7-Nights Picture Perfect Portugal

Guarda

The highest (and coldest) city in Portugal, Guarda lies on the main road to Madrid, Spain, about 105 mi/170 km east of Coimbra. The town is in a beautiful setting amid a boulder-strewn landscape. Its most striking monument is its Gothic cathedral.

Allow at least two hours just to stroll around, longer if you intend to visit the Guarda museum, housed within a 16th-century complex that includes the former Bishop's palace, or go inside one of the Baroque-style churches.

Local crafts include basket-weaving, goat bells and blankets, while produce centers around chestnuts, olive oil and delicious Serra da Estrela cheese.

Guarda's proximity to the Serra da Estrela natural park, and the Zezere and Mondego valleys means that hiking trails and outdoor adventure activities are easy to find.

Braga

Braga, Portugal, the capital of the lush region known as the Minho, or Costa Verde, is an early Roman and Christian town, seat of the archbishop and site of the Festival of St. John. It is located 30 mi/50 km northeast of Porto. The city's cathedral is an impressive one, and the Easter processions are definitely worth seeing.

Just east of Braga is one of Portugal's most memorable sites: the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The sanctuary, dedicated to the glory of Jesus, covers an entire hillside. The church at the top can be reached via a water-operated funicular railway, but you might prefer the baroque stairway (though you don't have to climb it on your knees as many pilgrims do). The stairway pays homage to the five senses and the three virtues (faith, hope and charity) through a series of statues and fountains. The church itself is somewhat anticlimatic, but on a clear day, you can see the city of Braga and the Atlantic Ocean from its steps. Bom Jesus can get crowded on the weekend.

Also in this area is Citania de Briteiros, the extensive ruins of an ancient Celtic city dating from the first century, which includes the remnants of more than 150 stone huts and city streets. The ruins are usually seen as a side trip from Braga or Bom Jesus. A car is essential, as is sensible footwear.

Fatima

The city of Fatima in Portugal is most famous for the religious visions that reportedly appeared in the early 20th century. The marian shrine attracts a large number of pilgrims from around the world every year. If shopping is your weakness you will be delighted to find a variety of local crafts such as jewelry, statues, paintings, and clothes in stalls all around the hotels. There are also a number of restaurants specializing in portuguese cuisine, including the National dish called Bacalhau (salted cod stew).

Lisbon

Porto (Oporto)