Travelweekly

Time seems to move more slowly throughout the villages of Portugal. These small towns located outside big cities allow visitors to experience traditional Portuguese living through their cobbled streets and whitewashed houses alongside the aromatic smell of fresh-baked bread from small cafes. Advance planning plays a vital role in this trip because it includes choosing nice accommodations and securing affordable Stansted airport parking for a stress-free beginning. The journey began in Monsanto which Portuguese locals consider the "most Portuguese village in Portugal." The village contains stone cottages that merge naturally into the imposing boulders which surround it. The winding routes of this town transported me to a historical era as I admired panoramic views of the countryside from its medieval castle ruins. Obidos stands as a fairy-tale village which remains perfect for postcards. Trapped by ancient defensive walls Obidos reveals itself through its tiny alleywa...