nightlife, this subtropical Portugese island offers no end of worthwhile things to see and do.2021-06-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/7-reasons-to-visit-madeirahttps://www.worldnomads.comThe magical island of Madeira is one of travel’s best kept secrets. This lush, waterfall-filled, volcanic Portuguese isle on Morocco’s Atlantic coast offers epic adventures and friendly people. With charming towns, plenty of nature, great food, and an abundance of outdoor activities, Madeira has recently begun to attract digital nomads and travelers of all ages (having traditionally been popular with older visitors). Here are seven reasons Madeira is well worth visiting. <ul> <li><a href="#climate">An ideal climate</a></li> <li><a href="#hikes">Surreal and beautiful hikes </a></li> <li><a href="#food">Excellent local food</a></li> <li><a href="#scuba">Great scuba diving</a></li> <li><a href="#road-trips">Epic road trips</a></li> <li><a href="#fishing">Magnificent deep-sea fishing </a></li> <li><a href="#nightlife">Poncha and nightlife</a></li> <li><a href="#getting-there">Getting to Madeira</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="climate">An ideal climate</h2> For some countries, it matters what time of year you visit, which can make planning a challenge. However, Madeira’s mild, subtropical climate means it’s an all-year-round destination, remaining in a state of blissful, eternal spring. This doesn’t mean there will be constant sunshine; the island is an amalgamation of weather experiences due to varied elevations and wind exposure. Be sure to pack a rain jacket as the weather can and does change in a second. I got caught out a few times while hiking there. <h2 id="hikes">Surreal and beautiful hikes</h2> Personally, I feel most at home in the mountains, disconnected and among the clouds. A true hiker’s paradise, Madeira has <a href="https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/best-hikes-in-madeira-portugal/">hundreds of epic trails for all levels</a>, from beginner to seriously advanced (with more being made all the time) crisscrossing the island offering unbelievable views. The combination of lush greenery, crashing waves, cliff-side trails, the experience of being up in the clouds… I’m not sure any other place can emulate Madeira’s hiking vibe. To get a feel for the landscape, check out the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trek. The 6.8mi (11km) trail has jaw-dropping landscapes reminiscent of Hawaii. The starting point is also less than an hour from Funchal, Madeira’s capital, making it easily accessible. If you’re looking for a more off-beat <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hiking adventure</a>, I recommend the Levada do Plaino Velho trek. At only 5.3mi (8.5km), it might not be the longest or most challenging hike on the island, but will take you through magical forests and past fast-flowing waterfalls. From Funchal, the trailhead takes an hour to reach and begins at Pico Ruivo do Paul. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/madeira/waterfall-gettyimages-631297160.jpg" alt="A hiker approaches Risco Waterfall on the island of Madeira." /> <figcaption>A waterfall hike on Madeira. Image credit: Getty Images / Inigo Fdz de Pinedo</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="food">Excellent local food</h2> Madeira might just have some of the best seafood I’ve ever eaten. Freshly caught tuna is perfectly seasoned and the regional favorite of black scabbard is uniquely paired with banana. Meat lovers will love espetada, another Madeira favorite, where any cut of meat you like is grilled over hot coals. Delicious. There are several tasty restaurants in Funchal that are either vegan or vegetarian and many more with excellent vegetarian options. For full vegan you can check out the popular spot Mundo Vegan. Bioforma Restaurant is a great all-veg option. Restaurante Olives is also delicious and has a separate menu for vegans and vegetarians. <h2 id="scuba">Great scuba diving</h2> Due to its subtropical climate and abundance of marine life, as well as a few old shipwrecks, Madeira is a dream <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/scuba-diving-travel-insurance">diving</a> destination, whether you’re already experienced or looking to get certified. There are dozens of diving centers in Funchal to choose from, and you can expect to pay about US $48 (€ 40) for a dive with equipment rental and a minimum of US $420 (€ 350) for an Open Water Diver certification – for Europe, this is fairly inexpensive. Some particularly iconic dives can be found near the Bay of Funchal, where you can dive in the Eco-Marine Park of Funchal, the National Park of Cabo Girão, and Garajau Nature Reserve. <h2 id="road-trips">Epic road trips</h2> As much as there is to discover, Madeira is quite small, just 500 mi2 (800 km2), so it’s easy to explore by car. Buses and Uber are an option, but if you want to get acquainted with the island, renting a car in Funchal will allow you to really explore. As you drive around the so-called “Pearl of the Atlantic” from Funchal, head to the middle of the island for some hiking before moving to the northern side to explore the volcanic caves in Sao Vicente (entrance fee US $10, € 8) and then making your way to Cabo Girão, the second-highest cliff walk in the world. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/madeira/view-from-cabo-girao-738815321.jpg" alt="The dizzying view from the cliffside skywalk at Cabo Girao, Madeira." /> <figcaption>The view from the cliff walk at Cabo Girão. Image credit: Getty Images / FevreDream</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="fishing">Magnificent deep-sea fishing</h2> If you’re into deep-sea fishing, make sure you book a day out on the water. Chartered boats are easy to rent and the reward is well worth the cost. Think some of the best blue marlin in the world, white marlin, big red snappers, tuna, and more. Fishing licenses (required to do any kind of fishing on the island) are included in the charter price. Prices vary wildly so charters are best split among friends and/or fellow fishing enthusiasts. Fishing in Madeira is heavily regulated, so if you’re catching marlin, it’s catch and release. You can bring back more abundant fish, such as red snappers, for a BBQ on the beach and, damn, they are delicious. <h2 id="nightlife">Poncha and nightlife</h2> Madeira is also famous for the eponymous fortified wine and another tasty drink – the classic and lethal concoction known as poncha. This locally made, distilled drink shouldn't be underestimated: this stuff is strong – with an alcohol strength of 50%. You’ll find this delicacy at bars and discotheques throughout the island, to help you get your dance on. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/madeira/funchal-gettyimages-498882476.jpg" alt="Funchal, the capital of Madeira." /> <figcaption>Madeira's charming seaside capital, Funchal. Image credit: Getty Images / FevreDream</figcaption></figure> With more of a town atmosphere than a city feel, Funchal’s nightlife still has plenty of hole-in-the-wall bars, more upmarket, visitor-aimed restaurants, traditional poncha-serving locales, and, hidden along the winding cobblestone streets, fish restaurants that have been handed down from generation to generation. It’s safe, chill and friendly. Enjoy! <h2 id="getting-there">Getting to Madeira</h2> The quickest and easiest way to get to Madeira is by air. During peak season, numerous 90-minute flights operate daily from Lisbon, and they usually don’t cost more than US $100 (€ 84).  There are flights to Madeira from other European destinations, too. Once you land, the Madeira Airport is about 15-20 minutes away from Funchal, and there are a shuttle bus and taxis standing by.Getty Images / MarcoBottigelli 01282656135 Getty Images Hikers at an overlook atop Pico do Arieiro, Madeira's third-highest peak.

Within Library Walls | Portugal Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/within-library-walls-portugal-travel-storyWithin Library Walls | Portugal Travel StoryFri, 05 Jun 2020 22:55:25 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/within-library-walls-portugal-travel-storyhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/where-to-go-in-lisbon-to-avoid-the-crowdsAs Portugal becomes increasingly popular with travelers, nomad Cameron follows local recommendations to find secluded spots and unique adventures.2020-03-06T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/where-to-go-in-lisbon-to-avoid-the-crowdshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#mercado">The Mercado de Santa Clara, aka Feria da Ladra</a></li> <li><a href="#cascais">Rock-climbing the cliffs of Cascais</a></li> <li><a href="#lx">LX Factory in Lisbon</a></li> <li><a href="#e-biking">E-biking to Lisbon’s Belém district</a></li> <li><a href="#ursa">Cabo da Roca’s secluded gem, Praia da Ursa</a></li> </ul> Portugal is fast becoming one of Europe’s trendiest destinations, a place for foodies, families, and fun-seekers alike. In just 10 years, the country has seen an almost 115% rise in tourism, with travelers attracted by its great weather and friendly cities. As bustling Starbucks start to replace sleepy cafes across the capital, Lisbon, I found myself feeling more like a tourist than an explorer. So, I hiked off the city’s beaten paths – literally – to discover these hidden spots and adventures that locals swear by. <h2 id="mercado">The Mercado de Santa Clara, aka Feria da Ladra</h2> After lugging my suitcases up Lisbon’s many flights of steps, I arrived at my hotel in the city center with one goal: a long nap. My hotel bellhop had other plans. “Go to the Mercado de Santa Clara, the flea market,” he suggested. “If you want to see real Lisbon, this is it.” The 30-minute walk to Feria da Ladra (flea market) took me away from the busiest Lisbon neighborhoods and through a maze of quiet, winding streets in Alfama, the district famous for producing Fado music. At the market, I found a huge range of local products and <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/europe/portugal/its-portugal-they-speak-portugese">shouts of “Óla!”</a> from the hundreds of vendors selling their goods. From colorful cork wallets to rare Portuguese coins, there seemed to be a gift for everyone at the Mercado – and I couldn’t find better prices anywhere in Lisbon. After I finished shopping, I headed to the nearby Monastery of São Vicente da Fora, one of Lisbon’s most stunning churches, built nearly 400 years ago. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/lisbon-market.jpg" /><figcaption>The Lisbon flea market (Feria da Ladra). Image credit: Getty Images / Jumping Rock</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="cascais">Rock-climbing the cliffs of Cascais</h2> There are plenty of ways to see Cascais, Lisbon’s <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/best-day-trips-from-lisbon">most famous beach town</a>, about 30 minutes from the city by train. But to escape the crowds that clog the popular streets, I decided to do some adventuring. Cue José, Nuno, Mário, and Bob, four Cascais locals that know the seaside cliffs better than anyone. I booked an Airbnb experience with <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/158750">LifeOutside</a>, a local company specializing in outdoor activities – beginners welcome – and followed the guides past the famous Boca do Inferno and down a flight of steps carved into the cliff itself. Here, I was away from tourists, and just feet above the waters of the Atlantic. The four experienced rock climbers strung up ropes on the soaring cliffs as I sat and watched the waves. When I climbed to the top of the cliffs, I enjoyed something few Cascais visitors get to see: a birds-eye view of the endless Atlantic Ocean. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/lisbon-boca.jpg" /><figcaption>Boca do Inferno in Cascais. Image credit: Getty Images / Joao Corriea / Eye Em</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="lx">LX Factory in Lisbon</h2> Once a decrepit factory, LX Factory got a makeover in 2008, when an investor revitalized the space. It’s now Lisbon’s trendy cultural hub, with more than 200 businesses including restaurants, bookstores, and boutiques. Comur is a shop that sells one of Portugal’s most famous goods – canned fish – in painted tins with mini Portuguese history lessons on the back. I ate at A Praça, an industrial-style restaurant serving up Italian and Portuguese dishes, and finished off the night with a cocktail at the colorful Rio Maravilha bar – all without leaving LX Factory. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/lisbon-lx.jpg" /><figcaption>LX Factory. Image credit: Getty Images / Birger Niss </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="e-biking">E-biking to Lisbon’s Belém district</h2> The Belém district of Lisbon isn’t exactly off the beaten path – but it can be, by using the city’s new e-bike system to get there. I booked an e-bike on the Uber app and hopped on at Cais do Sodre station, pedaling (with the help of the motor) along Lisbon’s waterfront. I rode under the April 25th Bridge – Lisbon’s own Golden Gate – and past the <a href="/stories/discovery/just-keep-running">Monument of the Discoveries</a>, commemorating the country’s most famous explorers, such as Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan. Biking early brings the pleasure of the spectacular sunrise over the Tagus River – and meant I beat the lines to Pastéis de Belém, where locals told me I’d find the best pasteis de nata pastries in Lisbon. <h2 id="ursa">Cabo da Roca’s secluded gem, Praia da Ursa</h2> About 25mi (40km) from Lisbon, Cabo da Roca is the most western point in continental Europe and buzzes with visitors from all over the world. But, just a few minutes away is a remarkably secluded beach – and I didn’t mind working for it. To find Praia da Ursa, I had to trek down a path leading away from Cabo da Roca, hiking over stone boulders and through patches of purple wildflowers. But after adventuring for a mile, I found my reward: an untouched, peaceful beach. Cut into the cliffs, Praia da Ursa is protected from the Atlantic winds, and I had its yellow sands and blue waters all to myself. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/lisbon-beach.jpg" /><figcaption>Praia da Ursa. Image credit: Getty Images / IonaCatalinaE</figcaption></figure> Editor’s note: Depending on where you’re from, not all the experiences described in this article may be covered under your travel insurance. Always check your policy first so you know what’s in it, what’s covered, and what’s not covered.Ellen Hall 1 Ellen Hall A nearly empty street in Lisbon's Bairro Alto neighborhood.

Just Keep Running | Portugal Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/just-keep-runningJust Keep Running | Portugal Travel StoryFri, 06 Mar 2020 17:53:10 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/just-keep-running“Where Are You From?” | Portugal Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/where-are-you-from“Where Are You From?” | Portugal Travel StoryFri, 07 Feb 2020 19:38:52 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/where-are-you-fromhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/sao-miguel-portugals-untamed-emerald-islandWith its jungly cloud forests, volcanic massifs, and black, sandy coastline, São Miguel isn’t your typical island oasis.2025-05-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/sao-miguel-portugals-untamed-emerald-islandhttps://www.worldnomads.com“People say the whole island is a garden,” remarks Hugo, our guide. We’re traversing the pasturelands of São Miguel, a gem I’d never heard of until a misdirected Google search. Labeled as the Ilha Verde (Green Island), <a href="https://www.saomiguel.com/">São Miguel</a> is a lush piece of Portugal nearly 1,000mi (1,610km) from the mainland. It belongs to one of Macaronesia’s four archipelagos, the Azores, which was discovered in the early 15th century. The nine islands here represent the continent’s westernmost frontier, and São Miguel – where more than half the Azorean population lives – is the largest of this cluster. A geopark in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean had never been my idea of a European adventure. For one thing, how could a 288 mi² (745km2) space entertain me for almost a week? But, after arriving at João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada, the region’s capital, I realize that it’s not a typical tropical oasis, with white beaches, swaying palm trees, or crystal-clear turquoise waters. Instead, the jungly cloud forests, volcanic massifs, and black, sandy coastline come together to form the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. <ul> <li><a href="#paradise">A pastoral paradise</a></li> <li><a href="#cauldrons">Cauldrons and caldeiras in Furnas</a></li> <li><a href="#transformation">São Miguel: an island in transformation</a></li> <li><a href="#marvels">Hidden marvels among the miradouros (viewpoints)</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip Notes</a></li> </ul> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sao-miguel/lagoa-do-fogo.jpg" /><figcaption>Lagoa do Fogo, the highest lake in São Miguel, under a blanket of fog. Image credit: Isabelle Anne Abraham</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="paradise">A pastoral paradise</h2> “I’m a rich guy; just look at all this,” proclaims Hugo, as he gestures toward an endless expanse of verdure overhung by cotton-like fog and dotted with multihued blossoms. It’s my first tour in São Miguel, and a nice change of scenery from the previous day, when I spent a full afternoon staring at the insides of hospitals after a sudden onset of bronchitis. But despite a cough that won’t quit, it’s hard not to appreciate this bucolic vista. We halt at a roadblock caused by a handful of the thousands of free-roaming Holstein cattle, originally brought here from the Netherlands. In fact, the island’s only endemic mammals are Azores noctule bats, which can be seen zigzagging during the day. When Portuguese settlers arrived on these rocky shores, they offloaded domestic animals like goats and sheep at Porto dos Carneiros (Rams’ Harbor). In a few years, they returned to herds of thriving livestock, and the locals have relied on them ever since. These days, dairy farming is so essential to the economy that there’s even an annual “Miss Cow” contest to honor the finest bovine beasts. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sao-miguel/caldeiras.jpg" /><figcaption>A cluster of caldeiras in Furnas. Image credit: Isabelle Anne Abraham</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="cauldrons">Cauldrons and caldeiras in Furnas</h2> In the eastern civil parish of Furnas, the humidity fastens my hair into frizzy tendrils as an overpowering smell of sulfur ascends from the earth. It’s a village sustained by fumaroles and mud pools, where the springs taste like sparkling water. In fact, water is the life force of the entire island. The sizzling geysers, magnificent crater lakes, and even spontaneous downpours all have a nurturing role to play. “The ocean is our best friend, but it’s also our enemy,” says Hugo, a reference to both the current, burgeoning fishing industry and the pirate attacks of the past. Yet it’s thanks to those marauders that we’re about to feast on São Miguel’s most popular dish: cozido das Furnas, a one-pot meat-and-vegetable stew prepared for hours in steaming pits. This culinary curiosity was unintentionally created when early inhabitants buried their food underground to hide it from pirates. Imagine their surprise when they went to retrieve it later and found a fully cooked meal! <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sao-miguel/cozido-das-furnas.jpg" /><figcaption>A hearty meal stewing in the volcanic earth of Furnas. Image credit: Isabelle Anne Abraham</figcaption></figure> <a href="/travel-insurance/destinations/portugal">Traveling to Portugal soon? Consider travel insurance</a> <h2 id="transformation">São Miguel: an island in transformation</h2> Wandering around São Miguel is like delving into a bygone world. Carlos, a private guide who’s showing me several towns over the next two days, points out remnants of traditional life throughout the landscape. In the countryside, farm properties are still partitioned with stone walls, flower hedges, and Japanese cedar trees. The remains of wooden aqueducts that were once used to obtain fresh water can be found along the hills. In urban areas, large chimneys rise above the houses because not too long ago, only rich families could afford heaters. And the narrow streets have few or no sidewalks because they were built solely for donkeys and horses. But to islanders, São Miguel’s rapid transformation over the decades is apparent. Carlos mentions that the watchtowers we’re passing were used to direct sloops for a whaling practice that ended as recently as the 1980s. Today, these are lookout points for spotters of whale-watching tours, while younger generations use the old hunting boats in regattas. The changes aren’t just cetacean-related: Windmills now serve as guesthouses, abandoned factories became museums, and the roads turned from gravel to stone to concrete within a single lifetime. <h2 id="marvels">Hidden marvels among the miradouros (viewpoints)</h2> On my last morning in São Miguel, the sky reflects how I’m feeling. Scattered showers have already canceled my whale-watching excursion, and Plan B – a tour of Gruta do Carvão, a lava tube that’s been around for thousands of years – is sold out for the rest of the week. I’m outside a hotel when Rafael, a guide I met a few days ago, saunters past and mentions that he’s taking vacationers on a walking tour. I pointedly glance up at the menacing clouds that are closing in, but Rafael is unfazed. “It’s going to be awesome!” he declares, beaming. And though the forecast is rather gloomy, his guileless enthusiasm is enough to brighten my mood. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/sao-miguel/hydrangeas.jpg" /><figcaption>Hills and hydrangeas - my favorite spot on the island. Image credit: Isabelle Anne Abraham</figcaption></figure> “Four seasons in one day” seems to be the mantra here, and like Rafael, many Micaelenses embrace the Azores’ tempestuous weather. When popular sights are shrouded by mist or the waves are too wild to sail, alternative treasures await: the indoor streets of a quirky gallery, Europe’s only tea plantations, and so much more. So, when the rain rearranges the route of my final tour, Fernando, our group’s guide, makes an unscheduled stop at an idyllic valley buried in the heart of the mountains. And it’s there, in a secret location, that I find my favorite spot on the island. A sea breeze greets us from a nearby cliff while a gurgling stream rushes past and cascades into a waterfall below. The greenery of the surrounding slopes, adorned with winding paths and bouquets of hydrangeas, begins to glow under the late afternoon sun. Jenny, a fellow traveler who’s visiting São Miguel for the sixth time, gazes around. “This is why I keep coming back,” she says. <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip Notes</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/azores/travel-guide/best-time-to-visit-the-azores">Azores weather is best in summer</a>, but that’s also when prices are double what they are in the off season.</li> <li>Renting a car is one of best ways to explore; book early to ensure vehicles don’t run out.</li> <li>Islanders themselves note that São Miguel’s healthcare is not ideal. Flu shots and other preventive measures are recommended^.</li> </ul> ^The information on this page should not be considered medical advice, you should seek the advice of your doctor.Isabelle Anne Abraham 1 Isabelle Anne Abraham Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado, one of Sao Miguel's many viewpoints.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/the-world-nomads-podcast-portugalFind out why Lisbon is so popular, hear about one of the only volcanoes in the world you can walk inside, why you shouldn’t buy tiles at a flea market, and win a trip to Portugal with the World Nomads Travel Writing Scholarship.2019-03-05T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/the-world-nomads-podcast-portugalhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>The World Nomads Podcast: Portugal</h2> With sunny summers and mild winters, and streets with tiled façades, Portugal is just a few hours flight from most European cities. Whether you visit to hit the beach or cycle through the parks and reserves, it’s the perfect outdoor destination. <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 00:24 Portugal a destination a nomad would love 01:30 Why is Lisbon suddenly so popular and is there an issue? – “For locals it's starting to be a bit too much…” – Sandra 04:02 “I don’t think people were given enough time to prepare.” – Sandra 09:50 Being a conscious traveler 10:45 Sam tells us about one of the only volcanoes on Earth that can be explored inside on foot 16:12 Parts of Syria have been open to travelers 18:30 What’s concerning Dr’s ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games? 20:26 Long live the pine cone! 24:00 The least developed part of Portugal 29:00 Tram 28 31:48 World Nomads wants to send you to Portugal. <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> Sandra Henriques Gajja, is the author of the blog <a href="https://www.tripper.pt/lisbon/traveling-to-lisbon/">Tripper</a>, a blog about sustainable cultural tourism. Sandra was born in the Azores and splits her time between Barreiro and Lisbon. She blogs about travel, culture, and the people she meets. Read Sandra’s article on Lisbon <a href="https://www.tripper.pt/lisbon/traveling-to-lisbon/">here</a>. Sam Bedford is a self-confessed travel addict making his way around the world to see the places most tourists don't. Read about his visit to <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/europe/portugal/inside-a-dormant-volcano-on-terceira-island">Algar do Carvao</a>, one of the only volcanoes on Earth that can be explored inside on foot. James Cave grew up in Portugal and runs the blog <a href="https://www.portugalist.com/">The Portugalist</a>. Also, read his <a href="https://www.portugalist.com/tram-28/">article</a> on Tram 28, one of the most beautiful public transport routes in the world. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/author/rebecca-day">Bec Day</a> is World Nomads Programs and Campaigns Coordinator. An avid explorer, she’s extensively backpacked around Central America and Europe, always interested in trying the wackiest delicacies she can find. <h2>Please Complete Our Survey</h2> <script>// <![CDATA[ (function(t,e,s,n){var o,a,c;t.SMCX=t.SMCX||[],e.getElementById(n)||(o=e.getElementsByTagName(s),a=o[o.length-1],c=e.createElement(s),c.type="text/javascript",c.async=!0,c.id=n,c.src=["https:"===location.protocol?"https://":"http://","widget.surveymonkey.com/collect/website/js/tRaiETqnLgj758hTBazgdzDiJndf0ALQHsnMpeesxexvrH_2FSGy1QIQJZ_2Fw5nHxVF.js"].join(""),a.parentNode.insertBefore(c,a))})(window,document,"script","smcx-sdk"); // ]]></script> <a style="font: 12px Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.surveymonkey.com"> Create your own user feedback survey </a> <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. Win a <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create/scholarships/writing/2019/">travel writing trip</a> to Portugal with World Nomads. The Ethical Traveler's <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-ethical-traveler-s-guide-to-souvenir-shopping">Guide</a> to Souvenir Shopping. <h2>Want to Republish This Episode</h2>  <iframe width="100%" height="200" src="https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/340249?visual=true&sharing=true" frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; height: 200px"></iframe> Next Episode: Amazing Nomad Susan Span <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by podcast producer Kim Napier and World Nomads' Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a> <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: Welcome to the World Nomads podcast delivered by World Nomads. The travel lifestyle and insurance brand. It's not your usual travel podcast. It's everything for the adventurous independent traveler. Kim: Hey, thanks for hitting play on this episode of the World Nomads podcast in which we're off to Portugal. I am Kim and Phil is about to fill you in on why. (did you get that?) On why it's a destination a nomad will love. Phil: Sunny summers and mild winter streets filled with tiled facades. Portugal is just a few hours flight from most European cities. Whether your visit to hit the beaches or cycle through the parks and reserves. It's the perfect destination for getting outdoors. It's also got perfect tubular waves, surfing is hugely popular and the country hosts some of the biggest surfing events on the calendar, including the Rip Curl Pro and it's famous for its ports to jamon. Phil: Yes, I've tried to help out there. Kim: Yeah. Phil: Piri Piri chicken, yeah I helped out there too, and football! Kim: Oh, yeah. If you're into football, just think, Christiano Ronaldo. Phil: One of the things that travelers noticed most is the hospitality and friendliness of the Portuguese people. Kim: Well in this episode we will explore the Azores, take a walk into a volcano, and get some tips on experiencing Portugal from a local, including Sandra. Now she runs a blog called tripper. It was on her side that I came across an entry titled Traveling to Lisbon, Read these 10 things first. Now Sandra writes that Lisbon, Phil, has become so popular and trendy that things may have gotten a little out of hand. Sandra: I think there's this big difference between what we local feel and there are three perspectives. We have the locals, we have the tourist, and of course, we have the government who obviously runs everything and the perspectives are completely different. For locals it's starting to be a bit too much, for the government and we still have lots of room to grow, and for tourists, obviously Lisbon it was wonderful and sunny and an affordable and whatnot. I don't think we're at that level, like in Barcelona for example, Not yet. I don't think we've reached that a danger level, but we should actually do something now before we get to that. Kim: I feel quite guilty then sharing it with the rest of the world. But why hasn't Lisbon becomes so popular? Sandra: I actually, I don't know. There was a time during the economic recession, let's see, 2011, 2013, around those two years people lost their jobs, companies were closing down. We have a massive amount of, of people immigrating to London and other cities in Europe, and those who were left behind, the only things they had was actually tourism. So we in a way, tourism saved the Portuguese economy. Everyone says this and I also believe that because we already have the product, we don't have to think too hard. We have wine, we have food, we have the weather, and Everything else followed it. It was like all of the online publications where discovering Lisbon, they were writing about Lisbon, And it just blew up completely. Sandra: Then we have a massive event, which was the web summit, which is Europe's largest internet conference, if you will, on all the startups. It brought more people and for Lisbon to have between 30,000 and 50,000 people in five days. It's a lot. I remember everything was chaotic. Metro was chaotic, like hotels and restaurants, bars, everything was too much. And I don't think people were given enough time to prepare. That is the issue. Things have to be done a little bit more, well sustainably. But why do you feel guilty? You were saying you felt guilty for sharing? Kim: Well, yeah, you're telling everybody that, okay here's this special place in the world that hasn't quite been loved to death, but it's fabulous, it's popular. Sandra: It hasn't yet. Kim: Yeah, go along and love it to death. That's where I'm feeling some guilt from. Sandra: No, I don't think you should. I think I actually, once I started to be very open and vocal about it on the blog, because the first intention with Trooper was not at all to write about a sustainable tourism. That wasn't my focus in the beginning. It was just a general generic travel blog and then suddenly I started seeing all the misinformation about Lisbon, you know, all the same articles over and over and over about the same things, people giving wrong information. I started writing a few blog posts and I realized people actually wanted that local connection. They wanted to feel, okay, we are traveling there, but are we adding to the problem instead of the solution? I actually get emails from readers asking me, how can I be more responsible when traveling to Lisbon? How can I be more conscious? What should I do? Which businesses should I support? So there is a concern. Kim: How do you be a responsible or conscious traveler to Lisbon? Sandra: Very hard question. First of all, figure out why are you traveling to Lisbon. Because if you're here for the food, maybe you are not interested in visiting museums. If you're here for the art, maybe you're not interested in going on a food tour. What I think is people don't have that much time to travel and they tried to just pack everything into three or four days, sometimes less, and tried to do as much as they can. It's not sustainable for us. It's not sustainable for those who weren't visiting. It's like that rule, do you know the rule that you should never look for a restaurant when you're starving because you might fall into a tourist trap? That's the same with traveling. If you're to be eager to see everything and go to everything, you'll end up probably seeing nothing that you came here for. Sandra: Then maybe leave with an idea like, oh you know no, it wasn't that, Lisbon was okay, but it was not what people told me about. I think that's very important. I think we many times we don't stop to think like, why are we traveling to this specific location? Is it because it looks good on Instagram? Is it because you actually enjoy the history of the city or the local culture? You have to ask that question first and then obviously try to see you with a business that support the kind of traveling you want. Kim: Well, in your blog you do say that there are a number of places that you can skip in Lisbon, but sometimes it's hard for a traveler for example, to go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. Sandra: I know that was a very, very difficult those to write. It also brought me a lot of the hate mail. Well not hate mail, but if email lots of people telling me, I know is it's a very controversial post. Obviously, if you go to Paris you have to see the Eiffel Tower. If you come to Lisbon, you have to see the Santa Justa Lift for example. With what I do say is that I listed six places that you can skip visiting inside, Most of them because most people don't know this. Then they join those large queues and they stay in queue for hours. Then they get inside, it's nothing what they expected just because the guide told them to or trip advisor told them to, to travel there. Those six places I mentioned to skip are actually those that you can actually skip visiting inside, not going to them to be clear. Kim: You also saying, you mentioned food earlier, that's one of the first thing that pops into your mind might be sardines in Lisbon, But keep in mind they're not fresh the whole year round. Sandra: They're not, that's the biggest tourist trap in Lisbon. Sometimes I noticed this, usually the I think fresh sardines, I don't want to get the dates wrong, but it's specially in the summer. So between June and September, let's say, those would be fresh, like guaranteed fresh sardines. But I've seen this happening in restaurants. Seeing restaurants serving frozen sardines and telling tourists they are fresh and because they don't know the difference, sometimes they're good. I've eaten grilled sardines that are frozen. It's fine. I just don't like the way they sell them to tourists, trying to convince them that they're having some authentic local dish when it's not. Kim: I'm curious as to why you would get some negative feedback about this particular blog. It's actually really good advice. Sandra: Most of the negative feedback came from locals. They mentioned I was going against what Lisbon had, the best things that Lisbon had. I don't think those are the best things that Lisbon has, but those are the same people that probably will complain about how there are many tourists on the places they used to go to. You cannot please everyone. It's impossible. Kim: Well, it's a very thorough article, even down to recommendations on where to buy sustainable and local souvenirs in Lisbon, which again, is an issue that's topical? Sandra: Especially for tiles. I've seen so many blog posts and articles telling people to only volcano in the world where you can actually walk inside and that's the last thing you should do; because most of the times are actually taken off historical buildings and sold and broken. It's very, very, very complicated. You're not actually helping because they only sell them because there are people buying it. If you stop buying they will obviously stop selling them. I hope that that's the goal, At least. Kim: World Nomads has a great article share and show notes, the ethical traveler's guide to souvenir shopping because we all want to be conscious consumers and that was a great tip from Sandra when visiting Portugal to end there. Phil: Okay. Speaking of articles, Sam Bedford, who's joined us on the podcast before, has written a story for us on his journey inside of a dormant volcano in the Azores. Sam: Well, it's the only volcano in the world where you can actually walk inside and walk down the steps, walk through some of the lava chambers, and actually stand inside and look up out through the point where the lava once exploded a few thousand years ago. Phil: This sounds like an episode of Scooby Doo. Seriously, to be inside a volcano. Sam: Yeah, but it gets better. Phil: Go on. Sam: Inside there's there's a section that they call the cathedral, which is essentially a magma chamber, but because of the acoustics, the people on the island sometimes host a concert inside. You'd have an orchestra coming down inside this volcano, them playing whatever because of the acoustics and perfect, which makes it the only volcano in the world where you can watch a concert. Phil: Wow. Sam: Some people actually get married inside. Phil: So whereabouts is this? Whereabouts in Portugal is this? Sam: This is on to Terceira island, which is part of the Azores, out in the Atlantic Ocean. Phil: Is it hard to get to this place or is it, you know, pretty easy and very popular once you're on the Azores? Sam: Actually no, I found it very difficult to even find information on the place. Everything online's all in Portuguese, so you have to physically translate the pages to English and then try to get the information. To be honest with you, I don't think it gets the hype that it deserves. A lot of people just think them going into another cave and it's not, it's a dormant volcano. There's three ways that you can get there. Either you join a tour from the main town onto Terceira Island, which is Angra. A lot of people drive, they'd rent a car from the airport, drive around the island, see the sides, and they stopped by the volcano as you just one stop on many. Phil: What about the people on the Azores? I mean it's so far from Portugal. I know it's Portuguese territory, but what are they like, are they a distinct sort of racial group or how does it work? Sam: They identify as Azoreans. They don't like it if you classify them as Portuguese. Phil: Okay. Sam: The Azores, they're autonomous region of, of Portugal, a bit like Madeira. Ethnically they, they're Portuguese. Kim: Now last time we spoke to you, you were in Portugal, but we were chatting about the Malaysia episode. So was it this experience you had at that time we spoke or is Portugal, a kind of go to destination for you? Sam: When we spoke last time, we were just getting ready to go to the Azores. We came back to the UK for Christmas and we've decided to go around Europe for a couple of weeks and Portugal was for choice. Phil: Fantastic. Nice rich in experience. Good to hear. Sam: And also in Portugal in the winter, it's not too cold. Kim: Now the article that you wrote for us on Malaysia, on the Maylay Basin is very, very popular so we're guessing the one that we'll share that you've written on this volcano will be just as popular and we haven't even, Phil, touched on the freshwater lake with Sam. Phil: I want to know. Tell me about this lake. Sam: From the top of the volcano to the bottom, is about a hundred meters. On the outside of the volcano you've got all of these moss and Lichens and all these spongy blind plants. When it rains and it rains a lot there, all of these plants, some of the top they absorb the water and this constantly drips down through the, through the rock. So when you're standing inside, it's always raining like a drizzle from all the water dripping constantly from the top. All these drains to bottom and it's made a little lake. When it rains a lot, it can get up to about 25 meters and during the drought it can completely dry up. There's no life in now you won't find any fish in there. Actually, the way the volcano was discovered is quite a funny story. Sam: Essentially about 200 years back it was just a hole in the ground and the early farmers, they didn't know what it was, it was just a black hole in the ground, a bit like a sinkhole. It came to their attention when they started noticing the sheep were disappearing on the field. Phil: But they were falling in the hole or what? Sam: Exactly they were falling down the hole. The turn of the 19th century a few people went down on ropes, had to look inside, found it was a volcano, and so then the farmer started using it as a dump, because only in the 1960s that they started to turn into a bit of a tourist attraction. The geologists came and they started to actually studied. Phil: Sam, thank you very much, mate. Good to talk to you again. Sam: Thanks for having me on again. Kim: Okay, what's travel news Phil? Phil: I write quite a lot about travel safety and talk about it in the media and what have been, one of the things I tried to convey is that safety is relative. If you're a first time traveler and you've got no experience of the world outside of your hometown, you have a different risk profile, then you know Macgyver or James Bond, so you should choose your destinations accordingly. I'm not sure how I feel about this. A French tour company has began offering cultural trips to parts of Syria. Kim: Ooh. Phil: Yes, Syria. Kim: Covered or not? Phil: I'll get to that. Kim: Okay. Phil: All right. The tour goes to south Damascus, the Tekkiye and the Krak des Chevaliers, which is a preserved medieval castle. Clearly this is all a long way from the fighting in eastern Syria. Damascus is tucked away in the southwest corner of the country. It's only 50ks from the Lebanese border. It's probably perfectly fine or at least acceptably safe to go there, but I'm not sure how they're going to get travel insurance because again as you rightly ask it's a do not travel country. Most of the foreign governments around the world are advising their citizens that they don't go there or if you there, you should leave immediately because of the danger. Now that may be different in south Damascus, you would hope it would be. Kim: Yeah. Phil: But you're not going to get covered. You're not going to get travel insurance. We can't sell you a policy to a country against the advice of your governments. Kim: Yeah Phil: So that look, I wish them luck. I would love for, you know, the history of Syria to be available to people again, but I think this is probably a little bit early. Phil: I liked the idea, but I'm not sure how practical it is. Kim: We'll wait and see. Phil: Gay travel site Spartacus has named it's most LGBT friendly destinations for 2019 Sweden, Canada and drum roll Portugal. Kim: Yay! Phil: Portugal is top of the list. It was in 27th position last year, but Spartacus, has decided that changes in legislation and greater protection for LGBT people deemed it worthy of moving to the top of the index. Another reason to go there. Kim: Great. Phil: Japanese trained physician, who now works in Australia, has called for more education about health risks for travelers to Japan, especially with the 2020 Olympics being held in Tokyo. Kim: Do you know fun fact about that? Phil: Go Kim: Well, they were heaps of fun facts. The medals are going to be made from recycled mobile phones. Phil: Seriously? Kim: I'm serious. Phil: Yeah. I suppose there's a lot of gold and silver and stuff in those. Kim: Yeah. These games are going to be super, these are games you'd want to be on the ground for, not necessarily for the Olympics, but to see how they're doing it, the tick involved. Phil: Okay. Better throw a spanner into this. Kim: Alright, What are you going to tell me? Phil: This Japanese trained doctor whose name is Dr Kobayashi, says that the medical system in Japan is not well understood by visitors and the Japanese physicians and not keen on examining foreigners because of the language barrier And she's also very concerned about the influx of visitors during the Olympics and that they'll exacerbate a problem the country has with syphilis. Kim: That's a sexually transmitted disease. Phil: It is an Std. Yeah. The doctor sees in Japan, syphilis has been significantly epidemic with the number of cases now 10 times higher than 10 years ago and she says the majority of the patients are in their late teens to early twenties. Phil: Now we're talking about 7,000 people in the entire country. But that's still, Hey, my watch just wanted me to know if I wanted to fly to Japan. If you heard that in. Kim: Is that the Google Phil: Yeah, it's my apple watch just heard me say something about Japan and just told me the conversion rate for the dollar to the Yen. Kim: I would have been more impressed if it told you Phil: Something about syphilis. Kim: Yeah! booked you a doctor's appointment. Phil: Okay. Hey, what's the longest you've ever been delayed, Kim? Kim: Oh. about six hours. Phil: Spare a thought for the passengers on the Coast Starlight Amtrak service from Seattle to LA recently, which got caught in the Cascades mountains in those storms, snow storm that they had. The train was halted in position for 36 hours. Kim: That's murder on the oriental express stuff isn't it? Phil: Yeah. Look, the engines were still running so they got heat and light and power and what have you, but they were starting to get a bit peckish. Kim: Now. Thank you. Phil: Pleasure. Kim: We've heard of the Azores, we've mentioned them, we've heard Sam talk about the volcano that he walked into. It's an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, west of Portugal. Let's find out a little more from James though, including why it is full of year round events. James: That's a great question actually. Cause I did a blog post recently about all the different events and the Algarve and there was just so many small little ones. Especially the small little food festivals. There was one for snails, one for a certain type of sausage, there's one for sardines, and these are sort of dotted throughout the year. There was one really, really bizarre one that was the festival of the pine cone where people, they go on this big long walk to another town and shout long live the pine cone in Portuguese as they leave and ring the church bells and going to the next town and have lunch and come back. That seems to be the whole festival. Phil: I'm in. That's my kind of festival. Kim: Well, I think we've got our name for the podcast, Portugal long live the pine cone. James: Yeah, I think that's definitely a good one. Phil: A lot of people probably wonder how different Portugal might be from it's much larger neighbor Spain. Is there a lot of difference? James: Yeah. Yes and no. I mean to us as a, you know, English speakers and non Mediterranean people it can feel like they're very, very similar. But you do, you don't want to say that to a Portuguese. The longer you spend here, the more you start to see the differences. Like the food is slightly different. The attitudes and way of life for different things , quite a sort of happy and noisy country. Portugal is a little bit more conservative and they tend to be a lot quieter, a lot more sort of introspective. They have this thing and it's very important to Portuguese culture called saudade, which is a difficult thing to explain, but it's a sort of wishing you were in another place basically, wishing you were in another place in your life somewhere in the past or sometimes even in the future, and just feeling a longing for that, which sounds a little bit like depression to the rest of us, but it's just a key part of Portuguese sort of mentality. Kim: Quiet and introspective. Is that why it's, and I did not realize this, know for its yoga retreats. James: Recently, there's been a lot of different types of tourism starting up and yoga is one of them and Surfing holidays is another. Often people come to Portugal to learn a new skill, to learn to paint or to go on a walking holiday. I think this type of tourism is quite good. It's quite small, but it's usually a lot more responsible along a greener. I think probably a very good thing. Kim: Also, I'm interested in Ferragudo. James: Ferragudo. Kim: Ferragudo, okay, because we've had... Phil: Your First attempt and an accent. And it's the one word that doesn't really have on. Kim: We chatted to Sandra earlier who talked about Portugal being at risk of being loved to death. It was interesting with Ferragudo. James: Yeah, very good. Kim: Yeah it's great. Right up my alley, that it's the least developed. That's the way you describe it on your blog. Can you explain that, and is it therefore an attractive place to visit? James: Yeah, I think so. Certainly for the sort of center of the Algarve it's developed, has got tourism, but they've done it very nicely. there's always the first towns where people came into places like Spain and Portugal and they just went a little crazy with the sort of the bit that's the construction, but very good too. It feels very nice. It's very attractive. It's one of the most picturesque towns on the Algarve I think along with Tavira and maybe Faro as well. Phil: But this is the perfect place to go off and actually meet up with some locals. Go and maybe do a bit of Woofing on a farm or something like that. James: Exactly. With Ferragudo you're starting to get into the western Algarve so the Algarve is kind of split into three sections, the eastern, the central and the western. Essential is where the majority of the tourism is. The western Algarve, which very good is right on the border with is a lot more rural. It tends to have the different type of accommodation and they're a lot more of the sort of yoga retreat type places. The beaches down there are stunning and usually not very busy. It's definitely a part of the Algarve that I would recommend going to. Kim: Another thing I want to get, I'm just sort of trying to paint this picture I guess, and it may be incorrect of it being this fabulous place that you visit if you want this holistic experience. We've talked about the yoga and getting to somewhere where the crowds aren't, but then there's also a place where you can go with these spas that have healing properties. Am I trying too hard to create a picture of Portugal that is all about health and wellbeing? James: It sort of exists. It exists in little patches. For example, the Monchique which you're talking about is this mountainous part of the Algo, which it has healing springs and it's a beautiful area for walking. Then maybe the next couple of towns along we'll be quite touristic, but then you had unto the western Algarve and you'll start to find more smaller, quieter towns and more of a what you're saying this sort of, holistic accommodation or holistic retreats. It's sort of dotted around at the Algarve, and dotted around the whole of Portugal. Phil: Was Kim expressing, what's the word? Saudade. What was the word? Was she expressing a longing for a type of Portugal that doesn't really exist there? James: Quite possibly. Phil: I think she's nailed it. Kim: After talking to Sandra and she sort of suggesting the places being loved to death. I just want to make sure, Phil, that everyone knows that there is a quiet corner where you can do a bit of oming. Okay? Phil: Okay. All good. James: There has been a lot of tourism to Portugal over the last few years. Is that what Sandra is talking about? Kim: Yes and she says that Portugal is embracing it, but that, at the same time, a lot of the businesses get frustrated by the number of tourists. James: In Lisbon in particular, and Portugal have had huge numbers of tourists over the past couple of years and the city is really, really quite small and not able to cope with it. Lisbon was very badly managed in terms of just the number of people that they allowed to rent out apartments on Airbnb. It's created this housing crisis where people are moving out, or the Portuguese people are moving out of cities, out of the city center, because landlords are renting their properties short term instead. Yeah, so that is definitely happening in parts of Portugal. Kim: yeah, just on the public transport, I've read that they try and encourage tourists or travelers to stay away from it in the peak hours of the morning and the evenings so that workers can get to and from work without any hassle. James: Yeah. Well, I mean, if you think of Lisbon, I don't know if you're familiar with it, but the quintessential type of public transport here is these tiny little wooden trams. They're really, really beautiful and entertaining if you're a tourist, but if you live here that for a lot of people, that's actually how you've got to get to work or go to the shops or whatever. The route near me, for example, tram 28 is probably one of the most beautiful tram routes, public transport routes in the world. But I've taken it once since I've been here because I'll would just never get on it. Like there will be queues of maybe 200 people at sort of the peak hour of the day. One thing on the blog that I'm working on at the moment is trying to encourage people to walk that route or to do you do it slightly differently. Both the sake of people living here, but also for themselves as well. You don't want to spend an hour or longer waiting just to get on a public transport. Phil: Hopefully the city officials are addressing this though. I mean, it sounds like a pretty bad problem. James: Yeah, they're starting to slowly, Portugal's very, very dependent on tourism and the things get done very, very slowly here in a lot of cases. They have stopped handing out licenses for Airbnb and things like that. But I lived in Lisbon in 2013 and I lived in Berlin in the same year and at the same time as I lived there, both of them sort of saw a big tourism boom in the sort of the next few years. Berlin, you don't actually really notice it that much because it's a city of 3 million people I think, and it already had loads of access accommodation and it's spread out. It's really, really spread out. Lisbon's are much, much smaller city and Portugal as well, it's a lot more compact. James: I don't know, I think it's quite a unique situation for Lisbon and Portugal that the effects of tourism has been so noticeable. It's for whatever reason, people in all in one go and started coming and writing about it and sharing about it on social media and it just all took off at the same time. Phil: And I'll take the moral of the story here of course, is that we've got to get outside of Lisbon and go and explore some of the other areas of Portugal. James: Definitely, I think that's probably is the key to it. Kim: Thanks James and we'll share a link to your blog, The Portugalist in show notes. It's absolutely full of information. Now do you want to win a trip to Portugal? And you know how to write? Then listen very, very carefully. Phil: All right, Because with us in the studio right now is Bec Day and Bec's the World Nomads programs and campaigns coordinator, which means you're organizing the prize for the writing scholarship. Where are we? Where are we sending people? Bec: Believe it or not, we're sending three, lucky travel writers to Portugal. Phil: What a surprise! Kim: Who would have guessed?! Wow! The applications have opened. We've already mentioned that in previous podcasts. Bec: Yes. Kim: Open for how long? Who too? What are you looking for? Bec: Head to www.worldnomads.com/writing. Phil: Yep. Bec: And what you have to do to apply is submit a 700 word story. Picking one of the three themes about a travel experience that you've had, yeah? Kim: What are those three things? Bec: First one's a leap into the unknown, or making a local connection, or I didn't expect to find. Phil: There's a whole judging process that we go through as well. And then the prize, let's reiterate what we've got there. Bec: Yes. So the prize is amazing, a round trip to Portugal. And then you'll also get a.. Phil: From anywhere? It doesn't matter where you are? Bec: From anywhere in the world. Phil: Okay. Bec: You'll get a four day workshop with professional, New York Times contributor, Tim Neville. Phil: Who we've had on the show a couple of years. Bec: Yes. And then you'll get a 10 day trip around Portugal. Kim: You have to write about Portugal? Bec: Yeah. We'll give you a few assignments to do on the way, but pretty much you'll get to do whatever you like. Phil: Real assignments, writing for World Nomads? Bec: Yup. And also you write for one of our partners as well. Phil: Oh, so you get published on both of them? Bec: Yeah. So you'll get $1,000 spending money as well. And then you also get a rail pass thrown in from Eurail. Kim: Okay. Awesome. So that's all we need to know. Bec: Fantastic. Do you want to hear about the judges? Phil: Oh yes. Kim: Yeah. Bec: So we've also got Norie Quintos who's editor at large at National Geographic magazine. We've also got Lola Akinmade, who writes for adventure.com and national geographic traveler. Phil: What would they know about writing. Kim: Have you read Tim's stuff? Phil: I know. Kim: Terrible. No, They're brilliant writers and fantastic opportunity. Look, this is all about turning your passion into a profession we've spoken before to not only winners of writing scholarships, but winners of the film scholarships and they go on to actually make money, careers out of these. Phil: Ways to turn it into a career. Absolutely. Kim: Thanks for that. Phil: Thanks Beck. Bec: No worries. So applications close 13th of March. Phil: All right. Kim: Good stuff. If you want to check out other episodes of the World Nomads podcast, yeah, you might want to check out the one on Argentina. Speaker 8: We are very kind people. We like hugging and kissing. Whenever you arrive to a room, even if it's full of people, you will just kiss everyone. So saying high and bye, takes ages. But you have to kiss everyone, once you arrive and then before you go. But we only kiss once. I have so many funny stories when I was in Europe and I was trying to kiss my new friends in the cheek because we kiss like in the right cheek and they were like, oh, okay, this is unexpected. Speaker 8: They will try to kiss me on the other side because you know, so many countries give two kisses. Kim: You'll find that episode in show notes. You can get the World Nomads podcast on iTunes or download the Google podcast APP, ask Alexa and Google to play the world nomads podcast and Phil, to get into touch? Phil: podcast@worldnomads.com and can I actually also say I've just, I know you can get the podcast through all those devices. Can you help out with word of mouth please? Listeners, can you tell your friends that you listened to the World Nomads podcast? That'd be great if you could do that for us. Phil: Next week, We've got an amazing nomad. This is Susan Span, author and newly minted adventurer. Kim: See you then. Phil: Bye! Speaker 1: The World Nomads podcast, explore your boundaries. </div> </div> </div>Getty Images/PEC Photo 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/inside-a-dormant-volcano-on-terceira-islandSam Bedford takes a real-life journey to the center of the Earth inside the Algar do Carvao volcano, on Terceira Island in the Azores.2021-09-15T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/inside-a-dormant-volcano-on-terceira-islandhttps://www.worldnomads.comEntering the narrow concrete tunnel, I feel more like I’m walking into a former USSR prison than into a natural wonder. I step out onto a platform, and a flash of disbelief floods my body. I’m about a third of the way down a dormant volcano’s chimney. Nuno, the 33-year-old guide, who’s lived all his life on Terceira, explains lava burst through that hole above our heads 2,000 years ago. Today, Nuno assures me, it’s dormant. I’m standing inside a volcano on Terceira Island in the <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/sao-miguel-portugals-untamed-emerald-island">Azores</a>, an autonomous region of Portugal, consisting of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 850mi (1,368km) south west of <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/best-day-trips-from-lisbon">Lisbon</a>. After seeing photos of volcanoes surrounded by green prairies, I felt instantly drawn to the Azores. In particular, to the mysterious Algar do Carvao volcano. Three weeks later, I was on a two-hour flight from Lisbon to some of Europe’s most remote islands. <ul> <li><a href="#volcano"> What makes Algar do Carvao unique? </a></li> <li><a href="#chimney"> The volcanic chimney </a></li> <li><a href="#cathedral"> Inside the Cathedral </a></li> <li><a href="#lake"> The freshwater lake </a></li> <li><a href="#tips"> Trip notes </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="volcano">What makes the Algar do Carvao volcano unique?</h2> Algar do Carvao is one of the only volcanoes on Earth that can be explored inside on foot. And certainly, the only one where it’s possible to go inside to get married or watch a concert. Geologically, it has the world’s highest concentration of silica stalactites. As Nuno drives up the steep mountain road, jagged craters covered in a blanket of green dominate the undulating landscape. Nuno pulls over and points to two jet-black lumps in the near distance. These are the Black Mysteries, formed after Terceira’s last eruption in 1761. Endemic vegetation hasn’t had time to dissolve the basaltic rock into fertile soil. Algar do Carvao stands nearby; from this perspective, it looks like a child’s drawing of a volcano – wide at the bottom with a conical top. Most volcanoes lose their shape after an explosive eruption, as unstable rocks fall in on themselves over time, but Terceira’s volcano still retains its shape. Continuing up the narrow road, we head towards the top of Algar do Carvao, the last stop on our three-hour geological tour. Everything looks deceptively normal at the top. So normal, I wouldn’t believe we’re driving up a volcano if I didn’t know where we are. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/algar-do-carvao-volcano-carpark-gettyimages-alexander-klebe.jpg" alt="The car park at Algar do Carvao on Terceira Island." /> <figcaption>The car park at Algar do Carvao on Terceira Island. Photo credit: Getty Images/Alexander Klebe</figcaption></figure> We park and walk between mounds of volcanic rock covered in lichen, ferns, and moss lining the jet-black path towards the information center. I’m standing between huge rocks next to a small building – there’s no indication we’re about to walk inside a volcano. Nuno points to a hole in the ground about 30m (98ft) ahead on the other side of a barricade and explains that it’s the top of the chimney. Once inside the information center, we enter the cone along a concrete passageway. <h2 id="chimney">The volcanic chimney</h2> Algar do Carvao is divided into three sections: the chimney, the Cathedral, and the lake. We’re inside the chimney, from where a total of 338 stone steps descend 330ft (100m) into the volcano’s pit. All around is a constant dripping; moss and vegetation on the outside absorb rainwater like a sponge. This drains through the rocks causing permanent rain and mist, and the damp air is heavy to breathe. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/portugal-volcano-2.jpg" alt="The steps inside the chimney, Algar do Carvao volcano." /> <figcaption>The steps inside the chimney, Algar do Carvao. Photo credit: Sam Bedford</figcaption></figure> I look up through the mouth and can see the overcast sky. Two trees bend over the exposed opening, and dark green ferns and moss cover the walls near the top. They’ve evolved acidic roots to turn volcanic rock into fertile soil. Further down at eye level this foliage becomes patchy and thins to bands of lime-green moss. Natural light doesn’t reach this far down, and the plants can’t grow. My attention moves to the black patches on the walls – it looks like an enormous block of dark chocolate that has dripped down the walls and solidified. This is rare obsidian or volcanic glass. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/portugal-volcano-3.jpg" alt="A wall of obsidian, or volcanic glass, inside Algar do Carvao volcano." /> <figcaption>Dark chocolate or obsidian? Photo credit: Sam Bedford</figcaption></figure> The inverted crater on the vertical wall opposite captures my eye. Nuno explains how a bubble of molten gas melted the wall as it rose from the depths of the Earth. I walk further and further down the steps. The constant dripping now feels like a persistent drizzle and reminds me of standing in a forest on a rainy day. <h2 id="cathedral">Inside the Cathedral</h2> As I walk deeper into the pit, I enter a cavernous space known as The Cathedral, where the occasional music concert and wedding takes place. Named for its cavernous dome, its ceiling is about 115ft (35m) high. I notice the mosaic-like patterns decorating the walls; iron-rich reds, browns, and oranges juxtaposed with jet-black basaltic. Molten magma created the Cathedral seconds before erupting out through the chimney. Our voices echo inside the chamber. <h2 id="lake">The freshwater lake</h2> A crystal-clear freshwater lake covers the base of Algar do Carvao, formed by the constant rain. Nuno estimates it’s about 39ft (12m) deep, although it can rise to 82ft (25m). During periods of drought, the water completely dries up. Down here, the dripping has an eerie echo. The only lifeforms this far down are bacteria, and a fleet of endemic spiders, centipedes, and beetles found in the Azores that lurk in the cracks and crevices. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/portugal-volcano-4.jpg" alt="The freshwater lake inside Algar do Carvao." /> <figcaption>The freshwater lake inside Algar do Carvao. Photo credit: Sam Bedford</figcaption></figure> Before climbing back up the 338 steps, I take a moment to let it all sink in. This is where molten magma exploded out from the depths of the Earth 2,000 years ago. The same magma that created this tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/portugal-volcano-6.jpg" alt="The mouth of Algar do Carvao volcano." /> <figcaption>The mouth of the volcano. Photo credit: Sam Bedford</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="tips">Trip notes</h2> <h3>How to visit</h3> Algar do Carvao is approximately 8mi (13km) north of Angra do Heroismo (Terceira’s main town). The most convenient way is to rent a car when you arrive at the airport. Drive to Angra and follow the signs. Tour companies combine a trip to Algar do Carvao with Christmas Cave (lava tubes) and the sulfur fields. Tours last around three hours and give a better perspective of the volcanic landscape. I arranged my tour from Angra on the day of the excursion. A handful of travelers rent a bicycle and <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/cycling-travel-insurance">cycle</a> from Angra in the summer. This is more of an adventure, but the roads are narrow and you’re cycling uphill to the volcano. <h3>What to pack</h3> Bring waterproofs because of the constant wetness. The steps are slippery. Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes. Turn off the flash on your camera, which can damage the rocks. <h3>Practical information</h3> <a href="http://www.montanheiros.com/algarCarvao/">Limited opening hours</a> make visiting difficult. Until September 30, 2023, Algar do Carvao will be open daily from 2pm to 6pm. From October 1 to the end of December, 2023, it opens from 2:30pm to 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Unless you’re on a tour, try to arrive before 4pm. Be aware there are more than 300 steps into the volcano. Each step you take down, you’ve got to take back up.Sam Bedford 0 Looking at the sky from inside Algar do Carvao, a dormant volcano in the Azores

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/its-portugal-they-speak-portugeseIn Portugal they don't speak Spanish, they speak Portuguese. Learn how to speak some of the local lingo with these tips.2021-09-10T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/its-portugal-they-speak-portugesehttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>What language do they speak in Portugal?</h2> Portugal may share a border with Spain, but the Portuguese have long had their own national identity, and they also have their own language – Portuguese. Portugal has a proud history and they are proud people. They built the world's first global empire hundreds of years ago, which spanned from <a href="/explore/south-america/brazil">Brazil</a> to <a href="/explore/guides/india-insiders-guide">India</a>, from Africa to East Timor. In fact, many people believe the Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover <a href="/explore/guides/australia-insiders-guide">Australia</a>, and even <a href="/explore/guides/new-zealand-insiders-guide">New Zealand</a>. As a consequence the Portuguese language is spoken in Angola, <a href="/stories/connection/where-are-you-from">Mozambique</a>, Cape Verde, <a href="/explore/africa/sao-tome-and-principe/why-this-destination-should-be-on-your-travel-list">São Tomé and Principe</a>, Guinea-Bissau, Brazil, East Timor and Macau. These countries make up the "Lusosphere".  Certainly the Portuguese have a shared history and affinity with Spaniards, but their language is not derived from <a href="/explore/guides/spanish-travel-phrasebook">Spanish</a> as many clumsily assume. <h2>Learn a few Portuguese phrases</h2> Make an effort to learn the language before you go. (Our <a href="/explore/guides/brazilian-portuguese-travel-phrasebook">Portuguese travel phrasebook</a> focuses on Brazilian Portuguese, which has some differences in pronunciation and grammar, but is a good place to start.) If that isn't working, shift to slowly spoken English, and finally, if you are really struggling and already know how to speak Spanish, try that.  One of these three options should help. If the person you're speaking to doesn't understand, try to find someone who does. Most people you meet in Portugal will know bits and pieces of the English language – English is taught in all schools from the first grade. As well as a basic Portuguese greeting like Ola (Hello), Bom dia (Good Day), or Boa tarde (Good Evening), say Estou a aprender o Portugues (I am learning Portuguese). It's a great ice-breaker, and proves you're trying. Start with Com licença (excuse me) or Peço desculpa, mas (I'm sorry, but). A simple Por favor (please) will take you far. Yes is pronounced Sim, and No is pronounced Nao. Always speak slowly and clearly. Finish with a cheery Obrigado/Obrigada (Thank you very much) or Boa sorte (Good luck). <h2>Broken Spanish</h2> Most locals won't be offended if you do, in confusion, turn to Spanish or English – in the last decade most places have become accustomed to tourists. While traveling around tourist hot-spots there will be plenty of English speakers around to help you out. But when you venture off the tourist path, it's best to equip yourself with the basics of Portuguese.iStock 0