Fly & Drive van Zuid naar Noord Portugal

About the destination: The Algarve’s capital and largest city, Faro is the starting point for many northern Europeans’ holidays in the sun. Yet tourists have not overrun Faro, it’s a large city, and its marvellous beach, floating on an islet outside the town, help the jaded forget their lot. Despite being just the arrival point for many holidaymakers, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it's an enticing city-break destination in its own right. Faro's Old Town is a little gem. It's small, quiet and wonderfully atmospheric. The Cidade Vella is crammed with tourists and locals visiting the handicraft markets or just wandering around looking at the old buildings, many of which show signs of the city’s Moorish ancestry. Leading into Faro’s Old Town stands the Arco da Vila, a gate originally constructed as an arched gateway with a bell tower atop and a statue of the city’s patron saint, St Thomas Aquina. In the centre there is a beautiful square, Largo da Sé that used to be the Roman Forum. It's lined with orange trees and it is flanked by Faro’s Cathedral, the Bishops Palace and a 16th Century convent that is now the Faro Museum of Archaeology. Se Catedral, Faro’s Cathedral, dominates the Old Town. The original Gothic church was built in the 13th century, but was severely damaged during an earthquake. Only the tower and a doorway remains from that era and the temple presents today elements of different styles like Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. From the tower you can enjoy panoramic views of Faro and the coastline. Faro has a beautiful marina which lies just to the north of the Old Town and is probably the busiest part of the city. The city of Faro is a busy cosmopolitan centre, offering plenty of things to do, whether it's a wander around the shops, relaxing at one of the many pavement cafés, or visiting some of the historic places of interest, this city has much to tempt you off the beach.

About the destination: Sagres is situated inside the Algarve at the south-westernmost point of Portugal and of Europe. It is in Barlavento, western Algarve. Reach the Sagres region is entering a mystical atmosphere, surrounded by an untamed, unexplored dramatic landscape, where the sea and the mountains come together to form an unusual natural heritage. The beauty of its beaches, many almost deserted, and towering cliffs leaning over the sea, along with the historic grandeur constitute the principal. Visitors can also devote to nature defying the waves, admiring the sea bottom, climbing cliffs and exploring new paths. Sagres is one of the few places in the Algarve where wild nature, along with a rich historical and cultural heritage remains intact.

About the destination: Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills due to its location, the city spreads across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tajo. Romantic and cosmopolitan, the city presents its typical red roofs to the visitors that want to get to know its every inch. Lisbon surprises with its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Portuguese capital offers lots of museums, libraries, a huge port, churches and palaces and stunning views of the Rio Tajo Lisbon was considered a poor and chaotic city. Currently it has experienced a resurgence in the style of the XIV and XV centuries, when it was part of that vast empire stretching from Brazil to India. The reason for this was the World Expo held in 1998, a new bridge over the Tagus was built and the network of underground of the city was remodeled. The resurgence of the city then continued to host several matches during Euro in 2004, also held there the Delivery Music Awards (MTV) in 2005. Many of its most beautiful buildings date from the XIV and XV centuries, especially the ones located in the Belem district. There are also many buildings from the XVIII century, which are located mostly in the Baixa area of central Lisbon and were reconstructed almost completely after a devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755. The historic center of the city, standing on Las Siete Colinas, presents steep streets and picturesque alleys. On the west side of the city, there is Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon’s lung, with an area of 10 km and one of the largest in Europe. The capital’s majestic port has 3 docks commonly used for several cruises and it is, currently, the busiest port in the European Atlantic coast. Lisbon is a city with centuries of history and with an ambitious attitude, marrying the historic with the modern, the traditional with the cutting edge. Strolling through the old quarters one can hear the traditional Fado sung and played in small restaurants in town. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica filling the air and revelers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions. Lisbon presents itself to the world as a cosmopolitan and lively city, with alternative for every taste, especially in the summer months when its many bars, terraces and restaurants are crammed with people.

About the destination: The area of the town of Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are a popular tourist destination. The castle now houses a pousada. The municipality is also home to the famous Praia D'el Rey golf complex, one of the top golf resorts in Europe, and Royal Óbidos - Spa & Golf Resort. Each July Óbidos castle hosts a traditional 'Medieval Market'. For two weeks the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe. Flowing banners and heraldic flags set the mood together with hundreds of entertainers and stall holders dressed as merchants, jugglers, jesters, wandering minstrels, soldiers and more. Visitors can shop at the traditional handcrafts fair or watch medieval shows, horse displays and a costumed parade that winds its way through the streets. There are also displays of jousting knights and armed combat. Spit roasted hog, hearty soups, rabbit, lamb, cod, quail, sausages and other grilled meats are just some of the many medieval style meals on offer from dozens of "taverns" and stalls spread throughout the market. Drinking from pewter tankards and eating from wooden trencher all adds to the experience. The town is dominated by an old medieval fortress with a portion of the town located within the castle walls. Clock Tower Mother Church of Saint Mary Municipal Museum, located in the old Council Chamber House

About the destination: It is the seat of a municipality with 416.50 km ² of area and 46 196 inhabitants (2001), subdivided into 18 parishes. The municipality is limited to the north by the municipalities of Pombal, to the northeast by Alvaiázere, to the east by Ferreira do Zêzere and Tomar, to the southeast by Torres Novas, to the southeast by Alcanena and to the west by Batalha and by Leiria.

About the destination: Castelo Branco is a city and a municipality in Castelo Branco District, in Centro Region,Portugal. The city of Castelo Branco is made up of one parish. It is bounded in the north by the municipality of Fundão, in the east by Idanha-a-Nova, in the south by Spain, in the southwest by Vila Velha de Ródão, and in the west by Proença-a-Nova and Oleiros. The main tourist attractions are the city´s park and garden and The Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum.

About the destination: Surrounded by vineyards, orchards and pine-forests, the charming country town of Viseu has been a northern crossroads since the time of the Romans. Situated in the Beira Alta between the mountain ranges of the Serra da Estrela and Serra do Caramulo, Viseu today, is the centre of the Dão wine-growing region, where crispy white wines and some of Portugal's most popular full-bodied reds are produced. With its small streets paved with granite flagstones, its Renaissance and classically encorbelled houses, decorated with shields bearing coats of arms, old Viseu has preserved its former glories. At the magnificent Adro da Sé, the beautiful square at the historical centre of Viseu, stands the Sé Catedral de Santa Maria de Viseu, a monument to faith. It is a huge square that is paved, and surrounded by four buildings: the Balcony of the Canons and the Tower of Homage, the Cathedral, the Palace of the Three Steps, now Museo Vasco Grau, and the Misericordia Church. In the middle of it all you will find a granite cross with the shield of Bishop Francisco de Oliveira. Viseu has a rich heritage still visible in its monuments. Best known for its velvety red wines and luscious gastronomic delights, Viseu will entice you with its vibrant folklore festivals, pastoral scenery and plentiful collection of cultural gems.

About the destination: Sabrosa is a Portuguese town in the District of Vila Real, Região Norte and the intermunicipal community of Douro, with about 1200 inhabitants. It is the seat of a municipality with 156.45 km² of area and 7032 inhabitants (in 2001), subdivided into 15 parishes. The municipality limits to the north with the municipalities of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, to the east by Alijó, to the southeast with São João da Pesqueira, to the south with Tabuaço and Armamar and to the west with Peso da Régua and Vila Real. Its existence began in 1836 due to the dismemberment of Vila Real. In October 2014, the twinning was signed between the city of Puerto San Julián, in Argentina, and the city of Sabrosa.

About the destination: Amares is a municipality in Braga District, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 18,889, in an area of 81.95 km². The present Mayor is José Gonçalves Barbosa, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is June 13.

About the destination: Situated on a dramatic valley cut by River Douro, Porto is known for the beauty of its building and the sweet taste of is wine. The hub of the city is Avenida dos Aliados, a wide avenue encircle by Praça General H. Delgado and Praça da Liberdade. Nonetheless, the most alluring part of the city is Ribeira, the river district and a Unesco World Heritage Site, where three of Europe’s most graceful bridges span the gorge. Busy Praça da Liberdade and the adjoining Avenida dos Aliados make up the centre of town, where statues stand in the centre of busy mosaic walkways. Nearby rises Porto’s great cathedral, a colossal, fortified Romanesque structure whose heavy granite foundations, thick walls and tiny windows enclose a gloomy interior. The Ribeira stretches along the river, skirted by a wonderful quay filled with shops and restaurants. Porto’s most characteristic monument, the ornate Torre dos Clérigos, offers a panorama of the city from atop its 240 steps. No visit to Porto would be complete without a stop at some of the many bodegas, wine lodges, where port is stored and bottled. And a visit to the amazing Lello library with its spiral staircase, is a must see as well, even if you are not a Harry Potter’s fan.