The iconic capital city of seven hills and immense blue skies is, like Portugal itself, not a place of the obvious. Situated on the banks of a river (Tagus), the charm of Lisbon exists in its strong links to the past. Its renovated palaces, magnificent churches and an impressive castle mirror the city’s rich cultural heritage. Its eclectic blend of neighbourhoods, culture and architecture make it a truly fascinating city to visit.

Monchique is a market town up in the Serra de Monchique, which is a thickly wooded mountain range separating the Algarve from Alentejo. The journey up (and down) to Monchique offers spectacular views and is totally different from coastal Algarve. The houses in Monchique are typically Algarvean with their white walls and bands of colour around the windows and doors, but their ‘saia’ (skirt) chimneys are quite unique and different from coastal homes

Silves was the former Moorish capital of the Algarve, Portugal. The remains of the Moorish castle are still impressive, and the huge underground water reservoir is still used by the city today. An archaeological museum has been constructed above this cistern showing local objects including items from the Stone Age. Today, Silves is an enchanting town littered with orange and lemon trees, sitting on the banks of the Arade River (“Rio Arade”).