Excellent travel destinations and car rental providers in Portugal: Oporto’s alluring medley of visitor attractions includes the city’s former stock exchange building, the beautiful Palácio da Bolsa. Built by merchants in the mid-19th-century on a site where the monastery of São Francisco once stood, the palace lies within the old city boundaries and as such enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status. The dazzling interior reflects the wealth pouring into the city at that time, and a tour of the ornate rooms and galleries reveals a grandness and richness as extravagant as any royal palace. Epitomizing this opulence is the incredible Salão Árabe, the Arabian Room. Inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, the magnificently gilded salon is wrapped in blue and gold Moorish-style decoration that shimmers like Aladdin’s cave. If you are looking for a car to travel between Portugal’s travel destinations you can see additional details on https://www.carrentalinportugal.com/
Many years later, the castle passed into the possession of the King of Leon and Castile – Alfonso VI Henry of Burgundy, who founded his residence here. Later, the first king, Afonso Henriques I, who was born and raised within these walls, completely rebuilt Guimarães. In the 14th century, the whole settlement was surrounded by a defensive wall, 8 gates and 8 towers, each 28 meters high. In the course of time the fortress has lost its military value, many fortifications were demolished. And only in the 30s of the 20th century the castle was completely restored. Today, the castle is in the form of a heraldic shield, only 4 of the 28 towers have survived, each of which is accessed by stone stairs. A suspension bridge connects the central gate and the western wall. Visitors can explore all the rooms of the fortress and climb its walls, from where there are beautiful views of the city of Guimarães.
Vacation attractions and rent a car services in Portugal today: Cabo Girão is located in the southern coast of Madeira, in the Portuguese archipelago with the same name. At 570 meters (1,870 feet), the cliff is often referred to as the highest sea cliff in Europe but at least three European cliffs are higher. The view down the almost sheer drop to the ocean is thrilling nonetheless. In 2012 a glass-floored platform was installed creating an even scarier viewing experience. The São Jorge Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Lisbon as it can be seen from all over the city. It dates back to Roman times, though the Moors rebuilt the fortifications in the 10th century. The castle was freed from Moorish rule in 1147 during the Siege of Lisbon in the Second Crusade. It later served as the residence of King Alfonso III. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today, walls and 18 towers that visitors can climb remain.
Lisbon is blessed with some truly world-class museums, and one of the finest is the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. The museum’s collection numbers some 6,000 pieces, all of which belonged to just one man: Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, a wealthy Armenian oil magnate who bequeathed his priceless hoard to the Portuguese nation upon his death in 1955. Quite simply, this is one of the finest collections of art in Europe. The exhibits span more than 4,000 years from classical and oriental Antiquity to European art of the early 20th century. No other museum has such varied pieces of art from so many places in the world, and visitors can spend hours mulling over treasures such as the 11 Roman medallions found in Egypt; 16th-century illustrated manuscripts; masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Turner; Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture; and Art Nouveau jewelry made by Rene Lalique. The museum lies in beautiful lush gardens that are perfect for picnics, especially during the summer months.
Best vacation attractions and rent a car services in Portugal: It is in Portugal where you can feel as far away from home as ever – at the very edge of the world, because the country is located at the westernmost cape of Europe, and further there is only the ocean, beyond which there are uncharted lands. No matter where you choose to spend your vacation or weekend in Portugal, traveling around the country is incredibly interesting. You will be accompanied by guides in Portugal who not only have an impeccable knowledge of history and traditions, but also a sincere desire to show tourists the beauty of their homeland. A true favorite among the medieval castles of Portugal can be considered the castle of Obidos, located on a hill, which offers a wonderful view of the surroundings of the city of the same name: vineyards, windmills, bright terracotta roofs of the surrounding houses.
Taking to the sea by kayak to explore the Lisbon coast makes for a rewarding maritime excursion. Besides offering an extra dimension to the sightseeing experience, paddling the coastline provides an excellent excuse to exercise in a salt-laced, pristine environment. Indeed, Lisbon’s proximity to the ocean allows for a wide range of exciting water sports, and discovering the beaches, bays, and coves set along the region between the Portuguese capital and the resort town of Cascais is a fun-packed way to enjoy a day out. Beyond the area, the crystal-clear waters off the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park, which encompass places like Setubal and Sesimbra, comprise a unique landscape of magnificent, ancient sea cliffs that teem with birdlife. Most of the coastline here lies within a protected marine reserve – a sanctuary that includes within its boundaries the wonderfully picturesque Ribeira do Cavalo beach. See more information at https://www.carrentalinportugal.com/.