Portugal

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Articles about Portugal

Lisbon- monument ot discovery

'Queen of the Sea': Lisbon: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

‘Queen of the Sea’: A History of Lisbon In 1554, the writer Damião de Góis claimed that out of all the European cities, only Lisbon and her rival Seville ‘could rightfully be called Ladies and…

12 Apr 19 · 7 mins read
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Empires in World History

Empires in World History

Empires shape history and influence the format of many of our small group tours. The Mongol, Persian, Roman, British and Ottoman empires are just a few An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

29 Jul 23 · 13 mins read
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Spains explorers

Spanish Exploration and Conquest of the Americas

An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Article summarizes the Spanish explorers and the race against the Portuguese for access to the Americas.

30 Dec 21 · 11 mins read
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Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon Travel Notes for mature & senior Travellers

Lisbon Travel Notes for mature & senior Travellers Travellers, meet Lisbon. Lisbon, Travellers. Hello there. Olá! I am Lisbon, an elegant Portuguese city perched upon the banks of the sparkling River Tagus. Locals call me ‘Lisboa’.…

11 Oct 21 · 11 mins read
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Atlantic Ocean - Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay

Atlantic Ocean and How it Shaped Ancient Communities In Europe

Article of interest for senior couples and mature solo travellers joining a small group European tour to Faroe Islands, Scottish Isles, Morocco or Portugal. Focus is on the early exploration of the Atlantic.

1 Sep 21 · 12 mins read
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Praco do Comercio waterfront square

Questions About Portugal for senior travellers

Enjoy escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Portugal. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Lisbon, Mafra, Nazare, and Obidos and beyond.

8 Nov 19 · 2 mins read
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Chapter house window in the Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

The Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar, Portugal is a former Roman Catholic convent that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 12th century, it was originally the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar.

2 May 20 · 2 mins read
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Torre de Belem Lisbon, Portugal

Tower of Belem, Lisbon, Portugal

The Tower of Belem was built around 1514 on the banks of the Tagus River to defend the port of Lisbon. Built during the city of Lisbon’s Golden Age, the monument was ceremonial gateway to the city.

24 Mar 20 · 2 mins read
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alfama lisbon

Alfama, Portugal

Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest extant neighbourhood, built in the 8th century during the Muslim conquest of Portugal and neighbouring Spain.

24 Mar 20 · 3 mins read
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Lisbon Tram

The Golden Years of Lisbon

Successfully breaking the Venetian monopoly on spices and also cornering the African market made Portugal cash-rich. Pepper, which the Portuguese bought for two cruzados (gold coin) a sack in Cochin, India, was sold for 30 cruzados in Lisbon.

31 Oct 19 · 9 mins read
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Evora, Portugal

Evora, Portugal

Discover the beautifully-preserved medieval town of Evora with fantastic Roman ruins to explore, Moorish architecture and Gothic churches

8 Jan 20 · 5 mins read
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The Pena National Palace Sao Pedro de Penaferrim, Sintra, Portugal

Sintra, Portugal

Sintra was the summertime escape of European royalty and nobility and today is replete with beautiful gardens, castles and palaces to explore.

13 Jan 20 · 7 mins read
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Braga Portugal

Braga, Portugal

Braga is Portugal's third-largest city and its most important religious centre. With almost four dozen places of worship, Braga is something of an ecclesiastical destination, particularly around Easter. However, a large student population also means that, despite the numerous churches, Braga is not just a historical or religious tourist site but a dynamic and eclectic city with a lot on offer. Braga offers a slice of authentic Portugal, nestled amongst hills beside the spectacular Peneda-Geres National Park and just an hour from Porto. With a moderate climate all year round and unhurried pace of life, Braga offers the perfect environment to explore the city's cultural offerings and culinary scene.

13 Jan 20 · 5 mins read
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Portugal

Nazare, Portugal

An ancient fishing village turned popular seaside resort, Nazare is only an hour and a half from Lisbon but it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The town became world-famous almost a decade ago when Garrett McNamara, a 51-year-old from Hawaii surfed a 78-foot wave (23 metres) at one of the town's beaches, breaking the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. The event put Nazare on the map and surfers flocked to the picturesque coastal village desperate to catch the giant waves that many locals have spent years avoiding. For travellers, it is a great spot to relax and eat fresh fish while taking in the beautiful scenery and watching surfers do their bit.

29 Jan 20 · 5 mins read
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Mafra, Portugal

Mafra, Portugal

A forty-minute drive from Lisbon, you will find the town of Mafra near the west coast of Portugal. The town is known for the landmark that dominates it, the opulent Palácio Nacional de Mafra (Mafra National Palace), a Baroque masterpiece that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. The beautiful palace complex includes the king's and queen's palaces, a royal chapel, a monastery and an impressive library. The buildings are surrounded by magnificent gardens and a royal hunting park known as Tapada.

30 Jan 20 · 5 mins read
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The Castle of Obidos

Óbidos, Portugal

A tiny, charming town with over 3000 inhabitants, Obidos is an hour from Lisbon and feels like stepping back in time. The medieval village's historic centre features picturesque cobbled streets and traditional white houses, surrounded by a crenellated castle wall which is accessible by foot. The entire scene is like something out of a story book, enhanced by the surrounding hilly landscape.

29 Jan 20 · 4 mins read
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Small group tours to Portugal

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The Pena National Palace Sao Pedro de Penaferrim, Sintra, Portugal

18 days

Apr, Aug

Discover Portugal

Visiting Portugal

Join Odyssey Traveller small group journeys with like minded people on this immersive 18-day escorted tour of Portugal. This travel experience takes us from the capital of Lisbon, through Portugal's many historic cities and key UNESCO World heritage sites.

From A$11,275 AUD

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Torre de Belem Lisbon, Portugal

21 days

Jun, Sep

Lisbon & Barcelona small group tour

Visiting Portugal, Spain

An escorted tour for like minded people that provides mature couples and solo travellers with daily itineraries that provide authentic experiences with qualified local guides in the great cities of Lisbon and Barcelona over 21 days. For solo travellers a nominal single supplement is charged.

From A$14,250 AUD

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Vineyard with Davaillo castle as background, La Rioja (Spain)

24 days

Apr, Oct, Mar

Small Group Guided Tours of Spain and Portugal

Visiting Portugal, Spain

Our program explores the lands of Spain and Portugal, two countries bound by many centuries of history reflected in their modern cultures. Divided by history and language, contiguous neighbours Spain and Portugal were once host to gigantic empires that still bear their languages and lifestyles. A small group tour for couple and solo travellers.

From A$16,225 AUD

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Pre-guaranteed
Saint James Way Small Group Walking Tour

19 days

Jun, Sep, Aug

Saint James Way Small Group Walking Tour (The Camino)- Spain

Visiting Portugal, Spain

Experience pleasant sections of the Way of Saint James, crossing some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes. We follow the pilgrims on easy distances of The Way to the mythical destination, Santiago de Compostella. Not since the middle ages has this adventure for body and mind been more popular. We also get to discover the artistic highlights and rich history of Northern Spain and Portugal, as well as enjoying local wines and exquisite food.

From A$14,135 AUD

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